By David Blyweiss, M.D.
About this time every year, my patients start complaining about their sinuses. Between changes in the weather and the rise in ragweed, fall is notoriously hard for those with allergies or sinus problems. But if they are looking for a quick fix for their stuffy nose and sinus headache, they’ve come to the wrong place. I’m not a big believer in doling out prescription antihistamines or decongestants. Even over-the-counter sinus and allergies drugs can get in the way of the body’s natural healing response.
As it turns out, one of the most effective treatments for nasal and sinus problems is also the simplest and safest—irrigating the nose with either a natural nasal spray or a neti pot. It’s so effective that research notes that washing out the nasal passages with a simple salt water solution is much better for relieving symptoms than commercial saline nose sprays. When the University of Michigan compared the two in 121 adults with stuffiness and sinus pain, all reported fewer symptoms after eight weeks. But those using the nasal rinse showed far greater improvement in the severity and frequency of symptoms. Granted, the idea of squirting water up one’s nose has a certain “ick” factor, but almost all of the patients I see for sinus problems benefit from natural nasal irrigation.
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Other research, including a July 2007 analysis by the Cochrane Review, shows consistent benefits, including improved air flow. Nasal irrigation also reduces the number of eosinophils, white blood cells that play a key role in inflammation and allergic symptoms.
Nose washing can be a do-it-yourself affair. Simply mix up a solution of one-quarter teaspoon each of kosher salt and baking soda in eight ounces of purified water. Pour it into a small squeeze bottle and squirt once into each nostril twice a day. It’s easy, affordable and convenient.
An even more effective approach is to irrigate the nasal passages with a neti pot. This Ayurvedic remedy has been practiced for thousands of years throughout India. In fact, neti is one of the six purification techniques performed prior to practicing yoga. But you don’t need to be a yogi to benefit from this ancient nasal wash. Here’s how it works: a gentle stream of lukewarm water is used to gently cleanse the nasal passages, washing away pollens, mucus, viruses and bacteria. Simply insert the filled neti pot into one nostril. Turn your head to the side, raise the neti pot and slowly pour the salt water into your nose, allowing it to flow out of the other nostril. The technique is not as uncomfortable or difficult as you may think, and it can make a world of difference.
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Of course, nasal irrigation isn’t a cure-all. For my patients in real need of fast relief, I do recommend natural sinus soothers. For sinus congestion, I suggest a whiff of eucalyptus oil. You can simply apply a few drops of the essential oil to a tissue or add it to a humidifier to help clear nasal and sinus congestion. It acts on receptors in the nasal mucous membranes, leading to less stuffiness.
For sneezing and itchy, watery eyes, I recommend either stinging nettles or butterbur. Both of these herbal antihistamines have proven effective in numerous studies. Stinging nettles is my first choice for acute symptoms like itchy, watery eyes, sneezing and respiratory symptoms. This prickly plant offers fast relief—often within 15 minutes. The key is the herb’s anti-inflammatory effect. In one open trial of 69 patients with seasonal allergies, 58 percent reported that taking 600 mg. of freeze-dried nettle leaf daily relieved their symptoms. Almost half of the participants said it was more effective than over-the-counter allergy drugs. And unlike OTC allergy medicines, taking stinging nettle won’t make you drowsy.
A Swiss study found that butterbur is just as effective as Zyrtec for long-term sufferers. But butterbur may also help even if you only suffer from occasional allergies. One clinical trial of 186 allergy sufferers reported that butterbur also worked well on people with intermittent allergies. For best results, I recommend taking 50 to 100 mg. twice a day with meals.
Not only will these all-natural strategies keep your seasonal sinus problems in check, they will support your body’s natural defenses against the foreign invaders that make you miserable—without creating dependency on synthetic drugs. And that should leave you breathing easy.
References:
Pynnonen MA. Nasal Saline for Chronic Sinonasal Symptoms: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Archives of Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery. 2007;133:1115-1120.
Roschek B Jr. Nettle extract (Urtica dioica) affects key receptors and enzymes associated with allergic rhinitis. Phytotherapy Research. 2009;23:920-926.
Schapowal A. Treating intermittent allergic rhinitis: a prospective, randomized, placebo and antihistamine-controlled study of Butterbur extract Ze 339. Phytotherapy Research. 2005;19:530-537
