I should try the Gotu Kola in that form then- I used to love it made into a very strong infusion. The goldenseal sounds like a good idea too, does the foliage have a colder property than the root? Thinking of using the Chinese skullcap root as well, remember that being a good bitter-cold detoxifier which I think my system could use these days. You’re in Hawaii aren’t you? The weather and scenery must make everything else worth it huh?
I have some immune system problems, particularly chronic allergies and their attendant sinus issues. The only viable solution I’ve found thus far to my problems is an anti-inflammatory diet. I haven’t taken, or needed, allergy medications since I started this regimen. I’m guessing something this draconian wouldn’t be necessary for somebody without my health issues. But what you might want to consider doing, at least until your sinus issues clear up, is abstaining from dairy, yeast, and wheat products; and instead make a point to eat ginger, garlic, onions, and peppers of all kinds (though the hot ones work best), either raw or cooked. Fresh apples and pineapple also work wonders provided the offending foods mentioned aren’t consumed. Since I noticed a dramatic improvement after my first meal on this regimen, I would recommend following this regimen until the sinus problems are completely gone, which should be within a few days. If you do wish to take the pharmaceutical route, I would recommend ephedrine (at least if you aren’t an American; Big Brother has made ephedrine illegal here) or in the absence of this, pseudo-ephedrine, which is commonly called Sudafed. I was lucky as ephedra navidensis, the plant from which both of these alkaloids were originally synthesized, grows wild in my area. If you live in an arid area, you may be able to access this plant as well.
Been snuffing successfully for about 2 years when the sinuses clogged. An antibiotic and other meds cleared it up, but they immediately clogged again. Tried all different types of snuff. Does not make sense how this began after 2 years of successful sniffing? Could technique perhaps help?
@CPeak – Did you change the snuff you were using? I can’t use any of the oiled snuffs, German or Indian. They all close my nose up hard. But I can pinch English (and non-oiled Indian) snuff all day without any trouble.
Nothing oiled. I had been using a lot of Am. scotch for the first time when it felt like someone had poured concrete in my in my nose. I’ve had clogging before, but this was total blockage - would not open even with decongestant spray. I thought Scotch was supposed to open your nose? But, it is so fine, maybe too much gets in the sinuses?
Scotch and toast tend to dry the nose out. Generally they form a concrete-like plating on the inside of my nose. Without regular cleaning, I could see this causing clogging. I know for a fact they reduce the effectiveness of incoming snuff, since they block all the surface area.
@snuffmeister if it happens again, i will send you a tin of my special sneezing blend, it will clear out anything! got a call from the DoD and they are looking to use it as a projectile firing enhansor!
I have had sinus infections several times a year most of my life. I thought that the menthol would help clear and cool my sinus passages. Perhaps I am wrong.
Against sinusitis as well as other laryngeal and pharyngel problems I would reommend rinsing your nose and gargling with a salt water solution. Use a neti pot or similar devices you can find at your local chemist. As for the salt, I can recommend most anti-catarrh salts. If available try Emser Salt (a Swiss salt mixture). Rise vigourously … I use my voice semi-professionally (classical concert singer, gregorian chant) and can really recommend using these salts even when not afflicted. The will also clean and repair your throat if you get too much snuff draining down the back of your nose … which can be most unpleasant and detrimental to your voice. Patrick B. Ludwig
I have a dodgy left sinus (right one is usually ok) and I find if even a few grains of snuff get on it, esp if it’s a menthol one, it shuts up tighter than a gnat’s…well, you know. This can last for 30 mins to a couple of days and is why I gave up snuffing for a long time. However I find the following beginner’s method works ok, even with menthols: 1. Take a pinch of snuff about the size of half a pea for each nostril. 2. Rub (don’t sniff) gently on the inside of the nostrils just in the front area. Don’t breath in or out. 3. Take hanky and blow nose very lightly to remove any excess 4. Sniff very lightly and gently so that none goes past the sinuses 5. Each time you take snuff, you can increase the amount taken and the strength of the sniff until you find a comfortable level.
OK, I have a somewhat related question. My nasal irritation turned out to be the less dangerous form of Staph. Must have gotten it from minor damage to the membrane I’d guess. So if I somehow got it from snuffing during such a situation (just a possibility-not for sure), I’m wondering (if/for how long) such microbials(sp?) can survive or remain viable in snuff. I might just trash the snuff I was mainly using at the time, but I can’t remember which others I was using then.
Maybe it’s just me, but I’ve found that using “Honest Scotch” snuff made by American Smokeless clears out my nose amazingly well. Might be worth a shot.
@Mr_O , It’s a coincidence IMO. If it happens again I might be a little concerned but as I profess, snuffers become more “aware” of their noses. I would speculate that if you were not a snuffer you probably would not even seen the doctor regarding that irritation. It is more likely having nothing to do with snuff. One point of view mind you, please form your own opinion based on the evidence. Cheers!
My favorite test to know if I have an infection or not is to treat myself to some shrimp egg rolls, open the top and pour the whole packet of mustard in each one. If my sinus’s don’t open, I have an infection
if my snot is neon then infection.
if my snot is neon then infection.
Ditto
@Mr_O , It’s a coincidence IMO. If it happens again I might be a little concerned but as I profess, snuffers become more “aware” of their noses. I would speculate that if you were not a snuffer you probably would not even seen the doctor regarding that irritation. It is more likely having nothing to do with snuff. One point of view mind you, please form your own opinion based on the evidence. Cheers!
Thank’s for he input mr J! It’s been a crazy trip with this stuff- and a pain in the ass- aaaargh! A while ago I finished a course of antibiotics specific for the strain of the staph, then my doc sez “well, it’s not an infection issue then”…fast forward to seeing an ENT, the results in a nutshell: “I don’t see any sores or inflammation, it must just be irritation, and it looks like it’s on the way out”… a month or more later it still bothers me. I’m thinking of seeing an herbalist for some appropriate yin-cooling herbs sometime soon. Maybe some goldenseal, if not contraindicated w/my prescriptions… life can be a hassle… sorry if I wandered into the venting realm- I’m just frustrated these days… Anyways, I should mention that I’m considering your opinion/theory- it did begin when I started a heavier, more constant, snuffing practice…
@Mr_O I might suggest pressing the doctor a little bit and say that you want to know what’s wrong and that something is very wrong. Also could be allergies which can be much more serious then people think. What’s your gut say is the issue?
Thank’s for asking! Hmm, I could ask the doc again. I tend to feel that it’s maybe something not necessarily recognized so much by Western medicine. In a nutshell something that a Chinese herbalist may call excessive heat and dryness or something to that effect. It doesn’t tend to seem dangerous to me, like it’s just something considered to be nothing but an annoyance. The doc said it’s not MRSA, after doing a culture. I have to go to the doc’s office once a month for a B12 shot anyways, I could extend the appointment, or set up another with the ENT, but I felt confident after the ENT found no red flags, and it usually seems much better than at first- it’s just that last 10% that doesn’t want to go away. I’ll sleep on it I suppose… I forgot to mention that I only get the feeling now and then, which I wonder if that’s a sign that it’s not an infection, or some substance causing it by getting at the membranes. Maybe that’s not a sound theory. Maybe it’s related to my chronic headaches, which my neurologist said could be migraines. Who knows, but I’ll try to be proactive about it and see what info I can get…
@Mr_O Do you find your headaches coinciding with sinuses sealing shut? Maybe latent adenoid problems? I had frequent adenoid problems as a little girl… When they’d act up i couldn’t breathe through my nose and I’d get so frustrated. It continued through my 20’s. My mom used an old Filipino remedy that helped a little… She heated damp “Sambong” leaves over the stove burner and put the warm leaves over my nose and cheeks, and i could almost feel my sinuses slowly “popping” open with an odd “creaking” sound. She called the leaves “alcamfor” too, but i asked her after reading of your problem anf she doesnt know what the Western name of the herb would be.