Infection of the paranasal sinuses or sinusitis is mostly caused by bacteria, which results in inflammation, stuffiness, headache and pressure. But, sinus inflammation symptoms are also manifested due to viral infection, fungal infection and allergies. The commonly adopted treatment approach for sinusitis is taking antibiotics. A concerning issue with this antibacterial therapy is increased risks of developing antibiotic resistance. On the brighter side, following home remedies and using garlic for sinus infection are effectual ways to cure sinusitis.
We are all familiar about adding garlic in cooking and herbal medicine. In fact, using raw garlic is often documented as one of the best home remedies for sinus infection. It is available in raw form, as a paste, juice, powder or capsule. Garlic minimizes inflammatory symptoms, strengthens the immune system and clears infection without causing side effects. These therapeutic properties are attributed to the active ingredients present in garlic. Before we have a discussion about using garlic to get relief from sinusitis, let's go through the therapeutic action of this bulbous herb.
Curative Properties of Garlic
These white color, pungent smelling cloves have a strong antibacterial property. As per studies conducted on garlic health benefits, it contains allin, scordinin and other active components, which make this pungent clove a curative herb for several ailments. Allin is a derivative form of the sulfur compound allicin, which gives the characteristic garlic smell. It helps fight against bacteria and fungi, which are responsible for causing sinus infection. On the other hand, scordinin boosts the immune system and inhibits abnormal cell growth.
Using Garlic for Sinus Infection Treatment
So, how much garlic should be taken for sinusitis treatment? There is no specific data concerning the recommended amount of garlic for treating sinus infection. But, ingesting 3 - 5 garlic cloves daily up to 10 days is considered safe. In order to use garlic for treatment purpose, it is used in raw form after peeling. For increased palatability, one can crush freshly peeled garlic cloves, and add a few drops of olive oil and a dash of salt to it. Or else, grind fresh garlic cloves in a paste form, and consume it with regular food. This will speed up the recovery time of sinus infection.
Another method of using raw garlic is adding it in hot water and inhaling the steam. For this, chop the cloves (fresh peeled ones) first, and infuse the pieces in a bowl of hot water for a few minutes. Then, lower the head above the bowl, and make an effort to inhale the steam by taking deep breaths. The hot steam works for opening the blocked sinuses and draining the mucus, while garlic aids in getting rid of bacterial and fungal infections. To get prompt results, inhaling garlic fumes should be practiced 2 - 3 times in a day.
Drinking garlic juice is also an effectual tip to combat sinus infection symptoms. For those of you who cannot tolerate the strong pungent smell of garlic, using odorless gel capsules prepared from garlic extract is a good approach. These capsules are formulated for alleviating sinusitis, respiratory ailments and cardiovascular problems. Make sure that the capsules are purchased from a reputed vendor. The suggested dosage is two capsules per day, until infection in the sinuses is cleared completely. But, try to use raw garlic cloves for treating sinusitis whenever possible.
In addition to taking garlic, effectual natural cures for sinus infection include drinking lots of water, using apple cider vinegar and steam inhalation therapy. Remember that using garlic as sinus infection home remedy is strictly for those who don't have garlic allergies. While allergic responses to garlic occur very rarely, they do manifest in one out of every 1,500 Americans. In case, you have a medical history of the same, consult a doctor and try alternative remedies to get rid of sinus infections.
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