Sinusitis is one of those diseases that is rarely talked about, but most everyone suffers.

What it is: An ongoing infection of the sinus cavities. The infection can be bacterial or fungal, and experts disagree on which is the main culprit.

Symptoms: Often, postnasal drip or a cough. The sinuses can be plugged though, in which case there isn't much drippage but there can be a lot of pain.

Causes: Typically it comes about after a cold, or because of an allergy. The thing is, the sinuses don't have much blood supply, so it's difficult for the body to get rid of an infection there, even if you have a good immune system.

You can read a lot about sinusitis on the web. I suffered with it for many years. I didn't realize what it was, for a long time, and I just had this hacking cough every winter. When I discovered the cause, I just went every winter to the doctor, who gave me antibiotics, which worked. Problem is, eventually I needed more and more antibiotics, and then Prednisone. So I looked for other methods of treating it.

I still don't have "the" answer, but I have a treatment that seems to work. I've tried many things. The Neti pot, with saline, really does help. But the saline can't break through really thick dried mucous, and it doesn't kill germs. Saline with tea tree and/or oregano oil kills bacteria and fungi, but stings like mad. Iodine does a great job of killing bacteria and fungi, and replenishes the tissue's supply of iodine, but again, it stings.

So here is my current formula. It breaks through the clogged mucous, doesn't cost much, and doesn't sting. I expect this formula will get improved in the next year or so, and I vary it from batch to batch.

Mix all these up with a spoon or your fingers, and store the mix in some container. Then, add 1-2 tsp to your Neti pot and some warm water, and use the Neti pot as usual.

How much to use depends on the size of your Neti pot and how much water you typically use. If it stings, you need more powder or less water.

If you have not used a Neti pot, you should get one. There are plenty online, with directions. They are the best thing available for truly clearing out your sinuses, and don't cost much.

However, you can also use this same mix in a nose spray bottle and just give a squirt now and then. That won't cause so much cleaning, but it's handy to take in your pocket when you feel congested or want to clear out your sinuses after being somewhere with, say, lots of germs or airborn particles (like, after going to a bar or being on an airplane). Xylitol seems to be really great at clearing your nose, and it doesn't sting or taste bad (it tastes like sugar, and is used as a sugar substitute).

There is an excellent Xylitol nose spray sold too, called Xlear. It uses grapefruit seed extract as a preservative, which is a great idea. It doesn't have the tea tree oil or oil of oregano though, which I've found my nose really needs if there is an ongoing infection.

 

---

Page url: http://www.eatingoffthefoodgrid.com/a/index.htm?hm_sinusitis.htm