Quitting smoking is no easy task: feelings of withdrawal, stress, sleep disturbance and nervousness often go hand in hand, even with iron willpower.
Although it's not always easy, stop smoking brings with it a host of benefits, some of which can be enjoyedvery quickly:

- 20 minutes after the last cigaretteBlood pressure and heart rate return to normal.
- 8 hours later, blood carbon monoxide levels are halved and cellular oxygenation returns to normal.
- 24 hours later, the lungs begin to eliminate mucus and smoke residue. The body has rid itself of nicotine.
- 48 hours after the last cigarette, taste and smell improve.
- After 72 hours, breathing becomes easier again, bronchial tubes loosen and energy levels rise.
- Between 2 weeks and 3 months, fatigue and coughing diminish. Breath is regained.
- Between one and 9 months, breathlessness diminishes and bronchial cilia grow back. The lungs can clean themselves again.
- After one year, the risk of stroke is equal to that of a non-smoker.

It's the act itself that's hard to put into practice: not feeling like it, not the time, no reason to do it, fear of gaining weight, "it'll be January's good resolution"... any excuse is good enough, despite the ever-increasing price of packets. We look for all the good reasons in the world not to stop, but the benefits are far too numerous to continue!

Need a helping hand?

It's no longer a secret: essential oils help and support us in many areas. While they can't make us stop smoking, strictly speaking, they can nevertheless help ease the sensation of craving.

Olfactory aromatherapy aims to replace the pleasure derived from smoking with an altogether greater pleasure. The essential oils chosen will therefore bring a sensation of pleasure to the brain .

While all sedative essential oils can provide a good dose of comfort, one stands out and is recognized as THE reference for getting rid of soft-drug addictions. This essential oil is Angelica (Angelica Archangelica). Its composition of terpene molecules, coumarins and esters gives it anti-dependency properties and a powerful anxiolytic action. It helps reduce cra vings and to regulate stressanxiety and aggression. Angelica essential oil calms and balances the autonomic nervous system (para and orthosympathetic).

To facilitate withdrawal and free yourself from the associated inconveniences, this essential oil can be used by olfaction straight from the bottle, applied to the wrists and solar plexus, diffused or massaged, provided it has first been diluted in a vegetable oil.

Here's a comprehensive synergy from Daniele Festy, to help you resist the call of cigarettes:

- Nutmeg EO: 0.5 ml
- Rosemary verbenone EO: 1 ml
- Basil HE (ocimum basilicum): 1 ml
- HE Spearmint: 0.5 ml
- HE Laurier noble: 1 ml
- Angelica HE: 1 ml

Use To use: 2 drops of this blend on the forehead and inner wrists, to be inhaled as often as necessary during the day or night (no restrictions). You'll find that you'll need less and less, as the urge to consume, for example, fades.