Echinacea & Goldenseal For Chronic Sinusitis

Chronic sinusitis is a medical condition characterized by inflammation of the sinuses that lasts more than eight to 12 weeks and common symptoms include pain and tenderness in the sinus area as well as headache and nasal congestion. Echinacea and goldenseal are two medicinal plants that may have some benefits for improving chronic sinusitis; however, more research is needed to evaluate their efficacy for this particular condition. Talk to a doctor before starting to take supplements like echinacea or goldenseal for chronic sinusitis.

Echinacea and Goldenseal

Echinacea is a perennial herb, native to North America, now cultivated all around the word. There are nine species of Echinacea, and most commonly, Echinacea purpurea, E. pallida and E. angustifolia are used for medicinal purposes, according to Drugs.com. Goldenseal, medically known as Hydrastis canadensis is a herb native to United States that has also been used and researched for therapeutic benefits.

In herbal medicine, echinacea and goldenseal are frequently used for fighting viral infections like colds and flu or bacterial infections affecting the respiratory and urinary tract, says Steven Foster, author of "National Geographic's Desk Reference to Nature's Medicine."

In research studies, both echinacea and goldenseal were found to have antiviral and possibly antibacterial and antifungal properties as well as immune system booster qualities. In addition, echinacea has also strong anti-inflammatory effects. However, larger studies are needed to fully confirm all these findings.

Chronic Sinusitis

Acute sinusitis is the inflammation of the sinuses that completely resolves in thirty days and this condition is linked with viral and bacterial infections of the upper respiratory tract as well as a weak immune system.
Chronic sinusitis, on the other hand is not considered by most scientists an infectious disease, and is likely associated with allergies, although in many cases the exact cause is not fully known.

Conclusions

If you suffer from chronic sinusitis, a combination of echinacea and goldenseal supplements may not be the best natural product that can help with your condition. The benefits of using echinacea and goldenseal for chronic sinusitis are limited to their immune booster qualities and the anti-inflammatory effects of echinacea.
These two herbs are more likely to benefit people with acute sinusitis that is linked with infections, because both echinacea and goldenseal have antiviral and antibacterial qualities.

Considerations

Consult a qualified health care provider to find out if other herbs may help you better fight this condition. Keep in mind that neither echinacea nor goldenseal may replace any medications you are currently on and also that they are not approved by U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat chronic sinusitis or any other medical condition.