Allergies??? Sinus Problems??? Colds?? --- Stop them with "Sinus Rinses"

“The History of the Neti Pot"

 

While nasal irrigation has only recently become popular in the United States, it has been practiced for thousands of years in India. The ancient yogic technique of Jala Neti means “nasal cleansing.“ (Practitioners of Jala Neti use a device called a neti pot to rinse out the nose. Shaped like Aladdin's lamp, a neti pot allows you to flow saline into one nostril, through the sinus cavity, and out of the other nostril.)

These days in India and South Asia, the use of the neti pot is just as common as use of the toothbrush. Dr. Andrew Weil and Dr. Mehmet Oz, well-known doctors and frequent guests on “The Oprah Winfrey Show", have recently helped to popularize the neti pot in the West.
 

Nasal Irrigation for Allergies

The neti pot is especially beneficial for seasonal allergy sufferers. When you inhale pollen grains, they get stuck in your nasal mucus, where they cause allergic reactions. Nasal irrigation will rinse away the pollen grains to provide allergy relief.

Neti pots help with perennial allergies, too. For example, if you're allergic to dust mites, a saline rinse in the morning will help to remove the allergens that accumulated in your nose overnight.

Nasal Irrigation for Sinusitis

Nasal irrigation is helpful in the treatment and prevention of sinusitis. Chronic sinusitis may be caused by bacteria or fungus, or a combination of both. When mucus builds up in your sinuses, it provides an inviting habitat for these impurities. A neti pot rinses away excess mucus as well as infectious agents.

The neti pot also restores moisture to irritated nasal membranes. For this reason, it's often recommended to people who have had sinus surgery.

Nasal Irrigation for Colds

When it comes to the common cold, a neti pot will clear up congestion and wash away the viruses that cause colds. Many people use a neti pot at the first sign of a cold to eliminate the cold virus before it has a chance to fully take hold.

Nasal Irrigation for Children

Many cold medications are not safe for young children, but nasal irrigation is all-natural and perfectly safe. It has no side effects. Our customers have used neti pots on children as young as 2-years-old with no problems.

Nasal Irrigation for Improved Quality of Life

Many musicians and athletes use neti pots to improve breathing skills and enhance performance. However, the neti pot is most beneficial to those of us who suffer from allergies or chronic sinus problems. Nasal irrigation quickly and safely clears out the sinuses, so that you can breathe better. As the American Lung Association says, “When you can't breathe, nothing else matters.

    

NeilMed Sinus Rinse is designed to irrigate the nasal passages and clear them of mucus, allowing nasal medication to work more effectively. It is also used to clean bacteria, viruses, allergens and irritants from the nose with the intent of reducing infections. *Consisting of a saline-based powder that is mixed freshly for each use, NeilMed Sinus Rinse is advertised as safe for all ages but does offer a concentration specifically for children. The starter kit contains everything you need for your first nasal irrigation.

Aloe Vera Juice - More than a cure for cuts & scrapes!!!

 

Aloe vera juce is wonderful for strengthening the immune system, which can help prevent disease.   (Aloe tends to often have a distinct taste, therefore it is best mixed with juice.)

Drinking aloe vera juice daily helps digestion & also helps to detoxify the body.  Aloe also acts as an antibacterial and antifungal agent, which helps to prevent diseases.

Aloe vera juice can also be very useful at cleaning the intestines & colon! (The content that is derived from the aloe vera plant works efficiently to get rid of bacteria within your intestines. At the same time it is also removing other contents that could cause stomach cramps, poor bowel movements, and various issues such as constipation or diarrhea.)

Aloe Vera also increases the blood circulation! (If you have severe blood circulation issues, possibly a result of diabetes or similar conditions, then the aloe vera juice can be very effective.) Aloe vera juice works to detox the blood and hleps the bloodstream system transfer larger amounts of essential nutrients throughout the body.

If you are looking to lose weight, aloe vera juice can assist you. Consuming aloe vera juice helps our bodies by stimulating the metabolic rate in our livers, which enables us to burn more energy..
(Aloe vera has been known as the dietary plant throughout history as it has been associated with achieving a healthy body weight.)

Nineteen amino acids, 20 minerals and 12 vitamins are contained in aloe vera juice making it an excellent nutritional supplement - and it is all natural.

Aloe Vera Juice can be purchased at Health Food Stores or you can make your own by purchasing your own Aloe Vera Plant.

STRESS & Mind / Body Connection

Scientists concur that Stress causes actual chemical changes in the brain, and these changes can influence the state of your health!  90% of all doctors visits are physical illnesses related to stress!

Emotional and physical changes that happen in your life, illnesses, and environmental components as (heat, cold, toxins, etc.) cause stress.  Depleting your body of the energy also results in becoming over stressed.

Stress is or may be a contributing factor in everything from backaches and insomnia to cancer and chronic fatigue syndrome / fibromyalgia.

Effects of Stress also Include:

1) Headaches 

While there are many different types of headaches, the majority are actually “stress headaches" or "tension headaches".

2) Sleep problems

Stress usually made a person worry / have anxiety which results in difficulty falling asleep or even having nightmare.  Yet, some people under stress might be (genetically?) wired to be very lethargic and tend to sleep more often and for longer hours.

3) More Frequent Colds and Flu

The effect of stress on the immune system is the main cause of most physical illnesses.   Prolonged stress can weaken our immune systems and make us extremely vulnerable to many diseases.  Colds and Flu are the most commonly reported.

4) Muscle tension  ~ especially in neck, back and jaw

Many people compain of muscle aches from the tension of stress.

5) Frustration and depression

Stress makes people more sensitive, irritable or easily frustrated & even cause depression.

6) Fatigued or Exhaustion

Fatigue is a common symptom and could also be a result of the lack of quality sleep.

7) Lack of concentration / Forgetfulness

Stress can impact our cognititve & leave our brains "fuzzy".  (Cortisol is a stress hormone that circulates through your body when you’re stressed or anxious which inteferes with the energy supply to certain brain cells involved in 'memory').

8) Stress Weight Gain or Loss

Stress can lead to either a weight gain or weight loss depending on the person.  (Some people may indulge when they feel stress while others may lose their appetite!)

9) Blood pressure

Blood pressure rises & you may develop chronic high blood pressure.

10) Stomach aches and gastrointestinal disorders

Stress can cause several digestive problems including constipation, diarrhea  or IBS.


HOW TO MANAGE STRESS

Unfortunetely stress if unavoidable in life, so it's imparative that we learn ways to 'manage' or 'reduce' stress.

You can manage stress by journaling, meditating, exercising, talking ('venting') to others, or engaging in a hobby.


Other ways to Reduce Stress Include:

Reducing caffeine & high-fructose syrup ('addictive sugar') intake

Sleeping Well - which includes regular sleep schedule (6-8 hrs of 'uninterupted' sleep)

Yoga - Classes that emphasize slow, steady movement and gentle stretching are best for stress relief. Look for labels like gentle, for stress relief, or for beginners. Yoga for Beginners & Beyond: Stretch, Strengthen, Be Stress Free! - Ana Brett & Ravi Singh

Supplements & Herbs: 

B vitamins ~ The B vitamins - especially B6 and B12 - help regulate the body's response to stress and maintain a healthy nervous system.

Kava kava ~ This herb is known to treat anxiety and insomnia. (It helps relieve acute and chronic anxiety without making you feel drowsy or 'fuzzy.')

Valerian ~ Keeps the nervous system from being overwhelmed. Helps to aid sleep a common side effect of increased stress.

Hops ~ Helps to ease nervousness, restlessness and stress. Also decreases the desire for alcohol.

Chamomile ~ Chamomile is a gentle relaxant and a good nerve tonic aiding herbal stress relief.

Catnip ~ Catnip is an effective herbal remedy for stress that calms and reduces anxiety.

Many herbs can be found in teas such as: