Homeopathy In Tobacco Craving

Author:
Dr Sheshadev Senapati

You’d probably have to have been living in another solar system over the last 10 years not to be aware of the risks associated with tobacco smoking ; there’s no longer any doubt about the risks associated with this activity. 
SOLUTION
There’s a huge range of solutions for the person seeking assistance to disconnect himself from the desire to smoke. Some of these proffered solutions work; some don’t and some, such as nicotine replacement, for most seem to offer only limited relief and have a few notable limitations, including break-through cravings, pregnancy and various other contraindications. The nature of tobacco craving, the physical and psychological factors that motivate it, modify it or enhance it mean that its characteristics are usually quite individualised, and therefore the more the therapy is tailored to those individual characteristics, the more successful the therapy that assists with smoking cessation is likely to be. Homeopathy is perfectly positioned to meet these requirements, and what follows are some of the more notable homeopathic medicines that have found favour with prominent authorities in this area .
SOME HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES
1. Aconitum napellus

Aconite is a wonderful remedy for acute stress and has also been used for anxious dreams and nightmares, vertigo, headaches (with an associated boiling sensation), red, inflamed eyes, dry mouth and throat, intense thirst, vomiting,a short, dry, croupy cough, tickling in the throat and chest pain brought on with coughing. Symptoms are worse at night and after midnight, dry cold wind sand warm rooms and better for open air.
2. Arsenicum album

The Arsenicum type displays a classic picture of the recently ex- smoker : restless, anxious, constantly shifting, fearful,easily exhausted, emaciated and any area of pain often has a burning character. Also seen here may be an unquenchable thirst, burning eyes, respiratory catarrh and lung pain. Symptoms are worse in wet weather or cold, and better for heat and warm drinks. 
3. Caladium

One of the great tobacco craving remedies, Caladium promotes a dislike for tobacco, often to the point of nausea or vomiting if used when smoking. A keynote symptom for this remedy is a dread of motion. Headaches,memory loss, dyspnoea and catarrhal asthma may also be noted here. Symptoms are worse for motion and better after sleep. CamphorIcy coldness is characteristic here and it’s often accompanied by a throbbing, occipital headache, insomnia, a weak bradycardia and a violent, dry, hacking cough. Symptoms are worse at night and from motion,and better from warmth.
4. Daphne indica

Like Caladium, Daphne is one of the most frequently used remedies for tobacco craving. The symptoms that correspond to it include insomnia, a bursting headache, shooting pains in the extremities, twitching, a burning pain in the stomach and foetid breath. 
5. Eugenia

The primary characteristic linking Eugenia with smoking is nausea that’s improved by smoking. One may from time to time encounter a patient whose attempts at smoking cessation are constantly thwarted by nausea that’s relieved by smoking, and in this instance, Eugenia can be very effective.
6. Plantago

Plantago is indicated for “nicotinism”, the historical term applied to tobacco craving, and in its mother tincture form, has been found to produce an aversion to tobacco. The presence of depression, insomnia, constipation of diarrhoea, as well as nocturnal enuresis, may indicate a need for its use.
7. Staphysagria

The guiding symptoms for Staphysagria include irritability, hypersensitivity, insomnia, stupefying headaches, a desire for stimulants (this obviously includes tobacco) and itchy skin. Symptoms are worse from emotional disturbance and the touch of other on affected parts, and better from warmth and rest after sundown.    
8. Tabacum

Like Nux vomica, some say that Tabacum assists in the elimination of the toxins carried by tobacco smoke. This is yet to be proved but it certainly does appear to have a significant effect on tobacco craving, where it’s indicated. The symptoms that may be used to confirm this include cold extremities, sick headaches in the early morning, indigestion,palpitations or vertigo, prostration, hypertension, dizziness, nausea,confusion and lack of concentration. Symptoms are worse at night and better during the day and slow motion. Use may also be made of a variation of this remedy, Tabacum fumar, the remedy manufactured from tobacco smoke, in low potency as an emergency measure for acute cravings.

While tobacco craving is a challenge to modern day medicine however homoeopathy can provide some some standing with its ever effective similimum. But as the law states while selecting the remedy totality of symptoms must be the sole guide for a homoeopath.