Soul on Fire:
Healing Tobacco Addiction with
Flower Essence Therapy
by Patricia Kaminski
If addiction arises due to a lack of consciousness about our bodies, then it is only truly healed when the soul develops a stronger relationship to its bodily identity.
Seeing Inside: The Soul as a Bridge to the Body
Perhaps there is a good reason why we do not have instant visible access to the interior reality of the human body. The ability to sense the needs of the physical body depends not merely on physical eyes, but upon soul perception. For this reason, medical facts and technology alone seldom have the moral power to facilitate change. If addiction to nicotine (or any other substance) arises due to a lack of consciousness about our bodies, it is only truly healed when the soul develops a stronger relationship to its bodily identity.
Flower essence therapy can play a significant role in resolving tobacco addiction by helping the individual identify positive qualities that can transform such craving. The unique aim of flower essence therapy is not simply the modification of a “bad” outer behavior, but a healing approach that finds the good within the soul, so that the individual develops greater self-mastery and consciousness. For over two decades, the Flower Essence Society has compiled case research from practitioners who are helping clients overcome tobacco addiction. This article covers some of the main highlights of this research.
Tobacco Addiction: Four Fundamental Flowers
Yerba Santa — This classic Native American wildflower has a remarkable cleansing effect on the heart and lung region. It clears both physical and emotional congestion, particularly addressing grief, loss, vulnerability and other troubling emotions stored in the chest, lungs and heart. These hidden feelings may be traced back to childhood or other traumatic or karmic life events. They create the emotional “receptor” site that typically serves as a precursor to tobacco addiction.
Morning Glory — The natural metabolic rhythms of the body are disrupted through nicotine addiction. Tobacco has an accelerative effect that “jump starts” the heart and circulatory system. Nicotine’s powerful hold derives from this false energy state, and the user becomes increasingly dependent upon it for a sense of well-being. Morning Glory helps re-establish natural rhythms of sleeping, eating and working, based on the body’s true life energy. Initial use of Morning Glory may result in feelings of fatigue, insomnia, or decreased/increased hunger until the natural balance of the metabolism is re-established.
Borage — An excellent balm for the heart, Borage addresses many aspects of manifest or covert depression associated with nicotine addiction. The toxic effects of such depression are stored in the heart organ and in the energetic pathways associated with the heart chakra. Because the heart rate is accelerated, the acute “heaviness” of the heart is momentarily lifted when smoking, thus creating a desperate cycle of addiction to ease the pain felt in the heart.
Borage addresses many aspects of the depression associated with nicotine addiction.
The Nicotine Nexus: Body-Mind Beliefs
Manzanita — A very
effective remedy for those individuals who are disconnected from or
abusive to their bodies. They typically see the body as “lower,”
“inessential,” “ugly,” “handicapped”— or simply not worthy of respect or
nourishment. Therefore, it does not “matter” whether the body is being
harmed with drugs. Manzanita combines well with Self-Heal to help such
individuals come to a spiritual appreciation of the worth of their lives
and their bodies.
Self-Heal
— Stimulates the motivation to be well, to learn to listen to and
respect the body’s need for health and nourishment. Many who are in
denial about the harmful effects of nicotine report becoming acutely
conscious of the inner reality of their body and its need for healing.
Others find Self-Heal necessary for motivation and inner commitment to
the healing process involved in addiction recovery.
Rock Water
— Indicated along with Nicotiana for those individuals who have
developed a concept of their bodies as hard and “tough.” Such persons
may have careers in the military, construction or other “hard edge”
occupations. They depend on nicotine to numb their awareness and
decrease both bodily and emotional sensitivity.
Snapdragon
— Many people depend on the habit of putting a cigarette in the mouth
as a substitute for food, or to curtail other “mouth energy” such as
angry outbursts. Snapdragon helps redirect an over-abundance of fire in
the mouth and throat (literally the practice of smoking) to other more
healthy outlets in the metabolism and the emotions.
Chestnut Bud
— For those who may have tried to quit many times and are stuck in a
seemingly hopeless pattern of stopping and starting. Also helpful for
ingrained habits and patterns that seek unconscious repetition in the
act of smoking — such as the use of the hands, stimulation to the mouth
when smoking, and so forth.
Manzanita is very effective for individuals who are disconnected from or abusive to their bodies.
Social Smoke Screen: Cutting Ties That Bind
Goldenrod — This is a very important flower essence for those who do not have a well-developed individuality and smoke due to peer pressure, family rituals, or other forms of social conformity. It is especially helpful for adolescents who rebel against authority and adopt smoking as a “rite of passage,” or as socially defiant gesture to set them apart.
Agrimony — For those who are attracted to tobacco in order to maintain a “cool” social exterior. Such individuals typically have emotional turmoil just beneath the surface of the personality, which they are able to keep “in control” through smoking.
Pink Monkeyflower — For those who are stuck in a cycle of shame or guilt about smoking, perhaps feeling that they are not “worth” recovery, or that they are hopelessly “bad.” These soul feelings may be all the more acute if the individual is the only one at the workplace or in the family group who is smoking. Such individuals may have a deeper history of shock or abuse, resulting in an unconscious need to repeat such trauma by self-inflicting destructive behavior.
Nixing Nicotine: Detox Strategies
General Strategy — Breaking the cycle of any addiction is serious soul work. A time should be chosen when the individual is relatively free of major responsibilities or stress. Environmental triggers and social cues for smoking should be eliminated whenever possible (such as going to a party where old friends will be smoking). A support group of others who have overcome the same or similar addiction, and are willing to be called upon as needed, is very helpful. Enriching and stimulating activities such as nature walks, artistic projects, nourishing food and good literature or movies, should be planned in advance to give positive focus to this critical time period. Time should also be allowed for plenty of rest and quiet and for utilizing the detox procedures discussed below.
Combining flower essences with affirmation or prayer can create
a potent synergy that increases the effectiveness of both modalities.
Prayer, Affirmation, and Meditation
— Breaking any addictive habit requires spiritual focus and soul
wakefulness. Many individuals have found it helpful to create their own
specialized prayers or affirmations, by evoking the positive qualities
of the flower essences. This inner work is a powerful ally during
moments of intense craving, encouraging the spiritual will to gain
mastery over the lower will that is driven by desire. Combining flower
essences with affirmation or prayer can create a potent synergy that
increases the effectiveness of both modalities. It is also important to
ask family and friends who have one’s highest good in mind to help with
prayer and other forms of positive support during the period of nicotine
withdrawal.
Five-Flower Formula (or Rescue Remedy)
— This is the single most important flower formula for coping with
acute anxiety and other emotional symptoms resulting from nicotine
withdrawal. Several drops can be taken directly from the stock bottle as
often as needed, even hourly. A misting bottle containing Five-Flower
Formula and other indicated flower essences can also be prepared. Many
people find the misting method best for quick and convenient access.
Nicotiana
— For intense bouts of nicotine craving take Nicotiana directly from
the stock bottle as often as needed. It can also be combined with
Five-Flower Formula for accompanying emotional anxiety.
Sagebrush and Sagebrush Smoke
— Sagebrush flower essence addresses acute feelings of emptiness that
arise when the individual is bereft of the drugs that have filled the
inner space of the soul. Sagebrush flower essence is also very
cleansing, eliminating both emotional and physical debris that clogs the
system. Native American sagebrush smoke can be smudged around the aura
for additional purification. This smudging ritual can also displace the
acute need for smoking, by temporarily transferring the activity to
another level.
Nicotiana flower essence can be taken directly from the stock bottle to remedy intense nicotine cravings.
Sagebrush flower addresses feelings of emptiness that arise when drugs no longer fill the inner space of the soul.
Self-Heal Detox Cream — One dropperful from the stock bottles of one or more of the four major flower essences profiled above — Nicotiana, Yerba Santa, Morning Glory and Borage — should be stirred into a base of Self-Heal Creme. Add to the cream four drops of pure Rose essential oil. This mixture should be massaged in a figure eight pattern (alternate in each direction) several times daily on the heart and chest region. When intense symptoms have subsided, the cream can be continued on a daily basis. This cream is very nourishing to the heart-lung region and will help to cleanse physical toxins as well as re-set the energetic receptors in this region of the body. Additional flower essences specific to the individual can also be added to the cream.
Detox Bath — Add two handfuls of Epsom salts and one handful of sea salt to a warm bath along with one dropperful each of Nicotiana, Yerba Santa, Morning Glory, Borage and Sagebrush flower essences. Stir the water in a figure eight pattern in each direction for about two minutes. Soak in the bath for approximately twenty minutes and then wrap in large towels for an additional twenty minutes. An alternative detox bath can be prepared with the same flower essences but, rather than salt, use clay (for example, Smoker’s Detox Clay Bath from LL’s Magnetic Clay). Either of these baths will pull toxic debris from the body. Many have reported the odor of tobacco following these baths, even several days after smoking cessation. During the intense phase of detox, this bath should be taken one or more times per day.
Detox Sweat — If there is access to a sauna, take Sagebrush, Yerba Santa and Nicotiana flower essences before, during and after a cleansing sweat. Also use several drops of Eucalyptus and Lemon essential oils to create a steam during the sauna to stimulate and cleanse the lungs. A smudge with Sagebrush smoke can also be used prior to, during, or after the sweat, if desired.
Another alternative is to make a strong tea from Sagebrush and/or Yarrow leaves. Strain the leaves and ladle the tea mixture onto the hot rocks during the sauna to create a gentle steam.
If a detox sweat is properly conducted, it will be a time not only of physical detoxification, but also soul purification.
If
the sweat is properly conducted it will be a time not only of physical
detoxification, but also soul purification. Meditation and affirmation
on the inner properties of the flower essences and the soul’s goals for
healing and change should be encouraged during this time.
Detox Facial Steam — To help break up congestion in the lungs, add two drops each of Eucalyptus and Lemon essential oils to a pan of hot steaming water. Add one dropperful of Sagebrush flower essence. Create a “hood” over the pan with towels and gently breathe in the steam mixture. A steam prepared from Sagebrush and Yarrow leaf tea can also be used in a similar manner. These procedures will relieve congestion in the lungs and speed the self-healing process.
Detox Precautions — It is necessary to drink ample amounts of water during any detox procedure. Also warm baths or saunas can alter potassium levels — so please seek professional nutritional advice. Finally, bathing, sweating or any other detoxification procedures may not be beneficial if there are medical contraindications. Please consult with a physician regarding your specific medical situation.
The Need For Nicotine: Deeper Soul Issues
Nicotiana, Yerba Santa, Borage, and Morning Glory
should be used as anchors while addressing issues of the
soul often associated with nicotine addiction.
The four primary flower essences for Nicotine Addiction discussed above (Nicotiana, Yerba Santa, Borage and Morning Glory) should be strongly considered as “anchors” when addressing the broader soul context. In addition, the following essences have been found helpful for issues arising out of emotional detox from addiction.
Light My Fire — Many
individuals unconsciously gravitate toward smoking tobacco because of
their need for fire, and for the masculine element in both the body and
soul. Frequently, there is a deficiency in the relationship to the
father, or in the ability to incorporate the masculine element in one’s
life (whether male or female). Essences which can be very beneficial in
such cases include Sunflower, Baby Blue Eyes, Poison Oak and Blazing
Star.
Empowering the Will
— Related to the theme of the masculine self is the larger question of
the will — the ability to focus one’s attention and to manifest one’s
soul purpose in the world. Tobacco becomes a crutch which gives a “false
fire” or edge to the personality. The real task is to create that will
power from within the soul itself. Flower essences that are indicated in
such situations include Blackberry, Cayenne, Wild Oat and Madia.
Healing the Heart
— The physical organ of the heart, and the energetic dynamics of the
heart chakra, are the most severely affected by the use of tobacco. Very
often there has been prior emotional trauma to the heart (or ongoing
trauma) such as grief, rejection or abuse, which the individual
continues to “cover” through nicotine addiction. In addition to Yerba
Santa, Borage, and Pink Monkeyflower flower essences discussed above,
the essences of Bleeding Heart, Pink Yarrow, Holly, California Wild
Rose, Love-Lies-Bleeding or Hawthorne may be indicated in such
circumstances, depending upon the specific soul trauma.
Growing Free on the Family Tree
— Many people who smoke come from families of smokers, where lung
cancer, emphysema, heart disease, and other smoker-related illnesses may
be deeply embedded in the psychic and physical genetic code. Curiously,
some individuals begin smoking after a loved one who is a smoker has
died, as though the living link for the addiction is passed on to the
next recipient. In addition to Walnut and Goldenrod flower essences
discussed above, Joshua Tree essence is very beneficial for bringing the
full consciousness of the family tree and hereditary karma to the
awareness of the individual. Also important are the flower essences of
Red Clover, Mountain Pennyroyal, Yarrow and Angelica to consolidate the
energetic fields of those individuals who may be unconscious receptors
for addictive patterns passed on from other family members, close
friends, or lovers.
Further reading related to tobacco:
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