Essential Home Remedies: Sinuses

Welcome to the third part of my “Essential Home Remedies” series of articles. I’ve already talked about skincare (here) and stomach problems (here), and today we’re moving up to the head area to talk about sinuses. Got one of these problems? Check out these awesome remedies:

Cold or Flu: Been there, done that. But I never knew that grapefruit could make a difference. Yep, that delicious pink fruit can help you feel way better in no time. Cut a grapefruit into quarters (don’t peel it), place it in a pot filled with water, and heat it to just under a boil. Stir, adding a tablespoon of honey. Pour the mixture into a mug and drink it as a cup of tea. There is vitamin C and flavonoids in the fruit and rind that will help boost your immune system. Plus, the honey and warmth will make your sore throat feel better.

Fresh grapefruit tea will help boost your immune system and make your throat feel better.
Image: prevention.com

Nasal Congestion: The key to getting rid of nasal congestion is getting out any mucus or pollen that might be clogging it up. This can be done using a nasal saline solution from the store, or with a homemade one. Just dissolve a teaspoon of salt in one cup of water, then use a bulb syringe to squirt the liquid up each nostril. This should provide some instant relief, even if it doesn’t make your cold or allergies go away.

Seasonal Allergies: Itchy eyes, runny noses, and sneezing sure have a way of ruining the beautiful spring weather. While there’s no “cure” for seasonal allergies, sufferers can get some relief by using butterbur supplements three times per day. Researchers in Switzerland found that the butterbur worked just as well as antihistamines but didn’t have the side effect of drowsiness.

As with the previous articles on home remedies, these are just suggestions to consider. Before treating yourself, be sure to consult with your doctor or other licensed health professional.

Spotlight: Melatonin, the “Dracula of Hormones”

Can melatonin help cure insomnia?
Image: Shutterstock

About a year ago, a co-worker told me that when she had trouble sleeping, she just took a small dose of melatonin and that helped her sleep through the night and wake feeling well rested. I had been having trouble falling asleep at night, and I asked her to tell me more. She told me that melatonin was a natural hormone and was sold over the counter for a relatively inexpensive amount. It sparked my curiosity, but I was too overwhelmed with work at the time to research it further.

I have a good friend who suffers from insomnia. She sometimes goes days without getting more than a few hours of sleep—and not for lack of trying. She often “rests” on days like that, which means she often spends hours lying in bed, exhausted, trying to fall asleep. From time to time I have bouts of sleep trouble as well, tossing and turning for several hours before drifting off into an uncomfortable sleep, only to reawaken a few hours later. As I continued to hear stories from my friend about her inability to sleep, I kept asking myself about melatonin. Finally, I sat down to learn more. Here’s what I discovered:

Image from crystalinks.com

• Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone produced by the pineal gland in our brains, which is a pea-shaped gland just above the center of our brains. It is produced to help control our sleep cycles, with larger quantities of it being produced starting around 9 PM and lasting until about 9 AM—our natural sleep hours.
• Melatonin is found in some foods naturally, which is why it is the only hormone that the FDA allows to be sold as a dietary supplement.
• Light directly affects how much melatonin our brains produce, which is part of what leads to symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
• Melatonin is generally produced in higher amounts in children and adolescents, with that amount naturally dropping off as we age. Some older adults only make small amounts or none at all.
• Not enough research has been done on melatonin, but scientists are looking into using it as a treatment for SAD, to help control sleep patterns, preventing/reducing sleeping problems after surgery, and reducing chronic clutter headaches.
• It’s possible that melatonin may help slow or even stop the spread of cancer, slow aging, and strengthen the immune system.
• Melatonin seems to help some people struggling with sleep problems, but during formal research it was shown to be ineffective as a sleeping pill. There is evidence, however, that it can help reset our internal clock—though whether it is more effective than light remains to be seen.
• Some research suggests melatonin may help people fall asleep faster. It could also help those working night shifts adjust their schedules. It may also be an effective treatment for jet lag. For the treatment of insomnia, the study results have thus far been inconclusive.

Image from gnc.com

In sum, melatonin may or may not be effective as a sleeping aid. The good news is that there is absolutely no evidence to suggest that use of it could be harmful, so it could be a good option to try if you’re wary of prescription sleeping pills (as I am). Dosage can vary from 0.2 mg to 20 mg, though, so if you’re considering giving it a go, you should discuss dosage with your doctor first.

Spotlight: Energy Supplements & Vitamins

Stimulants are one way to get extra energy.
Image: 5 Hour Energy

Life moves quickly these days, and it always seems like there isn’t enough time in a day to get all the things done we needed or wanted to. We’re tired and run down sometimes, and going to the grocery store seems to scream a singular solution: energy bars, pills, drinks, and more. But do you really know what you need versus what you’re getting?

There are multiple types of energy supplements and vitamins available for purchase, and they accomplish different ends because they affect your body differently. And you might not even “need” one at all.

Stimulants basically rev up your metabolism. Stimulants include caffeine, guarana, yerba mate, kola nut, green tea, capsaicin (red pepper), Asian ginseng, and Bitter Orange (synephrine). These will help pick you up when you feel groggy or sluggish in the middle of your day. Caffeine is one of the most potent and effective stimulants. Many natural alternatives to caffeine still contain it or something similar to it; most have the same or similar effects as caffeine. They will give you a temporary boost in energy when you need it.

Green tea contains caffeine, which can give you a boost.
Image: Shutterstock

Substances that affect energy metabolism are a different kind of “energy” supplement. This category includes products like Coenzyme Q10, B vitamins, folic acid, thamine, niacin, Creatine, carnitine, and amino acids. Rather than temporarily boosting our metabolism, these products change the way our bodies process and convert nutrients to energy. Eating a healthy, balanced diet will generally get you the same effects as taking these supplements. Taking them on their own isn’t proven to increase energy except in those who are deficient in those substances. In those who are deficient, taking supplements could be of some benefit to your energy levels.

Calories are, simply put, energy.
Image: Shutterstock

Calories, much to the disbelief of many, are not the same thing as fat. Calories are, simply put, energy. Carbohydrates (including sugars) are easy for our bodies to break down and absorb as energy, and that’s generally what energy drinks, bars, and gels are full of. The problem is that with too much sugar, our bodies’ glucose levels get spiked and we experience an insulin surge—which can cause problems on its own. For athletes working their bodies hard, carbs can give them the boost they need to refuel or recover. But when you’re not exercising, that spike in glucose will likely quickly lead to a crash, which will make you feel sleepy. And those calories you don’t burn will get converted into fat.

Eating a healthy diet will help give you an energy boost.
Image: Shutterstock

When choosing whether or not to use a supplement, consider whether or not you have a medical condition that would affect you adversely. Some supplements could be dangerous for you. Remember that many of the “energy” supplements haven’t been scientifically studied—or they may just be straight sugar and carbs.

Consider whether or not you really need it before you try it, too. If you’re regularly going on just a few hours of sleep, constantly taking energy supplements could not only be less than optimally effective, it could be dangerous. As I’m sure you’ve heard before, the best way to boost energy is to get enough sleep and exercise and eat a healthy diet.

5 All-Natural Migraine Remedies

Rosemary oil stimulates blood flow.
Image: Shutterstock

I’ve talked before about migraines and how frustrating, painful, and completely debilitating they can be. And as someone who’s had them for over ten years, I certainly know how difficult it can be to get rid of them. Certainly I’ve never had complete success at vanquishing the old foe, but there are some natural remedies that make my life a lot easier.

Most of the time, migraines are triggered by something. If you can find out what is causing your headaches, you can potentially eliminate that trigger from your life. Sometimes it’s food: sharp cheeses, alcoholic beverages, caffeine, and even grapefruit can trigger a migraine. 

If you suspect your trigger might be some type of food or drink, go on an elimination diet for two weeks. During this time, remove all common food allergies (gluten, dairy, citrus, peanuts, caffeine, sugar, and soy), then slowly reintroduce them once your two weeks are up. If you display signs of a food allergy, you may have found your culprit.

Sitting up straight has personally been my biggest obstacle in overcoming migraines. I slouched until I was about fifteen, when I realized it was giving me some serious grief. Poor posture can torque your neck, shoulder, and back muscles, causing tension and potentially migraines. This is why my preferred therapy is massage therapy, and sitting up straight is my preferred remedy!

Good posture can help prevent migraines.
Image: Shutterstock

Magnesium is a powerful remedy in the fight against migraines. It affects the blood flow regulation to your brain, which is something migraines severely compromise. It’s also a natural muscle relaxant, and could potentially help with those tight back, neck, and shoulder muscles I was talking about.

Herbal medicines like feverfew can also help with migraine attacks, decreasing their frequency and intensity. Butterbur is also another herb that can relax blood vessels in the brain and prevent migraines. Rosemary oil stimulates blood flow and can help remedy migraines, too.

Coq10, or Coenzyme Q10 has been found to reduce migraine attacks and resulting nausea from migraines. It’s also a natural energy booster and can also be good for the heart, blood sugar balance, the nervous system, cholesterol management, and blood pressure in individuals with diabetes.