Immunity | Ask the Ayurveda Expert

Asthma    Cold    Mucus    Post Nasal Drip    Yeast Infection    Avoid the Flu    Canker Sores

Question

What can I do for post nasal drip and sinus infections? Nothing seems to help.

Answer

Post nasal drip is a symptom of kapha imbalnce and slow digestion. Such infections usually develop through a series or reactions in the body:

1. Poorly digested impurities.
2. The Ama interacts with Shleshaka Kapha which regulates lubrication and mositure balance in the body.
3. This interaction produces a sticky toxin called Shelshma that accumulates in the body cavities such as the sinuses.
4. The toxic Shleshma aggravates Bhrajaka Pitta which regulates enzymatic changes and the skin.
5. The aggravation of Bhrajaka Pitta leads to infection.

From an ayurvedic view, the root of this imbalance is the poor digestion and Ama. It winds up aggravating Pitta. See below for a more in-depth answer.

• Try an "Ama-free" diet. That means lighter, easier to digest foods. Aviod leftovers and chemical additives. Favor fresh, pure foods. Stop intake of caffeine.
• Sniffle Free herbal tablets aid the digestive fire to reduce Ama and nourish moisture balance, Shleshaka Kapha.
• Take the herbal supplement Aci-Balance
• Sip warm to hot herbal beverages throughout the day, MAPI teas like vata, pitta, kapha, or sniffle free tea are best.
• Gargle with salt and hotwater.
• Add a few drops of Clear Breathe to hot water and inhall the vapors through mouth and nose.
• Add balanced spices to food. MAPI churnas are perfect.
• Licorice tea is useful (vata tea has licorice)
• Avoid day sleep.
• Increase fluid intake to 6 to 8 glasses of water daily.
• Avoid diuretics (under medical advice).
• Try to avoid stressful, negative thoughts and emotions.

Please note: This ayurvedic information is education. It does not replace medical advice or treatments.

Long Answer

The main functions of Kapha in the body are fluid balance, structure growth and strength. All bodily fluids (tissue fluids), mucus and serous secretions, transcellular fluids (like synovial fluids and pericordial fluids), all the moisture in the cells, nervous system and respiratory system can be considered as Kapha. An imbalance in kapha leads to an imbalance in bodily fluids.

Kapha in balanced state is strength to the body. In an imbalanced state it is impurity to the body. The main areas of kapha in the body are head, chest and joints. Kapha imbalance will increase kapha in these areas. Depending on body type and individual exposure to certain imbalances one of these three main areas receive the kapha imbalance.

Those with kapha imbalance are prone to certain disorders like cough (kaasa), cold, congestion (peenasam), running nose or rhinitis, allergic rhinitis, hey fever, sinusitis (pratisayam), or asthma (swasa). In all of these conditions there is excess fluid secretions from nose. Post-nasal drip is one of the main symptom in these disorders.

Although mucus normally is swallowed unconsciously, the feeling that it is accumulating in the throat or dripping from the back of your nose is called post-nasal drip.

General causes of post nasal drip are:

• low humidity
• sinus or nasal infections
• foreign bodies: (especially if the drainage is from one side)
• environmental irritants: (tobacco smoke, smog)
• structural problems: (deviated septum, enlarged turbinates, enlarged adenoids)
• advanced age: mucus membrane lining the nose can shrink with age leading to a reduced volume of thicker secretions
• hormonal problems
• drug side-effects: (antihistamines)

There are three types of post nasal drip; one for each main Ayurvedic body type: Vata, Pitta and Kapha.

Vata post nasal-drip

Symptoms include:

• nasal obstruction
• small quantity of liquid thin and cold in nature present behind the throat
• dryness in throat and lips
• sneeze with difficulty
• loss of taste
• pain and hoarseness of voice

Maharishi Ayurveda recommendations include:

• PN1 nasya - 2 to 3 times a day lubricates the air passages. This also lubricates and removes the dried mucus from the nose and behind the throat and also strengthens the mucus membranes of the nose sinuses and throat prevents any obstruction.
• Vata tea - 3 to 4 times a day clears the throat and help removes the dry mucus behind the throat, soothing the throat.
• Vata churna (spice mix) helps the digestion, balance the gas, bloating, and constipation.
• Moisturizing oil massage whole body and especially to head helps to pacify the vata and increases immunity.
• Herbal Digest - 2 tablets 3 times a day
• Clear Throat - 3 tsp after lunch and dinner.
• Digest Tone - 2 tablets at bed time.
• Vata pacifying diet.
• Avoid cold weather , cold food, left overs.

Pitta post nasal-drip

Symptoms include:

• nasal inflammation
• moderate amount ,hot and yellow color in nature.
• presence of bodily temperature.
• loss of body strength

Maharishi Ayurveda recommendations include:

• PN2 nasya - 2 to 3 times a day. This lubricates the air passages removes inflammation and heat, strengthens the mucus membranes of the nose, sinuses and throat and prevents infections and inflammation
• Pitta tea - 3 to 4 times a day is soothing to the throat, removes mucus and inflammation behind the throat.
• Pitta churna (spice mix) is soothing to the stomach, helps in assimilation of food and prevents acid indigestion.
• Aci Balance - 2 tablets 3 times a day after meals.
• Clear Throat - 15 ml after lunch and dinner with Sniffle Free tea.
• Herbal Cleanse - 2 tablets at bed time.
• Throat Ease - 2 tablets 3 to 4 times a day. Chew in the mouth.
• Avoid fermented food, leftovers, excess savory and salt.

Kapha post nasal-drip

Symptoms include:

• head congestion
• thick fluid cold and white color in nature.
• frequency of discharge is severe.
• itching in nose and eyes
• sensation of obstruction in throat.

Maharishi Ayurveda recommendations include:

• PN3 nasya - 2 to 3 times a day prevents the sticky, thick mucus in throat, helps to eliminate any obstruction in air passages, and strengthens the mucus membranes of the nose sinuses.
• Kapha tea - 3 to 4 times a day to help eliminate excess mucus, strengthen the digestion.
• Kapha churna (spice mix) strengthens the digestion, stimulates the appetite, and prevents the excess mucus in throat after digestion.
• Aller GI - 1 tablets 3 times a day after meals
• Clear Throat - 15 ml after lunch and dinner with Sniffle free tea.
• Elim Tox - 2 tablets at bed time.
• Throat Ease - 2 tablets 3 to 4 times a day. Chew in the mouth.
• Avoid heavy, greasy, leftovers, nut butters, sweets, jelly, jams and yogurt.
  

General points

With post nasal-drip associated with allergies, flu or rhinitis you can add the following herb.

• Allergies---- Aller Defense 1 to 2 tablets after lunch and dinner.
• Flu --- Flu Season Defense 1 to 2 tablets after lunch and dinner.
• Rhinitis --- Sniffle Free 1 to 2 tablets after lunch and dinner.
• Breathing problem --- Clear Breath and Sniffle Free aroma