Breath Easy! Aromatherapy and Herbs to Treat you Nasal Congestion
by Guiomar Campbell CST. RN
The winter season is upon on us, bringing with it a lot of wind,
temperature swings and viral infections. We are constantly exposed to
these environmental agents and if we have a poor and irregular diet,
this can lead to a weakening of the immune system making people
susceptible to respiratory problems. Symptoms can be varied seen as
eye irritation and watering, sore throat and nasal congestion.
Treatment starts with the food you eat! Choose vegetable protein
(lentils, vegetables, beans), green salad, lots of garlic and red onion.
Then try some immune fortifying supplements. According to scientific
research the combination of propolis, echinacea and vitamin C reduced
respiratory infections by 55%.
There are several forms of treatment that are more "natural" to bring
relief to the initial symptoms of nasal congestion.
The recommendations below help prevent respiratory infections, but it
is important to consult a doctor if the condition persists more than
two to four weeks or you are experiencing nasal flow containing blood
or yellow-green nasal mucus.
To improve breathing
Combine 1 / 2 clove of garlic with a teaspoon of cayenne pepper, add
juice of a lemon with a teaspoon of honey. Drink this mixture three
times a day.
Another option:
l teaspoon cinnamon, sage and bay leaf in a cup of hot water, add one
tablespoon of lemon juice concentrate. Take this mixture daily.
A natural remedy to aid difficult breathing
Knead a clove of garlic and mix with a cup of warm water. With a
dropper to apply two drops in each nostril. Before going to bed, apply
a drop of sesame oil into each nostril. This treatment helps reduce
inflammation.
Apply pressure on the side of nose using the index finger of both
hands on each side of the nose. Press and hold for two breaths. Than
follow the jaw area continue applying pressure towards the ears.
A steam recipe for congestion
1 / 2 cup white vinegar, mix 4 cups of boiling water. Covering the
head with a towel and breathe in the steam.
Essential oil vaporization
Essential oils are refreshing, antibacterial and dilute secretions
especially when the mucus is thick;
Place 20 drops of oil Eucalyptus radiata essential oil in a glass bowl
of hot water. Put a towel over your head and breathe. Close your eyes
to avoid irritation. The night before bed, put the mixture near the
heater. The heat causes the oil to evaporate and dispense the
fragrance into the air.
A recipe for sinusitis relief
Mix 2 cups of cold water with a tablespoon of Epsom salts, 2 teaspoons
of baking soda. Dip a clean cloth and apply this solution under the
nose.
Enjoy the winter, and don’t forget to protect yourself
from the wind. A scarf around your neck and a hat on your head is very
important to prevent loss of internal heat during this season!
by Guiomar Campbell CST. RN
The winter season is upon on us, bringing with it a lot of wind,
temperature swings and viral infections. We are constantly exposed to
these environmental agents and if we have a poor and irregular diet,
this can lead to a weakening of the immune system making people
susceptible to respiratory problems. Symptoms can be varied seen as
eye irritation and watering, sore throat and nasal congestion.
Treatment starts with the food you eat! Choose vegetable protein
(lentils, vegetables, beans), green salad, lots of garlic and red onion.
Then try some immune fortifying supplements. According to scientific
research the combination of propolis, echinacea and vitamin C reduced
respiratory infections by 55%.
There are several forms of treatment that are more "natural" to bring
relief to the initial symptoms of nasal congestion.
The recommendations below help prevent respiratory infections, but it
is important to consult a doctor if the condition persists more than
two to four weeks or you are experiencing nasal flow containing blood
or yellow-green nasal mucus.
To improve breathing
Combine 1 / 2 clove of garlic with a teaspoon of cayenne pepper, add
juice of a lemon with a teaspoon of honey. Drink this mixture three
times a day.
Another option:
l teaspoon cinnamon, sage and bay leaf in a cup of hot water, add one
tablespoon of lemon juice concentrate. Take this mixture daily.
A natural remedy to aid difficult breathing
Knead a clove of garlic and mix with a cup of warm water. With a
dropper to apply two drops in each nostril. Before going to bed, apply
a drop of sesame oil into each nostril. This treatment helps reduce
inflammation.
Apply pressure on the side of nose using the index finger of both
hands on each side of the nose. Press and hold for two breaths. Than
follow the jaw area continue applying pressure towards the ears.
A steam recipe for congestion
1 / 2 cup white vinegar, mix 4 cups of boiling water. Covering the
head with a towel and breathe in the steam.
Essential oil vaporization
Essential oils are refreshing, antibacterial and dilute secretions
especially when the mucus is thick;
Place 20 drops of oil Eucalyptus radiata essential oil in a glass bowl
of hot water. Put a towel over your head and breathe. Close your eyes
to avoid irritation. The night before bed, put the mixture near the
heater. The heat causes the oil to evaporate and dispense the
fragrance into the air.
A recipe for sinusitis relief
Mix 2 cups of cold water with a tablespoon of Epsom salts, 2 teaspoons
of baking soda. Dip a clean cloth and apply this solution under the
nose.
Enjoy the winter, and don’t forget to protect yourself
from the wind. A scarf around your neck and a hat on your head is very
important to prevent loss of internal heat during this season!
