5 ways to clear sinuses

Many people suffer from sinusitis at some time in their life. Antibiotics can help but often the sinus problems return as soon as the course is over because the root cause is still there.

Here are some suggestions to help reduce the chance of getting sinusitis and to treat it naturally if you do.

1. Drink plenty of water
Keeping your body well hydrated is a good idea for many reasons but especially if you are prone to sinus problems. A headache across the eyes and forehead can indicate slight dehydration or too much salt in the diet.

"I know this remedy's not pleasant
but neither is sinusitis"

2. Look at your diet
Reduce mucus forming foods. The main culprit here is dairy so that means milk, cheese and cream. Yoghurt and butter are usually fine. Also, to help your immune system, reduce sugar, coffee and alcohol. All of which will affect your body's hydration and may have triggered the sinusitis in the first place. Increase fresh vegetables and fruits to help reduce acidity and remove toxins via the bowels. Keep any salt in your diet to a minimum.

3. Aromatherapy for the sinuses
At Willow Trading we offer a Sinus Soother treatment which uses essential oils and pressure point massage to release congestion and fight infection. It's a very popular treatment which can bring a lot of relief. If you're not in our area don't worry; any experienced aromatherapist will be able to do this type of treatment. You can also use essential oils at home. Pine, eucalyptus and thyme are good oils to choose for an inhalation steam bath. Just add a couple of drops of each to a basin of boiling water, pop a towel over your head to trap the steam and inhale deeply. Be vary careful not to tip the basin over or your sinuses will be the least of your worries!

4. Give your nostrils a salt bath
Although salt in our diets should be kept to a minimum salt can be used to fight infection. Dissolve a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water and allow to cool to body temperature. Lean over a sink. Rest your nose over the brim of the cup. Slowly tip your head back until the saline solution runs in to your nostrils. Sniff hard!! (I know this remedy's not pleasant but then neither is sinusitis). Then all you do is spit out any that is in your mouth.

5. Garlic and parsley
Garlic is great for all sorts of infections and the beauty of it is that it's often readily to hand. However it needs to be taken raw. If you cut a clove of garlic in to tiny pieces you can swallow it with water. Just like taking a pill. Take at least one clove. And the parsley? Well that's to take a way the smell of the garlic. Chew a couple of sprigs and you'll be kissable again in no time!