OUR HERO TRIES IT ALL — INCLUDING ONIONS ON HER FEET — TO DEFY BOTH A CLOGGED NOSE AND THE MEDICAL INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX. EXCERPT FROM XICANA VEGAN ZINE.
It started on a Tuesday night. I began to get a sore throat and thought — oh, no, am I getting sick?! Little did I know I’d soon have full-blown sinus infection. I am not into over-the-counter medicine and even less into seeing a doctor. With the current state of politics as it is, I had even more ganas to cure this infection without prescriptions. I went searching for natural solutions. After a week of doing these things, I am feeling 99% better — you can too.
OIL PULLING
First thing in the morning, I put 1 tbsp. of coconut oil into my mouth and gently swish it around for 15-20 minutes. When my timer buzzes, I spit the oil into the trash and rinse, before brushing and flossing. I had tried oil pulling years ago, so I was familiar with the patient process. I found that getting on social media or washing dishes while I do it makes the time fly by.
APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
After flossing, I drink a full glass of water followed by 3 tbsp. of apple cider vinegar and more water. Drinking vinegar is like drinking pickle juice. If it’s too intense, dilute it with water or tea.
NETI POT
Neti pots are basically little teapots you use to flush out your nasal passage with a saline solution. I had heard about them for years, so I got a pot at a natural food store and started it twice a day. It was helpful at first, but it became harder to do as my sinuses began to dry up and my nostrils clogged.
GARLIC+GINGERTEA
I drank this simple tea for five days, at least once every morning. It’s easy! For the basic tea, I peel 2-4 cloves of garlic and a added good chunk of ginger, put it all in a mug, and pour
boiling water over top. Then I drink it up! I also add a squeeze of fresh lemon and some herbal tea.
STEAM
I boil a litre of water, let it cool a bit, and put it into a glass bowl with a few drops of eucalyptus oil. Then I drape a towel over my head and lean over to inhale the steam for 15-20 minutes, taking breaks to blow my nose. I wish I had done this sooner! Side benefit — my pores felt great. Next time I think I’ll do a facial mask after.
NIGHT ONIONS
Yes, I put onions on my feet at night. You put them sliced with some oil on the bottom of your feet and wrap them with saran wrap and socks. Some claim it absorbs toxins. I can’t say if it worked or not and I only did it once.
