Do you feel a sense of discomfort as the cold wind of winter becomes stronger? It's the tiny air passages that are a source of trouble that lasts up to 12 weeks at least four times a year. Most of us never think about our sinuses when we take a deep breath through the nose.
According to Ayurveda, an underlying imbalance of Vata and Kapha dosha causes sinus issues. As you are familiar with the function of Vata, which is to govern the respiration and Kapha, which governs lubrication and moisture balance.
When these two doshas are imbalanced, another complication arises. Ama, the sticky waste-product of digestion, gets mixed with Kapha in the sinus area, forming an even more toxic, sticky mucus. Note: Kapha dosha's primary sites are the mucus-producing tissues and organs, including those in the chest and gastric regions, palate, joints, plasma, and lymph.
Solution : 1) First and most important, find the cause. Causes for nasal congestion and sinus issues are cold weather, allergies, food habits like eating frozen food or drinking cold water in winter. Unless the causative factor is stopped, no treatment will be successful.
2)Nasya karma: One of the most effective therapy in the management of any nasal problem. Administration of herbal oil by the route of the nasal cavity is termed as nary a karma. N.K includes massage on the energy center of the face. Especially in the sinus area. It is then followed by herbal steam. And the last step is herbal nasal drop. For the best result, this procedure is repeated for 7 to 10days.
3)Next is pacifying the aggravated Vata and Kapha dosha by following a Vata-Kapha pacifying diet. Favor cooked, warm meals that are light, nurturing, and easy to digest
4)Drink plenty of water flavored with spices, to purify the sinuses of toxins and to allow the toxic waste that has built up to flow out
5)Make sure your bowel movements are regular, to help detoxify the body and to re-establish a balanced environment in the sinus area.
6)Practice morning breathing exercises. Pranayama/alternative nasal breathing is advised.