Smoking and vaping are among the most challenging habits to break, not just because of the chemical addiction to nicotine but also due to deep-rooted behavioural and emotional associations. While modern medicine often relies on nicotine replacement therapy or pharmaceuticals, Ayurvedic medicine offers a more natural approach that addresses the root causes of addiction on all levels -physical, mental, and spiritual.

What are the Effects of Smoking and Vaping on Health?

Health Impact	Smoking	Vaping
Lung Health	Causes chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and lung cancer	Can cause inflammation, reduced lung function, and possible EVALI (E-cigarette or Vaping Product Use-Associated Lung Injury)
Cardiovascular System	Increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and hypertension	Raises heart rate and blood pressure; may increase heart disease risk
Cancer Risk	Strongly linked to multiple cancers (lung, throat, mouth, oesophagus, etc.)	Some concern about carcinogens in vape aerosols (especially with THC)
Addiction	Highly addictive due to nicotine	Also, addictive; often contains nicotine in high concentrations
Oral Health	Causes gum disease, tooth loss, and oral cancers	Causes gum irritation, dry mouth, and enamel damage
Immune System	Weakens immune response; increases infections	May suppress immune response and increase inflammation
Reproductive Health	Reduces fertility, linked to birth defects and low birth weight	May impact fertility and foetal development
Skin Aging	Accelerates wrinkles and skin aging due to reduced oxygen flow	May contribute to oxidative stress and premature aging
Bone Health	Increases the risk of osteoporosis and fractures	Emerging evidence suggests possible negative effects on bone health
Second-hand Exposure	Dangerous to others; causes illness in non-smokers, especially children	Less harmful than smoke, but still releases potentially toxic aerosols

Understanding Nicotine Addiction in Ayurveda

In Ayurvedic terms, smoking aggravates Vata and Pitta doshas, leading to dryness, restlessness, irritability, and depletion of Ojas (vital life essence and immunity). Over time, it weakens Prana Vayu (the life force governing respiration and mental clarity) and pollutes the Rasa and Rakta dhatus (plasma and blood tissues). Thus, the Ayurvedic path to quitting involves:

• Reducing cravings
• Detoxifying tissues
• Improving metabolism
• Rebuilding strength and Ojas
• Cultivating mental resilience

Herbal Remedies to Reduce Cravings – Backed by Science

Several Ayurvedic herbs are known to help reduce nicotine cravings and restore balance:

• Smotect Tablets – this is an ayurvedic formulation containing Mucuna pruriens, Withania somnifera, Bacopa monnieri, etc. This placebo-controlled, double blind, randomized, and multicentric clinical study demonstrated that this herbal formulation is an effective and safe remedy for cessation of smoking and the reduction of other effects related to smoking.

Why is this formulation effective?

Smotect tablets are a blend of 11 standardized herbal extracts designed to assist smokers in quitting or reducing smoking while mitigating its harmful effects. Mucuna pruriens seed extract, is rich in L-dopa, it supports dopamine production, which may help restore brain monoamine levels (a type of neurotransmitter), including dopamine, in the substantia nigra. This dopamine boost can enhance energy, improve mood, and alleviate depression, gradually reducing the craving to smoke and aiding in smoking cessation. Withania somnifera, standardized to 2% withanolides, helps manage stress-related issues like nervous exhaustion, insomnia, and weakness, easing withdrawal symptoms during quitting.

The additional herbs in the formula offer benefits such as reducing anxiety, inflammation, and pain, boosting immunity, providing antioxidant support, rejuvenating the body, and enhancing cognitive function. Many of these ingredients also support respiratory health through their bronchodilatory, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, cough-suppressing, and mucus-clearing properties. Together, these herbs work synergistically to support smoking cessation and counteract smoking-related health issues.

• Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum)– This herb is revered in Ayurveda for its adaptogenic and detoxifying qualities. Smoking contributes to oxidative stress, damaging cells, and resulting in addiction-related inflammation. Tulsi is rich in antioxidants (e.g., flavonoids, polyphenols) that neutralize free radicals and reduce inflammation. By counteracting oxidative stress, it may help repair smoking-related damage and improve overall health, making it easier to quit by enhancing physical well-being. It is typically taken by chewing the fresh leaves, as a tea or in powdered form.

• Medicinal Herbal Tea – This tea contains herbs like Eugenia aromaticum and Astragalus membranaceus Bunge, which are recognized for their potent antioxidant activity. Patients taking this tea noticed a reduction in withdrawal symptoms in just 4 weeks.
• Read this study to see more about how herbal treatments are more effective and safer than a placebo.

Nasya: Clearing the Head and Cravings

Smoking aggravates Vata dosha, especially in the head region, leading to anxiety, restlessness, persistent coughing, and lack of focus during withdrawal. It also dries up and irritates the upper respiratory tract.Nasya, or nasal administration of medicated oils like Anu Taila or Shad Bindu Taila, or Ghee, is an ancient practice to help relieve this. It supports Prana Vata, which governs willpower, mental clarity, and breathing.

Benefits include:

• Reduces irritability and stress
• Supports mental stability and willpower
• Enhances sleep quality (often disrupted during nicotine withdrawal)
• Soothes dry, inflamed nasal passages
• Reduces post-smoking cough and congestion
• Improves breathing by clearing minor blockages
• Subtle detox of nicotine buildup in the nasal and sinus pathways
• Restoration of olfactory and taste senses, which are often dulled by smoking

Precautions

• Avoid during active colds, sinus infections, or heavy digestion
• Use pure ghee only, not mixed or flavoured varieties
• If possible, consult an Ayurvedic practitioner for medicated Nasya oils specific to your constitution

Daily Routine (Dinacharya) and Self-Discipline

Ayurveda emphasizes routine as the foundation of mental clarity and willpower:

• Wake before sunrise (Brahma Muhurta)
• Practice Nasya
• Regular exercise and early dinners maintain balance
• Journaling and self-reflection help break emotional patterns

Follow a Healthy Diet to Rebuild Vitality

Addiction depletes Ojas, the subtle essence that sustains immunity and vitality. A Sattvic diet, rich in prana (life force), helps rebuild strength:

• Include warm, cooked meals like mung dal khichadi, ghee, dates, milk with turmeric, soaked almonds
• Avoid caffeine, refined sugar, fried food, alcohol
• Use spices like cumin, coriander, and fennel for digestion

Yogic Breathing (Pranayama) and Asanas

Pranayama restores balance to the nervous system, oxygenates tissues, and strengthens respiratory function. Ayurvedic Practitioners may recommend practices such as:

Technique	Benefits
Anulom Vilom	Balances Vata and Pitta, calms cravings
Bhastrika	Clears lung congestion and energizes
Bhramari	Soothes anxiety and restlessness
Simhasana (Lion’s Breath)	Expels toxins from the lungs and throat

Even 10–15 minutes daily can make a significant difference.

Create a De-Addiction Sankalpa (Intention Ritual)

Ultimately, addiction recovery is not just about the body. It’s a spiritual reset. Set a clear, powerful Sankalpa (vow or intention) each day:

“I am free from all that weakens me. I choose vitality and peace.”

Practice:

• Repeat this aloud or silently 21 times in the morning
• Light a ghee lamp or incense to anchor the ritual
• Keep a journal to track cravings, emotions, and progress

Replace the Oral Fixation

One reason quitting is hard is due to habitual hand-to-mouth behaviour. Ayurvedic substitutes can help:

• Chew on fennel seeds, cardamom pods, tulsi leaves, or cloves
• Use licorice root sticks as a natural chew stick
• Sip warm herbal teas during craving moments
• Hold a worry stone
• Do 3 rounds of conscious deep breathing instead of puffing

Quitting smoking or vaping is not easy, but with Ayurveda’s integrative approach, you are supported on all levels—physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. These time-tested strategies not only help you quit but also guide you toward a healthier, more vital life.

If you’re serious about quitting, consider consulting a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner to create a personalized detox and rejuvenation plan based on your prakriti (constitution) and current imbalances. To book a consultation click here