Sinus-clearing foods that will blow the mucus right out of you

Ah, spring. Pink blossoms adorn trees, daffodils stretch their buttery fringes open to the sun and – what’s that? Sorry, I was too busy sneezing to finish my thought.

If your nose is running so hard that your most noticeable feather accessory is the fabric that is always in the wrist of your shirt sleeve, you probably need some relief from seasonal allergies. While you should see an allergist to properly diagnose and treat you, a few remedies in your own kitchen can help you breathe easier (and they’re doctor-approved).

You probably already know that spicy foods like jalapenos and wasabi can make your nose run. But have you wondered why? And is spicy food really beneficial in the long run? What if you are not a fan of good combustion? Are there any non-spicy foods and drinks that can help? We spoke with experts to get the answers and to debunk some of the myths you may have bought (ahem, expensive treasure).

Before assuming you have seasonal allergies, think about what assumption does to YOU ​​and ME. Dr. Morris Nejat, an allergist and immunologist at Allergy and Sinus Centers in New York, explained to HuffPost that “often people can’t properly diagnose it themselves, so you need to identify what you’re responding to, whether it’s pollen, animals, dust, etc.”

Nejat said it’s very possible you don’t have allergies at all, but either a sinus infection, a deviated septum, or any of those on top from allergies. “Going to your allergist can help you get the right tests and an exam to make sure you’re getting the right treatment,” whether that’s medication or allergy shots, Nejat advised.

If you do that indeed have seasonal allergies and your sinuses produce snot as if it were their job, remember it really is their job. When your body comes into contact with something it is allergic to, Nejat explained that your body says, “Hey, that tree pollen is a bit weird, I better be aware of what’s going to happen next time” , forming immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies, which attack that pollen from the tree the next time your body encounters it. Those IgEs cause your body to release histamine, which causes allergy symptoms such as constipation, itchy eyes, runny nose, mucus production, and redness. And without treatment, your body will do this for the rest of your life every time it encounters that tree pollen.

You know the feeling after you take a bite of wasabi, ginger, horseradish, or jalapeno – your nose tightens, your eyes burn, and tears run down your face. Nejat explained that this happens because certain foods activate the body’s nervous system “to innervate different parts of the body, reversing some of the effects of histamine, which may provide natural relief for some allergy symptoms.”

For example, jalapenos and some other peppers contain a chemical compound called capcaisin, an active ingredient found in many nasal sprays. It helps to relieve the sinus and provide relief by stimulating certain nerves to loosen mucus and make it run. Chili peppers aren’t the only food that contains effective chemical compounds. Other spicy foods, such as wasabi, horseradish, and ginger, each contain their own compounds that cause 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,” said Nejat. You don’t want to take wasabi six times a day during allergy season.

But spicy foods in moderation won’t harm your sinuses, either. Nejat said spicy foods are “a natural alternative to going to the pharmacy and getting allergy medicine, especially if you like these foods. If you like wasabi and it makes you feel better, go for it. “

Paul Kempisty, a board-certified herbalist and founder of Peekay’s Herbs, explained that many herbs can take an even stronger blow than food. Herbs are incredible for dealing with congestion, allergies and many mucus-related problems, he explained. ‘Herbs are like food that went to college. They generally have a much more complex and powerful nutritional profile. So while herbs don’t actually feed us the same level of macronutrients (fats, proteins, carbohydrates, etc.) as in foods, their potency is much closer to the powerful effects of certain drugs, but with far fewer side effects and risks. “

You can certainly try single-ingredient herbs (Kempisty’s favorites are nettle, turmeric, elderberry and flower, shisha leaf, chrysanthemum flower, ginger root, cinnamon, cardamom, and dried citrus peel). But combinations of ingredients, he said, are more powerful. “Rather than using massive dosages of single ingredients or single drugs, a healthy herbal approach would be to use moderate dosages of several similar plant compounds to achieve a well-rounded and beneficial result,” explains Kempistry.

Dr. Clifford Bassett, an allergist who is the founder and medical director of Allergy & Asthma Care in New York, said studies have shown that both curcumin (which is found in turmeric) and ginger help reduce the symptoms of seasonal allergies. Another study found that consuming curcumin can improve nasal breathing in patients with seasonal allergies.

You can add fresh herbs to your cooking, but you can achieve higher potency if you buy a liquid tincture or concentrated granulate in a capsule or tablet, which can be added to hot tea or water. (Examples of such recipes are Peekay’s Clean as a whistle support allergy sessions or Sinus solution nose and throat support.) And yes, drinking hot foods and soups really help loosen your mucus and get things started.

“Generally, if you’re trying a new herb for yourself, start low and go slow,” Kempisty advised. “That is, start with a new herb at a low starting dose and then increase it after you see your body tolerate it.”

The belief that honey can treat allergies is based on a hypothesis similar to the concept of allergy shots: Exposing someone to an allergen makes the person less sensitive to it over time. But allergy shots deliver allergens in high doses. The amounts of pollen in honey are far too small to be effective, and this treatment is purely anecdotal.

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

The big food group to avoid is dairy. Studies show that cow’s milk protein sticks to mucus, which can make allergy symptoms about as unpleasant as reading this sentence. “If you have a lot of mucus due to allergies, and you eat cow’s milk protein in the form of cheese or milk, the mucus gets thicker,” Nejat explains. “It doesn’t feel good. But worse, it can potentially block drainage pathways and lead to sinusitis. “

There is also a small chance that you will get an itchy mouth or throat if you eat certain fruits and vegetables that cross-react with birch pollen – apples, peaches, plums, nectarines, cherries, and even vegetables such as carrots – because some people have very strong trees . allergies to pollen, especially to birch.

This is called food pollen allergy syndrome or FPAS. While it’s usually not dangerous, if you eat those foods raw, it will likely affect you. For example, eating a raw apple can make your mouth itch. But if you eat a piece of apple pie, it won’t bother you. Seeing an allergist will help distinguish between having food pollen syndrome and having a food allergy.

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