'Tis Sinus Season: Part II

This is an part deux of my blog on alternative sinus care. Enjoy!

Colloidal Silver = -2 Stars

My attempt to explain it: Simply put, Colloidal Silver is microscopic bits of silver mixed with water. These itsy-bitsy silver specs are sprayed into your nasal passages. They are rumored to kill illness-causing infection.

My experience: A serious sinus infection caused me to take a week off of work last year. In a desperate attempt to beat it without the aid of western medicine, I purchased Colloidal Silver. Needless to say, I recovered; however, I believe that the Neti Pot, Boiron and good old-fashioned rest played the larger role.

Colloidal Silver can be quite drying, as well as it cannot be used long term. Rumors abound of people’s skin turning silvery blue after extended use. While these cases are incredibly rare, they are worth considering; therefore, I have decided to forego future Colloidal silver use.

My experience: Available in many holistic medicine stores and natural supermarkets, Colloidal Silver is not hard to find. It is also available online; however, I prefer to buy mine in person.

Boiron = 9.27 Stars

My attempt to explain it: Boiron is a French-bred brand of holistic medicine and, as the French say, c’est magnifique! A variety of plant extracts are squeezed into teeny-tiny pellets, which are dissolved under the tongue. Boiron offers a variety of sinus and cold care remedies, each addressing a specific malady. They can be taken in conjunction with Western remedies and have relatively few side effects.

NOTE: If I had an allergy, especially to flowers or plants, I’d do my research. Many of Boiron’s products come from plants that are cousins of common plants.

My Experience: J’adore Boiron. They have an established history of quality in the holistic world. They offer several options for sinus care. Choosing a product can be a bit overwhelming. In fact, on my first visit to their display, I felt as though a personal tour guide would have been helpful.

Boiron offers pure, single ingredient medicines in little tubes. These can be combined with traditional medicines; however, it is possible to over-medicate, so I always follow the instructions. They are to be dissolved under the tongue and taste slightly sugary (yet not enough to actually be tasty).

They also offer combo packs. These bright-ideas come in boxes and are tablets dissolved under the tongue. There are two sinus combos available: Cold Care and Sinusalia (There is also an allergy pack available, which I have not tried). Both are great products. Typically, I reserve the Cold Care pack for days when I feel an oncoming illness and utilize the Sinusalia pack for day-to-day use. I would compare the power of their sinus tablet to one Sudafed PE (that’s the Sudafed without a Phaedra in it). When taken according to the instructions, they can relieve symptoms well.

Where I find it: Boiron has become increasingly popular. It is available health food stores and some pharmacies.

Xlear – 8.5 stars

My attempt to explain it: Tree sugar alcohol. Yep, that’s Xlear. The more scientific term is Xylitol. This naturally occurring sugar can also be found in popular gums. Xlear is a preventative measure. By administering little bits of xylitol via Xlear’s nose spray, moisture is drawn into the nasal passages, thus keeping them healthy.

My Experience: Before I discovered the wonder that is the Neti Pot, I was a Xlear addict. Twice a day everyday. It kept me fairly clear and clean for about one year; however, Xlear had its dark side. First, Xlear is pricey. It can cost $15 a bottle, which lasts one to two months. Second, it can be quite drying. On more than one occasion, my nose would become a mini Sahara dessert. Third, it can taste a little nasty. Tree sugar is not tasty and it trickles into your throat on occasion.

Overall though, it is a good treatment that works well. Eventually, I abandoned it for my Neti. Though, if I ever was unable to use my Neti, I’d return to this treatment as my daily sinus care companion.

Where I find it: It is one of the least available options. Locally, I buy it at Whole Foods or Sunflower, though it is also available online.

'Tis Sinus Season: Part I

Ever get pressure behind your eyes, clogged nasal passages, cold sensitivity in your teeth or a dreamy, groggy feeling mid-day? Well, you could be suffering from a lot of issues, but when I feel like that, it is the cause of my fifth least favorite "S" word (right after sardines, Severus Snape, sin and stucco). SINUS. While the sinus may be a very small part of the body, it has caused me more pain and cost me more money that all of my other body parts combined.

Below are a couple homemade or natural cures I have tried.... Enjoy!

The Vegas Mix = 7 Stars

My attempt at describing how it works: For such a small bottle, this cure packs a lot of punch. It is a liquid form of eight allergy causing culprits unique to Vegas. The basic premise is that the Mix helps the user build an immunity to allergens through small, daily doses. In time it claims to reduce reactions.

My Experience: This has been a treatment that I have used and recommended to friends (but not to you because I am not a physician). It tastes similar to paper combined with dirt, blah and unappetizing, yet it works. After a one to two weeks of use, I definitely notice less pressure and less dryness in my throat. It's an ongoing battle though. Lack of use = Return of symptoms. Personally, I begin use at the first signs of allergy season and continue until it ends.

Where I find it: I have purchased my Las Vegas Mix at Sunflower Market for about $20, though I have seen it at most health food stores and online. If I were to relocate to another region, I'd stop by a few health food store. Most regions have their own Mix.

Neti Pot = 2.34 million stars

My attempt at describing how it works: While 2.34 million stars may seem like a gross exaggeration of this product's awesomeness, it is not. The Neti Pot is a small, typically plastic pot resembling an Aladdin's lamp. They can also be ceramic or metal. The basic premise it that the poor nasal sinus trap the dust, allergens and bacteria; therefore, they get congested easily. By filling the Neti Pot with warm water and a salt solution, one can wash away the junk and aid the body to do what sinus ought to do naturally.

My Experience: My nose is funky and deviant... meaning my septum is a little deviated, not that it is rebellious. The left nostril is perpetually clogged. In desperation, I purchased my Neti a couple years ago. Running salty water through my nasal passages on a daily basis did not sound appealing. Hesitantly, I bought my plain, grey, plastic pot at a drug store. It came with instructions, packets of a salt and baking soda mixture and pictures of delusional people smiling while flushing their sinus.

Then I did the following:

1. At home I read and reread the instructions.

2. Next, I emptied the packet into the Neti Pot. As of this date, I have NEVER bought the refill packets. It's SALT that does the trick, so I put about half a teaspoon of fine salt into my pot and fill it halfway. Kosher salt has a hard time dissolving, but sea salt and most table salt are great!

3. Third, I filled it between half and 3/4 full of warm to very warm water.

NOTE: I AVOID hot, cold or lukewarm water. One burns and the others make me gag.

4. Fourth, I mustered my courage.

5. Then, I put the spout to one nostril, leaned over the sink and tilted my head to the side so that the water could flow downward. The little pictures on the instructions explained it better, but you get the basic idea. My first few attempts made me gag, cough and spit, but after a few days my nose grew accustomed to the sensation.

Today, it is not painful or gaggy; however, if I use salt that is too chunky or allow the salt to settle large chunks get stuck in my sinus. It is one of the worst pains I have experienced! Though I have never jammed an object into my sinus, I could imagine that that would be about as painful. In 1 to 10 minutes the pain subsides leaving me with a reminder to be more cautious.

NOTE: If my sinus are very stuffed, the water may not make it through. I still attempt it everyday until it does.

NOTE II: Sometimes a fake cough helps get the water flow going.

NOTE III: Today, I keep and use mine in the shower. The toasty steam opens my passages naturally.

6. I blow my nose.

7. I have done it everyday since.

I owe the reason that I do not pop a decongestant pill once a day to the Neti Pot; however, it is not a miracle cure. Consistency is the key. Miss a couple days and I pay. Also, I still get occasional sinus pressure and infections, but they are fewer, further in between and have not yet required antibiotics.

Where I find it: Mine was purchased at a pharmacy. I have seen them at pharmacy's, health food stores and online. There are also instructional videos. Yuck!

The next edition of 'Tis the Sinus Season will include: Xlear, Colloidal Silver and Boiron...