Smoking is a terrible habit that harms our health, pocket, and energy. Yet most people can’t quit because of the cravings, stress and weight gain that come with the nicotine withdrawal.
But it doesn’t have to be that way. There are many ways to quit smoking for good and get your health back. And this amazing Pungent Matcha Lime Tea is one of the most effective recipes that I have tried.
Best of all, this tea is the healthiest way to substitute the hand-mouth action of smoking and give yourself some oral gratification without the poisons.
So if you’re looking to curb your cravings, improve your health, and detox your system from nicotine, search no more! This recipe can be your best friend while kicking the habit.
Drink 2 times a day for the first 7 days after smoking your last cigarette.
Image Credit: courtesy of the author
Ingredient Breakdown
Matcha
Matcha (powdered green tea) has many health benefits. This superfood energizes the body and mind, helping you fight the tiredness that comes with quitting smoking. It has less caffeine than coffee, yet enough to fuel your energy for hours without the crash.
One of the amazing benefits of matcha is that it is higher in catechin than regular green tea. Catechin is the substance that gives green tea its antioxidant and health properties. So drinking matcha is the best detox your body can ask for.
Also, this herb is a breakthrough idea for those who want to stop smoking without gaining weight. Nicotine speeds us your metabolism. So after kicking the habit you need a healthy alternative to take over this job. Well, this remedy is the ideal way to maintain your weight as it suppresses your appetite, kick starts your metabolism and burns fat.
Lime
In addition to providing a great taste with matcha, lime is brimming with calcium and potassium that will keep your digestion in motion.
When it comes to knocking out your cravings naturally, fresh lime juice is simply the best. Its natural acidity freshens up your breath and makes cigarettes taste terrible.
Lime is also chock-full of vitamin C. Apart from fighting colds and strengthening your immune system, taking vitamin C on a daily basis can alleviate withdrawal symptoms as severe as those of heroin.
Nicotine and heroin withdrawal share common symptoms such as anxiety, low mood, irritability, and restlessness. So lime can help you kick the habit easily.
In fact, a 12-week study published in the Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand showed that fresh lime was as effective as nicotine gums in helping smokers quit permanently.
Cayenne Pepper
One my all-time favorite spices, cayenne pepper is an antioxidant that can help you defeat your cigarette cravings.
After eating cayenne pepper, your respiratory system will be desensitized to tobacco. In other words, your mouth and airways will feel numb so you won’t feel like smoking.
During the first few days of the withdrawal, you might experience mood swings and increased nervousness and irritability. These are common symptoms.
And this is where cayenne pepper comes to your rescue. When you digest this spice, your brain releases endorphins Endorphins are your brain’s feel-good chemicals that give you a euphoric boost of pleasure and happiness.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon has more to offer than its warm, pungent nourishing scent (which is still great).
Cinnamon’s antioxidant properties will help you cleanse your body from the tobacco toxins you’ve been accumulating all these years.
As an added benefit, this herb is diuretic and improves your blood circulation, which is greatly affected by smoking. Research in people with diabetes type 2 shows that cinnamon decreases the risk of heart disease by reducing your glucose, triglyceride, and cholesterol.
Although quitting smoking will instantly improve your oral health and breath, cinnamon oil can speed up the healing process by fighting mouth bacteria that cause tooth decay.
Pungent Matcha Lime Tea
Ingredients- Makes 1 cup
- 1 cup of water
- ½ – 1 teaspoon matcha green tea powder (depending on how strong you like it. I always put 1 spoon)
- 1 lime (fresh juice)
- 1-2 drops of essential cinnamon oil
- 1 cinnamon stick
- ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper
- Top with 1 slice of lime or lemon.
Preparation
- Put 1 cup of water and the cinnamon stick in a pot, and leave it to boil.
- Mix a ¼ cup of the warm cinnamon water with the green tea matcha powder to create a thick paste.
- Add the remaining water
- Add the fresh lime juice and stir
- Add the cayenne pepper and the cinnamon essential oil.
- Mix well and drink immediately (otherwise, the lime will lose its vitamins).
Enjoy!
Pro tip: If you still need to distract yourself from smoking, fake smoke the cinnamon stick while drinking your tea
Author Bio
Nasia Davos is a Psychologist, Life Coach, TEDx Speaker, Quit Smoking Expert, ex-smoker, a Certified NLP and Hypnotherapy Practitioner and Stop Smoking Practitioner by the NCSCT. She has a passion for natural remedies and helps people quit smoking naturally. Join her on Facebook and Twitter.