| |  | | Herbs for Sinusitis
Answered by: Susan Eagles
Question from: Petur Ingi Gudmundsson
Posted on: April 6, 1998
I’m living in Iceland and suffer from sinusitis. Do you have a herbal treatment for sinusitis that works? I saw that Ginger was believed to cure it. Is that true and if so, how is it used?
Since we are not medical practitioners, we provide the following information for your research only, and advise that you consult a medical practitioner to analyze your particular symptoms with your medical history.
Sinusitis is an inflammation of the mucous membranes in and around the naval cavity, caused by a build up of catarrh usually from an infection such as a cold or a nasal polyp. Ginger, an anti-catarrhal herb reputed to reduce the production of mucous, is also anti-inflammatory, so could provide symptomatic relief. The fresh root can be simmered in water for 15 minutes, one teaspoon to one cup of water. Powdered ginger can be used by mixing one quarter of a teaspoon to a cup of boiling water. It should be taken with food, and not used in the case of kidney disease.
Additional therapy should include support for other means of elimination, such as through the bowels, kidneys and lymph glands, so that the infection can be cleared, and additional exposure to infection can be dealt with efficiently by the body’s elimination systems.
Thomas Bartram in "Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine" (Grace Publishers, Mulberry Court, Stour Road, Christchurch, Dorset BH23 1PS, England) suggests the following herbs to drain the affected area: Garlic (antibiotic, anti-viral, antihistamine, diaphoretic, expectorant – three fresh, raw cloves should be taken daily); Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) (antibacterial, anti-viral, expectorant – taken as a tea); Plantain (Plantago major or Plantago lanceolata) (restorative to the mucous membranes, antihistamine, anti-bacterial, anti-allergy, expectorant, diuretic, lymphatic – taken as a tea); Lavender (Lavendula angustifolia or Lavendula vera) (a strong antimicrobial – taken as tea); Wild Indigo (Baptisia tinctoria) root (antiseptic, immune stimulant -- taken as tea); Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) (anti-inflammatory, digestive aid, mild sedative – taken as tea).
| | |
|
