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Natural Awakenings Atlanta

Got Allergies? Love Your Sinuses

While a runny nose is inconvenient, sloppy, and perhaps embarrassing, experts agree that it can be a good thing when dealing with a cold or allergies. Think of it this way: if your sinus passages are blocked and fluids stop flowing, it is the perfect environment for an infection to set in. So in addition to standard medical treatment, here are a few ways to keep your sinus passages open and clear:

1. Honey up your tea

Make hot tea and add some honey, which has antimicrobial properties. Sugar and artificial sweeteners, on the other hand, are known to encourage inflammation.

2. Eat spicy foods

Spicy foods help open your sinus passages. If you don’t care for the burning sensation of hot peppers, try ginger, mustard, horseradish, garlic and peppermint. They have the same benefit without the discomfort.

3. Get steamy

Breathe in the warm, moist steam from your hot shower or warm tea to open up nasal passages and moisten their contents.

4. Avoid sugar

Simple sugars such as table sugar can cause inflammation and damage your body’s weakest points. Inflammation nomenclature often has “itis” at the end of words, so if you suffer from sinusitis, arthritis, colitis or any other “itis,” it’s best to minimize your intake of sugar. To satisfy sweet cravings, choose unprocessed sweet foods like fruit, real maple syrup or real stevia.

5. Hydrate

Water helps your body heal, digest and function in many ways. Be sure to stay hydrated.

6. Massage your face

A favorite of course! Gently, with some light oil or cream, apply pressure on both sides of your nose and forehead, and around your eyes. This should feel good and never hurt. By gently pulling your hair away from your head, you can help trapped tissues to release as well. It’s not a cure, but it feels good and gives you a break from the unpleasant pressure. Remember to be gentle with your delicate tissues. Even a light touch can have profound effects.

These are my suggestions based on anecdotal evidence and common knowledge. Be sure to consult a physician for medical advice about your unique condition.

Lucretia Robison is an Emory-trained health and wellness coach, a bodyworker of more than two decades, a writer and a blogger. If you have a personal story of awakening that you’d like to share in Walking Each Other Home, please contact [email protected].

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