Garlic & Sinus Infection
It may not seem like a pleasant or aromatic way to go about treating your sinus infection, but the word is that garlic can be very effective in curing what ails you when it comes to your sinuses. If you have tried everything that you can get your hands on, and you are still suffering from sinus congestion, headaches, eyes that weep and itch and won't track, pressure, sneezing and snorting and general misery, you might want to give it a try.
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Background
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When you are stricken with a sinus infection, swelling occurs in the sinus cavities. The sinuses are cavities that are found in the bones near the nose, according to Edubook.com. The cavities have an opening in them that allows air and mucous to move in and out. Linked by a membrane lining, the cavities can become inflamed. When the mucous or air can't get out, the result is pain and pressure.
Effects
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Garlic promotes sinus health by warding off infection, according to Healthmad.com. If you are going to try this method, use gel caps because they are less likely to make you smell. Garlic, of course, when consumed, oozes from the pores and is displeasing. However, eating garlic raw or in your food works, too.
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Numerous Benefits
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Susan Mosley of Holisticlocal.com notes that garlic is effective in treating ear and sinus infections, as well as providing protection to the liver from chemical damage. Garlic also thins blood and lowers triglycerides and blood pressure.
Origin
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Sinus infections can have either fungal or bacterial origins. Garlic is considered a natural cure when it comes to bacteria and fungi, according to Sinussurvival.com. Garlic should also reduce inflammation. Consider putting some chopped garlic in a bowl of hot water and inhaling the steam. This reportedly is a good way to treat, and maybe even cure, your sinus ailments.
Techniques
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If you are reluctant to try this method because you have been advised to eat raw garlic and simply cannot stomach the prospect, put chopped up, grated or ground garlic into your food, disguising it the best you can. You will still reap the benefits, according to Bukisa.com.
Allicin
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According to Sinussurvival.com, garlic has been used for thousands of years to treat various ailments because of its active ingredient allicin. Allicin breaks down to create a family of compounds that are beneficial to our health. Unfortunately, garlic doesn't produce as much allicin as is hoped because our stomach acids inactivate this ingredient. However, there is a product called Allimed, which is reportedly the first garlic supplement to yield 100 percent allicin. The product is odor-free and acts as a natural antibiotic. Allimed has anti-viral properties that kill bacteria that are resistant to other medicines or techniques.
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