The One-Minute
(or so)
Healer
by Dana Ullman
Sinusitis
The next time someone tells you
that you have a hole in your head, simply admit that you do. We all do. In fact,
there are eight holes in the skull. Commonly called sinuses, these cavities play
an important role in respiration. If we didn't have cavities, just solid bone,
our neck probably couldn't support the weight of this top-heavy condition, thus
causing us to hang our head in evolutionary shame.
Inflammation in these sinuses,
called sinusitis, creates head pain, facial tenderness, eyeball aching, and even
a sensation that feels like the teeth are long. These symptoms make sinusitis
sound like a type of torture, as any sufferer will confirm.
Sinusitis is most often the
revenge of a lingering cold or allergy, which can impede proper nasal drainage.
This congestion becomes a breeding ground for infection that then leads the
lining in the sinuses to become inflamed and swollen. Other problems that can
create congestion leading to sinusitis are polyps, a deviated septum, large or
inflamed adenoids, an abscessed or inflamed tooth, or a change in air pressure
from flying or swimming.
Sinusitis can create its own
revenge, too. Unless it is successfully treated, it can sometimes lead to ear
infection, pneumonia, or bronchitis.
Although sinusitis sufferers may
want to hire RotoRooter to unplug their nose and drain their head, these other
strategies should be considered first.
(EDITOR'S NOTE: The remedies
presented here have taken from the book: "The One Minute (or so)
Healer" by Dan Ullman, MPH. While we present 13 suggestions here, the book
contains 23 one-minute strategies for sinusitis.)
A saltwater nasal spray
Perhaps the best nasal spray
(and the cheapest!) is salt and water. Place 1/4 teaspoon of salt and four
ounces of water in a squirt gun or spray bottle, and shoot yourself in the nose
with it. The salt and water combined will help break up nasal congestion. Blow
your nose gently afterwards.
Get steamed
Inhaling steam can feel great.
Either drape a towel over your head and stand over a pot of boiling water, or
take a hot steam shower. For a little added therapeutic action, add eucalyptus
leaves or eucalyptus oil to the boiling water.
Jog it out of you
Jogging and other vigorous
exercise can help drain sinuses.
Don't get smoked
Exposure to cigarette smoke,
even secondhand smoke, can be very irritating to the sinuses. Some people will
be irritated by a barbecue or by smog. Avoid these irritants whenever possible.
Drink up
Drink lots of fluids (except
alcohol) to keep the mucus flowing.
Don't blow your brains out
When you blow your nose, do it
gently. Blowing too strongly can force the infected mucus back into the sinuses.
If blowing your nose sounds like a wildlife mating call, you are blowing too
hard.
A sound idea
Making a repetitious sound
sometimes provides relief. Experiment with various sounds such as "ahhhhhh,"
"eeeeee," "ommmmmm," or whatever other sound works for you.
Additional benefits are possible if you close your eyes and relax while you say
these sounds.
Avoid dry heat
If the heating system in your
house or office is providing heat that is too dry, use a humidifier to moisten
the air. Check the humidifier regularly for the growth of mold or mildew. If an
air conditioner is used, make certain its filter is kept clean.
Spice up your life
Chili peppers, garlic, and
horseradish encourage mucus secretion. Add them to meals whenever possible, or
simply take capsules of them.
Seal up those sinuses
Goldenseal is the most important
herbal medicine for bacterial sinus infections. Take the fluid extract,
freeze-dried root, or powdered solid extract at least every two hours. Be
warned, however, that goldenseal is a bitter-tasting herb (it is very medicinal
tasting). Don't take it for longer than a week at a time, and don't take it at
all if you're pregnant.
Avoid antihistamines
Although these drugs reduce
nasal swelling, they also dry the mucous membranes and therefore encourage
greater congestion. It is better to use strategies that stimulate drainage than
stifle it.
Avoid decongestants
Decongestants paralyze the nose
hairs (the cilia), thus inhibiting the drainage of fluids. They also cause
"rebound congestion," a temporary relief of congestion only to be
followed by an increase in it. People also develop a tolerance to this drug and
need stronger and stronger doses of it for it to be effective. Avoid nasal
sprays, too.
Homeopathic help
Kali bic 6 or 30 (also called
Kali bichromicum) is an effective homeopathic medicine for sinus pain at the
root of the nose, especially when the person's nasal discharge is thick and
stringy. Pulsatilla 6 or 30 is more commonly given to women or children with
sinus problems, especially when their symptoms are worse at night, in a warm
room, or when stooping. People who need Pulsatilla may have digestive symptoms
that accompany the sinus pains. If you don't know how to individualize a
homeopathic medicine for your unique sinusitis symptoms, you might consider
trying one of the sinusitis products that contain several different homeopathic
medicines. Take a dose every four hours if you have mild pain, and every two
hours during intense pain. If you don't feel better within 24 hours, consider
another strategy.
This
article was
excerpted from
"The One Minute
(or so) Healer"
by
Dan Ullman, MPH
Info/Order this book
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