Nothing is more annoying than constantly blowing your nose without gaining relief from sinus irritation. Thankfully, I have experimented on myself for years on ways to relieve this issue.
The advice I will provide in this article works for most nasal mucus-related problems.
Personally, my issues are from a lifetime of allergies and a family history of sinus congestion.
So here we have three groups of remedies for all things sinus-mucus related.
Table of Contents:
1) Clean Your Nose!
2) Where and What Are You Eating?
3) Extra Help
1) Clean Your Nose! First off, we have the most acutely satisfying group of remedies, nasal rinses!
Nasal rinses help to dislodge, thin out, and carry away the mucus you cannot quite blow out. Rinsing out your nose is incredibly satisfying and can make breathing much easier. Regular cleaning of your nasal passages can help to reduce the chance of sinusitis and can help to prevent colds and flu by washing away the microorganisms before they can start trouble.
My personal favorite is called Alkalol, I tend to use this regularly in my week and it helps clear out a lot of mucus all at once. It is a mixture of essential oils and natural extracts that has been continuously sold since 1896! A pharmacist named James P. Whitters devised the original formula and the company has remained family owned ever since.
Here are the main ingredients of Alkalol:
Menthol, Eucalyptol, Thymol, Camphor, Benzoin and oils of wintergreen, spearmint, pine, and cinnamon
All these ingredients possess anti-septic properties and are individually used for asthma and airway obstructions. These ingredients are incredibly powerful at not only opening the nose but also naturally killing any viruses, bacteria, or fungal spores that we might have inhaled.
When using this product, start with the ‘mild’ recommended mixture (as described on the bottle). This is only 20% Alkalol to 80% distilled water. The spicy nature of the active oils can be powerful if you have never used this before so ease your way into stronger decoctions.
This product is safe to use daily, however, pay attention to your nose and stop using it if you develop any signs of overuse, such as a dry or irritated nose. I have never experienced these symptoms and I have used it as much as twice a day for weeks at a time. However, it is always better to be cautious.
If you want a product that is easy to use on the go, check out “Xlear Nasal Spray.” Xlear uses xylitol as its primary ingredient. Yes, that xylitol, the artificial sweetener found in chewing gum. It has been concluded by research that nasal xylitol,
“results in greater improvement of symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis as compared to saline irrigation”(Weissman, 2011)
From what I understand, xylitol stimulates the cleaning process in the nose. I think of it as shaking an apple tree and watching as all the apples come falling down.
Xlear tastes sweet so you know that you have effectively used the nasal spray when you can taste the sweetness at the back of your throat after inhaling.
I like to use this product when I fly. I use it prior to getting to the airport to set up a protective coat in my nasal passages and again when I leave the airport to make sure I did not catch anything. It is also a great product to have at hand on days when you cannot use Alkalol to clear everything out but still need some sinus relief.
2) Where and What Are You Eating?
I know that as soon as I am done drinking a milkshake, I will start to feel my nose start to fill with mucus. Sugar and milk products are a sure-fire way of internally creating more nasal obstructions.
If long term nasal relief is what you are after, start by cutting down your intake of sugar and milk products and make note of how much better you feel. If you tend to eat a regular amount of sugar and milk it may take at least a couple of weeks to begin seeing a change in your body. Ease your way into it so you do not snap back to your old habits.
In TCM we talk about the relationship of the Spleen organ system and how it creates Phlegm, it then deposits that Phlegm in the Lung organ system. We can avoid this issue by choosing to eat foods that will not perpetuate this problem. We will talk about this more when we get to supplements.
A classic way of relieving nasal obstruction is by eating a warming soup. Try this: a miso soup base with green onions, ginger, and a dash of chili oil. If that does not get your nose running, I do not know what will!
The other side of lifestyle is your living environment. Depending on the climate that you live in, you could have all sorts of allergens in your home.
Regular dusting, vacuuming, and washing will help most allergies. If you have the money for it, investing in a good air purifier is a great way to make sure your home environment is free of irritants.
The best way I have found with air purifiers is to run it while you sleep. This way you can rinse your nose before getting into bed and your air purifier will keep your air space clean, so that when you wake up the next day you have a clean slate!
If you really want to identify the allergens in your home, you can go the extra mile of getting a full allergen test so that you know exactly what is bothering you. I have heard about people getting these tests done and discovering that the chemicals in their laundry detergent or shampoo were causing allergic reactions.
3) Extra Help
When we have our nose, diet, and environment clean but we are still having trouble getting through the day, then we can turn to our herbal medicine friends.
First off, we have Sinus Care by Patient One. This is only one version of a very common combination of herbs so if you cannot find this brand that is okay! Check out your local health food store and see if they have anything with similar ingredients.
In Sinus Care they have:
• Quercetin - This strengthens the cell walls of mast cells so that it reduces the release of histamine (the compound that triggers allergic reactions)
• Bromelain - The enzyme from pineapple. It reduces mucous production!
• Stinging Nettles extract - An age-old herb that inhibits the histamine response.
• N-Acetyl L-Cysteine - An amino acid that is both an antioxidant and an expectorant.
• Vitamin C - We can all use a little immunity boost
This combination of helpers is great to start before allergy season begins. The combination of anti-histamines and mucous relieving components can make a huge difference. Typically, with any brand that sells this formula, you must start with a “loading phase” of taking the supplement twice a day for the first week and then you can switch to a “maintenance dose” and take it only once a day.
A helpful TCM formula is Yu Ping Feng San, commonly called “Jade Windscreen Powder” as it is used to screen the individual from the wind, aka, it boosts the immune system. Typically, we suggest this formula for people that catch colds very easily, as well as for some people with allergies. This is the formula that works on the Spleen organ system and Lung organ system connection.
Here are the ingredients:
• Huang Qi, Astragalus Root - Tonifies Qi and Protective Qi
• Fang Feng, Saposhnikovia Root - Dispels wind
• Bai Zhu, White Atractylodes Rhizome - Supplements the Spleen organ system
This formula is best used when there are clear signs of qi deficiency and Spleen deficiency co-existing. In essence, this formula builds up the Lung and Spleen organ systems. These two organ systems, in TCM theory, make up the Taiyin, or Utmost Yin, system. Our Taiyin system is responsible for what we call the immune system in allopathic medicine.
If you are curious if this formula is right for you, I encourage you to visit your local acupuncturist!
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