Remedies for sinuses.

Remedies for sinuses.

Take a steam. Hot water vapor can help moisten the sinuses. “Sprinkle a few drops of eucalyptus,peppermint or menthol in the shower/bath and steam up your bathroom,”
   “A hot, steamy shower or bath can also help to loosen up mucus and debris that is stuck inside your nose.
   
     Drink up. Staying hydrated helps your body in many ways, including keeping your sinuses moist. Drink water throughout the day, and make sure to steer clear of caffeinated or alcoholic drinks, which can cause dehydration, Graham says. Although recommended fluid intake differs from person to person, an easy guideline is to drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses a day. How can you tell if you are getting enough fluids? “If the color of your urine is clear, you are hydrated,”

   
    Apply warm compresses. “You can use a warm compress to help keep the nasal tissues moist Or, fill a deep bowl or pot with steaming water and place your face over it with a towel around your head to breathe the steam in.” Just be careful not to burn yourself. You can also follow up the warm compress with a cold compress, which may help .
 
     Don’t ask for antibiotics right away. Using antibiotics indiscriminately can lead to antibiotic resistance and the development of superbugs, plus they may not be effective in treating most cases of sinusitis. "Less than two percent of these infections are bacterial,"

     Ginger — Make a ginger tea and add raw honey to aid in recovery.

Garlic and onions — Both of these vegetables help boost immune function.

Vitamin C rich foods — Consuming foods high in vitamin C can boost the immune system and speed recovery from sinusitis.

    Eating pineapple /juice is also helpful.
   
       Foods & Beverages to Avoid

Sugar — Decreases white blood cells that help fight off infection.

Fruit juices — Although orange juice contains some vitamin C, it is not as high in vitamin C as whole fruits or vegetables. If you want to drink juice, dilute it.

Dairy products — Milk and other dairy products are mucus producing so it is best to avoid them.

Refined flour and grains — All refined grains can cause more mucus production.

Salt — Without adequate water intake, salt can be dehydrating and slow healing of the inflammation of the sinuses.


   
     Essential Oils

To naturally clear the sinuses, using eucalyptus oil and peppermint oil can be highly effective. These essential oils can naturally open up the sinuses, clear mucus and eliminate infections. Rub one drop of each on the roof of the mouth (only do this with food grade essential oils). Then drink water. Another great idea is to diffuse essential oils into the air so you can breathe them in. My homemade vapor rub recipe can also be helpful for sinus infections.




     Garlic is one of nature’s best antibiotics. Since colds often lead to a sinus infection, garlic is an awesome way not only to naturally treat a sinus infection, but to prevent it in the first place.  In one study, people took either garlic supplements or a placebo for 12 weeks during cold season (between November and February). The garlic takers were less likely to get a cold, and if they did get a cold, they recovered faster than the placebo group. Those who didn’t take garlic (placebo group) had a much greater likelihood of contracting more than one cold over the 12-week treatment period. The study attributes garlic’s ability to prevent the common cold virus to its star biologically active component component, allicin.

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