It finally happened.
I got sick.
I can’t remember the last time I’ve really been sick. I had a stomach virus about 4 years ago that was almost worse than childbirth. Almost. But since then, it’s been a little cold here or there.
This can’t compare to the stomach virus, but I am, without a doubt in a brawl with my sinuses. It started out innocently enough with a stuffy nose, but I now have a constant headache around my eyes, a stuffy nose and definitely some drip that’s making my throat burn.
Oh, and a 5 month old child. Did I mention that?
I blame the community pilates mats. Lesson learned. I will overcome my lazy attitude and BRING my own next time. Sigh.
So while I’m crossing my fingers and toes that Hailey doesn’t catch it and that she’s up for bumming on the couch all day while sipping hot tea (chances of that happening are slim to none), I’ll also be attacking my sinuses with every natural remedy I know. I’ve looked into traditional medicines, but with breastfeeding, I’m holding of on those a last resort. So, homeopathic it is!
Water. I’ll be chugging it.
Apple Cider Vinegar. There are a plethora of people that say drinking 1/8 cup of ACV mixed with 16 ounces of water will help by thinning mucus.
It’s not the most delicious thing you’ll ever drink, so if you want to try it, use a cup with a straw. Maybe I’m just drinking the (vinegar-flavored) kool-aid, but I think it works.
I’ll be laying off dairy (with thickens mucus) and instead drinking a lot of hot liquids, like my mom’s homemade chicken noodle soup that I have in the freezer.
Neti pot. I’ve boiled water (because I’m paranoid) and mixed in 1 tsp of salt per 2 cups of water.
Then, pour away. Makes me feels realllly sexy.
And maybe if I’m lucky (or if I whine and act pathetic enough) my sweet husband will bring me home some hot and sour soup, which, based on results from my childhood is the ultimate cure all!
What’s your favorite home remedy for sinus related ailments?
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Yuck – I’m so sorry! Sinus infections are the WORST! They always make my head feel like it’s a 10 pound bowling ball. I just googled “homeopathic sinus infection remedies” and they told me to snort cayenne pepper. Uh, I don’t think that’s a good idea.
ps – darn those nodes.
I second the chicken soup and water — I was sick for all of December with a sinus infection and bronchitis, and those are some of the only things that soothed it. I found the water helped most when it was hot — there was something very calming about it.
Feel better!!
Oh no, feel better! Being sick while trying to take care of a baby is rough! Hopefully Hailey will get all your antibodies from your milk and not catch it. If theres anything worse than how you’re feeling now, its having to watch your little one feel the same way!
I’ve had two sinus infections this year and can’t remember the last time I had one before that. One thing my doctor is pushing is saline! Before, during and after the sinus infection. Working so far!
The neti pot is my favorite cure for sinus problems. You can actually put apple cider vinegar in the water when you neti pot – be prepared – it HURTS!
Feel better – I actually neti pot 2x a week to prevent sinus problems. Knock on wood, it has really helped me!
I boil water and then pour it into a large bowl and then put my head over it with a towel over my head. I then inhale the hot steam and this helps to loosen up that mucus.
Good luck – I hope you feel better soon.
Be careful with this. Another blogger (snackface) had a major catastrophe with this last year–3rd degree burns to her face i believe.
If you add a bit of maple syrup to the ACV mixture it tastes like regular apple cider!
I love you for this suggestion! Going to try it now.
UGH…sending “chill with Mama today, Hailey!” vibes your way. I hope you’re feeling better soon!
I hate sinus infections, so I’m sorry you’ve got one. Do you have a humidifier to help you breathe, especially at night? And I’m all for echinacea and goldenseal. I’m pretty sure twice daily dosages of those when sick cure everything.
Feel better soon!
I agree. No fun feeling under the weather and trying to take care of a sweet baby, but you will make it through. My husband used to battle bad sinus infections until he discovered NeilMed. Kind of like a Netipot. He uses it on a regular basis and it is amazing in helping you through it and get through it more quickly. Target sells them but you can see it here http://www.amazon.com/NeilMed-Sinus-Saline-Premixed-Packets/dp/B000A0S5KC
Hope you feel better real soon.
Oh no I hope you feel better soon
Lots and lots of hot showers always feel great–I recommend it!
Being sick with an infant sucks! I just went through this a few weeks ago when baby, husband, and I were all sick. My doctor suggested I mix ground pepper, ground ginger, and turmeric in a mixing bowl, add boiling water, and breath in. I just eyeballed the amount of spices, but it was about 1Tbs of each. I would drape a towel over my head, lean over the bowl and take deep breaths for about 5 minutes. The doctor also said to drink the mixture when it cooled, but it was gross, so I just gargled it. Hoping you feel better soon!
Baraka Oil! I used it for my last sinus infection, it’s kind of pricey but beats all of the prescriptions the doctors try to write me when I go in. It’s a blend of essential oils you but in your nose, it helps open up your sinuses and draw out all the bad stuff. Between that and sinus rinsing I beat my last one!
ug Im so so sorry! we take mucinex and nose spray whenever we have nasal problems. I hope you get better soon!
Ugh, hate sinus infections. Tons of tea + soup and lots of showers are the only things that make me feel better. I had a quick cold a few weeks ago that the husband caught after me and blew up into a monstrous sinus infection for him. After 2 weeks, he finally gave in to antibiotics. Hope you feel better soon!
Boo hope you feel better soon
Hope you feel better soon girl! It’s not easy or fun taking care of a baby when you just want to be taken care of yourself. Hope H catches on and treats you well today
Poor mama! I’m feeling down this morning, too. I hope you feel better! One thing that scares me is, when I have a baby and I get sick. How do you care for a baby when you feel terrible? When I feel sick, I feel like a baby!
Feel better! Whenever I feel like I’m starting to come down with something, I drink green tea like crazy and put some Emergen C in it. I’m usually better within a day. Hope these remedies work for you just as easily!
Throat Coat tea in Lemon Echinacea flavor is my favorite remedy! It coats the throat to protect it from the drainage & will prevent or fix a sore throat. I think it’s by Traditional Medicinals. My health foods store & my local regional grocery store carry it (texas). In addition to that… nasal saline, essential oils on sinuses & glands, and gargle w/ salt water to soothe the throat. A lot of the pain can be from inflammation, not just the mucus itself, so consider an ice pack across the sinuses. Good luck!
feel better soon, lady! I used to be the queen of sinus infections, so I know they are absolutely NO fun.
and I love seeing the Lake Norman swag you’ve got goin’ on over there.
oh yes – neti pot usage is so hot right now
I use one too — feel better darling!!!! My favorite homeopathic sinus savior is to load up on capsacin! My husband will make me nachos (with very very little cheese b/c of the whole mucus thing) with lots of beans, veggies, jalapenos (pickled and or fresh) and then sprinkle it with HOT salsa and red pepper flakes/cayenne powder. It relieves soooo much of the congestion! worth the whole tongue-on-fire thing too!
feel better SUPER soon!
Oh you poor thing…I’m stuck in bed with the flu and strep throat, and that’s bad enough without having to run around after a baby!
My mom and I swear by cinnamon, honey and lemon tea – you boil two cinnamon sticks in a pot of water for 15 minutes or so, then add a tablespoon of honey and a tablespoon of fresh squeezed lemon juice. It helps with sore throats and apparently also boosts your metabolism
Awww…hope you feel much better soon Brittany!!!!
I add about 5 drops of grapefruit seed extract (made by nutribiotic) to my neti salt water. It’s one of the recipes inside the label. I also drink water laced w/a few drops of oregano oil. Both are natural “antibiotics”. I was also sidelined by my 2nd one this month! I gave in last time and got the z-pack but obviously that didn’t kill it completely off. Some sinus infections are viral and some are fungal ao they are a beast to treat no matter how. I def give up cheese and try to also go without my chobani.
I am all for sipping hot tea.
Awww, get well soon hon!
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