Comments on: Spicy Foods & Your Sinuses

By: Robert Brown

Robert Brown — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 12:05:31 +0000

I think spicy things are good but just once a week. We should not make them part and parcel of our life as they severely damage our digestion system. They become the cause of several health related problems.

By: claire unabia

claire unabia — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 14:01:35 +0000

I think horseradish and spicy foods in moderation with the nasal flush are still good. I agree that increase production of mucus may be beneficial to clear your problem out.
I am dealing with a sinus infection right now. My kungfu teacher’s directions were to eat horseradish, garlic, carrot juice, spinach, fruits, no cooked food, ginger tea and lemons and the nasal flush. I felt better after eating the foods but especially after the flush.
Someone else also recommended putting hydrogen peroxide in ears and nose.
My mother recommended hot towels on the sinuses.
An intense breathing exercise also clears out the sinus like our kungfu line.
I am doing all these things, will let you know how it goes

By: maz

maz — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 05:29:09 +0000

Good article..thanx..spicy food…yummyyyy..

By: chicken

chicken — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 06:09:48 +0000

i luv spicy foods..great thanks for the info..
thanks barbara for the tips..

By: sinus

sinus — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 06:02:45 +0000

great info..thanks..

By: Barbara Feiner

Barbara Feiner — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 13:37:34 +0000

Hi, Alex. Drinking water is always recommended for sinus problems, but the spicy-food issue remains (as outlined in the article).

The bulb syringe idea shared in comment #5 is a good one. During allergy season, I use a nasal saline wash every day. It keeps the nasal passages clean and open. Of course, if you have a rip-roaring sinus infection, you’ll need to see a physician.

By: Alex Leibowitz

Alex Leibowitz — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 02:11:29 +0000

What if you eat spicy foods AND drink a lot of water?

By: Home Remedy For Sinus Infection

Home Remedy For Sinus Infection — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 14:17:00 +0000

I have been having sinus infection for more than 10 years without realising it. Most of the time it is mild and the main symptoms would be sinus headaches in the mornings together with puffy eyes. Subsequently, it became worse and I started to have
blocked eustachian tubes, facial pain and thick green mucus dicharge.

Thankfully, I found an ENT specialist who treated the condition and advised me to perform nasal irrigation of the sinuses daily with a plastic syringe.

I am glad to say that I don’t succumb to flu that often since I started irrigating my sinuses.
Just like to share this with all of you.

By: susan m. greenway

susan m. greenway — Sun, 17 Dec 2006 11:52:51 +0000

Find this subject enlightening,as for the last few months have the most painful tongue and lips,my dentist and doctors are a little perplexed,I tend to avoid any heavily spiced foods,and eat organicly.would welcome any suggestions.Su.

By: Charles

Charles — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 04:25:55 +0000

Why not directly cite the study and link to eat for those of us interested in seeing the actual data and argument presented?

“Eating spicy foods ultimately produces greater nasal congestion and increased mucus production, according to a clinical study conducted by Drs. David S. Cameron and Raul M. Cruz of the Department of Head and Neck Surgery at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Oakland, California.”

Well, okej, but this isn’t convincing enough. Show me the data.

What does “ultimately” mean? Many of us find these conclusions counter-intuitive based on our practice of using chili peppers and other similar herbs on occassion. The results in increase mucus flow appear beneficial and not illusory.

Thanks, though, for staring the discussion.