It wouldn’t be wrong to say that sinus has no cure. However,
there are methods through which you can bring temporary relief. Doctors may
even prescribe anti-biotics and medications but most people experience relief for
only a short period of time and then it rebounds back.
Home remedies are extremely popular around here to fight cold
and flu. You wouldn’t find anyone here in Pakistan who doesn’t know at least
one home remedy that works for them. Chicken soup tops the list of those home
remedies. It is grandma’s way of curing the flu. Although chicken broth itself
is very effective against cold and flu symptoms, adding other helpful ingredients
will speed up the healing process. Here, is a tried and tested chicken broth
recipe that is sure to work wonders on your sinusitis.
Ingredients
·
2 chicken drumsticks
·
5 cloves garlic
·
1 teaspoon of black pepper corns
·
4 slices of ginger (I like to add much more to
make the soup spicy)
·
¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
·
1 large onion
·
1 whole carrot
Place all these ingredients in a large pot of water and let
it cook for about 1 and a half hour till the chicken is tender and you feel the
soup thicken. The water will be reduced by 1/4th or ½.
This is it. Drink the clear soup while it’s hot.
Now let’s
take a look at what makes this soup so therapeutic.
Chicken drumsticks:
Studies have found that Cysteine, an amino acid produced in
clear chicken soup helps to clear congestion and thin mucus, which helps in the
flow of mucus secretions. It also works wonders on sore throat and loosens
thick phlegm.
Garlic:
Garlic is not a food. It is a super food and a super immune
booster. Among thousand other benefits of garlic, it is also a natural
anti-biotic and is commonly taken for cold and flu.
Black pepper corns:
Black pepper corns contain volatile oil with different
chemical compounds. It is a natural astringent, anti-septic, analgesic, and
helps in stimulating the drainage of sinus.
Ginger:
Ginger is used to treat a vast range of conditions including
nausea, morning sickness, digestion, increased LDL (bad cholesterol) and above
all, cold and flu symptoms. Hot ginger tea is extremely effective and popular
in India as a quick relief for cold. The spicy taste of ginger helps to relax
and soothe your sinuses. It stimulates mucus secretions and helps in chest
congestion as well. Adding ginger in chicken soup makes the soup really
aromatic and delicious to drink.
But if you don’t want to make chicken soup, you can also
make ginger tea by boiling ginger slices in water for 5-10 minutes till ginger
has imparted its flavor in the water. Add green tea and lemon to enjoy hot and
ultra-relaxing ginger tea.
Another way to consume ginger is to crush it with a heavy
spoon and then squeeze out the juice. Add honey in it and swallow it. When combined
with honey, it is especially great for cough and chest congestion. (Yes, I am a
great fan of ginger!)
Turmeric Powder:
Turmeric powder is a staple ingredient in not only our food
but also in every therapeutic remedy. It is known to have showed
anti-inflammatory and decongestant properties, which help to relax and soothe
your sinuses. You can even add it in hot milk or plain hot water for instant
cold relief.
Onion:
I never knew onion had any healing properties until I stumbled
upon this recipe. However, when I researched it, it seems I was a bit ignorant
and it isn’t as new as it seems. It has been used in Chinese medicine as a cure
for bacterial infections, coughs, breathing problems and angina. Studies have
shown that the sulphur compound in onion has anti-inflammatory properties. It has
been discovered that onion extract is great against cold and flu symptoms.
Another way to consume onion is to crush it and extract the
juice out it. Add honey and swallow the mixture.
Carrot:
Carrots are a natural source of beta-carotene and vitamin A.
Apart from fighting infections, these also provide a sweet flavor to the
chicken broth.
Try this recipe now and share your experiences. :)
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