Are you suffering from recurrent sinusitis, or sinus infection? Then you must be also suffering from headaches, postnasal dripping, ear pressure, and nasal congestion.
You must have tried a variety of antibiotics and medications to alleviate symptoms. However, you still experience relapses and end up with lowered immune defenses and drained energy. When drugs become ineffective, your doctor recommends surgery for relief.
If so, don’t rush into painful surgical procedures before giving natural remedies a chance to heal your sinuses and bolster your immune system. Let us first discuss sinusitis symptoms and then the remedies.
Sinuses are spaces behind the nasal cavity, cheeks, and eyes, lined with mucous membrane. A sinus infection usually occurs after a cold or with nasal allergies, causing the sinuses to become congested, blocked, or infected.
Signs of an infection are greenish yellow nasal discharge, headaches, congestion, postnasal dripping, and sensitive facial bones. Sinusitis can come with fever, toothache, and fatigue. Chronic sinusitis can affect the sense of smell as well.
Recent studies indicate that sinusitis is stress-related. Stress plus multiple courses of antibiotics cause Candida yeast to flourish and weaken the most robust immune systems, prompting sinus infections. According to Dr. Robert S. Ivker, author of Sinus Survival, sinuses also become inflamed by polluted air and environmental irritants. So before starting any treatment, you should address the underlying causes of sinusitis in order to achieve healing.
The good news is that cure is within reach; that is through holistic approaches like balanced nutrition, herbal therapy, acupuncture, supplements, detoxification, and stress management.
The first step in the healing process is to check your diet. There may be some kind of food that is causing allergic reactions or Candida yeast infection that is weakening your immune defenses.
If this is the case, you should replace sugars and sweets with fresh fruits and refined carbohydrates with whole grains and increase your raw vegetable intake to increase enzymes. Take live culture yogurt and probiotics to improve your depleted microflora through repeated antibiotics. Reduce dairy products; they increase mucus secretion. Step up your water intake to dissolve thickened mucus. Drink plenty of hot herbal infusions of green tea, chamomile, thyme, rosemary, sage, and peppermint.
Because they act like antibacterial, antifungal disinfectants and clear the airways, they should also be used for inhalations. Cover your head with a large towel while inhaling the vapor of chamomile or thyme infusion twice a day.
Spices like gingerroot, turmeric, and cinnamon are immune boosters, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial. Add them to stews, soups, salad dressings, vegetables, cereal, yogurt, and herbal infusions.
Try essential oils (EO). I had a successful experience with thyme, eucalyptus, rosemary, or lavender essential oils. Mix two drops (according to instructions) of organic thyme or rosemary EO with a teaspoon of honey or oil (olive, sesame) or just drop them on a sugar cube twice a day. Do not allow the mixture to touch your lips; EO can burn the skin.
Remember, EO is not prescribed for children under twelve years of age. Take the mixture three times daily. Do the same with lavender EO to boost your immunity but at different times. As for the rosemary and eucalyptus, put a couple of drops in a hot water bowl, cover your head with a big towel, and inhale the steam to disinfect your sinuses and clear up your air passages. Remember, EO should be taken with caution, following instructions, and for a short period (a week or so).
Another remedy that I found effective for many conditions as well as sinuses is Oliban gum, or Boswellia (luban shihri in Arabic), or its essential oil. It has antimicrobial and antifungal properties. Soak three pieces of the gum in a little water over-night. Drink the milky mixture the first thing in the morning and then prepare another dose to be taken before bedtime. Keep it up for a week or ten days.
Remember all the above disinfecting herbs or essential oils you take orally act as antibacterial and antifungal remedies to the sinuses and respiratory and digestive tracts, thus healing infections and boosting immunity.
Physiological saline solution as nasal drops, spray, or rinse is very effective in clearing nasal airways, disinfecting sinuses, and dissolving thickened greenish mucus.
Rinse both nostrils morning and night; try to spit the solution from your mouth. I found it very helpful in reducing recurrent respiratory infections in asthma conditions.
Apparently, a drop or two of tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) or eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globubus) essential oil mixed with the solution also promotes sinus relief.
One to two grams of vitamin C is a powerful immune promoter. Step up on your fruit and vegetable (kiwi, citrus fruits, strawberries, cabbage, tomatoes) intake. You will discover many other benefits in them.
Sleep is an important factor in healing and enhancing immunity, hence eight hours of restful sleep is strongly recommended. Sleep deprivation impairs the immune defenses. To prepare for bedtime listen to soft music, relax, and drink a calming infusion like chamomile.
According to Roberta Mittman, a licensed acupuncturist, acupuncture combined with a healthy diet, herbs, and supplements can bring healing to chronic sinusitis.
Acupuncture relieves sinus symptoms through the secretion of endorphins and stimulation of immunity, thus acting like a pain reliever, decongestant, and antibiotic as well as an immune booster.
Therapeutic exercises like yoga and tai chi are also effective de-stressors and immune boosters. Practice the exercise that suits your condition best.
So, the next time you come down with a sinus infection; try alternative approaches before rushing to your physician for a prescription of antibiotics or surgery. Become your own healer!
(Mariam Alireza is a holistic science specialist. Send comments to [email protected]. Log on to arabnews.com for previous articles.)