Herbal Cures For Sinusitis

Sinusitis, also known as rhinosinusitis, is an inflammation of your nasal passages caused by a bacterial, viral or fungal infection. You may experience symptoms like nasal congestion, difficulty breathing, headache, fever and post-nasal drip. Conventional treatments may include corticosteroids and decongestants, but these can have unpleasant side effects. Herbs can help cure sinusitis with fewer side effects. Consult your health care provider before starting herbal therapy.

Astragalus

Astragalus, or Astragalus membranaceus, is a leafy perennial with clusters of white flowers. Native to China and Korea, the plant has a long history of use as an immune system stimulant. Practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine, or TCM, use the roots, known as Astragali radix, to treat colds, chronic infections, wounds, diabetes and kidney disorders. Active ingredients include saponins, isoflavones and polysaccharides. According to Ben-Erik van Wyk and Michael Wink, astragalus stimulates interferon, which is a protein released by the white blood cells to combat invading viruses and bacteria. The herb thus enhances your immune system so it will fight the sinus infection. Medical doctor Linda B. White and herbalist Steven Foster recommend astragalus capsules or tincture particularly if you tend to get recurring or chronic sinusitis. Do not use this herb if you have an autoimmune disease.

Andrographis

Andrographis, or Andrographis paniculata, is a small, bitter herb native to Asia but used medicinally throughout the world. Traditionally, herbalists use it to treat fevers, dysentery, upper respiratory infections, cholera, diabetes, flu and liver disorders. The main ingredients are flavones, terpenes, iridoid glycosides and diterpenoid lactones, like andrographolide and neoandrographolide. A study by E. S. Gabrielian and colleagues published in the October 2002 issue of "Phytomedicine" tested a combination of andrographis and Siberian ginseng on patients with sinusitis. After five days, the patients taking the extract showed significant improvement over the placebo group. The extract reduced sinusitis symptoms, including inflammation, headache, sore throat, muscle aches, nasal congestion and general malaise. This study supports the traditional use of andrographis extract for upper respiratory infections and shows its efficacy for sinusitis. Consult your doctor before using if you have diabetes or liver disease.

Echinacea

Echinacea refers to several species of coneflowers, like Echinacea angustifolia, E. purpurea and E. pallida, native to the United States and Canada. Native American groups used them to treat fevers, insect bites, toothaches, snakebites and burns. European settlers used the roots and aerial parts for colds, coughs and most upper respiratory infections. Active ingredients include caffeic acid, polysaccharides and alkylamides, and the plant has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory actions. Clinical herbalist David Hoffmann states that echinacea activates macrophages, which are white blood cells that trigger immune system defense mechanisms, like ingesting pathogens and stimulating other immune cells. White and Foster recommend frequent doses of echinacea capsules or tincture for sinusitis. Do not take echinacea if you have an allergy to plants in the Aster family or if you have an autoimmune disease.