Turmeric and Neti Pots Help Sinus Infections and Chronic Sinusitis

Monday, August 30, 2010 by: Melanie Grimes
Tags: neti pot, sinus infections, health news

(NewsTarget) Using turmeric or salt inhalation with a neti pot and using simple steam inhalation can treat sinus infections.

Sinusitis, also known as rhinosinusitis, is an infection or inflammation of the lining of the sinus cavities in the nose. This condition affects more than 40 million Americans annually. Sinusitis can be caused by colds, flu or allergies. Diseases such as bacterial infections also cause sinusitis, reports the University of Maryland Medical Center. Sinus infections can be painful, leading to headaches and work impairment. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology reports that sinusitis causes a loss of four workdays per year, causing employers to list sinusitis as one of the top ten medical conditions.

Turmeric Reduces Sinus Inflammation
Gargling with turmeric can help heal a sinus infection and reduce chronic sinus inflammation. The active ingredient in turmeric, known as curcumin, helps heal the sinus cavity. The herb turmeric has been used in Indian cuisine, Ayurvedic Indian medicine, and Chinese medicine for thousands of years. The University of California reports that turmeric has an anti-inflammatory action. Further recent research showed that turmeric also has antibiotic and antiviral health effects. The University of Michigan adds that turmeric reduces inflammation by lowering histamine levels. The Brain Research Institute at UCLA reports that the National Institute of Health has funded over eight studies on this herb, further evidence of this plant's efficacy.

Saline Drainage Heals Sinus Inflammation
Irrigating the sinuses with salt helps reduce sinus pressure and sinusitis, suggests the Mayo Clinic. Its site recommends the use of a neti pot to rinse the sinuses. A neti pot is used to pour a salt solution into the nostrils to clear the sinuses of mucous blockage. A cup of warm water with a half teaspoon of salt may be inhaled while holding one nostril closed. This technique of saline inhalation has a long history in Ayurvedic medicine where it has been used for thousands of years.

Steam Inhalation Opens Sinuses and Reduces Sinusitis
Inhaling steam can open the sinuses and reduce sinusitis. This can be accomplished by placing a towel over the head while inhaling from a bowl of hot water. A simpler method is to stand in a hot shower; however, this doesn't direct the steam to the sinuses as specifically as using a towel over a bowl.

Sinus infections can be simply treated by the above methods but if symptoms persist or become severe, consult with your health advisors.

https://www.naturalnews.com/029525_turmeric_c...
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/acute-sinus...
http://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/what_s...
http://www.american-rhinologic.org/patientin...
http://unitproj.library.ucla.edu/biomed/spic...

About the author

Melanie Grimes is a writer, award-winning screenwriter, medical journal editor, and adjunct faculty member at Bastyr University. She also teaches homeopathy at the Seattle School of Homeopathy and the American Homeopathic Medical College.
A trained homeopath, she is the editor of the homeopathic journal, Simillimum, and has edited alternative and integrative medical journals for 15 years. She has taught creative writing, founded the first Birkenstock store in the USA and authored medical textbooks.
Her ebook on Natural Remedies for the Flu is available at:
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