Catarrh
Catarrh is usually caused by inflammation of the mucous membranes. It may be triggered by a cold, flu, allergy or bacterial infection and the symptoms include sneezing, runny or blocked nose and blocked sinuses. In most cases the problem clears within a few days, but self-help measures can speed recovery. If catarrh is persistent, it is important to get constitutional treatment from a qualified therapist.
Dietary Advice To Avoid Catarrh
Food sensitivities, or a poor diet, can be at the root of catarrhal problems. Avoid dairy products if you are sensitive to them, and reduce your consumption of sugar and refined carbohydrates.
When the problem is severe go on a 24 hour fruit and vegetable diet, supplemented with 1 to 2 liters of water, juice and herbal teas. The next day introduce some starchy foods, like brown rice and potatoes, and on the third day include a little protein such as chicken, fish or eggs.
Garlic, onions and leeks are natural decongestants, and so are thyme and rosemary, so use these when cooking. Adding cinnamon to herbal teas also helps to clear the problem.
High levels of vitamin C and zinc supplements may help reduce the severity of symptoms and shorten their duration.
Complimentary Natural Remedies For Catarrh
Run a warm bath and add 8 drops frankincense, lavender, Scots pine, rosemary or tea tree oil. You could also add 4 drops of peppermint, eucalyptus or any of the above to 600 ml of hot water to make a steam inhalation. Alternatively, put a couple of drops on a tissue to inhale throughout the day as required. Make a chest rub using 15 drops of any of these essential oils, apart from the eucalyptus which can irritate the skin, in 50 m1 base oil, and apply 2 or 3 times a day. If you choose peppermint, add only 10 drops and blend with 5 drops of lavender.
The herb goldenseal has excellent anti catarrhal properties. You can take capsules of the powdered goldenseal herb, or a few drops of tincture, 3 times a day (avoid during pregnancy)
Acupressure can relieve stuffiness. Place a finger or thumb on either side of the nose at the inner edge of each eyebrow and press upwards for one minute.
The tissue salt Kali mur 6c is good for stuffiness with thick white mucus, and for chronic catarrh that makes it difficult to breathe. For excessive watery catarrh with loss of taste and smell, try Natrum mur 6c. Take either remedy 4 times a day for up to 2 weeks.
Valuable advice for treating catarrh. Another dietary cause of catarrh is dairy foods.
Dairy foods – milk and cheese especially – are closely associated with catarrh production. So when trying to avoid catarrh, to cut down dairy foods, if not eliminate them altogether.
Cheers
Thanks Herbal Malc. Dairy foods, wheat and processed foods can be mucus producing.
[...] has traditionally been used as a remedy for upper-respiratory ailments, such as acute bronchitis, catarrh and colds. For such complaints it can be used in steam inhalations, diluted in grapeseed or sweet [...]