Sinus-Clearing Foods That’ll Open Up Your Nose Quick
Pollen. That yellow, sneeze causing stuff that is everywhere right now. It causes havoc for lots of us every spring. As I’m typing I’m sniffling and I have a daily allergy/sinus routine. I use saline to reduce stuffiness, I take allergy meds, and I use Flonase. My eyes usually get dry and itchy so I use prescription eye drops in the spring. And yet I’m still dealing with a stuffy nose and allergy issues.
As if someone knew my allergies were bothering me, an article pops up this morning discussing foods that can help clear your sinuses. Sweet! For all of you that deal with allergies, maybe this will help.
Experts say that spicy foods can help to open up sinus passages. Jalapenos and some other peppers, for example, contain a chemical compound called capsaicin, an active ingredient found in many nasal sprays. It helps to decongest and provide sinus relief by stimulating certain nerves to loosen mucus and help it get out of your nose. Chili peppers aren’t the only foods that contain effective chemical compounds. Other spicy foods, such as wasabi, horseradish and ginger, each contain their own compounds that trigger a similar reaction. Sadly, spicy foods only offer short-lived relief, but they do work.
Certain herbs can also help with allergy stuffiness. Curcumin, which is found in turmeric, and ginger is said to be helpful in reducing symptoms of seasonal allergies. Turmeric is said to help all kinds of issues including inflammation. Cinnamon and elderberry are also supposed to be helpful. I put cinnamon in my coffee daily. More for the flavor than for my allergies but it’s a bonus that it may help.
For years I’ve heard that local honey can help alleviate allergies but apparently, that’s not true. Docs say the amounts of pollen in honey are far too small to prove effective, and this treatment is purely anecdotal.
There are foods you should stay away from if you’re dealing with stuffiness and allergies. Dairy can cause more mucus which can make your allergies worse. Buzzkill for folks like me that love ice cream! There’s also a small chance you could experience an itchy mouth or throat when you eat certain fruits and vegetables that cross-react with birch pollen ― apples, peaches, plums, nectarines, cherries and even vegetables like carrots ― because some people have very strong tree pollen allergies, especially to birch. I’ve never heard this before. Good to know!
Obviously, if you suffer hardcore from allergies you should chat with your doctor or see an allergy specialist but eating some foods and staying away from other foods can help you short-term. More on what to eat and what not to eat here. I’m seeing some wasabi in my future soon. Can’t help long term but it gives me an excuse to eat some sushi. Yum!
