diseases 263
sinusitis
Sinusitis, or infl ammation of the nasal sinuses, mainly affects the area
around the eyes and either side of the nose. It can also affect the other
systems in this area, with excess mucus building up because of allergies or
viral or bacterial infection. If you have small sinuses they will clog up
more quickly. Symptoms include headaches, earaches, and facial pain.
- Adopt a mucus-free diet, especially cutting out wheat and dairy prod-
ucts. Investigate any food allergies you may have, and address these
to balance digestive enzyme action and so on. - Take acidophilus capsules.
f You need to take small but consistent amounts of lobelia leaf in order
to purge the lungs of old tissue, mucus, and other foreign materials.
But be careful, as taking too much will cause vomiting.
f General respiratory herbs will help as a daily formula, including
horehound leaf, wild cherry bark, mullein leaf, and elecampane leaf
and fl ower. Also take immune-boosting and tonic herbs to help with
infection: use equal parts of garlic, echinacea root, thyme leaf, and
Siberian ginseng root.
~ Inhale steam infused with essential oils like chamomile and lavender.
Afterward take a cold shower and eat twelve raw black peppercorns;
you will feel cleansed and soothed.
~ Put two drops of eucalyptus or lavender essential oil into the bath.
Inhale the water into each nostril, and similarly blow out of each
nostril. This treatment really clears the nose, and can help fi rst thing
in the morning when the mucus blockage is usually at its worst.
~ Use herbal snuff (see “Nose Problems,” above). Sometimes the prob-
lem is so severe and deep-rooted that repeated use of the snuff will be
necessary.
~ Dr. Christopher’s B & B herbal ear formula may be necessary (see
chapter 11). Indeed, it may be worth using them even if you do not
have earache.
~ Avoid decongestants and surgery.
stroke
Stroke is a very common neurological disorder. It occurs because of a
blockage or rupture in a brain blood vessel, and it can affect movement and
speech. High-risk people include smokers and those with diabetes,
obesity, an excessive alcohol intake, high blood pressure, and high
cholesterol. A tendency toward strokes can be genetic, but they can also
263 The Complete Home Guide to Herbs, Natural Healing, and Nutrition