InNatural Antibiotics and Botanical Treatments: Heal Your Body, Heal Your Mind, Aruna M. Siewert introduces natural remedies and plant antibiotics that can help readers achieve physical and emotional well-being. The book shows readers different plant remedies that can support psychological conditions and how to treat minor infections without any side effects. The following excerpt is from Chapter 5, “Treating Common Ailments from A to Z.”
Our skull has four different bony paranasal sinuses: maxillary, frontal, sphenoid and ethmoid. These are cavities with mucous membranes covered in fine hairs.
A sinus infection is commonly caused by a virus and begins with “normal” sniffling. The tiny hairs can no longer remove the mucus, and the mucous membranes then swell, clogging the exits. In addition, anatomical constrictions can obstruct the discharge. Since the sinuses can no longer sufficiently be aired out, the germs continue to multiply on the poorly flowing mucus.
Often, sinusitis is a side effect of illness in the upper respiratory tract, a flu-like infection or an allergy. It can be acute or chronic. We refer to it as chronic sinusitis when the inflammation has lasted longer than 2 to 3 months. An unhealed acute sinusitis commonly leads to chronic sinusitis.
Symptoms:
Sniffling; thick, yellowish-green phlegm; fever; fatigue; bad headaches; facial pain (whether in the ear, teeth or nasal areas).
When to Visit the Doctor:
See a doctor if there is no improvement after 3 days; high fever (over 103.1 degrees Fahrenheit in children, 102.2 degrees Fahrenheit in adults); and severe symptoms that affect your everyday life. Furthermore, go to the doctor if you’re suffering from tooth pain, visual disturbances or severe dizziness.
Possible Complications:
Chronic sinusitis, meningitis or encephalitis. Also, brain abscess (pus formation in the brain), or inflammation of the eye or tooth root.
Plant Remedies:
- Drink a large cup of tea, three times daily, made from verbena, chamomile, peppermint, echinacea and thyme.
- In between, sip tea made from elderberry blossoms, linden blossoms and rose hips (but not if you have a fever higher than 101.3 F).
- Take 3 to 5 drops of propolis in 1 tsp (5 mL) honey, three times daily.
- Inhale a mixture of chamomile, peppermint, thyme and 3 drops eucalyptus oil.
Additional Help:
- Footbaths: Have 1 or 2 daily; try an alternating footbath, a rising footbath or both.
- Drink lots of liquids — herb teas and also warm water. This helps to liquify the mucus.
- Elevate your head a little when in bed.
- Try infrared irradiation — either with a home device or by a practitioner — every other day.
- Use a humidifier indoors or hang up wet towels to dry indoors.
- Glucosinolates can help fight the pathogens, promote phlegm and support the body with vitamins. The following foods are especially suitable: lemon, orange, ginger (freshly grated root), cress, leek, chives, wild garlic, garlic, onion and horseradish.
Aruna M. Siewert is a healing practitioner, having completed her extensive training and advanced medical education under the umbrella of botanical/ herbal medicine and the workings of the body. Aruna has her own daily practice and was for many years a docent at the Campus Naturalis in Berlin in the disciplines of healing practise, botanical medicine and aromatherapy. Aruna resides in Berlin, Germany.
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Courtesy ofNatural Antibiotics and Botanical Treatments: Heal Your Body, Heal Your Mindby Aruna M. Siewert © 2016 www.robertrose.ca Reprinted with publisher permission. Available where books are sold.
