Natural Relief For Sinusitis And Allergies

As the spring weather warms, sinuses clog. One of every seven Americans suffers the pain of chronic sinusitis as plants fill the air with allergens. But help is available: Natural therapies not only offer long-term support for sinuses but can improve your overall health, too.

For sinuses, springtime may be the cruelest months as a profusion of airborne plant allergens cause uncomfortable and energy-robbing symptoms for many people. While chronic sinus problems may not seem like a serious health threat, they can indicate imbalances in other systems such as digestion and immunity. Sinus infections may also cause symptoms like chronic headaches, abdominal pain and menstrual problems. There is only a thin plate of bone between the sinuses and the brain, so sinus infections can also negatively affect the brain. In Traditional Chinese Medicine this is known as a “phlegm condition,” resulting in mental fog.

Test Yourself

Chronic sinusitis is most effectively addressed using safe and natural remedies, since antibiotics provide only temporary, partial relief. It’s actually very easy to tell if you are suffering from an ongoing hidden sinus infection by performing a simple screening test: Push your three middle fingers into your maxillary sinuses (just under the bone under your eyes) or frontal sinuses (in your forehead). If you feel pressure, keep applying the same pressure and wait. If the pressure increases over time, you may have chronic sinusitis.

Natural Solutions

The holistic treatment of chronic sinusitis requires a dynamic approach that addresses allergies, the digestive system, dental health, immune support, circulation and drainage. Key components include gentle detoxification, herbs and botanicals, diet, acupuncture, nutrients, and homeopathic remedies. These natural therapies can offer long-term support for sinuses while improving overall health in the process.

The Link Between Allergies And Digestion

It may seem like a stretch to link allergies with digestion, but they are very closely connected.

One common source of allergies is intestinal inflammation which allows large molecules to pass through the gut wall, entering the circulation. When the immune system identifies these foreign molecules, an immune attack is launched. This allergic reaction initiates an inflammatory process that can significantly affect the sinuses. Two dietary sources known to cause sinus congestion and allergies in many people are dairy products and gluten (found in wheat, rye, barley, spelt and kamut). By avoiding these two food groups, allergy-prone individuals can find significant relief from acute and chronic sinus problems.

Circulation And Drainage

Promoting healthy circulation helps to drain the sinuses and relieve chronic inflammation. Effective therapies that help promote circulation and drainage of the sinuses include:

• Infrared sauna: An infrared sauna gives off therapeutic infrared heat that can be absorbed by the body, promoting circulation in the sinuses.

• Neural therapy: For more severe sinus conditions, I often use neural therapy in my clinical practice that involves injecting the tonsils and sinuses with homeopathic remedies and an anesthetic. From my experience as a holistic medical doctor, it is apparent that many emotions are stored in the sinuses. My patients often report a major release of grief, sadness and trauma in conjunction with sinus drainage.

• Cranialsacral therapy: Cranialsacral therapy can help improve sinus conditions by creating more space between the cranial bones, promoting normal drainage and relieving sinus pressure.

• Neti pot: Irrigating the sinuses with a traditional Ayurvedic neti pot is a simple way to promote drainage. A 5 percent salt solution may be used, or tea tree oil may be added to the water. Another option is to add powdered extracts of Hydrastis canadensis, Berberis vulgaris or Berberis aquifolium. These herbs contain berberine, a plant alkaloid with antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties. For complete instructions on safe use of a Neti pot, go here.

Supplements And Herbs

A variety of herbs and supplements can be useful in reducing allergic reactions, decreasing inflammation, boosting immunity and helping to thin and expel mucous in chronic sinusitis.

• A highly researched Tibetan Herbal Formula has been shown effective in sinusitis by regulating inflammation and enhancing the immune response.

• Medicinal mushrooms, particularly reishi and cordyceps, support immunity, digestion and circulation and help reduce inflammation. I recommend a formula that includes these and other species of medicinal mushrooms grown on a blend of immunity-enhancing herbs for extra support.

• Honokiol, a compound extracted from Magnolia officinalis bark, offers powerful anti-inflammation and immune support, along with additional critical health benefits.

• Vitamin C has antihistamine, anti-inflammation and immunity-boosting properties.

• Zinc is a nutrient that is necessary for optimal immune function; a deficiency can impair immunity and increase inflammation.

• Quercetin and hesperidin are plant flavonoids that inhibit inflammation-producing enzymes and reduce the release of histamine from immune cells.

• Bromelain, a pineapple enzyme, has anti-inflammatory properties and helps thin and expel mucous. Clinical trials have shown that bromelain helps reduce inflammation of the nasal mucosa in acute sinusitis patients.

• Jin Yin Hua and Lian Qiao are two Chinese herbal combinations that can reduce inflammation and increase immune response.

Breathe Easy

Chronic sinusitis is a painful condition that is often not treated comprehensively by conventional medicine. With strategic, integrative medical approaches, however, chronic sinusitis can be successfully addressed for long-term relief. By understanding the underlying causes and developing a holistic treatment plan that uses various integrative therapies, chronic and acute sinusitis can be cleared effectively and overall health can be improved safely and naturally.