To take a proactive approach to healing sinus congestion without resorting to antibiotics, it is helpful to understand how this is treated in Chinese medicine.
In Chinese medicine, any upper respiratory illness depletes energy from both the Lung and Spleen energetic systems. When we say "Spleen" in this context we don't mean the spleen organ as such. Chinese medicine speaks in terms of function rather than form. The Chinese "Spleen" includes functions of the spleen itself, the pancreas, and the small intestine. It is considered to be our energetic "center," the place where we take in nourishment on a daily basis, as well as aspects of the immune and lymphatic systems.
In the five element system of Chinese medicine, each organ belongs to a specific element. The heart belongs to the Fire element, lungs to Metal, and spleen and stomach belong to Earth. Each element passes energy to the next one in line, so if one element ("the child") is depleted, the one before it ("the mother") also suffers. Conversely, to strengthen the child element, you can support the mother.
Earth is the mother of Metal. This is why the Spleen is weakened by a Lung or upper respiratory condition, as the affected Metal element pulls energy from the mother. Fatigue is one of the characteristic signs of Spleen deficiency. Another one is phlegm. You would not think that the digestion and lymph are responsible for phlegm in the sinus or lungs, but in Chinese medicine this is exactly how it is understood.
You can either believe the Chinese medicine model or not. But if you follow the Chinese approach to healing sinus congestion, you won't be disappointed with the results.
Here are the steps to take to heal sinus congestion naturally:
1. Eat foods that are warm, cooked, and unprocessed.
Both heat and cooking help pre-digest the food, making it less taxing on an already weakened digestive system. This allows the digestive system to become stronger and regenerate energy in the whole body.
2. Drink plenty of water.
Water helps the body clear congested fluids, toxins and phlegm.
3. Use a saline spray or neti pot to rinse the sinuses every day.
4. Use essential oils as inhalants or drops diluted in a carrier oil to clear the sinuses.
In our clinic we use a combination of essential oils in a base of safflower oil as nasal drops. The essential oils have antibiotic properties to help fight infection and aromatic properties to open the nasal passages. The oil is emollient and soothing to the inflamed, swollen tissue.
5. Use high quality herbal formulations to clear the sinuses, relieve fatigue and strengthen the Spleen.
Giving Nature Allergy Formula is based on a traditional Chinese remedy, widely used for sinus congestion from any cause. This herbal formula is taken internally. A good Chinese remedy to strengthen the Spleen after any cold or flu is Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang, or Central Chi Formula. It is readily found in health food stores and online.
6. If it's dry (as it is in the northeast U.S. in winter), use a humidifier to keep the nasal passages from drying out. When they are dry, they remain irritated, inflamed and painful. Dry nasal passages also promote infection because they can not do their job of fighting off germs.
Clearing congestion of any kind takes a concerted effort because it is, by definition, congested and hard to move. If you follow these simple steps, and get enough rest, your sinuses are likely to clear more easily and faster.
