I have written recently about two Chinese herbal formulas which have been extremely effective in treating chronic coughs and helping with recovery from colds and flu. A herbal combination for sinusitis is another great Chinese herbal formula which we also get amazing results with.  With all the spring flowers now blooming and of course the pesky wind transporting dust and pollens in the air, we find many customers are now seeking relief for their sinusitis.

Sinusitis affects up to 1.9 million Australians each year and can be extremely debilitating. The usual symptoms of sinusitis can be pain, swelling and tenderness around our forehead, eyes, cheeks and nose. Our nose can become blocked and congested. Sometimes we can lose our sense of smell and we can also suffer from a runny nose and postnasal drip which occurs when mucous runs down the back of our throat.

I guess most of us are aware of our sinuses but often don’t exactly know the role of our sinuses. Sinuses are pockets of empty spaces which lie behind our nose and our eyes. They are coated with a thin layer of mucous to assist in humidifying the air we breathe. Their role is to also filter any foreign particles such as pollen, dust, perfumes, household chemicals etc. Mucous and fluid are meant to drain from our sinuses, however unfortunately when we suffer from poor sinus drainage, this can lead to congestion and other sinusitis symptoms as mentioned below.

A common cold can affect our sinuses or quite often those suffering from hay fever or another allergy can suffer from sinusitis. Hay fever usually results from an allergic reaction to foreign particles such as pollen, dust etc which then causes nasal congestion, thereby affecting the sinuses causing sinusitis. This is why it is common for hay fever sufferers to suffer from sinusitis.

For more than 1000 years, traditional Chinese medicine has used a combination of herbs, especially Siberian Cocklebur, Dahurian Angelica and Lily Magnolia to relieve the symptoms of sinusitis and hayfever.  

Siberian Cocklebur, Dahurian Angelica and Lily Magnolia have traditionally been used as a decongestant to relieve nasal congestion and unblock and clear nasal passages. They can help alleviate a runny, dripping nose as well as relieve post-nasal drip. Just as importantly, these herbs also act as an analgesic to relieve pain and headache symptoms.

These three herbs are also traditionally prescribed to decrease the symptoms of allergic rhinitis or hay fever by relieving sneezing and nasal itching. They can be effective as a nasal decongestant, reducing facial tenderness, and relieving an itchy throat and itchy eyes.

Dahurian Angelica and Siberian Cocklebur are also traditionally used to improve nose breathing associated with sinusitis.

Another herb known as Sneezewood is often added to Chinese herbal formulas to reinforce the decongestant effects of the other Chinese herbs plus to relieve nasal congestion and unblock and clear nasal passages.

It is worthwhile noting, if you’re only suffering from hay fever without experiencing sinusitis, taking the Chinese herbal allergy formula which we stock in store, may provide better relief. However, if you are suffering from both hay fever and sinusitis, this Chinese herbal sinus formula would be the better option.

For more information on this new formula, call down to chat to Bev and the girls at the Go Vita in North St, Batemans Bay. Don’t forget to tune into Bev on 2EC every Wednesday at 12.45 pm.