Chinese medicine views health problems as being caused and indicated by a chi imbalance or the presence or absence of certain energies in the body's organs. Chi is the vital life force that is present in all living things. Both the chi and organ systems can be described as hot, warm, cool or cold. In addition, dampness in certain organs or the body in general is used as a way of describing physical imbalances that can affect health.
Dampness
According to Eric Aufdencamp, a practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), nasal congestion is a symptom of overall dampness in the body and chi. General dampness can also trigger yeast infections, chest congestion and skin conditions. According to Aufdencamp, the best way to cleanse nasal congestion is to reduce this dampness.
Things to Avoid
To reduce dampness, there are a number of foods you should avoid. Foods that contribute to dampness include peanuts, very concentrated sweeteners like corn syrup, concentrated juices, tropical fruits, dairy products and wheat. In addition, fried foods and cold foods and drinks can contribute to dampness.
Things to Use
Avoiding foods that trigger dampness is only one part of dealing with your congestion. TCM often recommends spicy foods as a way to reduce dampness. Many herbs reduce dampness, including huang qin (skullcap), cang er zi (cocklebur), and xin yi hua (magnolia). If you are going to take Chinese herbs, you should visit a TCM practitioner first to establish the exact area of dampness that is causing your sinus congestion. If adjusting your diet doesn't help cleanse the nasal congestion, acupuncture may help by rerouting the chi. Some TCM practitioners also recommend an herbal sinus rinse. The exact content of the rinse will vary depending on the source of the dampness, so visiting a TCM practitioner is very important. Some TCM clinics offer herbal steam inhalation facilities that are very good for sinus congestion.
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