Alternative Therapies

[Moonmoo22]

Has anyone got any advice or experience on alternative therapies for allergies, asthma and terrible sinuses?

I will do anything to relieve my pretty much constant cough and sinus pain!

[risabel59]

I highly recommend nasal rinsing, either with a neti pot or with the Neil Med system. You can get the recipe for the saline solution online if you don't want to pay for sachets.

This makes a big difference to me and was recommended by my consultant.

R

[Moonmoo22 in reply to risabel59]

Thank you! I actually do this and it does help although my cough is still bad ..... x

[nickpeters]

What works for one person does not work for another. However all I can tell you is what works for me.

Sinus; I find the old fashioned steam inhalation with a couple of drops of one of the following: Eucalyptus, Lavender, Peppermint, Pine, Thyme or Tea Tree can work well. I find Eucalyptus is the one for me. Also manuka honey is excellent. Just allow a teaspoonful to dissolve in your mouth helps fight infection, you do need to use the 20+ strength (not cheap, but shop around and you will be amazed at the difference in prices). I also dissolve a teaspoon of the honey in the steam inhalation water, there is no basis for including the honey other than it’s reputation for being such a great all round curative.

Hope this helps.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

Hi, as nickpeters says different things work.for different people. I just wanted to add a warning that for some people eg me all of that would actively make my asthma worse - it doesn't at all like steam or humidity and reacts fairly violently to most of those oils! You may be fine as my asthma is not allergic so perhaps reacts differently, but just wanted to alert you to the fact that it could make you worse so try it carefully!

In terms of other things, Buteyko is not a miracle cure but has been approved as an alternative therapy for asthma to be offered on the NHS. I would advise seeing someone who is trained in it though like a respiratory physio or asthma nurse. They should also help you with nose clearance techniques - it can help to reduce mouth breathing which is likely to be a problem if your nose is bunged up a lot with allergies and sinus problems. Even once they are clearer it is possible you've got into bad habits breathing wise (I had!) As mentioned it is not a cure for asthma despite some claims but may be worth a try.

[peege]

For sinus pain relief I use acupressure points, to find a demo try YouTube. Also I rub and massage my neck at base of skul both right side and left. It's amazing at releasing a little mucus & therefore relief.

I had/have nasal polyps, had a little sinus op in 2006 & three weeks later one side emptied. I can't tell you the vile solid matter that came down from sinus cavities 😳! The consultant recommended I use Steimed natural sea salt nasal spray, I've also got the Nielmeds bottle & sachets.

As for lungs I take Mucodyne/Carbocysteine daily to keep the mucus less sticky do easier to expel. Hope this helps. P

[Moonmoo22]

That's really helpful - thank you all for taking time to reply!

The tablets you mentioned - where shall I get them? Do all things mentioned help with the cough?