Fitness Feast

Causes and Cure of Sinus

Sinusitis results from the congestion of the sinus passages due to catarrh. It is caused by
over-secretion of mucus in the membranes lining the nose, throat and head. This over-secretion
is due to irritation caused by toxins in the blood.

A faulty diet is thus the real cause of sinus trouble. When a person consumes certain types of
foods or drinks regularly, these, in due course, have a conditioning effect on the entire system.
As a result,some persons become more sensitive to certain allergens, whose reaction ultimately
turns into sinusitis.

Natural Cure for Sinus

Correcting the faulty diet is of utmost importance in the treatment of sinusitis. Patients should
take a balanced diet. Most persons with sinus trouble also suffer from acidity. Their diet should,
therefore, veer to the alkaline side. The intake of salt should be reduced to the minimum as salt
leads to accumulation of water in the tissues and expels calcium from the body.

In the acute stage of the disease, when fever is present, the patient should abstain from all solid
foods and only drink fresh fruit and vegetable juices diluted with water on a 50 : 50 basis. After
fever subsides, he may adopt a low-calorie raw fruit and vegetable diet with plenty of raw juices.
After the acute symptoms are over, the patient may gradually embark upon a well-balanced diet
of three basic food groups, namely seeds, nuts and grains ; vegetables and fruits. IN persistent
chronic conditions, repeated short juice fasts may be undertaken for a week or so at intervals of
two months.

Those suffering from sinusitis should completely avoid fried and starchy foods, white sugar,
white flour, rice, macaroni products, pies, cakes and candies. They should also avoid strong
spices, meat and products. Butter and ghee should be used sparingly. Honey should be used for
sweetening. All cooked foods should be freshly prepared for each meal. Vegetables should be
taken in liberal quantities.

All kinds of fruits can be taken with the exception of those belonging to
citrus group such as lemon, lime, orange and grapefruit. Milk should be taken in liberal quantities
as it contains calcium which has a marked effect in overcoming inflammation of the tissues.
A diet rich in vitamin A is the best insurance against cold and sinus trouble. Vitamin A is the
"membrane conditioner" as it helps build healthy mucus membranes in the head and throat.

Some of the valuable sources of this vitamin are whole milk, curds, egg yolk, pumpkin, carrot,
leafy vegetables, tomato, oranges, mango and papaya. When the sinus trouble has already
developed, relief can be obtained by taking vitamin A in large therapeutic doses of 25,000 I.U. per day.
Vitamin C has also proved beneficial in the treatment of sinusitis and the patient should take one gram of this vitamin per day in two therapeutic doses of 500 mg. each.


One of the most effective remedies for sinus problems is to eat pungent herbs like garlic and
onion which tend to break up mucous congestion all through the respiratory tract. One should
begin with small mild doses and increase them gradually. Beneficial results can also be
achieved by adding these herbs in moderate amounts to regular meals.
Carrot juice used seperately or in combination with juices of beet and cucumber or with spinach
juice is highly beneficial in the treatment of sinus trouble. 100 ml. each of beet and cucumber
juice or 200 ml. of spinach juice should be mixed with 300 ml. of carrot juice in these
combinations.

Water Treatment

Cold application over the sinus will give great relief ; alternate hot and cold applications will also
prove beneficial. Take pans of hot and cold water, bathe the whole face with hot water - as hot
as you can bear - and then apply cold water for short duration. Nasal inhalation of steam for five
minutes every hour will also give relief.

Yogasanas such as viparitkarani, bhujangasana, yogamudra and shavasana, yogic kriyas , such
as jalneti and sutraneti and pranayamas like anuloma-viloa and suryabhedan will be beneficial in
the treatment of sinus trouble.

Plenty of sleep, adequate rest and fresh air are essential in the treatment of sinus trouble.
Patients should avoid the use of perfumes and strongly scented hair oil.