Foods that clear the sinus and explode the snot right out of you

Oh, spring. Pink blossoms flowers adorn trees, daffodils stretch their buttery fringe open to the sun and – what is it? Sorry, I was too busy sneezing to complete my thought.

If your nose runs so much that you have the tissue that always sticks to the wrist of your shirt sleeve, your most important spring accessory, you probably need some relief for seasonal allergies. Although you need to see an allergist to diagnose and treat you properly, a few remedies in your own kitchen can help you breathe easier (and this has been approved by the doctor).

You probably already know that spicy foods like jalapenos and wasabi can make your nose run. But have you ever wondered why? And is spicy food actually useful in the long run? What if you do not love a good burn? Are there non-spicy foods and drinks that can help as well? We talked to experts to get the answers and to pick up some myths you may have bought (ahem, expensive honey).

Before accepting that you have seasonal allergies, remember what accepting you and I do. Dr Morris Nejat, an allergist and immunologist at the New York Allergy and Sinus Centers, explained to HuffPost that ‘many times people can not diagnose it well themselves, so you need to identify what you are responding to, whether it be pollen, animals, dust, etc.’

Nejat said that it is entirely possible that you do not suffer from allergies at all, but either a sinus infection, a deviating septum or any of those on Top of allergies. “By visiting your allergist, you will be able to test properly and take an exam to make sure you are getting the right treatment,” either Nejat, whether it be medication or allergy surveys.

If you do indeed have seasonal allergies and your sinuses produce snot as if it is their job, think about it their work. If your body comes in contact with something it is allergic to, Nejat explained that your body says, “Hey, the tree pollen is quite strange, I’ll know better what’s going to happen next,” and forms immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies, which attack the tree pollen the next time your body encounters it. These IgEs cause your body to release histamines, which cause allergic symptoms such as congestion, itchy eyes, runny nose, mucus production and redness. And without treatment, your body will do this every time you encounter the tree pollen for the rest of your life.

You know the feeling after taking a bite of wasabi, ginger, horseradish or jalapeno – your nose twitches, your eyes burn and tears run down your face. Nejat explained that this happens because certain foods cause the nervous system of the body “to inert different parts of the body, reversing the effects of histamines, which can be a natural relief for some of the symptoms of allergies.”

Jalapenos and other peppers, for example, contain a chemical called capcaisin, an active ingredient found in many nasal sprays. It helps to dissolve sinus relief and stimulate certain nerves to loosen and run mucus. Chili peppers are not the only foods that contain effective chemical compounds. Other spicy foods, such as wasabi, horseradish and ginger, each contain their own compounds that cause a similar reaction.

But keep in mind that spicy foods provide short-term relief, as do many over-the-counter medications. “It does work, but I do not see it as a good long-term treatment,” Nejat said. You do not want to put down wasabi six times a day during the allergic season.

But eating moderately spicy foods will not harm your sinuses either. Nejat said that spicy food is a “natural alternative to going to pharmacies and getting medicines for allergy relief, especially if you like this food. If you like wasabi and it makes you feel better, go for it.”

Paul Kempisty, a board-certified herbalist and founder of Peekay’s herbs, explained that many herbs can pack a stronger punch than food. “Herbs are amazing for dealing with congestion, allergies and many mucus-related problems,” he explained. “Herbs are like food that went to university. They generally have a much more complex and powerful nutritional profile. Although herbs do not really feed us with the same level of macronutrients (fats, proteins, carbohydrates, etc.) found in food, their potency is much closer to the powerful effects of certain medicines, but with far fewer side effects and risks. ”

You can definitely try herbs with single ingredients (Kempisty’s favorite is nettle, turmeric, elderberry and flower, shisho leaf, chrysanthemum flower, ginger root, cinnamon, cardamom and dried citrus peel). But combinations of ingredients, he said, is more powerful. “Instead of using massive doses of single ingredients or single drugs, it is a healthy herbal approach to use moderate doses of several similar plants to achieve a well-rounded and beneficial result,” Kempistry explained.

Dr Clifford Bassett, an allergist who is the founder and medical director of Allergy & Asthma Care of New York, said studies have shown that both curcumin (which is found in turmeric) and ginger are helpful in reducing symptoms of seasonal allergies. Another study found that the use of curcumin may improve nasal breathing in patients with seasonal allergies.

You can add fresh herbs to your cooking cell, but you can get a higher strength if you buy a liquid tincture or concentrated granular extract in a capsule or tablet, which can be added to hot tea or water. (Examples of such recipes are Peekay’s Clean as a whistle support allergy sessions or Sinus solution support the nose and throat.) And yes, drinking foods and soups that are hot are really a great way to loosen your mucus and get things moving.

“Generally, you should start low and go slow when trying a new herb alone,” Kempisty said. “Meaning, start any new herbs with a low initial dose and then multiply after you see your body tolerate it.”

The belief that honey can treat allergies is based on a hypothesis similar to the concept of allergy shots – by exposing someone to an allergen, the person becomes less sensitive to it over time. But allergy shots produce allergens in high doses. The amounts of pollen in honey are far too small to be effective, and this treatment is purely anecdotal.

The other claim is that honey’s antibacterial properties can combat allergies, but Nejat reminds us of one important fact. “Allergies are not a bacterial problem.” So, if honey calms your throat and tastes good, go ahead and scoop some into your tea. But do not expect it to cure your allergies.

The largest food group to avoid is dairy products. Studies show that cow’s milk protein adheres to mucus, which can make allergy symptoms as unpleasant as reading this sentence. “If you have a lot of mucus from allergies, and then you eat cow’s milk protein in the form of cheese or milk, then it makes the mucus thicker,” Nejat explained. “It does not feel comfortable. But even worse, it can potentially block drainage pathways and lead to sinus infections. ”

There is also a small chance that you may experience an itchy mouth or throat if you eat certain fruits and vegetables that cross-react with birch pollen – apples, peaches, plums, nectarines, cherries and even vegetables such as carrots – because some people have a very strong tree has pollen allergies, especially to birch.

This is called Food Pollen Allergy Syndrome, or FPAS. Although it is usually not dangerous, it is likely to affect if you eat the food in raw form. For example, if you eat a raw apple, your mouth may itch. But if you eat a slice of apple pie, you will not be affected. If you see an allergist, you can distinguish between food pollen syndrome and food allergy.

If you think you have seasonal allergies or FPAS, visiting an allergist can alleviate a lot of anxiety. “Part of an allergist’s job is to educate you and relieve your anxiety because you have control,” Nejat said. “Knowledge is really powerful – understanding what you are allergic to, what it really means, what you need to do, what the risks are (if any) and how you can control them.”