Sinusitis ~ sometimes there IS a natural solution.

Do you suffer from sinus issues? Do you find that the cold months and a dry house irritate your sinuses? Many people do. Sinusitis can be a real 'pain' literally.
Whether it's a cold or flu or air pollution that has caused your sinus infection, it's NOT fun.
Maybe this is your 5th infection and you're tired of the antibiotic route. It's a known fact that,
although antibiotics can eradicate common infections, they do weaken the body as a whole with
repeated use. So, if you find yourself looking for some alternatives that CAN help, read on!

First on the agenda?

You need to relieve the congestion and eliminate the invading micro-organisms.

SINUSITIS SYMPTOMS:

• pain or pressure in the sinus region,
• headache, nasal congestion,
• and a sure sign of infection -->greenish-yellow mucous discharge.

Inhaling hot steam can loosen and thin the mucous in the sinuses.

Eucalyptus essential oil, with its strong antimicrobial properties plus peppermint essential oil can work together
to help to open nasal  and sinus passages. Be careful with this hot steam!

1-2 litres boiling water
2 drops peppermint essential oil
4-5 drops eucalyptus essential oil.

You can carefully pour the boiling water into a heat-proof bowl or just add the essential oils to the pot itself.
Transport the chosen hot vessel to a table and put on a heat-proof board. I just use a cutting board from the kitchen.
Make a tent of sorts with a towel,  and place over your head and the bowl/pot. Be careful!
Breathe in this healing steam for at least 10 minutes. Repeat 2-3 times daily until ONE full day with no symptoms present.

Sometimes a hot compress works well too. Use eucalyptus essential oil here. I prefer to use eucalyptus essential oil on its own as peppermint can irritate the skin around the eyes. Just soak a wash cloth in a bowl that you have filled with hot water and 3-4 drops oe eucalytus essential oil. Soak the cloth and then wring out excess water, and place cloth on sinus area. Repeat during the day to ease pain and cncourage drainage of mucous.

HORSERADISH can be very helpful to both relieve the congestion and as a wonderful powerful herbal ally. The pungent, eye-watering effects of a quick sniff of fresh horseradish root,  should not be overlooked. Several clients can attest to the extreme help received after taking a ½ teaspoon of fresh grated horseradish into their mouth and holding there for as long as a minute.
The fumes emitted are very clearing and helpful, if perhaps not for the faint of heart.

Drink 2 litres of water or herbal tea to help to thin the mucous secretions, daily.

Peppermint Tea can be especially helpful as it can be 'decongesting'.

My personal favourite is a vegetable or chicken soup laced with garlic, ginger, horseradish root, cayenne, and a dash of hot chili sauce. In fact, any warming dish with your own combination of these 'heating' herbs, can help to relieve sinus pressure.

So? Lots of fluids,  hot vapour 'baths' , warming compresses and then, for the infection fighting duo --  ECHINACEA &  GARLIC.

Echinacea taken in tincture form, ½ tsp  at least 3-4 times a day for a minimum of a week can also be helpful. Make sure that you take the tincture until several days after the symptoms have passed.

RAW GARLIC! Take 1-2 cloves of raw garlic every day for the same time period. Garlic is extremely anti-microbial.  RAW garlic, however you can manage to ingest it, is magical!

• 2 cloves chopped finely and  added to a teaspoon of honey
• 2-3 cloves chopped and added to a cup of diced red or yellow beets
• 2 cloves chopped, added to a cup of Miso soup (or any nourishing soup)

Sometimes we also need to rest, re-group, nourish ourselves. Read a book. Sleep.

WHAT do you do when you have a sinus issue?