By MANDI HARGRAVE

Staff Reporter

It's nearly been a month since you've decided to quit smoking and you're either doing well or ready to cave in any moment.

This is National Non- Smoking Week and if traditional methods haven't helped you in the past, a homeopathic doctor may be able to help.

Dr. Christina Barrett is a homeopathic doctor with an office in Mono Plaza who is offering a natural alternative way to quit smoking.

She says there are a few different remedies she can prescribe that depend on the person who's trying to quit smoking.

One method is arnica, a liquid added to water, which helps with cravings. It's available at most health food stores.

If it doesn't appear to be helping Dr. Barrett said the person could try something else that would be more personalized.

If you're trying to deal with food cravings as a result of quitting she suggests trying Nux Vomica, which is taken in the morning. It should also help with irritability.

If neither of those work, the next step would be Lobelia Inflata, which would be taken every time the person has a craving.

Dr. Barrett says taking one of these remedies is beneficial versus treatments such as the patch or nicotine gum because they are completely safe and won't interfere with other medication.

She noted that since these are natural remedies they may not be as quick to alleviate cravings as other medications.

One of her clients went from smoking a pack a day to quitting with the help of Arnica, and it's been over a year since the person last smoked.

"Once you're through the craving period, it's just will-power after that," she said.

Dr. Barrett said people trying to quit need to be easy on themselves.

"If you fall down, pick yourself up the next day," she said, instead of taking up smoking altogether again.

To contact Dr. Barrett call 519-215-1507.