Essential Oils To Quit Smoking | Use Essential Oils To Help You Quit Smoking

Overview

Smoking is a complex habit that combines physical, psychological, and social elements. It often involves a strong nicotine dependency and triggers that are deeply rooted in one’s daily routine. According to World Health Organization, smoking is considered to be one of the major factors that contribute to non-communicable diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cerebral infarction, also diabetes, and heart disease in some cases. 

Also, it has been seen that smoking can promote negative emotions and also develop the risk of depression. Smoking brings many changes in the behavior of a person, and they tend to suffer through agitated mood. So, in short, it can be clearly said that smoking is doing no good to you. In fact, it acts as a magnet for many physical, mental, as well as social problems.

If you are looking for solutions to quit smoking and also help you deal with withdrawal symptoms, then you have reached the right place. There are many commercial products available in the market that can help you with withdrawal from cigarette smoking. Luckily, nature offers ways to help reduce the stress caused due to quitting smoking. 

Essential oils are one of the best natural solutions that can be used to overcome smoking. Using essential oils can help in various aspects of improving your well-being. Pure essential oils extracted from plants have been used for centuries as natural remedies. Essential oils can help reduce stress, promote relaxation, and boost mood, making them ideal for your journey to quit smoking. 

This article discusses the use of essential oils, one of the most natural solutions, that help you quit smoking.  

Why Essential Oils?

A Natural Approach

Essential oils have been used for centuries as natural remedies for various health conditions. Their therapeutic properties can be harnessed to address the challenges of smoking cessation. Unlike conventional smoking cessation methods that may involve medications with potential side effects, essential oils offer a safe and natural alternative.

Calming Effects

Quitting smoking can lead to anxiety and stress. Essential oil is known for its calming effect on the mind and body. They can help alleviate feelings of restlessness and promote a sense of relaxation, making the quitting process more manageable.

18+ Best Essential Oils To Quit Smoking | Use These Essential Oils To Stop Smoking

We are pleased to offer essential oils that can help curb nicotine cravings and be an excellent addition to your quit-smoking journey.

1. Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender oil is renowned for its soothing properties, and it can be particularly beneficial during the quitting process. Inhaling lavender oil through a diffuser or applying it topically can help reduce anxiety and promote better sleep, which are crucial elements of a successful quit attempt. The anti-inflammatory property of this oil helps suppress the mucous membranes within the respiratory system during the smoking cessation period. 

2. Peppermint Essential Oil

Peppermint oil is known for its refreshing aroma and invigorating properties. It can be a valuable ally in your journey to quit smoking as it may help reduce cravings and alleviate headaches that can occur during withdrawal. It also helps improve focus which is challenging during the quitting process. The menthol scent of this oil can also help improve your mood and help fight against depressive thoughts. 

3. Eucalyptus Essential Oil

If you are struggling with quitting the habit of smoking, then one of the best options is the use of the essential oil of eucalyptus. Eucalyptus oil is an excellent choice for respiratory support during the quitting process. It can help clear the airways, making it easier to breathe and reducing the discomfort that may arise from quitting smoking.

4. Bergamot Essential Oil

Bergamot oil has mood-enhancing properties that can help stabilize emotions during the ups and downs of quitting smoking. Bergamot essential oil can also help promote a sense of well-being and optimism, which are vital for staying motivated throughout the process.

Known for its uplifting yet calming scent, bergamot is also often ranked one of the best essential oil for COPD. Bergamot contains compounds that thin mucus while naturally reducing bronchial constriction. Inhaled directly or diffused at night, bergamot oil can open airways to make breathing easier for COPD sufferers.

With expectorant and anti-inflammatory properties, bergamot also prevents infections that may aggravate COPD. By directly treating COPD symptoms as well as boosting mood, bergamot oil can be an excellent supplemental therapy for improving lung health.

5. Frankincense Essential Oil

Frankincense oil has been used for centuries in various rituals due to its calming and grounding effects. It can support emotional balance and inner peace during the challenging journey of quitting smoking. It has an anti-inflammatory effect that can help with the issue of inflammation during the withdrawal phase. 

6. Cedarwood Essential Oil

Cedarwood oil has a warm and woody aroma that can help promote relaxation and reduce stress. When dealing with nicotine cravings or smoking withdrawal symptoms, inhaling the scent of cedarwood oil can provide a calming effect, making it easier to resist the urge to smoke and help you stop smoking. 

7. Roman Chamomile Essential Oil

Roman chamomile oil is known for its gentle and soothing properties. It can be particularly helpful in managing irritability and anxiety, common emotions experienced during the early stages of quitting smoking. If you’re trying to quit smoking, then consider diffusing this oil or adding a few drops to your bath for a relaxing experience.

8. Clary Sage Essential Oil

Clary sage oil has a sweet and herbaceous fragrance that can support emotional balance and mental clarity. It can be especially beneficial during moments of stress or when facing triggers that may tempt you to smoke. You can use this essential oil to stop smoking. Diffuse clary sage oil in your living space to create a calming atmosphere; it also helps to reduce the urge to light a cigarette.

9. Ginger Essential Oil

Ginger oil is one of the best essential oils to help quit smoking cigarettes. It has a warm and spicy scent that can invigorate the senses. It helps curb tobacco cravings and boost energy levels, which are essential aspects of a successful quitting journey. Consider inhaling ginger oil or using it in a massage blend to promote circulation and well-being.

10. Ylang Ylang Essential Oil

Ylang ylang oil is known for its floral and uplifting aroma. It can help elevate mood and reduce feelings of sadness or frustration that may arise during the quitting process. This oil can be diffused or added to a carrier oil for a soothing massage. Quitting smoking can be a stressful process for many people. Using this essential oil for quitting smoking can help to a great extent to overcome such stressful situations.

11. Marjoram Essential Oil

Marjoram oil has a calming and comforting fragrance that can aid in relaxation and stress relief. It can be particularly useful before bedtime to promote better sleep, which is crucial for restoring the body and mind during the quitting journey. It is a great oil for improving the respiratory system’s functioning. 

12. Basil Essential Oil

Basil oil has a refreshing and herbaceous scent that can help alleviate mental fatigue and promote focus. When dealing with the challenges of quitting smoking, inhaling basil oil can provide a boost of mental clarity and determination. It has a soothing effect that can help overcome nicotine addiction and quit smoking. 

13. Black Pepper Essential Oil

Black pepper oil has a warm and spicy aroma that can stimulate the senses and help reduce cravings for nicotine. Consider black pepper essential oil, as its invigorating properties can also promote mental clarity and focus, making it an excellent addition to your quit-smoking journey. Black pepper essential oil also helps reduce smoking withdrawals and cravings. It also helps with the issue of indigestion and supports and improves the stomach’s health. 

14. Rosemary Essential Oil

Rosemary oil is known for its stimulating and uplifting effects on the mind. Inhaling rosemary oil can help combat mental fatigue and provide a sense of clarity, which can be beneficial when dealing with the mental challenges of quitting smoking. Its anti-inflammatory properties help deal with the symptoms related to quitting smoking, like headache and nausea. It also helps deal with stress and anxiety that are commonly witnessed in smokers during the time of withdrawal. 

15. Lemon Essential Oil

Lemon oil has a refreshing and citrusy scent that can uplift the mood and promote a sense of positivity. Inhaling lemon oil can help combat feelings of irritability and sadness that may arise during the quitting process. This is one of the best oils that help deal with the symptoms of nicotine cravings. 

16. Cinnamon Essential oil

Cinnamon oil has a warm and comforting aroma that can help alleviate cravings and support emotional balance. Its sweet and spicy scent can create a sense of coziness, making it easier to cope with the changes that come with quitting smoking.

17. Tea Tree Essential Oil

Tea tree oil, also known as melaleuca oil, is a versatile essential oil with numerous benefits that can support your efforts to quit smoking. With its fresh and medicinal aroma, tea tree oil can play a crucial role in your journey to becoming smoke-free. It has properties that help in clearing respiratory pathways and helps repair the damage caused due to tobacco smoking. Also, it is a great oil that supports overall oral health care. 

18. Clove Essential Oil

Clove essential oil work wonders as it has a rich and aromatic scent that can help reduce nicotine cravings and soothe oral discomfort. When experiencing the urge to smoke, inhaling clove oil can provide a satisfying and comforting alternative. It is rich in antioxidant properties that help stimulate the mind and ease anxiety and stress during the quitting process. 

Additionally, clove oil has demonstrated anti-depressive effects. Its active compounds help regulate mood-influencing serotonin and dopamine levels in the brain. This makes clove one of the most effective essential oils for naturally relieving symptoms of depression.

19. Sweet Orange Essential Oil

It is a great essential oil that can help with quitting smoking. The sweet and citrusy scent of orange oil helps to a great extent in the journey of quitting smoking. The sweet orange essential oil can give you instant energy and enhance your mood, which helps you stay motivated toward your goal. 

How Do Essential Oils Help You Quit Smoking?

Breaking free from smoking addiction is a challenging process that requires dedication and support. Essential oils can be powerful allies in this journey for several reasons:

Addresses Cravings and Withdrawal Symptoms

Essential oils, with their unique aromatic compounds, can help manage nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Inhalation of certain oils can activate the brain’s limbic system, which is responsible for emotions and cravings. By inhaling specific essential oils, such as peppermint or ginger, you can reduce the intensity of cravings and ease the discomfort of withdrawal.

Promotes Relaxation and Stress Relief

Stress and anxiety are common triggers for smoking. Essential oils like lavender and clary sage have calming properties that can help alleviate stress, promote relaxation, and reduce tension. By incorporating these oils into your daily routine, you can create a soothing environment that supports your mental and emotional well-being during the quitting process.

Supports Respiratory Health

Quitting smoking often involves dealing with respiratory challenges as the body starts to heal from the damage caused by smoking. Essential oils like eucalyptus and cedarwood have respiratory-supporting properties, helping to clear the airways and ease breathing discomfort. Using these oils can contribute to a smoother transition to a smoke-free lifestyle.

Enhances Mood and Emotional Balance

Emotional fluctuations are common during the quitting process. Essential oils like ylang-ylang and bergamot have uplifting and mood-stabilizing effects. Inhaling these oils or using them in aromatherapy can help maintain emotional balance and create a positive mindset, which is crucial for staying motivated and resilient during the challenges of quitting smoking.

How To Use Essential Oils To Quit Smoking?

Essential oils are extracted from various parts of plants, including leaves, flowers, bark, and roots. They contain concentrated plant compounds that give them their distinct aromas and therapeutic properties. When used correctly, essential oils can interact with the body through several pathways:

1. Inhalation

One of the many ways to use essential oils is by inhaling their aromatic scents, which can have a profound impact on our emotions and mental state. Inhaling essential oils is one of the most effective ways to experience their benefits. When you inhale an essential oil’s aroma, it travels through the olfactory system, which connects to the limbic system in the brain.

The limbic system plays a vital role in emotions, memory, and motivation. By stimulating the limbic system, certain essential oils can influence mood and emotional responses, making them valuable tools for managing cravings and stress.

2. Topical Application

When applied to the skin, essential oils can be absorbed through the hair follicles and sweat glands, entering the bloodstream. However, it’s essential to dilute essential oils with a carrier oil to avoid skin irritation. Topical application allows the oils to target specific areas, such as pulse points or sore muscles, providing localized relief and support.

3. Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is the practice of using essential oils to promote physical, emotional, and psychological well-being. This can be achieved through diffusers, inhalers, or by adding a few drops of essential oil to a bowl of hot water and inhaling the steam. Aromatherapy allows the essential oil molecules to disperse into the air, providing a continuous and gentle effect on the body and mind.

4. Internal Use (With Caution)

Some essential oils can be ingested, but this should be done with caution and only under the guidance of a qualified aromatherapist or healthcare professional. Not all essential oils are safe for internal use, as some can be toxic if consumed in large quantities. If you plan to use essential oils internally, ensure that they are of therapeutic grade and suitable for ingestion.

DIY Essential Oil Blend To Stop Smoking And For Withdrawal Symptoms

The following blend of essential oils can help you quit smoking. 

1. Calming Essential Oil Inhaler Blend

Ingredients:

• 4 drops of Lavender oil
• 4 drops Roman Chamomile oil
• 2 drops Clary Sage oil

Instructions:

1. In a small glass bowl, combine the essential oils.
2. Take a blank inhaler tube and add the oil blend to the cotton wick inside.
3. As needed, inhale deeply from the aromatherapy inhaler whenever you feel stressed or anxious during your quit-smoking journey.

2. Craving Buster Roller Blend

Ingredients:

• 5 drops Peppermint oil
• 4 drops Ginger oil
• 3 drops Ylang Ylang oil
• 2 drops Bergamot oil

Instructions:

1. In a roller bottle, add the essential oils.
2. Fill the rest of the bottle with a carrier oil, such as fractionated coconut oil or sweet almond oil.
3. Apply the blend to your pulse points, such as wrists, temples, and behind the ears, whenever you experience nicotine cravings.

3. Breathe Easy Vapor Rub

Ingredients:

• 10 drops Eucalyptus oil
• 5 drops Frankincense oil
• 5 drops Cedarwood oil
• 4 tablespoons of coconut oil or shea butter (as the base)

Instructions:

1. Melt the coconut oil or shea butter in a double boiler until it becomes liquid.
2. Let it cool slightly, then add the essential oils to the base and stir well.
3. Transfer the mixture into a small glass jar and let it solidify.
4. Apply a small amount of the vapor rub to your chest or under your nose to support respiratory health and ease breathing during the quitting process.

4. Stress-Relief Bath Soak

Ingredients:

• 8 drops of Lavender oil
• 6 drops Clary Sage oil
• 4 drops Marjoram oil
• 1 cup Epsom salt

Instructions:

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the essential oils with the Epsom salt.
2. Fill your bathtub with warm water and add the mixture to the bath.
3. Soak in the bath for at least 20 minutes to relax your body and mind and reduce stress and tension.
4. Uplifting Room Spray

5. Uplifting Room Spray

Ingredients:

• 10 drops Bergamot oil
• 8 drops Basil oil
• 5 drops Ylang Ylang oil
• Distilled water
• 1-ounce spray bottle

Instructions:

1. Fill the spray bottle halfway with distilled water.
2. Add the essential oils to the bottle.
3. Fill the rest of the bottle with more distilled water, leaving a little space at the top.
4. Shake the bottle well before each use.
5. Spray the uplifting room spray in your living space to create a positive and motivating atmosphere.

You can use these essential oil blends or can also customize these blends by adding your favorite essential oils. 

Safety Precautions

Aromatherapy and essential oils are a great natural solution for overcoming your smoking habit. But essential oils need to be used with certain care and safety to utilize them to its fullest potential: 

• Always dilute essential oils with carrier oil when applying topically to prevent skin irritation.
• Perform a patch test before using a new essential oil to check for any allergic reactions.
• If you’re pregnant, nursing, or have any underlying health conditions, consult with a healthcare professional before using essential oils.

Summary

Embrace the natural power of essential oils and discover how these plant-derived treasures can support your path to a healthier and smoke-free life. You can use essential oil as a tonic for the respiratory system, especially when quitting smoking is one of your goals. Many individuals agree that smoking is one of the most challenging habits to overcome, but the use of these essential oils can help curb nicotine cravings and ease the discomfort of withdrawal. Using essential oils can nourish your body and soul. 

Essential oil is often used to reduce stress and anxiety, which are common symptoms of smoking withdrawal. Essential oil also helps people with negative emotions and help improve their focus, and offers balance. Essential oil can be used as a natural ingredient that helps you stay away from cigarettes. Essential oil may be seen as an effective tool in the fight against smoking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Source:

• World Health Organization, 2013. Global action plan for the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases 2013-2020. World Health Organization.
• Kassel, J.D., Stroud, L.R. and Paronis, C.A., 2003. Smoking, stress, and negative affect: correlation, causation, and context across stages of smoking. Psychological bulletin, 129(2), p.270.
• Hata, A., Komiyama, M., Yasoda, A., Wada, H., Yamakage, H., Satoh-Asahara, N., Morimoto, T., Takahashi, Y. and Hasegawa, K., 2022. Psychological Effects of Aromatherapy on Smokers With Depressive Tendencies During Smoking Cessation Treatment: Protocol for a Pre-Post Single-Arm Clinical Trial. JMIR Research Protocols, 11(7), p.e38626.
• Jang, S., Lee, J.A., Jang, B.H., Shin, Y.C., Ko, S.G. and Park, S., 2019. Clinical effectiveness of traditional and complementary medicine interventions in combination with nicotine replacement therapy on smoking cessation: a randomized controlled pilot trial. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 25(5), pp.526-534.
• López, V., Nielsen, B., Solas, M., Ramírez, M.J. and Jäger, A.K., 2017. Exploring pharmacological mechanisms of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) essential oil on central nervous system targets. Frontiers in pharmacology, 8, p.280.
• Umezu, T., Sakata, A. and Ito, H., 2001. Ambulation-promoting effect of peppermint oil and identification of its active constituents. Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, 69(3-4), pp.383-390.
• Zhou, W., Fukumoto, S. and Yokogoshi, H., 2009. Components of lemon essential oil attenuate dementia induced by scopolamine. Nutritional neuroscience, 12(2), pp.57-64.
• Rose, J.E. and Behm, F.M., 1994. Inhalation of vapor from black pepper extract reduces smoking withdrawal symptoms. Drug and alcohol dependence, 34(3), pp.225-229.
• Mohanty, R., Nayak, R., Mohanty, G., Das, A.C. and Panda, S., 2019. Smoking Cessation: The Aromatherapy Way. Indian Journal of Public Health, 10(11).
• Srivastava, J.K., Shankar, E. and Gupta, S., 2010. Chamomile: A herbal medicine of the past with a bright future. Molecular medicine reports, 3(6), pp.895-901.
• Young, K., 2017. The Healing Art of Essential Oils: A Guide to 50 Oils for Remedy, Ritual, and Everyday Use. Llewellyn Worldwide.