Your head is aching and it feels like there is a bunch of cottons stuffed inside it. You do not seem to take a deep breath, the sense of smell and taste almost completely leaves your body, and you are straightaway feeling miserable. Though these symptoms are carried on by seasonal allergies by a cold or flu, the suffering is the same.
Nutritionist Avni Kaul says several people experience sinus headaches, sinus infections, and congestion of nasal. A common trigger of those symptoms is the heating and cooling systems, and the cause is that it tends to dry out the air in the house. Adding a humidifier may help, but sometimes it is not sufficient. When your body is dealing with those uneasy and painful symptoms, you can prefer to skip the nasal sprays and opt for a more natural approach. Though it would be better to consult your physician if you are not sure or experiencing a great deal of discomfort.
In this article, Delhi’s top Nutritionist, Dietician, and Founder of Nutri Activania Avni Kaul shares some spicy foods that help one fighting congestion and sinus.
Ginger
This herb is used throughout Asia as a spice and for its medicinal capabilities. It is either boiled with water to prepare a warm tea or cooked in foods. The root is admired for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial qualities. Also, it is believed that eating ginger helps ward off and help your body in fighting the cold or flu. Chinese medicine suggests the consumption of ginger to help ease a cough. A popular tea made with ginger, lemon, and honey is known to help decongest sinuses. Ensure to place your nose above the cup of tea to inhale the warmth and steam to help relax and decongest the membranes. Ginger’s painkilling qualities will also give your body some relief from the aches due to the congestions.
Radish
Whether of any color and variety all radishes act as a natural decongestant and also includes antiviral and antibacterial properties. Because they are high in Vitamin C, they are known to aid in healing a common cold and flu.
Eat a few raw radishes to chew on or add them to a salad or in a soup.
Raw Garlic
Garlic contains an active ingredient called allyl thiosulfonate that is believed to provide partial relief from congestion. Consume raw garlic and you will feel its stimulating taste coat your taste buds. Though chances are that you will find that you can breathe slightly better after eating raw garlic.
Eating raw garlic may also give you unpleasant breath, but mixing it in your salad or even a dressing can help you with that.
Mustard
Another fantastic and delicious flavoring to release congestion is mustard. The spicier the better. Have a teaspoon and just take it off the spoon or spread a generous layer on top of toast.
Onion
Onions are piquant and spicy in a different way as compared to chilies, but they will make your eyes watery and in doing so help to drain your stuffed sinuses. Onions have natural antihistamine properties that help in reducing congestion and inflammation. Brown ones are the most pungent, then the white, and red onions are sweeter than the other two.
A great way of reaping the benefits of the raw onion is to peel and slice or chop them and thus allowing them to make your eyes watery. If you wear contact lenses remove them and put on your spectacles otherwise your eyes would not be watery. Now that the onions are ready, you can eat them raw, or stuffed them in your sandwiches.
Chillies
Chillies are the spiciest and most effective. Chilies have capsaicin which is a natural pain reliever. Also, the reaction or bodies have a runny nose and watery eyes will all assist release the blocked mucous and open the blocked nasal passageways that are causing pain.
You can eat them raw, or adding them to curries and soups.
In Buenos Aires, 2018 Summer Youth Olympic Games Nutritionist Avni Kaul was the Advisor (Nutrition) from India. She is a Gold-medallist master’s science graduate from the University of Delhi in the subject of Food and Nutrition. Avni Kaul is a diet and nutrition columnist in some of India's leading newspapers and magazines like -
Columnist at TimesNow
Columnist at NDTV Food
Columnist at Grazia
Columnist at Deccan Herald
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