Congestion, Nasal

Az Wellness

Information
www.azwellness.info

congestion, nasal

Az Wellness Information, the power of Alternative, Complementary and Holistic Medicine. Alternative therapies for everyday symptoms.

CONGESTION, NASAL -also known as Rhinitis, Sinusitis or Catarrh, is an inflammation and/or infection of your nose, ears, throat and sinus cavities causing blockages of either part of or all of this area. You have eight (8) sinus cavities (frontal, spenoid, maxillary, ethnoid - two of each), the main function of which is to filter the intake of air (removing pollens, bacteria, dust, etc.) before it travels into your lungs. Other causes of nasal congestion could be a deviated septum or nasal polyps which create the inability to breathe adequately through the nose greatly reducing the amount of oxygen that is inhaled into your lungs and the amount of toxins exhaled from your lungs.

Most people breathe through their mouths (about 90% of the population) only taking in unfiltered air (that may contain bacteria, fungi, etc) into the upper lobes of their lungs causing irritation/infection of the mucous membrane or lining of the lungs and utilizing about 15-20% of your total lung capacity. The general medical community notes that a well-oxygenated organ is an organ free of disease.

Nasal congestion is very irritating and for many (those who suffer with chronic allergies, hay fever, asthma, and lungs disease) creates anxiety. Listed below are a few natural ways for cleaning these areas. Remember all of these areas are closely connected, and the appropriate hygiene regime should be implemented simultaneously.

Self Help: (1) Diaphragmatic (abdominal) breathing - keeping your mouth closed while breathing will gradually start to force larger amounts of air through your nose, sinus cavities, throat and down deep into the lower lobes of your lungs causing stimulation of the mucus membranes, increasing blood circulation and providing a natural way to clean all your airways keeping them free of pollens, mucus, bacteria, etc. After you have been practicing this for some time, you will find that your nasal passages will automatically unclog within 5 to 30 inhalations and exhalations. This is pretty amazing!!! (2) Eucalyptus steam. (3) Neti pot (jalneti) w/saline water or warmed sea salt and distilled water (bacteria free) to your tolerance. Be diligent, this works wonders. Remember thoroughly clean/sterilize tooth brushes, neti pots, glasses, cups, etc. after each use. The bacteria and fungi that are living here are very microscopic!!!! (4) Oil pulling (oil chelation). (5) Often drinking a cup of hot tea, or just standing up from a lying down position. (6) While in the shower, direct the warm water onto your face, nose and sinus areas. Pls note that the tissues in these areas are very sensitive. Blow your nose very gently if at all, and try to expel mucus from the back of your throat out through your mouth (spitting). It is important to not only clean the nose and sinuses areas but your mouth and throat (gargling w/salt water or a combination of salt water and baking soda) as well. Practice good oral hygiene 2-3x's per day. (See gingivitis)

Steam Facial

abdominal breathing

Neti Pot

Shower

Alternative Therapy	Suggestions
Acupuncture	Mostly from excess heat from the stomach meridian, so reduce and control the stomach meridian for opening the gate. Believe it or not, there is actually a meridian point in your feet that will unclog your nasal passages!!!
Ayurveda (India)	Jalneti w/warm saline water when needed. ( a pinch to 1/8 t. of sea salt to 1 cup of warm water) depending on your tolerance. Oil Chelation (pulling) - use 1 t. to 1 tbl. unrefined sesame oil or sunflower oil on an empty stomach. Put this oil in your mouth and hold while slowly swishing between teeth. Do not swallow. After 10-20 minutes spit entire contents into a cup or the toilet. The oil will have turned white and foamy because it has pulled out toxins (and the embryos of bacteria from the teeth and meridians). Clean the oral cavity thoroughly. This can be done 1-3 x's per day to tolerance. Hydrate yourself w/1-2 glasses of quality water afterwards.
Food Therapy/ Nutrition	Go on a short 3 day mucous cleansing liquid diet. Avoid: pasteurized dairy products (ie. Cow's milk/cheeses) although goats milk seems to be ok for some); also avoid heavy starches, caffeine, red meats. Reduce your consumption of carbohydrates and protein while healing. Eat a diet of 75% raw foods, drink plenty of quality water, fresh juices, hot soups and herbal teas which will alkalize your body. Raw garlic has antibiotic and antifungal properties. Take a high potency royal jelly 1/4-1 teas. daily. Gargle with red pepper (cayenne): 1 ounce of water and add a pinch or two of red pepper (depending on your tolerance, some times less is more!!)-- put 1 tablespoon of this mixture into your mouth and gargle for 5 - 10 seconds, then spit into the sink. You may be amazed at the results. Also you can try jalapeno peppers...start off with some of the fleshy part of the skin and include one of the seeds while you are eating; gradually you can increase the amount of the fleshy part of the pepper and add two seeds, etc. The seeds as well as the fleshy part of the pepper can be very hot, be careful..and eventually your mouth and body will adjust to their heat. Once the heat is almost gone from your mouth, you may find that mucus has formed in your mouth, from your throat and lungs. Expel the mucus into a tissue, etc. This works for some people, but BE CAREFUL and take it slow... Also please remember of wash/sterilize all cups, tooth brushes, netipots, etc. after each use, even your bed cloths (especially pillows) can retain bacteria, viruses, etc, when you have coughed on them during the night.
Herbology, Western	Eucalyptus steam. Extracts: Cinnamomum zeylonicum, augena corsphylate, thymus vulgaris serpyl. Anise, fenugreek, marshmallow, red clover all loosen phlegm and clear congestion. Goldenseal, rose hips. Mullein, olive leaf extract have anti-inflammatory properties, nettle is good for allergies and respiratory ailments. Bayberry is a decongestant and an astringent. Poultice: Crushed ginger root applied to forehead and nose.
Holistic	Night time relief: Don't be surprised at this, tape your mouth shut (Oh Yes!!!) with cloth (paper) tape (1/4" - 1/2" wide by about one inch long). Place the tape on your skin first (arm, leg, whatever) to get most of the adhesive off; then place this piece of tape vertically from the middle of that ridge between your nose and lips, down across your lips (gently) to just slightly below the lips or between the lips and chin area. ..it will take a few nights before you become accustomed to the tape being there, but it WILL help keep your mouth closed while sleeping and make you use your nose/sinuses during the night to filter all the air that is going deep into your lungs. The results are fabulous...it will certainly minimize your congestion, limit your stuffy nose, and who knows, perhaps even eliminating your snoring, etc...
Homeopathy	Bacillinum. Belladonna, Kali bichromicum. Remedies are based on specific associated symptoms.
Mind, Body, Spirit	Relaxation techniques: Visualization and guided imagery. Think about wonderful smells (baked cookies, the fragrance of your favorite flower, or seeing a lake you love, anything that pleases you) and relax. Your breathing will become less labored with some control. This process will start to calm your mind and body. It may take some time, but keep practicing. Sex: Whether alone or with a partner. It may very well be the truest connection you have with yourself!! It is one of this world's greatest pleasures for all living beings and calms, harmonizes and strengthens our nervous system. See if it works for you!!! Reflexology...
Naturopathic	Acidophilus if you are taking antibiotics to balance your intestinal flora. Bee pollen, flaxseed oil, Quercetin, Vitamin A, Vitamin B complex, Vitamin C, Vitamin E. Colloidal Silver. DMSO. Zinc lozenges. Pycnogenol or GSE (Grape Seed Extract). Try adding apple cider vinegar (1/8 to 1/4 cup) in your (1-2 gallon) humidifier at night, it has been known to kill some airborne bacteria OR mix 1 t. food grade H202 or several drops of Tea Tree oil in a vaporizer (with water) at night..Your sinuses may be cleared in the morning. Steam your head and face with eucalyptus/mullein steam.
Traditional Chinese Medicine	Huang qin, xin yi hua, cang er zi, Bi Yan Pian. Apply Chinese White Flower Oil or Tiger Balm to your sinus areas. Eliminate foods that cause phlegm (cheese, ice cream, milk, butter, fried foods, limited your consumption of red meat).

* Disclaimer: The information found in this website has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The suggestions on this site are not intended to treat, cure or prevent any condition or disease. Before implementing any of these suggestions, it is recommended that you consult your healthcare practitioner for an evaluation and treatment plan. Every person’s chemistry is different (i.e. DNA, blood type, and chemistry) and the way someone reacts to a suggestion may be different from another.