If you live in Nigeria, you know that we have two dominant climates, the wet and dry seasons.
Each season comes with its own challenges, but In this case, I will focus on the dry season, especially harmattan which starts in November and runs till March. It is accompanied by dry cold winds and temperatures ranging from 54 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
This change in climate may lead to cough, catarrh and sinus infections. Thankfully, Nigeria is blessed with a rich culture of herbs and medicines that have been passed down for generations.
These home remedies are easily accessible, effective and can be found in your home.
Water
I know it isn’t the first thing that pops up in your mind but it is advisable to keep hydrated and take in at least 1 litre of water every 2 hours.
This will help your body to easily thin down mucous from your sinus. Please avoid cold water at all costs.
Ginger
Ginger is one of the most powerful natural antibiotics found in your kitchen. It contains gingerol which reduces inflammation in your sinus.
Ginger exists in powdered, dry and fresh forms that can be easily incorporated into your food but to reap the full benefits it is advisable to use fresh ginger.
Below is a simple recipe for ginger tea:
- Carefully peel and slice ginger into thin pieces
- Add sliced pieces to a cup of water
- Let it boil for 10 minutes
- Strain and pour it in a flask. Drink as often as possible.
Steam inhalation
As previously mentioned in the article, water is very beneficial to reduce the discomfort that comes with managing sinus infections during the harmattan.
I remember when my mom used steam inhalation to treat my blocked nose in secondary school, it can be applied as often as possible but in order to reap full benefits, this remedy is preferably used at night before bedtime. Here is how to go about it:
- Add 2 drops of eucalyptus oil / Robb/mentolatum in a bowl.
- Fill the bowl with boiling water.
- Cover your head properly with a towel and lean over the mixture for at least 10 minutes.
- Repeat until you feel relief.
Spicy hot pepper soup
I know foodies will definitely appreciate this home remedy in particular, all you need is to get the traditional pepper soup spice from any market close to you.
This local spice contains effective ingredients like black pepper, ginger, garlic and other herbs. Homemade pepper soup is very easy to prepare and you can add any protein of your choice. Just like its name, make sure you add enough cayenne pepper to the mix. This will help clear the sinus by making your nose run.
Honey
Lastly but not the least, Honey.
It is very popular all over the world as an effective home remedy for several ailments. It can be used as a standalone or as a combination with other herbs like ginger, garlic, lemon, onion, bitter kola etc.
It can be consumed in its natural form intermittently to alleviate traces of sinus infections. Grab a bottle of honey today!
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