A chemist has revealed four natural remedies to clear blocked sinuses, a common issue during this season. Many people suffer from blockages leading to symptoms such as headaches and bad breath.
Dr Tim Bond, a chemist and natural health specialist from Puressentiel, stated that coughs, colds, or even sinus infections like sinusitis are not uncommon at this time of year. He shared that research by Puressentiel, a producer of plant-based health products, found that 36% of Brits have had a cough in the past month and 35% have had a cold.
Additionally, 90% of adults will experience at least one episode of sinusitis – essentially the swelling of the sinuses – in their lifetime. He explained: “Sinuses are small, empty, air-filled spaces behind your cheekbones and forehead that connect to the inside of the nose. When sinuses become swollen, mucus can’t drain into your nose and throat properly.
“Sinusitis symptoms can make life very uncomfortable; not only can you feel blocked up, but you might suffer from toothache, headaches, bad breath, a high temperature and swelling and tenderness around the cheeks, eyes or forehead. Unfortunately, only 1 to 2% of sinusitis cases are bacterial, the rest are viruses and antibiotics are ineffective against viruses. So instead, it’s important to find natural ways to deal with blocked sinuses.”
Natural ways to tackle blocked sinuses
Keep your head up at night: Dr Bond said: “Blocked sinuses can make it incredibly difficult to breathe comfortably at night, disrupting your sleep and making you feel even worse. Try using a few pillows to prop up your head to reduce the chance of mucus building up. Don’t forget to keep tissues close by too.”
Go plant-based: Dr Bond said: “Curative compounds derived from plants such as eucalyptus have a history of medicinal use and are shown to have potent antiseptic and decongestant properties which are incredibly useful against many respiratory illnesses such as sinus infections as well as coughs and colds.”
He said products such as Puressentiel Resp’ OK Sinus Express Roll-On and Puressentiel Respiratory Decongestant Nasal Spray combined natural ingredients to unblock sinuses.
Stay hydrated: Dr Bond said: “Water and herbal teas can really help to prevent congestion by thinning the mucus and allowing it to flow so that nasal passages can remain clear. Caffeine and alcohol on the other hand can lead to dehydration and they may have the opposite effect, so whilst your sinuses are blocked, keep these to a minimum.”
Try steam: Dr Bond said: “Devoting 10 minutes to an at-home facial steam could really help to loosen mucus and clear the airways. Boil water and pour it into a large bowl. Place a towel over your head and cover your head and the bowl as you inhale the steam for five to 10 minutes. Just be careful not to lower your head too close to the steam.”