Print Article for : Herbal Remedies For Sinus

Your Online Guide » Common Illness » Sinus Infections

[H288]Herbal Remedies For Sinus

by Alvin Toh, Alv

Many people are affected by sinus problems each year. Once you get a sinus infection you are almost assured of getting more in the future. Many medications fail to help get rid of sinus symptoms such as headache, stuffy nose and infection. Herbal remedies for sinus have been used successfully for centuries. They are safe and easy to use and have no ill side effects that most medications have.

Here are some herbal remedies that can effectively treat sinus infections.

Licorice ? The root of this herb helps reduce inflammation and stimulates the immune system to fight sinus infections. There are two types of licorice products. Be sure to take licorice capsules that boost the immune system and not those for treating ulcers.

Eucalyptus ? This is a fragrant herb that soothes sore throats. It also has antiseptic properties and can help shrink swollen tissues such as swollen sinus passages. It is readily available in throat lozenges, which are a convenient way to take it. You can also drink eucalyptus tea. It is very helpful to steep some eucalyptus in a large pot of boiling water and use as an inhalant to unblock nasal passages.

Peppermint ? The anti-inflammatory properties of peppermint help to calm mucous membranes. You may drink peppermint tea or steep the peppermint and breathe in the steam. The scent of peppermint when inhaled helps to ease your breathing.

Ginger ? Ginger has long been known to relieve and prevent headaches. It is anti-inflammatory and contains substances that relieve pain. Take in capsule form, according to directions.

You can also prevent a sinus infection by taking certain herbs, supplements and foods.

Lemon balm ? Lemon balm is helpful in fighting off viruses and bacteria. Steep the dried leaves for 10 minutes in hot water. Strain and drink the tea warm. Alternatively, lemon balm tea can be used as a gargle.

Echinacea ? Echinacea helps boost the immune system and makes it function better. It has been known to kill some viruses of the respiratory system. Take in capsule form. Increase the dosage at the onset of illness and decrease after several days. Do not take if you have an allergy to ragweed.

Vitamins ? Vitamin C and zinc can help to lessen the duration of colds as well as to keep the symptoms down. Many sinus infections come from lingering colds. By fighting a cold early, you can help stave off a sinus infection. Take supplements in the form of capsule or lozenge during cold season and especially with the onset of any symptoms.

Foods high in antioxidants help to build the immune system and prevent infections in the first place. Some of these foods include blueberries, artichokes, red beans, cranberries and pomegranates. Try adding these foods in your diet to help boost your immune system and prevent a sinus infection.

Herbal remedies for sinus are better alternatives to drug medication. However, some herbs may have interactions with prescription medication so it is wise to check with your doctor before taking them.

Herbal remedies are those remedies created from plants and from plant extracts. The recipes for these remedies are past on through tradition and folklore. As such, the practice of using herbal remedies for healing purposes is an ancient one that has been used on all seven of the continents. In fact, some herbal remedy recipes have been depicted in cave paintings that date back as far as 13,000 to 25,000 BC.

Today, the same herbal remedies that have been uses for hundreds or even thousands of years are still in use. According to anthropologists, these remedies have been improved over time through the process of trial and error. As the knowledge surrounding herbs and their uses has grown, so has the practice of using herbal remedies for their healing power. Even herbs commonly used to season our foods have specific healing powers. Garlic, for example, is known by herbalists for its ability to lower cholesterol, to reduce blood pressure, to reduce platelet aggression, and to provide antibacterial properties.

There are three basic forms of herbalism that are followed by most practitioners in the United States. These include:

* Western herbal medicine based on Roman and Greek herbalism
* The practice of Ayurvedic from India
* Chinese medicine, referred to as Chinese herbology

Each of these forms of herbal medicine has an ancient history with millions of loyal followers. In addition, the practice of Ayurvedic remains an important practice in India, with the President of the country even having his own personal Ayurvedic physicians. The same holds true of Chinese medicine, which is still practice by many doctors within the country.

Although each herb used in herbal medicine has its own unique properties, most herbal remedies involve mixing more than one herb together. This helps improve the flavor of the concoction while also improving its potency. One popular mixed herbal remedy is mint leaf, eucalyptus, and juniper berry, which is mixed together to help fend off colds.

When mixing together an herbal remedy, it is best to use dried herbs because most herbal remedies are based on the effects of herbs in this state. Since some the chemical structure of some herbs actually changes when dried, you may not experience the same effect if you use fresh herbs.

There are a couple different ways to ingest herbal remedies. Tea is a popular method, which involves seeping the herbs in hot water for about five minutes before drinking the tea. You may also choose to mix the herbs into your food or to take them in capsule form. For some herbs, the best method of use may be to obtain the essential oils of the plant and use it for aromatherapy purposes.

Herbal remedies have been in use for thousands of years. And, since they continue to prove themselves effective to those that use them, you can expect them to be around for years to come.

Find out more about herbal remedies at www.totalherbal.com

Article Source : Pg. 3

About Author

Both Alvin Toh & TotalHerbal Staff are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Alvin Toh has sinced written about articles on various topics from Bull Terrier Dogs, Fitness and ADHD. If you suffer from sinusitis, you surely know the pain and discomfort. There are 3 powerful natural ingredients for a that can effectivel. Alvin Toh's top article generates over 14800 views. to your Favourites.

TotalHerbal Staff has sinced written about articles on various topics from Sinus Infections. TotalHerbal reviews proven for a variety of common medical conditions. Discover the best Herbal Remedies that are a successful natural alternative. TotalHerbal Staff's top article generates over 880 views. to your Favourites.