Stubbing it Out

Almost gone are the days of the ciggie, the durrie, the fag. Cigarettes have been relegated to the dusty shelves of history, replaced by a dazzling array of robotic gadgets that deliver a robust cocktail of nicotine, chemicals, and other goodies straight to our delicate lungs.

Now, instead of puffing on a cigarette, you can look like Puff the Magic Dragon while chasing a cloud of cotton candy, cola or blueberry flavoured vapour. Who knew that looking like a whimsical creature from childhood could come with so many side effects?

Vapes come with the advertising jangle of, ‘a smoother hit at the back of the throat’, ‘popular for beginners’, ‘adjustable wattage’, ‘no need to drip manually’ and the brilliant yet depressing, ‘simply discard when done’.

Heated tobacco products (HTPs) are another category of tobacco products which hit the media recently which are designed to heat processed tobacco rather than burn it. This process aims to reduce harmful emissions compared to traditional cigarettes.

Quitting smoking can be extremely frustrating and it may sometimes seem easier to give in to the cravings than to continue to fight them. Internationally, tobacco kills about 8 million people each year according to The World Health Organisation, of whom more than 7 million are from direct tobacco use and while almost 1 million are non-smokers exposed to second-hand smoke.

For this reason, many people turn to herbal medicine to navigate the rollercoaster of withdrawal symptoms that comes with going cold turkey. If you’re embarking on the journey to a smoke-free life, the leader of the pack - no pun intended - is elecampane.

This British flowering plant belongs to the Asteraceae (daisy) family and is classified as an expectorant which helps the lungs get rid of excess mucous. Its Latin name, Inula helenium, refers to Helen of Troy where the herb was said to have sprouted from where her tears fell. The herb was also sacred to the ancient Celts, who named it elfwort.

The soothing properties of Elecampane may also help ease throat irritation and discomfort that can occur during withdrawal from smoking.

Elecampane contains high levels of inulin – long chains of sugars which pass through the stomach undigested and are then available to our friendly gut bacteria as fuel for their survival and growth. Not only does elecampane alleviate respiratory conditions in the lungs, it helps to boost the immune system as well.

Another effective herb in treating and healing the lungs is the herb mullein (Verbascum thapsus).  Sometimes called lungwort, mullein is a common garden plant with beautiful yellow flowers and a soft dense mass of hairs on the leaf which makes them very thick and velvet to touch. 

In Celtic tradition, the tall, sturdy stalks of mullein were historically used as torches. The dried flower heads were dipped in animal fat and used as candles, earning it another nickname ‘torch plant’. This association with light contributed to its symbolism as a source of guidance and clarity.

Mullein is a demulcent (derived from the Latin demulcere which means “to caress”) herb which has the ability to form a soothing layer over the lining of the lungs.  Herbs which are classified as having demulcent properties often have a high content of mucilage, a thick, gluey substance which protects irritated internal tissues of the body, relieving pain and inflammation.

While herbal medicine may offer some supportive benefits during the journey to quit smoking, it is important to combine its use with a comprehensive quit plan that includes behavioural strategies and support. Always consult with a qualified medical herbalist before starting any herbal remedies, especially if you are taking other medications or have pre-existing health conditions.