When repeated sinusitis turns into chronic sinus infections the pain and discomfort can be unbearable. In chronic infection, the prime objective is to improve the immune response to fight against the pathogen. This can be best achieved by using herbal medicines such as Echinacea, Golden Seal, Andrographis, Garlic and Golden Rod. Nutritional supplementation of Vitamin C (small doses every few hours is better than one large dose) and Zinc are very useful to increase the immune response. In the diet, it is best to increase the consumption of garlic, onion, ginger, chilli, horseradish and wasabi. Interestingly, numerous studies discuss that fresh horseradish is much better than dried horseradish commonly found in supplemental preparations. Implement this traditional practice and buy a fresh horseradish root (even fresh wasabi if you can source it) and grate in into a cup of hot water with fresh lemon juice, raw honey and grated ginger. Tasty, nutritious and good for the infection!
Stagnant mucous production is frequently aggravated by some dietary foods including alcohol that can swell the mucous membranes in the nasal and sinus area. Make sure you drink lots of warm clear fluids – as by increasing fluid intake you can help to reduce the thickness of the mucous that can promote infection. Intra-nasal washes such as saline sprays or neti pots (Traditional Ayurvedic pots) that promote flushing of the nasal passages can ease the pressure and clear some residual infection. Or if all else fails, go into the ocean and clear your sinuses with sea-water.
