Using Aromatherapy to Quit

It's national no smoking day here in the UK today, but quitting isn't always easy, and many people fail because they try to stop without having a good plan to help them achieve their goal.

It can be done though, as proved by millions of people all over the world, and aromatherapy can be one of the tools you use to help you do it.

Clinical Aromatherapy: Essential Oils in Practice notes a study where groups of smokers were asked to either be in control groups or to inhale Angelica Oil after a meal. The groups that were asked to inhale the essential oil waited an average of one hour to take a cigarette, whilst those in the control groups only managed an average of two minutes. Clove oil has been found to have similar effects (and is much more reasonably priced). Neither oil took away their cravings completely, but they definitely became more manageable.

Other studies have found that black pepper essential oil can help decrease cravings and reduce the withdrawal symptoms from quitting. One study found that “the vapour of black pepper essential oil, when inhaled, partially reproduces the respiratory tract sensations experienced when smoking, thereby reducing the craving for cigarettes.”

You can also use aromatherapy to treat symptoms of nicotine withdrawal, from irritability and anxiety to loss of concentration and weight gain - quitting smoking can have some unpleasant short term side effects. Aromatherapy is a great way to manage these and get you through the worst until you are feeling great again.

I find the best way for a soon-to-be ex-smoker to use essential oils, is with a personal inhaler. This allows them to be used anywhere when cravings hit, without disturbing other people in your office/on the tube etc...

A good combination of oils to put in the inhaler would be any of the following: Clove, Cinnamon, Grapefruit, Peppermint, Black Pepper or Ylang Ylang. Whenever you feel the urge to have a cigarette, just take out the inhaler and use it as a substitute for approximately two minutes (the time taken to smoke an average cigarette) or until your craving passes.

Another great 'stop smoking' blend is 6 drops of grapefruit, 4 drops lavender, 4 drops rosemary 2 drops clove, 2 drops orange, 2 drops chamomile, 2 drops helichrysum. You can diffuse this at home to calm frayed nerves and balance your mood.

You can purchase your certified therapeutic grade essential oils from me by clicking the picture below.