Sinusitis And Natural Supplements

You're probably familiar with Tiger Balm, that strong-smelling oriental ointment that comes in a red tin decorated with a tiger. I have used it for colds and headaches, and I like it. Tiger Balm is filled with potent aromatic herbal extracts--menthol from peppermint, eugenol from cloves, cineole from cajuput (a close relative of teatree), cinnamaldehyde from cinnamon, and camphor. It clears the sinuses faster than a tiger can pounce.
Sinusitis occurs when the mucous lining of the sinuses becomes inflamed. Anything that blocks the entry of air into the sinuses can result in inflammation: bacterial, viral, and fungal infections, allergies, polyps, or a deviated septum. Sinusitis is a common condition -- according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology, sinusitis affects 37 million people in the United States.

Household dust and mould can aggravate sinusitis. Wash bed sheets regularly in hot water and invest in pillow covers specially designed to protect you from the many dust mites that live inside pillows. Keep the rest of your bedroom very clean.

A dehumidifier may be necessary to maintain humidity below 50%. Put away your humidifier -- they create a humid environment that is encouraging to dust mites.

Foods that people with sinusitis should avoid are dairy, oranges, white sugar, and foods containing white flour, because they promote the formation of mucous. Sugar also has a negative effect on the ability of the immune system to clear bacteria. Aside from the major foods, wheat, soy, fermented foods, and eggs can be experimentally avoided for a couple of weeks to see if sinus symptoms improve, and then re-introduced to see if symptoms temporarily worsen.

In general, a diet that is rich in vegetables, whole grains, and beans, and low in saturated fat (meat and dairy), sugar, mucous-forming, and allergenic foods will be beneficial to the sinuses.
Echinacea, (pronounced eck-in-AY-sha) a safe and highly effective natural supplement, not only rapidly improves cold and flu symptoms, but can prevent these diseases.3 Most importantly, when echinacea is combined with two other herbs, white cedar and wild indigo, even greater health benefits can be achieved.

You might also try one of the following supplements to boost immunity:

•1,000 mg vitamin C three times a day

•30 to 60 mg zinc a day

•15,000 IU beta-carotene a day

Or to reduce inflammation:

•500 mg bromelain three times a day, taken between meals

•500 mg quercetin three times a day, taken between meals

There are a variety of herbal treatments that help promote sinus drainage, relieve pain, and strengthen the immune system. Herbs can be taken in capsules, brewed in teas, or in tinctures. Try drinking one cup of tea or taking 30 to 60 drops of tincture every two to four hours of the following herbs, which can be effective taken individually or in combination:

•Wild indigo

•Eyebright

•Licorice

•Coneflower

•Goldenseal

•Garlic

•Ginger

Homeopathic remedies for sinusitis include arsenicum album, kali bichromicum, pulsatilla, and nux vomica. Consult an experienced homeopath for a recommendation on which remedy may be effective for you.

Additional home treatments include alternating placing hot and cold wet washcloths on your face. Use a hot one for three minutes, then a cold one for one minute, and repeat three times. Try to do three sets a day. Eucalyptus, lavender, rosemary, or thyme oils added to a hot bath may give you some relief as well. Another option is to add two to five drops of one of these oils to a pot of water, bring to a simmer, and inhale the steam.

Herbal teas: Using 1 tsp. dried herb per cup of hot water, steep 5 to 10 minutes for dried leaves or flowers, 10 to 20 minutes for dried roots.

Tincture: A preparation made from alcohol or water and alcohol, containing an herb strength of 1 part herb to 5 parts solvent or 1 part herb to 10 parts solvent