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Seeking Relief for My Mom's Persistent Sinus Congestion
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Respiratory Disorders
Question #45976
70 days ago
626

Seeking Relief for My Mom's Persistent Sinus Congestion - #45976

N Chopra

My mom has had extensive congestion/sinus for about 6 weeks. She gets her mucous suctioned. She is on nebulizers and all kinds of meds. We also have given her ayurvedic concoctios with tulsi and ginger. have made her drink a syrup made of onion, ginger, garlci,lemon. Nothing is helping- any suggestions to help her.

How would you describe the severity of her congestion?:

- Extreme, requiring frequent medical intervention

Has she experienced any other symptoms along with congestion?:

- Cough

What other treatments has she tried besides the Ayurvedic concoctions?:

- Prescription medications
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Doctors' responses

Hello I​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ can totally relate to your concern. It is very painful to see a sinus stuck with mucus for 6 weeks without any real relief from suctioning, nebulizers, medicines, and home remedies.

You are doing a great job and now it is time for a more specific and gentle Ayurvedic treatment as some of the remedies you mentioned might actually be worsening the condition.

YOUR MOM’S CONCERN

She is having severe sinus congestion for 6 weeks Thick mucus that necessitates frequently suctioning Cough associated Already on nebulizers and some prescription medicines Tried tulsi-ginger concoctions as well as onion-ginger-garlic-lemon syrup So far no significant relief

IMPORTANT AYURVEDIC INSIGHT (VERY CRUCIAL)

Many very common home remedies that people use without thinking such as:

Ginger Garlic Onion Tulsi Lemon

➡️ have a heating (Ushna) effect on the body.

If they are constantly and excessively used, can result in:

Mucus becoming even more thick Nasal passages getting dried Sinus lining getting irritated Congestion not being relieved but rather worsened

Therefore, it is advised that all kinds of intensely heating preparations be discontinued for the moment.

AYURVEDIC UNDERSTANDING

This seems to be: Chronic Kapha accumulation in Pranavaha Srotas

With Pitta irritation as consequence of long medicine use and heat Possibly Ama (toxins) blocking sinus drainage

Whatever to be used for treatment has to be: – Liquefying (not drying) – Anti-inflammatory –Lung & sinus friendly –Consistent with allopathic care

AYURVEDIC SUPPORTIVE TREATMENT

INTERNAL MEDICATION (SAFE & GENTLE)

1.Sitopaladi Churna ½ tsp + honey Twice a day – Mucus is made thin – Cough is eased – Very safe even for old people

2. Talisadi Churna ¼ tsp + honey Once daily (morning) - Eases sinus drainage - Relieves chest congestion

3.Guduchi Satva 250 mg once daily with warm water – Reduces inflammation – Naturally strengthens immune system without causing heat

4.Shwasamrutham syrup 10ml-10ml-10ml after food

NASAL CARE (VERY EFFECTIVE)

Anu Taila Nasya Each nostril 2 drops Once a day, in the morning

Method: Slightly warm the oil Lie down with your head tilted back Put the drops, rest for 5 minutes

Sanitizes the sinuses Helps the body’s own drainage Reduces the need for suction gradually

Do not perform Nasya if you have an active fever or are experiencing severe breathlessness.

STEAM INHALATION (MODIFIED)

Just steam or steam with:

Rock salt pinch OR Ajwain

❌ Do not use Eucalyptus or strong smelling oils at this time.

Once a day only.

DIETARY CARE (EXTREMELY IMPORTANT)

❌STRICTLY AVOID

Cold foods Curd Cheese Ice water Banana Citrus fruits Fried food

FAVOR

Warm rice or khichdi Moong dal soup Vegetable soups (bottle gourd, ridge gourd) Warm water sips throughout the day

Warm Regards Dr Snehal Vidhate

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Take sitophaladi churna 2 tsp bd Take talisyadi churna 1 tsp bd Take zufex fort 10 ml ( amil pharma) tds Take histadin ( kerla ayurveda) 2 bd

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HELLO,

Six weeks of severe sinus congestion requiring suctioning suggests a chronic and aggravated condition, and while Ayurveda can be very helpful, it should be used in coordination with her treating physician, especially since she is already on prescription medicines and nebulisation.

Based on your description this most closely fits

Pratishyaya / Dushta pratishyaya (chronic sinusitis )

PRIMARY DOSHA INVOLVED -Kapha = thick mucus, congestion -Vata= chronicity, dryness, poor drainage -Secondaryy pitta if there is infection, yellow mucus, burning, or fever

DUSHYA= rasa and rakta SROTAS AFFECTED= pranavaha and shirah srotas AGNI= likely Mandagni, causing persistent ama (toxins)

TREATMENT GOALS -liquify thick kapha -clear ama -open sinus channels -strengthen immunity and respiratory mucosa -prevent recurrence

INTERNAL MEDICATIONS

A) FOR SINUS DRAINAGE AND KAPHA REDUCTION

1) SHITOPALADI + TALISADI CHURNA= 1 tsp with honey twice daily after meals

B) FOR CHRONIC SINUSISTIS AND INFECTION

2) KANAKASAVA= 15m l + equal water twice daily after meals for wheezing, breathlessness, heavy chest

3) DASHMOOLARISHTA= 20 ml + equal water twice daily after meals

C) TO REDUCE THICK MUCUS AND AMA

4) TRIKATU CHURNA= 1/4 tsp with honey once daily only

D) IMMUNITY AND HEALING

5) CHYAWANPRASHA = 1 tsp early morning with warm water sugar free

6) GUDUCHI SATVA= 500mg twice daily with warm water after meals =excellent for chronic inflammation and immunity

NASYA THERAPY -this is one of the most effective treatments for chronic sinus congestion

ANU TAILA NASYA= 2 drops in each nostril morning empty stomach after gentle steam inhalation

DO NOT DO NASYA IF= active fever, immediately. after suctioning, severe breathlessness at the time

STEAM AND EXTERNAL THERAPIES

A) STEAM INHALATION (daily) -ajwain or eucalyptus oil 2 drops, or tulsi leaves steam before nasya, NOT after

B) WARM COMPRESS -warm towel over face or sinus -10-15 min twice daily

DIET -warm soups, moong dal, vegetable -ginger, infused warm water -turmeric + black pepper in food -garlic cooked -light khichdi -warm herbal teas- ginger, tulsi, cinnamon

AVOID -cold foods and drinks -curd, cheese, panner -banana -fried, oily foods -white sugar -ice cream -cold milk

LIFESTYLE ADVICE -keep head elevated while sleeping -avoid AC, dust , smoke, perfumes -gentle breathing exercises anulom vilom -avoid forceful nose bleeding

WHEN TO BE CAREFUL (very important)

Because she -needs frequent suctioning -has not responded to multiple treatments -has persistent symtpoms >6 weeks

SHE MUST BE EVALUATED FOR -fungal sinusitis -nasal polyps -chornic bacterial infection -aspiration risk -underlying lung disease

Ayurveda can support recovery, but do not stop prescribed medication unless advised by her doctor

ABOUT HOME REMEDIES YOU’RE USING Your onion-ginger-garlic syrup is kapha reducing but -overuse can irritate mucosa -may worsen dryness and vata -> use once daily only, not continuously

DO FOLLOW

HOPE THIS MIGHT BE HELPFUL

THANK YOU

DR. MAITRI ACHARYA

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Avoid chilled, dairy and bakery products. Regular exercise. Steam inhalation twice a day. Increase intake of raw vegetables and fruits. Use boiled water for drinking. Sy.Bronchorid 10ml thrice with lukewarm water Tab.Bresol 2-0-2 Tab Immunocin 2-0-2 Follow up after 2 weeks.

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Thank you for explaining the situation so clearly from what you have mentioned. This is not a simple cold or mild design, congestion and congestion loss. This long needs repeated sectioning and does not respond to strong medicines. Nebuliser or home remedies usually means the mucus has become very thick, sticky, and deeply lodged in the sinuses and chest. Over time, constant medicine and dryness from nebuliser can also make the secretion even thicker, so they do not drain out naturally that is why even good remedies like tulsi ginger onion garlic and lemon stop working after a point

At this state, the focus should be on three things at the same time tanning, the mucus helping it come out naturally and reducing ongoing irritation inside the nose sinuses and airways

First, very important, but often missed point is hydration and warmth She should sip , warm water throughout the day, not large amount at once Avoid cold water, curd, ice cream, refrigerator, food, raw salad, citrus fruits at night and anything very dry like biscuits or toast Food should be soft, warm slightly oily like vegetable soups, rice gruel or soft Khichdi with a little ghee…. This alone can slowly reduce thickness of mucus

She can start steam inhalation once daily with eucalyptus oil Internal, she can start on Lakshmi vilasa Ras one tablet twice daily after food with warm turmeric milk Sanjeevini vati one tablet twice daily after food with warm turmeric milk Sithophaladi churna half teaspoon with honey twice daily Shwasari pravaha 10 ML3 times in a day Tulsi juice 5ML once daily Anu taila2 drop each nostril once daily

Do not keep changing the me medicine every few days, give the same medicine consistently for at least 10 to 14 days unless there is discomfort

If after two weeks, there is still no improvement or if she has fever fall smelling discharge or worsening, breathing difficulty, it is essential to rule out chronic sinus infection, fungal sinusitis or structural blockage with an ENT specialist….

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Internal Medicines Sitopaladi Churna – 3 gm + honey → 4 times daily Talisadi Churna – 3 gm + honey → 3 times daily Laxmivilas Ras (Nardiya) – 1 tablet morning + 1 tablet night with honey Swasari Pravahi OR Kasari Syrup – 10 ml + equal warm water → 3 times daily Haridrakhandam – 10 gm morning + night with warm water

Procedures Nasya – 4–6 drops warm Anu Taila each nostril morning & night and lie 5 min Steam – plain warm water + 4–5 Tulsi leaves + pinch rock salt for 10 min twice daily

Diet Give only: Warm moong khichdi + ghee Thin buttermilk + roasted jeera Pomegranate juice 100 ml daily

Avoid completely: curd, banana, cold milk/drinks, dairy, sweets, fried food

Regards Dr Gursimran Jeet Singh MD Panchakarma

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Namaste N.CHOPRA JI THANK YOU FOR CONTACTING ASK AYURVEDA

🌿 what your mother is going through is not a simple cold , from an ayurvedic point of view this is due to long standing imbalance in kapha Dosha which has become thick and sticky over time…Actually It is a chronic stubborn condition .

👉 At this stage, random home remedies are no longer enough and sometimes it might worsen mucus thickness.

EVEN AFTER HOME REMIDIES WHY RELIEF IS NOT COMING?? Because—- •Kapha has become thick, sticky, and deep-seated Excess heating remedies may be drying and hardening the mucus Vata imbalance due to prolonged illness causes poor draining Post-nasal drip is triggering persistent cough

The following medicines will help in liquifying the mucus reduce inflammation, and improve drainage

INTERNALLY SHE CAN START ON—

✨ Sitopaladi Churna Give ½ tsp + honey, twice daily after food 👉 it Reduces thick mucus, cough, and throat irritation

✨ Talisadi Churna Give ½ tsp + honey, at night 👉 Helps chest congestion and night cough

✨ Dashmoolarishta Give 15–20 ml with equal warm water, twice daily after meals

✨ Shadbindu Taila Nasya 2 drops in each nostril, morning once daily One of the best therapies for chronic sinus congestion

Nasya should be avoided if she has fever, extreme weakness, or severe breathlessness.

❌ AVOID Completely

Raw ginger juice, garlic, onion syrups Excess hot kadhas Cold water, ice, refrigerated food Curd, cheese, paneer Banana, oranges, sweets

The above will increase Kapha thickness and block drainage

INCLUDE

🍲 Warm vegetable soups 🍚 Soft khichdi, rice with a little ghee Warm water sips throughout the day Light, freshly cooked and warm food …

Sleep with head slightly elevated 🌬️ Avoid fan/AC directly on face Avoid dust, smoke, incense, perfumes

ENCOURAGE HER DOING PRANAYAMA ( IF SHE IS COMFORTABLE) LIKE

Anulom Vilom – 5–7 minutes Bhramari – 5 rounds Avoid Kapalbhati or forceful breathing for now

INVESTIGATIONS TO CONSIDER ( if not done )

ENT evaluation CT scan of sinuses Rule out chronic bacterial / fungal sinusitis Pulmonology review if cough persists Acid reflux evaluation (often worsens sinus issues silently)

This is a manageable condition because it is chronic Healing takes time with correct medicine proper nasal therapy right diet and lifestyle changes she can notice improvement within 3 to 4 weeks

REGARDS DR . PRASAD

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Don’t worry take chitrakiharitaki lehyam 1tsp, Laxmi vilas ras 1tab bd, lavagadhi vati ,pranadhara apply external u ll get results

Dr RC BAMS MS

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Some regime you should follow

✔️Do’s:✔️ Eat freshly cooked food. Chew an inch of fresh ginger half an before meal. Eat only fruit vegetables. Limit dairy products (stop if possible)

🧘‍♀️Yoga🧘‍♀️ Virabhadrasana Trikonasana Vrukshasan Prasavkonasan Bhujangasan Balasan Shavana

🧘‍♀️Pranayam🧘‍♀️ Anulom Vilom Bhastrika Kapalbhati

❌Dont’s:❌ Sitting directly under a fan or right in front of the A.C Oily, spicy, processed food. Packed food products. Sour and fermented items. Bakery items. Fried food products. Potatoes.

💊Medication💊

Cap. Nelsin 2 caps twice a day before food Tab. Sanjeevani Vati 2 tabs twice a day before food Syp.Vasakasav

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Some regime you should follow

✔️Do’s:✔️ Eat freshly cooked food. Chew an inch of fresh ginger half an before meal. Eat only fruit vegetables. Limit dairy products (stop if possible)

🧘‍♀️Yoga🧘‍♀️ Virabhadrasana Trikonasana Vrukshasan Prasavkonasan Bhujangasan Balasan Shavana

🧘‍♀️Pranayam🧘‍♀️ Anulom Vilom Bhastrika Kapalbhati

❌Dont’s:❌ Sitting directly under a fan or right in front of the A.C Oily, spicy, processed food. Packed food products. Sour and fermented items. Bakery items. Fried food products. Potatoes.

💊Medication💊

Cap. Nelsin 2 caps twice a day before food Tab. Sanjeevani Vati 2 tabs twice a day before food Syp.Vasakasav 3 tsp twice a day before food

Anu tailam 3 drops in both nostrils in the morning after 15 mins of steam. Take plain water steam twice or thrice a day.

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Persistent sinus congestion can be quite challenging, especially when standard treatments seem ineffective. In Ayurveda, sinus congestion often relates to Kapha and Vata dosha imbalances. Focussing on addressing these might provide some relief for her condition.

Firstly, steam inhalation with certain herbs can ease congestion. In a bowl of hot water, add a few drops of eucalyptus or peppermint oil, cover her head with a towel, and inhale deeply for about 10 minutes. Doing this once or twice a day could help clear her nasal passages.

Diet also plays an important role. Encourage her to consume warm, light meals, avoid cold and heavy foods like dairy, processed sugars, and cold drinks, as these can increase Kapha. Spices like black pepper, turmeric, and cumin can be beneficial. For example, turmeric milk at night can help reduce inflammation and might soothe her sinuses. Prepare this by adding a teaspoon of turmeric powder to a cup of warm milk.

Nasya, an ancient Ayurvedic practice involving application of medicated oils in the nostrils, might assist here. Anu tailam is an oil suggested for nasal instillation, which can lubricate her nasal passages and facilitate clearing blockages. Warm a few drops of Anu tailam and apply into each nostril. This should be done ideally in the morning after brushing teeth.

Staying hydrated is important. Regular intake of warm herbal teas, like ginger or peppermint, throughout the day could help. Consuming freshly made ginger tea might improve circulation and reduce mucous buildups.

Encouraging regular pranayama practices such as Nadi Shodhan (alternate nostril breathing) can also help balance her energies. Ensure this is done in a calm setting preferably with some early morning freshness.

It’s crucial to also consider underlying allergies or dietary intolerances. Given her prolonged condition despite multiple treatments, consulting an Ayurvedic practitioner or health specialist would ensure personalized guidance and rule out any underlying issues.

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Start with Divya Bronchogrit 1-0-1 after food with water. Swasari tablet 1-0-1 after food with water. Giloy ghanvati 1-0-1 after food with water Sitopaladi churan 1/2tsp. + Yastimadhu churan 1/2tsp mix with honey 2tsp twice with water Do Nasya with Anu tel 2drops in both nostril twice daily. Avoid citrus fruits cold drink icecream sugary foods fried foods. Do pranayam lom -vilom bhastrika bhamri 5-10mins daily twice. Have warm haldi doodh at bedtime daily.

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