Q. Dear Natalie, I hope you can help; I am suffering with terrible sinusitis. It
is causing me to have terrible headaches. Do you have any suggestions for
natural remedies to clear the passageways?
A. There are several herbal medicines
which work wonders in treating sinusitis. Two of the most effective botanicals I
have used in my practice for treating sinusitis are stinging nettle and
horseradish.
Stinging nettle works to regulate the body’s allergic
response due to its anti-inflammatory and antihistamine properties. Horseradish
root helps to clear sinus passages. It’s recommended to take a 1/4 tsp. of
freshly grated horseradish root and hold it in the mouth for as long as it takes
for the taste to disappear. The sinuses should immediately begin to drain. The
herb also has strong antibacterial qualities.
You should also try boiling
a few eucalyptus leaves in water and then placing a towel over your head and
inhale the steam. Eucalyptus reduces the inflammation and symptoms of sinusitis.
It’s the inflammation of the sinuses which obstruct the flow of nasal
secretions. Eucalyptus has expectorant properties as well, and can break up
mucus secretions so that they become easier to pass.
Trying to irrigate
the sinuses is another option. Using a neti pot with warm water, add one-quarter
teaspoon of fine salt. Tip your head, sideways, over the sink and gently pour
half the solution into the upturned nostril. Then tip your head forward and let
the water run into the sink. Repeat the same procedure with the other
nostril.
In situations where steaming and neti pots are not practical,
it’s possible to use scented handkerchiefs. Blend one drop of rosemary oil, one
drop of geranium oil and one drop of eucalyptus oil in a small dish. Dip the
center of a cotton handkerchief into this mixture. Once dry you can place the
handkerchief to your face and inhale.
Finally, the herb Elderberry is a
common herb used to relieve sinus pain. It works to soothe the swollen nasal
passage by reducing inflammation. It’s also packed with antiviral and
antibacterial properties, thereby strengthening the immune system. Take
Elderberry syrup at the first signs of any sinus problem. It’s best taken at the
first sign of sinus problems.
Q. Dear Natalie, I recently went to my
doctor because I have been suffering from frequent nose bleeds. He could not
find any problems, but suggested that I check my diet. Perhaps you can advise me
on which vitamins I should be including in my food plan?
A. It’s true that a
lack of certain vitamins, in particular K and C, contribute to the mechanisms of
nosebleeds. Coagulation is the process of stopping the flow of blood by clot
formation. Vitamin K is essential for coagulation to occur. Once a blood vessel
is ruptured, a Vitamin K deficiency can lead to uncontrollable bleeding and the
nose loses more blood than usual.
Other signs of Vitamin K deficiency
include easily bruised skin and bleeding gums. You can get the Vitamin K you
require from liver and green vegetables, but if you are deficient as an adult,
you may take90 to 120 mg of Vitamin K each day.
Vitamin C is very
important for the development of normal collagen and a deficiency can lead to
having fragile capillaries. These capillaries of the nose are especially
dependent on healthy collagen to prevent rupture and bleeding.
Making
sure we have enough potassium in our diets regulates the fluids in our body.
When we dehydrate, our body tissues dry out. Once the tissues on the inside of
your nose become dry it can trigger nose bleeds. Instead of potassium
supplements try to include more bananas, avocados and tomatoes in your
diet.
When the body is deficient of vitamins B-9 and B-12, the risk of
nosebleeds increased because with high levels of homocysteine in the blood it
can damage the walls of blood vessels and make them more susceptible to
ruptures.
A deficiency of Vitamin A can lead to dryness in the nasal
cavity which makes it more susceptible to bleeding. Vitamin A keeps the mucosal
membranes of the nose, sinuses, mouth, eyes and digestive tract protected and
moist.
Q. Dear Natalie, What are the benefits of drinking lemon grass tea?A.
Lemongrass tea has an international reputation as a wonderful natural remedy for
cancer. ‘’PlantaMedica’ published an study in 2005 where researchers in Israel
reported their findings that a substance in lemongrass, known as citral, caused
cell suicide in malignant cancer cells without harming the normal
cells.
The volume of citral used for this experiment was the same amount
that is present in a cup of lemongrass tea. Lemongrass tea contains a wide range
of vitamins including Vitamin C, Vitamin A and many of the B vitamins, including
folate (B9).
Minerals in lemongrass tea include manganese, calcium,
phosphorus and magnesium. Since lemongrass tea contains so many nutrients, I
recommend it as a perfect home remedy to boost the immune system and aid
digestion. To prepare a tasty cup of lemongrass tea, wash and then cut several
of the long leaves from the plant into inch-long pieces. Boil the leaves in
water, then leave to steep for 10 minutes. Add a little honey to
sweeten.
This column is brought to you as general information only and
unless stated otherwise is not medical advice nor is it based on medical
experiments. This column is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for
specific medical conditions. For more information about specific problems,
please contact a doctor.Natalie runs a clinic both in Tel Aviv and
Jerusalem offering a wide range of natural treatment, including a women’s clinic
every Wednesday. To make an appointment please email
nateopath@gmail.com.
Ask Natalie: If you have a health query and would
like an alternative answer, email Natalie with your question at
nateopath@gmail.comSomeone Once Said: “Leave your drugs in the
chemist’s pot if you can heal the patient with food.”
- Hippocrates