Foods that remove the sinuses that will make your mucus go away

Ah, spring. Pink flower flakes decorate the trees, daffodils open to the sun and buttery flowers and, what is that? Sorry, I was too busy sneezing to finish the thought.

If your nose is running so tight that your most prominent spring accessory is the fabric that’s always tucked into the wrist of your shirt sleeve, you’re likely to need relief from seasonal allergies. While you should see an allergist to diagnose and treat you properly, some remedies in your kitchen can help you breathe more easily (and are approved by your doctor).

You probably already know that spicy foods like jalapenos and wasabi can make your nose run. But have you ever wondered why? And are spicy foods helpful in the long run? What if you’re not a fan of a good burn? Are there unimportant foods and drinks that can also help? We talked to experts to get the answers and refute some myths you may have been buying (ahem, expensive honey).

Before you assume you have seasonal allergies, remember what U and ME are supposed to do to you. Dr. Morris Nejat, allergist and immunologist at the Center New York Allergy and Sinus Centers, told HuffPost that “many times people can’t diagnose it properly on their own, so you need to identify what they’re reacting to, whether it’s pollen, animals, dust, etc.”

Nejat said that it is entirely possible that you do not have allergies, but a sinus infection, a deviated septum or each of the superior of allergies. “By seeing your allergist, you will be able to do the right tests and get an exam to make sure you get the right treatment,” whether they are medicated or allergic, Nejat advised.

If you do In fact, you have seasonal allergies and your sinuses are producing mucus as if it were your job, keep in mind that it actually is. her job. When your body comes in contact with something allergic, Nejat explained that your body says, “Hey, that tree pollen is a little weird, you better be aware of what’s going to happen next time” and forms immunoglobulin E (IgE Antibodies), which attack this pollen from the tree the next time the body finds it. These IgEs cause the body to release histamines, causing allergic symptoms such as congestion, itchy eyes, runny nose, mucus production and redness. And without treatment, your body will do it every time it encounters tree pollen for the rest of your life.

Know the sensation after taking a bite of wasabi, ginger, horseradish or jalapeno: your nose contracts, your eyes burn and tears begin to run down your face. Nejat explained that this is because certain foods trigger the body’s nervous system “to innervate different parts of the body, reversing some of the effects of histamines, which can be a natural relief from some of the allergy symptoms.”

Jalapenos and some other peppers, for example, contain a chemical compound called capcaisin, 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 run. 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 trigger a similar reaction.

But keep in mind that spicy foods provide short-term relief, as do many over-the-counter allergy medications. “It works, but I don’t see it as a good long-term treatment,” Nejat said. You don’t want to download wasabi six times a day during allergy season.

But eating spicy foods in moderation won’t hurt your breasts either. Nejat said spicy foods are “a natural alternative to going to the pharmacy and getting medication to relieve allergies, especially if you like these foods. If you like wasabi and it makes you feel better, do it. ”.

Paul Kempisty, herbalist certified by the board and founder of Peekay herbs, explained that many herbs can contain an even stronger punch than food. “Herbs are pretty amazing for treating congestion, allergies and a lot of mucus-related problems,” he explained. “Herbs are like food that went to college. They generally have a much more complex and powerful nutritional profile. Therefore, while herbs do not really feed us the same level of macronutrients (fats, proteins, carbohydrates, etc.) that are found in foods, their potency is very close to the potent effects of certain drugs, but with many fewer side effects and risks “.

You can definitely try single-ingredient herbs (Kempisty’s favorites are nettle, turmeric, elder and flower, shisho leaf, chrysanthemum flower, ginger root, cinnamon, cardamom and dried citrus skins). But combinations of ingredients, He said, they are more powerful. “Instead of using massive doses of individual ingredients or individual medications, a solid herbal approach would be to use moderate doses of several similar botanical products in order to achieve a complete and beneficial result,” Kempistry explained.

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

You can add fresh herbs to your kitchen, but you can get more potency if you purchase a liquid tincture or granular extract concentrated in a capsule or tablet that can be added to tea or hot water. (Examples of these recipes are those from Peekay Clean like a whistle allergy session support or Sinus solution nasal and throat support.) And yes, drinking hot foods and soups really helps a lot to loosen mucus and help get things moving.

“Generally, when you try a new herb on your own, start low and go slow,” Kempisty advised. “That is, start any new herb with a low starting dose and then increase it after you have seen your body tolerate it.”

The belief that honey can treat allergies is based on a hypothesis similar to the concept of allergy vaccines: by exposing someone to an allergen, the person becomes less sensitive over time. But anti-allergy traits provide high-dose allergens. The amounts of pollen in honey are too small to be effective, and this treatment is purely anecdotal.

The other claim is that the antibacterial properties of honey can fight allergies, but Nejat reminds us of an important fact. “Allergies are not a bacterial problem.” So, if honey soothes your throat and tastes good, go ahead with a teaspoon. But don’t expect it to cure your allergies.

The big food group to avoid is dairy. Studies show that cow’s milk protein adheres to mucus, which can make allergy symptoms as unpleasant as reading that phrase. “If you have a lot of mucus from allergies and you eat cow’s milk protein in the form of cheese or milk, the mucus becomes thicker,” Nejat explained. “She is OK. But even worse, it can block drainage pathways and cause sinus infections. “

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

This is called food pollen allergy syndrome or FPAS. While not normally dangerous, it is likely to affect you if you eat these foods raw. If you eat a raw apple, for example, it can sting your mouth. But if you eat a slice of apple pie, you won’t be affected. Seeing an allergist will help differentiate between having food pollen syndrome and having a food allergy.

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