Foods to eat
Chicken soup is not only good for your soul, it soothes your nose too. Bone broths of any variety are traditional remedies for any form of sinus condition. This is because these are dense in nutrients, easy to digest, boost healing, and are extremely rich in taste.
You can also try taking in a lot of foods that are rich in vitamin C. These compounds reduce inflammation and keep your immune system healthy. Other excellent foods to consume in large portions? Ginger, garlic, onions, and horseradish. Garlic is an especially excellent option. This is known as one of the best natural antibiotics.
Colds are usually the leading cause in the development of a sinus infection. Thus, consuming liberal amounts of garlic can also act as a preventive measure. Several studies have found that those who eat garlic regularly are less likely to catch a cold. If they did catch the illness, they recovered faster than those who did not take garlic at all. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends consuming about a clove of fresh garlic every day.
Things to avoid
Sugar is a no-no. It can be tempting to reach for that chocolate bar to make you feel better but sugar decreases the white blood cells needed to fight off infection. Fruit juices are not a recommended alternative -- unless you make them yourself. Canned juices are loaded with sugar and only contain small amounts of the actual fruit. Avoid taking in lots of salt and refined flours and grains as well because they can dehydrate you and promote mucus production.
Grapefruit seed extract
This has incredible antiviral properties. Many natural nasal and throat sprays contain this compound. The extract delivers potent amounts of vitamin C into the system, along with other nutrients, which eliminates infection, relieves the sinuses, and reduces inflammation. Grapefruit seed extract does not have any dehydrating properties.
Echinacea
This is known as the American coneflower. It was a popular herb used by the Native Americans to combat flu and colds. Echinacea is rich in several active compounds, all of which have antimicrobial characteristics. These promote a healthy immune system. Echinacea has been studied to exhibit antioxidant properties too.
Neti pots
These are containers made to remove debris found in the nasal cavity. You can try to make your own saltwater solution or you can buy sterilized ones from natural stores. Neti pots are a staple among practitioners of Ayurvedic medicine. Make sure to use purified, sterile water because using unclean water can cause unwanted infection.
Essential oils
Eucalyptus and peppermint oils can be used to relieve congestion. Simply rub a small pea-sized drop over the chest area and breathe deeply. Essential oils naturally open up the sinuses and clear excessive mucus buildup. You can also try rubbing a drop of the oil on the roof of the mouth. Make sure that these are food grade essential oils. Another way to receive these oils’ benefits is to diffuse them in the air.
Moisture
It is important to keep your nasal passages as unblocked as possible. This is done by introducing moisture to the system. Try different ways, whether that’s through a humidifier, saline nasal spray, or even sitting in a steam-filled bathroom.
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