(This article, submitted by a Local 802 member, contains advice and suggestions intended to improve one’s health and well-being. Local 802 and Allegro offer no endorsement or recommendation regarding the efficacy or safety of any of the remedies suggested, and readers may wish to consult their healthcare professional before following the advice offered herein.)

I once treated a man who was a paradox. He liked smoking but knew it was bad for him. So every so often, he would pretend to quit, but would secretly enjoy going back to smoking. However, after using a cure which I am about to share with you, he had no desire to smoke, and when he did try smoking, he felt nauseous. He missed smoking so much that he only used this cure periodically when he played his “stop smoking” game.

What is this cure? It’s easily obtainable in any health food store. It’s the herb stevia, which is a member of the chrysanthemum family.

Stevia is best known as a calorie-free sweetener. But studies in Germany have confirmed that stevia helps cure smoking – and alcohol – addiction. And I’ve found yet another use for stevia: a drop or two on a skin blemish will clear it up overnight. Once again with holistic medicine, you get four uses for the price of one.

The liquid form of stevia with the dropper bottle is the most convenient, and it’s the easiest to carry on gigs. For anti-smoking therapy, just apply a couple of drops of stevia directly on your tongue whenever you feel the desire for a cig. This simple ritual instantly and remarkably kills any craving for a smoke.

Stevia also handles another powerful issue with those who are trying to stop smoking. That is weight gain. Stevia helps balance your blood sugar, significantly decreasing your desire for sweets. It is safe for diabetics and hypoglycemics and has been used with great success in weight loss programs. (Remember, it is always best to check with your doctor if you have weight or blood sugar issues.)

Besides weight gain, ex-smokers often suffer from a dry, hacking cough that comes on suddenly and is accompanied by general anxiety. The remedy for this is Aconitum Napellus, otherwise known as the common herb monkshood, a perennial cultivated in the U.S. and Europe. Monkshood should be taken in the 30C or 30x dosage. Any higher dose should be monitored by a health care professional. Remember, homeopathic remedies are not conceived for long-term use, as they trigger the body’s own defense or immune system to take over.

It might not be a bad idea to visit a professional anyway – especially if your cough persists – because your body has been depleted of vitamins and minerals due to smoking, and you need to learn how to replenish it properly.

Another part of giving up cigarettes is dealing with the ritual of holding a cigarette. Licorice root sticks found in health food stores (the actual licorice root, not the black or red candy) satisfies the oral fixation for cigarette smokers as well as those who chew tobacco.

Lastly, all smokers, ex-smokers and non-smokers should practice deep breathing to exercise the lungs.

I wish you all success with your brave endeavor to quit. You are doing yourself a great favor. I hope the phrase “hit it and quit it” takes on a wonderful new meaning.