Monday, Oct. 13th 2008
Numerous herbal remedies can combat sinusitis on several fronts: headache from stuffed sinuses, inflammation,
nasal discharge, and breathing difficulties.
If you have inflammation, include 8 to 10 cloves of raw garlic in your diet daily. Alternatively, take 3 garlic capsules, 3 times a day. To further boost your immune system, try echinacea, fenugreek, or goldenseal tea. Steep 1 to 2 teaspoons dried leaves of either herb in 1 cup boiling water for 10 minutes; strain. Drink 3 times a day. To boost effectiveness,
add 250 to 500 mg of bromelain (an enzyme derived from pineapple, available in health food stores) to goldenseal tea.
To fight excessive mucus, try eyebright or marshmallow tea. To make eyebright tea, steep 1 teaspoon dried leaves in 1 cup boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes; strain. For marshmallow tea, simmer 1 to 2 teaspoons finely chopped root in 1 cup bailing water for 10 to 15 minutes; strain. Drink either tea up to 3 times daily.
Homeopathy
Your homeopathic practitioner may advise one of the following treatments, depending on your symptoms:
- Hepar sulphuricum-for pain at the bridge of your nose; you notice an unpleasant odor, similar to pungent cheese, that seems to come from your nose; you feel better when you’re warm
- Kali bichromicum-for pain in your cheek bones and a thick, ropy nasal discharge that’s yellow or yellow-green
- Mercurius solubilis-for bad odors in the nose, coated tongue, and bad breath
- Nux vomica-if sinusitis is worse when you’re outside; your nose is runny in the morning but congested at night
- Pulsatilla-if sinusitis is better when you’re outside, and your nasal passages are more congested when you lie down or stay indoors
Hydrotherapy
Steam inhalation for 10 minutes or so every hour throughout the day is an excellent way to clear a stuffy nose. Add 1/2 cup of dried chamomile flowers to the boiling water. For directions, see “Hydrotherapy” in “Introduction to Complementary Therapies.” Eucalyptus or ginger can replace the chamomile. Avoid inhalation therapy if you have asthma.
You also can use a nasal lavage (wash) to loosen secretions. Mix 1 teaspoon of salt or powdered goldenseal in 1 cup of warm (not hot) water. Use once a day.
Naturopathic doctors recommend applying warm compresses to the forehead. Others suggest applying a cold compress while soaking your feet in a basin of hot water.
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Acupuncture Sinusitis is thought to be caused by toxins in the intestines and bowels, coupled with a lack of energy to the lungs. Acupuncture may improve the flow of blood so that hazardous substances are eliminated from the body and may improve the flow of chi to the lungs. It also may be used to help alleviate the pain and headache caused by sinusitis.
The acupuncturist focuses on Large Intestine 4 and 20, Bladder 13 and 23, Spleen 6, and the extra point known as Yin Tang.
Acupressure To relieve the symptoms of sinusitis, pressure may be applied to Large Intestine 4 and 20, Spleen 6, Governing Vessel 14, Stomach 3 and 6, Bladder 2 and 6, and the Yin Tang point between the eyes.
Chinese Herbal Therapy Rehmannia Eight, Xanthium, and Magnolia are herbs that may be prescribed to manage sinusitis.
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