Using garlic and yogurt is a simple, natural and low-cost way to help manage sinus infections and chronic sinus conditions. Garlic is available in many forms, including odor-free tablets. Yogurt's probiotics can also help with the immune system, helping you fight off infections more easily. The two go well together or can be taken separately. Always consult your doctor before using alternative treatments for a sinus condition.
Garlic Dosage
Step 1
Take 10 milligrams of garlic per day until your symptoms are gone to help heal an active sinus infection, advises Debra Yost, author of "The Complete Guide to Natural Cures: Effective Holistic Treatments for Everything from Allergies to Wrinkles." You can use garlic in tablet form, as dried cloves, as a powder or oil to obtain its immune stimulating, antibacterial and antiviral benefits.
Step 2
Drink hot tea made from two or three garlic cloves or dissolve a garlic tablet in hot water, in addition to taking garlic supplements. Add a few slices of fresh ginger, which also provides antimicrobial benefits. The steam from the tea is soothing, helps loosen congestion and open up constricted breathing passages and also helps the herbs reach the sinuses where they can directly promote sinus drainage and relieve symptoms.
Step 3
Take a daily dose of garlic when you are not experiencing a sinus infection to discourage repeat infections by keeping your sinuses free of mucus buildup, advises Anne McIntyre, author of the book "Herbs for Common Ailments: How to Use Familiar Herbs -- Such as Sage, Garlic and Aloe -- to Treat More Than 100 Common Health Problems." Along with garlic, herbs such as chamomile, licorice, elderflower and cleavers are helpful for this purpose. These herbs also reduce inflammation of the tonsils, which keeps your Eustachian tube open and draining.
Yogurt
Step 1
Include yogurt in your diet each day to replenish levels of probiotics -- beneficial bacteria -- in your digestive and respiratory tracts, advises Beatrice Trum Hunter, author of the book "Probiotic Foods for Good Health: Yogurt, Sauerkraut, and Other Beneficial Fermented Foods." Probiotics help maintain a healthy pH balance and prevent pathogens from getting established.
Step 2
Use garlic and yogurt together in recipes for an additive effect that combines the best immune-boosting sinus benefits of both at the same time. You can grind up your garlic tabs into a powder or use fresh or granulated garlic and mix into yogurt for a refreshing vegetable dip.
Things You'll Need
- Garlic tablets
- Plain yogurt
References
- The Complete Guide to Natural Cures: Effective Holistic Treatments for Everything from Allergies to Wrinkles; Debora Yost
- The Sinus Cure: 7 Simple Steps to Relieve Sinusitis and Other Ear, Nose, and Throat Condition; Debra Fulghum Bruce and Murray Grossan
- Quick Access Consumer Guide to Conditions, Herbs & Supplements; Robert Arthur Anderson
- Herbs for Common Ailments: How to Use Familiar Herbs -- Such as Sage, Garlic and Aloe to Treat More Than 100 Common Health Problems; Anne McIntyre
- Probiotic Foods for Good Health: Yogurt, Sauerkraut, and Other Beneficial Fermented Foods; Beatrice Trum Hunter
- Healthy Healing: A Guide to Self-Healing for Everyone; Linda G. Rector-Page
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