National Institute of Ayurveda Unveils Herbal 'Deaddiction Cigarette' to Combat Tobacco Addiction
In a groundbreaking move to address nicotine dependence, the National Institute of Ayurveda (NIA) in Jaipur has launched an innovative Ayurveda-based "deaddiction cigarette" called ‘Devdarvyadi dhoomra.’ This tobacco substitute, crafted entirely from herbs, is positioned as a step-down aid to help individuals quit traditional tobacco cigarettes by mitigating cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
A Step-Down Approach to Tobacco Cessation
Currently, the herbal cigarettes are being administered exclusively to indoor patients at NIA who are actively attempting to quit tobacco. According to the institute, early results indicate that the switch to ‘Devdarvyadi dhoomra’ has effectively blunted the pull of nicotine, making it easier for patients to abstain from tobacco long enough for their dependence to begin waning.
"People addicted to tobacco cigarettes admitted to NIA have benefitted significantly from ‘Devdarvyadi dhoomra,’" explained Prof. Anita Sharma, head of the ‘Agad tantra’ (deaddiction) department and registrar at NIA. "Cravings for tobacco cigarettes have died down, withdrawal symptoms have eased, and it has become more manageable to maintain tobacco abstinence."
The institute frames this approach as a strategic method to tackle addiction by operating along a similar brain-reward pathway. This allows users to taper off tobacco gradually, experiencing fewer withdrawal problems in the process.
Herbal Formulation with Brain-Nourishing Properties
NIA's pitch centers on ‘Devdarvyadi dhoomra’ acting as a substitute cue—providing smoke that may take the edge off nicotine withdrawal while users reduce their tobacco intake. The herbs in the formulation are described as ‘medhya’ in Ayurveda, meaning they are brain-nourishing and are presented as supporting cognition and mental steadiness.
Developers suggest that inhaling the smoke from these herbal cigarettes may help even out dopamine secretion patterns. For some users, this could create a sensation similar to nicotine but without the harmful constituents found in tobacco, offering a safer alternative during the deaddiction process.
Patented Recipe and Future Availability
For the time being, the institute is keeping the specific recipe of ‘Devdarvyadi dhoomra’ under wraps. NIA has declined to disclose the exact contents, citing plans to secure a patent before the product is made available in the market through commercial companies.
The institute has indicated its intention to expand access beyond patients admitted to NIA, aiming to make the product available to a broader audience of individuals seeking to quit tobacco cigarettes. If the goal is to ultimately stub out tobacco use, NIA is betting that this ‘dhoomra’ can assist smokers in achieving that milestone—one drag at a time, without the detrimental effects associated with traditional smoking.
This initiative represents a significant step in integrating traditional Ayurvedic principles with modern deaddiction strategies, potentially offering a novel tool in the global fight against tobacco addiction.
