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ALTERNATIVE HELP

Alternative guide to giving up

You're determined to find some alternative ways to give up smoking but don't know where to begin. There are plenty of unusual approaches around, and many ancient healing systems have been helping to fight addictions for centuries.

Did you know that swallowing the tincture of flowers can help control addictive patterns? Or the soothing energy of colour can strengthen the nervous system? Even a ritual involving sound and visualisation carried out by a shamanic healer can help break the smoking habit. Find out more ways of kicking the habit with our alternative guide to giving up smoking.

• Colour therapy

What is it? A colour treatment first introduced in America in the 19th century. It is now part of the expanding field of vibrational medicine which works on auras.
Method: A therapist shines coloured lights on a patient or covers them with vibrant silks. The energy transmitted from the colour is absorbed through the eyes or skin. Colour is designed to feed the nervous system and take control of anxiety and stress.
What's it best for?
Turquoise strengthens the immune system.
Red recharges the body.
Green purifies and balances energy.
How long will it take? Anything from three sessions up, depending on individual's desire to give up smoking.
Cost? From £30 per hour.
Contact: The International Association of colour therapists; tel: 01223 563403, or visit www.internationalassociationofcolour.com.

• Flower remedies

What is it? An ancient Egyptian technique dating back 10,000 years that works by influencing the body's energy structures.
Method: A pendulum acts as a diagnostic tool and creates a link to specific flower remedies. While some flower essences taken orally work on breaking the mental pattern; others act on a physical level such as the nervous system.
What's it best for?
Blue China Orchid helps control addictive patterns.
Morning Glory calms the nervous system down and removes toxins from the body.
Petite Fleur breaks craving behaviour.
Centaury helps control the inability to say 'no'.
How long does it take? 7 drops twice a day for 2 months.
Success rate? 95%
Cost? £50 for one hour.
Contact: Clare Harvey at The Hale Clinic, 7 Park Crescent, London NW1, tel: 020-7631 0156.

• Crystal healing

What is it? An ancient Mayan and Hebrew tradition where crystals transmit specific qualities to help heal physical and mental problems.
Method: Crystals are laid on the body along seven energy points known as Chakras. During prayer or meditation, a person falls into a relaxed state and absorbs the colour, light and energy released from the stone.
What's it best for?
Peridot (green) cleans and detoxes the body.
Stauralite (brown) gives strength of mind.
Quartz (clear) cleanses and removes negative energy.
How long will it take? Around one year.
Cost? Crystals cost £2-£10; treatments cost around £20 for 45 minutes.
Contact: Stone Age, 2-4 High Street, Glastonbury BA6 9DU, tel: 01458 835514, or visit www.stoneage.co.uk.

• Shamanic healing

What is it? An ancient system of healing using drums and image work to find the root of a problem.
Method: A healer will cast a person back to childhood using sound and visualisation. This inner journey looks at the causes of addiction in order to release negative thought patterns and replace with positive energy.
What's it best for? Breaking unhealthy patterns of behaviour.
How long will it take? Depends on individual's will to give up.
Cost? From £30 for one-and-a-half-hour session.
Contact: Eliana Harvey, Middle Piccadilly, Sherbourne, Dorset, 01963 23468; or visit www.shamanka.com