Take that, Sinuses!

It's no secret that I have (or should say "had") major sinus issues. Growing up, I had chronic sinus infections at least every 3 months (in more recent years, almost monthly). Those resulted in me having to take time off work, school & life to go to the doctor & to recover. I had to be given rounds of very strong antibiotics, which would throw the rest of my body completely off (the effects I am still dealing with today) and cause yeast over load. About 6-7 years ago, I completely lost my sense of smell and taste. My ENT told me that I had one of the worst cases of sinus polyps he had ever seen. I was at an all time low about a year ago when 3 months after my second sinus surgery (and let me tell you....those include a full 2 week recovery period...not fun!), my polyps began to grow back. This even with the multiple times daily nasal steroids and rounds of antibiotics I was taking! I was devastated, but then researched and found out that over 70% of polyps removed surgically grow back within a year. What?!!!  I spoke with my ENT about nutrition, and he waived it off. Our last appointment 8 months ago ended with sort of up in the air thoughts about trying out MAJOR antibiotics and rounds of Prednisone, which I was told would guarantee me to have Osteoporosis by the time I was 60. I felt like I was about to be a major lab rat. Obviously, I needed more and just knew there had to be something else I could do to correct this issue. I wanted my life & energy & health back. 

I was done with my constant bloody noses, constant sinus pressure in my head and nasal areas, sinus headaches, no smell or taste, worrying about our safety because I had to rely on my 4 year old's smell for possible life threatening things like gas leaks or smoke in the house, my lack of energy and constant sickness, and on and on....

So, I went back to the basics. My friend, Nicci, always reminds me that when I'm feeling overwhelmed and out of control, to go back to the basics....such wise advice. I started with returning to my favorite health and nutrition website.....www.GreenSmoothieGirl.com. I started my own regiment and became my own lab rat, with natural, alternate and much more safe and EFFECTIVE methods.

I am so proud and beyond exhilarated to announce that I have my sense of taste and smell back! I am off ALL antibiotics, medications, nasal steroids, AND allergy medications (this is a big deal! I was a DAILY nasal steroid, Claritin or Allegra, MucinexD, and Tylenol PM user)! 

The amount of $ I spend monthly on medication/antibiotics/pharmaceuticals, copays, doctor & specialty doctor visits and surgery has decreased to almost nothing. 

So many people with the same issues have asked, and so here it is, what I have done (outlined below). This is what has worked for me, and while I don't think all sinus/polyp issues or people are the same, I do think this would be a great place to start for those who have similar experiences. 

1) NUTRITION: green smoothie everyday (see blog post on the 30 day challenge). It is so important to get 10-15 servings of RAW fruits and vegetables into your daily diet. 
*I have decreased my dairy & meat intake to less than 5% of my daily diet because it is so mucus causing. (This was really difficult for me to do- but I believe it was the biggest help towards my recovery.) To my smoothies, I add the dōTERRA wild orange essential oil for flavor and health effects.

2)WELLNESS- Lifelong Vitality (monthly supplements) from dōTERRA,  I now can never go back....it

has changed my life. I take the recommended dose- 4 of each, each day (so 2 pills of each in the morning and night of the ALPHA CRS, the EO MEGA, and the VMz). Take with 8oz of water. My energy level has returned to what it was in high school & before. 

3)NASAL SALINE RINSE morning and night (I use & recommend nasopure). 1 bigger bottle lasts me about 2.5 days- so it's pretty inexpensive & much easier than a nettie pot (I like the bottle, but have replaced the salt solution with Real Salt). Make sure to use distilled water. I now add 1 drop of dōTERRA on guard to every bottle. and if I feel I am starting to get an infection, I also add a drop of  dōTERRA melaleuca in to it....that will get rid of the infection. (*please note, dōTERRA essential oils are the only oils that can be used internally). 

4)dōTERRA ESSENTIAL OILS (all natural, chemical & filler-free plant oils with no harmful side effects)

   

-melaleuca- if I have any color to my snot or feel that my sinuses are swollen/infected, I put a drop on a qtip and dab it inside of the top of my nose. 

oregano-In case of infection, I also put 2 drops of oregano on each foot at night and in the morning.

   -peppermint and melaleuca nasal spray bottle- I have made a nasal spray

bottle of my own to keep with me during the day in case I feel sinus pressure or congestion. (5 drops peppermint, 5 drops melaleuca and distilled water)

    

   

-"allergy shooter": (2 drops of lemon, 2 drops of lavender, and 2 drops of peppermint, about 1oz water in a little medicine cup) Every morning, I swish this in my mouth, gargle, and then swallow.

   








   -breathe blend- I swipe this directly under my nose whenever I want to open my airways. This is

sometimes at night (helps with insomnia too), throughout the day, or before or after a workout. If I wanted it to act like a vapor rub, I could add it to my neck or chest with maybe a little coconut oil.(also, can be diffused, or inhaled from your hands like a natural inhaler).

   

 

 -peppermint- my new best friend! I add 1 drop in the mornings to my coffee/tea. It immediately opens me up. You can use this under your nose or tongue, as well, to open airways. It also helps with headaches.

   

   -on guard- as an immunity supporter, or if I feel something coming on (like a cold/cough/flu),

I put a drop on the back of my hand and lick it or directly on my tongue (it's strong). I diffuse this, often. on guard is now being diffused in several hospitals across the country! They also have on guard beadlets & toothpaste.

   

   

-chemical free lotion (keep those chemicals away!)- I have changed my nightly face lotion to coconut oil (cold pressed, organic)....I make a little bowl that lasts me over a month and put about 10 drops of lavender and 10 drops of melaleuca in it. This soaks in your skin for the harder to reach sinuses- and does wonder for your skin as well. (You can use this all over your body).

   

   -slim and sassy- 6-8 drops in water, 1-2 times per day. It does have a strong sort of

spice flavor...just a heads up. This is the number 2 selling product for dōTERRA for great reason.....it's used to control blood sugar and by many diabetics as a daily protocol, it's an appetite suppressant and controls sugar cravings. Since I started using not long ago, I have dropped a lot of weight, and feel overall MUCH less swollen all over my body, including my sinuses.   

   

 -PastTense- for headaches & tension. I used to have sinus headaches daily, but since I've been doing the above, I haven't had one in a really long time. I use it on my shoulders, too, where I hold a lot of my tension. You can roll it on your forehead, put a couple drops on your temples, or back of neck for a headache.

  

-lemon- 1-2 drops in my water (lemon is a natural antiseptic, anticancer, antidepressant, anti-fungal, and helps reduce water retention). 

   

-Thyme- add to recipes when cooking, or bottom of feet. Thyme is great for sinus care.

   -diffuse dōTERRA Essential Oils- a variety & often. I diffuse lots of citrus oils,

and calming blends like serenity....and I do think this has helped a lot as well.

*Please go to www.mydoterra.com/fancyplantcy to learn all about dōTERRA Essential Oils. Be mindful of safety and precautions when using. If you are interested in learning more, please come to a Healing with Green Smoothies and Medicine Cabinet Makeover class in Kansas City (or where ever you may reside!). Feel free to email me at gsgkandace@gmail.com