Alleviate Sinus Pain, Nasal Congestion Naturally
Kitchen Herbs and Spices Relieve Sinusitis, Post Nasal Drip
Jul 24, 2009
Have you ever been awakened at night, unable to breathe because your sinuses are completely blocked? Did your head throb because of the pressure that built up around your eyes? Or did your nose drip like Chinese water torture, driving you to utter distraction?
These are classic symptoms of sinusitis (an inflammation or infection of the sinus cavities).
What are Sinuses and Why do We Have Them?
WebMD states, “The human skull contains 4 major pairs of hollow air-filled sacks called sinuses. These connect the space between the nostrils and the nasal passage. Sinuses help insulate the skull, reduce its weight, and allow the voice to resonate within it.” The sinuses also serve to moisten the air we breathe. This helps to keep our pharynx, trachea and lungs healthy and comfortable.
The Four Human Sinus Cavities
- Frontal sinuses (in the forehead)
- Maxillary sinuses (behind the cheek bones)
- Ethmoid sinuses (between the eyes)
- Sphenoid sinuses (behind the eyes)
Although the sinuses possess natural defenses against pathogens like bacteria, molds and viruses; if these defenses are weakened, germs can move from the nasal passages into a sinus and cause infection.
But take heart, because if your nasal discharge is clear or white, and there is no fever or cough present, you can save yourself time and money by treating yourself to natural home remedies that are as convenient as your kitchen spice cabinet!
Which Herbs and Spices Will You Need?
- Dried ground Cayenne pepper (capsicum anuum) - Cayenne pepper is a good stimulant and antispasmodic. It is an excellent crisis herb making it useful in most first-aid situations. It is also a good spice for taking daily as a tonic.
- Dried Rosemary (rosmarinus officinalis) - Rosemary has the ability to act as an analgesic, helping to relieve headache and facial pain. It also has astringent, stimulant and diaphoretic properties.
- Anise Seed (pimpinella anisum) - Anise helps to break up mucus and acts as an expectorant.
- Fenugreek Seed (trigonella foenumgraecum) - Fenugreek seeds are tonic, astringent, demulcent and expectorant; all actions which work to relieve congestion and get rid of excess mucus.
- Black Peppercorns (piper nigrum) - Black pepper taken with honey is useful in cold mucus disease because it acts as a stimulant to break up obstruction and warm the body. It also acts as an anticatarral, which counteracts the formation of mucus.
Herbal Formula to Relieve Sinus Congestion
- Dried ground Cayenne pepper (capsicum anuum)
- ½ ounce dried Rosemary (rosmarinus officinalis)
- 1 tablespoon crushed Anise Seeds (pimpinella anisum)
- 1 ounce crushed Fenugreek Seeds (trigonella foenumgraecum)
- 8 crushed Black Peppercorns (piper nigrum)
- 1 pint Water
- Honey
- Size “00” Gelatin Capsules (available in health food stores)
Method
- Fill several “00” sized gelatin capsules with ground Cayenne pepper. (Alternatively, you can purchase pre-filled Cayenne Pepper Capsules at your local health food store.)
- Prepare a decoction of the Black peppercorns and Fenugreek seeds by simmering them in the water for about one hour.
- Strain the resulting hot liquid over the Anise and Rosemary, and allow it to steep for twenty minutes in a covered container.
- Strain off the resulting infused decoction and sweeten, to taste, with honey.
- Take one “00” capsule by mouth with ½ cup of the sweetened tea, three times daily.
The above formula was developed using the Tierra book, The Way of Herbs, as a reference. (1998) These particular herbs were chosen for their individual actions, their synergy, and their ready availability in most home's kitchens in their dried and powdered forms.
Disclaimer
The information in this article is given for educational purposes only. No diagnosis should be made nor treatment undertaken without first consulting a Physician or other qualified health professional, as neither suite101 nor the author will be responsible for readers' actions. Images are provided for illustrative purposes only.
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