“Giving up the Smokes.

It looks like we’ll have a new Martinmas. Ash Wednesday used to be the big day. Or New Year’s Day. But, now it looks like 29th of March will be the day remembered as the day the gave up the smoke. Martin’s Day. Very hopeful suggestions have been that as many as 20% of smokers may be helped to give up by the ban. Certainly many are trying.

And when our lives are full of more and more stress, something, an old friend, that in a way represents a chance to relax.

Smoking is toxic. It sets off a flood of what are called free radicals: molecules in search of other molecules to pair up with, and which are capable of destroying or deforming body cells. That is why smoking causes cancer. Our bodies come into contact with toxic materials all the time: even more so today than in years past. Stress, the environment, some parts of the foods that we eat, all combine to set free radicals scouring round our body. The destruction they can cause is immense.

Our body has its own method of dealing with these attacks. These are called antioxidants. Our body – to be precise our liver – manufacturers antioxidants from vitamins it finds in our food. These days we need more antioxidant vitamins than at any time in the past: because there are more poisons in our environment – and more stress. That is why it is so important we eat our five portions of fruit and vegetables per day.

Smokers need as much as three times the amount of antioxidants as everybody else: that is how poisonous the habit is. The minimum daily allowance of vitamin C (the best known antioxidant) is 60mg for the average adult. For smokers it is 150mg – just to stay alive.

What we forget when we are ‘detoxing’ is that these freed-up free radicals go scouring around our body until we are able to get rid of them. When ‘detoxing’ it is especially important to take extra amounts of vitamins to protect ourselves against the detoxing process itself. For smokers trying to give up the habit, that generally means you are wise to take some good vitamin C or other antioxidant tablet while you are kicking the habit. That is important extra protection.

Smoker’s cough is precisely the body’s reaction to try to get rid of its toxins. Coughing is one method of excretion. It is natural to find coughing increases while you are coming off the smokes: and it should be encouraged (provided it is not so harsh as to possibly damage the tubes). You may find a good expectorant helpful. If you want a herbal one, try using the complex (mixture) of ivy and thyme.

One very good way of helping yourself come off is to do something to feel the good it is doing you every day. The ban started the day after the clocks went forward. That was, of course, on purpose. The weather has been very kind also: these are beautiful spring days. No better way to feel the good that comes from giving up than to start a new habit of outdoor exercise: even a short slow jog or cycle – or a very brisk walk.

By exercising more you literally feel better on the second day than on the first – and on the third than on the second, and so on. The breath comes easier, you get less puffed: it proves the good you are doing yourself. You become a new woman – or man.

There is still the stress. Many, very many, who smoke and continue to smoke even when they want to give up do so because of the stress. There is no magic solution to this, and it does need strength and determination and support of family and friends (especially when you get awkward).

But one very valuable herbal help that many people have found useful to deal with the stress is called “avena sativa”. That’s simply Latin for “wild oats” – but not wild oats in the sense that it is usually used! Oats are a traditional nerve tonic. They are full of B vitamins: the vitamins for the nerves. Avena sativa is one of the best – and one of the gentlest – of all natural methods of dealing with stress. It is not addictive or habit-forming, and can just be used for as long as you need. It can be a valuable help to people trying to give up the smokes.

Whatever method you use, if you decide to, and are able to, give up smoking – it is the most important decision you will ever take in your life. Literally. “Just do it” – as they say.

Simple Simon is based in the Diamond, Donegal Town and Letterkenny and stock all the items listed in this article published on 1st of April in the Donegal Democrat.