Several friends are switching to smoking loose tobacco so they can wean themselves off cigarettes naturally. As they research alternatives, some are switching to a pipe so they aren’t inhaling paper from their hand rolled cigarettes. Ayurveda emphasizes prevention of disease, individualization of treatment, and the maintaining of balance between body, mind and spirit. Ayurvedic medicine can be helpful in the treatment of chronic conditions such as asthma, coronary heart disease and more. An Ayurvedic remedy for respiratory problems is adding mullein and ground calamus root to your loose tobacco.  Calamus root has numerous traditional uses aside from helping one to quit smoking. It eliminates phlegm, clears congestion, and tranquilizes the mind. Additional uses include: amnesia, anxiety, heart palpitations, insomnia, tinnitus, chronic bronchitis, and bronchial asthma. You can also steep the leaves and roots to make a tea.  Calamus is a greatly valued herb in Ayurveda, as its stimulating aroma rejuvenates the brain and the nervous system. 

Indian tobacco has been traditionally used to effectively suppress common colds, bronchitis, and pneumonia. The smoke from Indian tobacco reduces phlegm, and kills infections in the lungs. It thins mucus and relieves symptoms. When people use it for this purpose, it is often smoked with the herb mullein. Mullein was once used to soothe the coughing associated with tuberculosis, and to cure it.

From an Ayurvedic perspective, Mullein reduces the heat and congestion of excess pitta & kapha in rasa & rakta dhatus. It helps to relieve fevers & catarrh, lymphatic congestion and swollen glands and to enhance immunity and combat infection. With its affinity for pranavahasrotas, mullein is excellent for coughs, infections & bronchial congestion. As an anulomana, it relieves spasm, diarrhea, colic & painful bladder conditions.

 Mullein has a number of homeopathic uses. It is known for having astringent, sedative, and relaxing properties. Mullein has long been used as an herbal remedy for respiratory problems, including asthma. It is often a common herbal remedy for ear infections, especially in people sensitive to normal antibiotic treatments. It is also used to relieve sore throat, cough, and pleurisy. The flowers are the most commonly used part of the plant. Dried and powdered Mullein is often added to smoking blends for its beneficial effects on the respiratory system.

Friends have been weaning themselves off of long time smoking habits by adding mullein and ground calamus root to their smoking mixtures.  If you’re a smoker, you might want to take that thought into meditation and see if it applies to you.  The fruit of meditation is realizing that your bad habits are simply self imposed burdens that you choose to discard when you are ready.