Home

Contents

Herbal Sinus Solutions

Get Involved

Herbal Crafting & Cooking:

Orange Pomanders

Herbal Weather Protection Cream

Recommended Reading & Listening

Marketplace

Herbal Conferences

Herbal Sinus Solutions

This article originally appeared, in part, in Natural Living Today magazine

by Karyn Siegel-Maier

A runny nose, persistent headache and a feeling of overall fatigue seem to be keeping constant company with you lately.  Is it a cold?  It could be, but it could also be something else – sinusitis. 

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, sinusitis is the most chronic disorder in the U.S.  Typical symptoms, including headache and congestion can be easily confused for those of the common cold, particularly other not-so-typical symptoms sometimes reported with sinusitis, such as a sore throat and low-grade fever.  But, sinusitis does have some unique characteristics.  Pressure and a feeling of fullness around the eyes, cheeks and forehead, a thick green or yellow mucus discharge or pain the jaw or teeth are all good indicators that sinusitis has taken hold.

What Sinusitis Is (And Isn’t)

Many people think that the term “sinusitis” suggests “infection.”  But, the word “sinus-itis” literally translates to mean an inflammation of the sinuses.  How do the sinuses become inflamed?  Before that question can be answered, it’s important to understand how they work.

There are four sets of sinus cavities situated around and behind the eyes and nose: the frontal, sphenoid, ethmoid and maxillary.  At birth, they are each the size of a pea, growing larger as we mature into young adulthood.  (In fact, the frontal pair doesn’t appear until around the age of eight and the maxillary isn’t fully developed until the late teen years.)  Healthy sinuses contain little but air, but are lined with mucous membranes that filter impurities, such as dust and bacteria, before excreting mucus into the nose via tiny ducts.  The mucus then drains to the back of the throat and is swallowed into the stomach.  From here, acids destroy any invading bacteria.  Since this is a normal bodily function, this ongoing process usually goes unnoticed, but you may be surprised to learn that the rate of mucus exchange in an average adult is between one pint and one quart every day.

Are Your Sinuses Sick?

Sinusitis develops when the membranes of the sinuses or nasal passages become inflamed and swell, interfering with the drainage of mucus.  Inflammation and blockage can occur from any one of a long list of factors, including injury, anatomic abnormalities, bacterial infection, allergies, air pollution, smoking, dental complications, environmental and occupational exposure to toxins and emotional stress.  Since very few of us are not affected by at least one of these triggers, it becomes clear how easily our sinuses, the first line of defense in protecting our lungs, can become “sick.”  In fact, according to Robert S. Ivker, D.O., author of Sinus Survival (Jeremy P. Tarcher/Putnam), “Sinus disease has become an epidemic.”

There are two classifications of sinusitis – acute and chronic.  Acute (severe) sinusitis is the result of infection and often follows a lingering head cold.  In chronic sinusitis, inflammation persists for three months or more, possibly with periodic episodes of acute sinusitis.

The conventional approach to acute sinusitis usually involves antibiotics, decongestants and antihistamines, but not without complications.  Antibiotics, for instance, may help to clear up a bacterial infection, but do nothing to prevent re-infection of the inflamed mucus membranes.  Antibiotics also upset the balance of “friendly” bacteria in the intestines, and can further compromise an already stressed immune system.  Antihistamines cause excess mucus to thicken, making it more difficult to expel and could lead to additional blockage.  Decongestants promote drainage, but their stimulating action can cause anxiety, insomnia and elevate blood pressure.

So, what’s a sinusitis sufferer to do? Prevention is always more valuable than cure, and the secret to successfully overcoming sinusitis lies in management.  Since allergens are a leading cause of inflammation, the body’s immune system plays a key role in keeping the sinuses healthy.

Herbal Immune Boosters

Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) is an anti-inflammatory and heads the list of immunostimulators.  One of the primary constituents of echinacea is inulin, which stimulates the production of macrophages and T-cells.  Echinacea also inhibits hyaluronidase, an enzyme produced by bacteria attempting to pierce the protective barriers of mucus membranes to invade the body.

Goldenseal (Hydrastis candensis) contains berberine, an alkaloid with antimicrobial qualities effective against a variety of pathogens, including staph and strep.  Goldenseal also contains hydrastine, another alkaloid with immune enhancing properties that promotes mucus flow.

According to John P. Painter, Ph.D., N.D. of Arlington, Texas, nettle (Urtica dioica) is very effective in treating respiratory disorders due to allergic reactions.  “The use of this offensive weed to some,” he says, “has been a boon to others suffering allergic reactions to mold, fungus and pollen.”  As Dr. Painter points out, nettle is rich in vitamins and is a good source of butyric acid.  Butyric acid is an important short-chain fatty acid that is essential for a healthy metabolism.

Another herb Dr. Painter often uses in his practice to help sinusitis sufferers is licorice.  Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) contains glycyrrhizin and aglycone glycyrrhetin, agents that stimulate the adrenals and inhibits inflammation.  Licorice also increases the half-life of the adrenal hormone cortisol, thereby increasing its anti-inflammatory action.  But as Dr. Painter cautions, this herb may not be suitable for everyone.  Licorice can cause sodium retention, potassium loss, and interfere with certain heart medications.

Dosages:

All dosages given should be taken three times daily.

Echinacea:

Goldenseal:

Nettle:

Licorice:  

__________________________________

Herbal Crafting & Cooking

January 9-18:  Ayahuasca Healing Retreat. Amazon Forest of Manaus, Brazil There will be lectures, four  plant ceremonies with ayahuasca and two with salvia divinorum, group sharing, creative artwork expression, biofeedback, transpersonal exercises and excursions.. Contact: Silvia Polivoy, Av. Kennedy 2842 6a, 1425 Buenos Aires, Argentina. Ph/Fax: (54-11) 4774-3892. Email: Silviap@house.com.ar Website: www.ayahuasca-healing.net

January 18: Tree Talk Winter Walk. Austin, TX. Cooler weather signals a great time of year to plant trees. Tree Talk Winter Walk is a great opportunity to learn more, and purchase a nativeTexas tree for your home. More than 30 species will be available for sale. Contact: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 4801 La Crosse, Austin, TX 78739.Ph: 512-292-4200. Website: <www.wildflower.org>.

January 20-30, 2003: Ayahuasca Healing Retreat.  Amazon Forest of Manaus, Brazil. There will be lectures, four  plant ceremonies with ayahuasca and two with salvia divinorum, group sharing, creative artwork expression, biofeedback, transpersonal exercises and excursions.. Contact: Silvia Polivoy, Av. Kennedy 2842 6a, 1425 Buenos Aires, Argentina. Ph/Fax: (54-11) 4774-3892. Email: Silviap@house.com.ar Website: www.ayahuasca-healing.net

January 21-24: Functional Beverage Summit 2003. Seattle, WA.
The summit will include programs on Marketing and R&D as well as more scientific presentations and speakers from Europe, Asia, Australia and Latin America. Website: <www.foodbevx.com>.

January 31- February 1: NNFA Southwest. Austin, TX. Trade show for manufacturers and retailers of a wide variety of natural products including organic and health foods, natural ingredient cosmetics, sports nutrition products and vitamins, herbs and other dietary supplements. Contact: Betty W. Beckham. Ph: (888) 663-2791,
fax: (512) 495-9031, e-mail: <nnfasw@aol.com>

Source: American Botanical Council (ABC)

DISCLAIMER:  The contents herein are not intended and should not be construed as being in any form or manner an attempt at diagnosis, therapy or medical advice. While the editors and contributors strive for accuracy, neither collectively nor individually do we assume responsibility for injury and specifically disclaim any warranty, express or implied, for any products or services mentioned herein. If a medical condition exists, we suggest that you seek competent attention and or/counseling by a qualified health practitioner.

Copyright 2002, The Herbal Muse Press