Sinus Issues
Sinuses are interconnected cavities in the skull. These cavities are linked to your nasal passages by small channels. The channels let air flow from your nose into the sinuses and allow mucus to drain from every sinus into the nose.
FOODS TO EAT MORE OF
FOODS TO AVOID OR MINIMIZE
ESSENTIAL OILS
HERBAL
NATURAL
YOGA / MEDITATION THERAPY
SUPPLEMENTS
MIND-BODY CONNECTION
FOODS TO EAT MORE OF
- Fruits: apricots, cantaloupe, clementines, grapefruit, lemons, limes, mangoes, oranges, papayas, pumpkin, strawberries, tangerines, watermelon
- Vegetables: arugula, asparagus, bell peppers (any color, but some studies show orange bell peppers are most effective for sinus issues), broccoli, cabbage, carrots, chili peppers, collard greens, green beans, kale, onions, romaine lettuce, spinach, watercress
- Beans, lentils, sea herbs, wheat germ, seeds (especially pumpkin & sunflower)
- Fish, garlic (raw), horseradish, green tea, Maitake mushrooms
- Plenty of fluids (8 glasses of water daily)
FOODS TO AVOID OR MINIMIZE
- Alcohol, dairy (except eggs), bananas
- Refined sugar/flour
ESSENTIAL OILS
- Rosalina, eucalyptus, fir, myrtle (sinus areas, temples, chest, back, feet, diffuse)
HERBAL
- Andrographis, black cohosh, Cayenne, chamomile, dandelion leaf & root, echinacea, elderflowers, fenugreek, ginger, garlic, hyssop, lemon balm, parsley, sage, skullcap, thyme, yarrow
- For wet/mucusy issues: Ground Ivy/Creeping Charlie
NATURAL
- Massage ointments containing chili or ginger into the sinus areas above and around the nose.
- Run a lemon through a blender, peelings and all. Eat 1 teaspoon every morning.
- Mix 1/4 teaspoon baking soda in a cup of warm water. Drink morning and evening.
- Drink 1 teaspoon vinegar mixed in a glass of water.
- Neti Pot, or dissolve 1 teaspoon salt in a pint of tepid distilled water. Cup in the hand and inhale it into the nose. Tip head back so it drains into the throat, then spit it out.
YOGA / MEDITATION THERAPY
- Yoga 101 : Yoga Poses for Sinus Pressure (2 minutes - ehowhealth)
- Yoga Poses For Sinus (12 minutes - Mind Body Soul)
SUPPLEMENTS
- Astragalus: 200 mg twice daily between meals (supplying 0.5% glucosides and 70% polysaccharides)
- Cat's Claw: 250 mg extract twice daily (take between meals, don't use if pregnant)
- Echinacea: 200 mg 4 times daily (should contain at least 3.5% echinacosides)
- Reishi/ Maitake Mushrooms: 500 mg reishi and/or 200 mg maitake 3 times daily (avoid reishi mushrooms if you're on anticoagulants)
- Vitamin C/ Flavonoids: 1,000 mg vitamin C and 500 mg flavonoids 3 times daily (reduce if it causes diarrhea)
MIND-BODY CONNECTION
- Chronic sinus problem represent the relationship to truth in your life. Do you lie to others or yourself (or give excuses as to the reasons behind your behavior)? Do you rationalize your own behavior but hold grudges against others for the same behaviors?
- Can also represent feelings of irritability towards someone close to you.
- Holistic Medicine notes an association (often, not always) between sinus issues and those with tense personalities who tend to hold their emotions under tight check.
FOOD MEDICINE
Not all recipes are nutritionally perfect, but the options below are a great way to start incorporating beneficial foods into your diet in delicious ways. Always try to buy organic, and feel free to make substitutions to accommodate gluten-free, vegan, etc diets.
Abbreviation Definitions:
LC = Low Calorie (under 400 for breakfast, 600 for lunch/dinner, and 200 for beverages/sides/snacks)
GF = Gluten Free
KT = Keto / Low Carb
VG = Vegan
VT = Vegetarian
LC = Low Calorie (under 400 for breakfast, 600 for lunch/dinner, and 200 for beverages/sides/snacks)
GF = Gluten Free
KT = Keto / Low Carb
VG = Vegan
VT = Vegetarian