Get Rid of The Fungus Among Us.
Do you have a stuffy nose? Or a cough that’s worse at night? Suffer sore throat or ear pain? If so, you may have chronic sinusitis (inflammed sinuses).
32 million people have this kind of persistent sinus infection. Pain (in the forehead, upper jaw, or teeth, or around your cheeks, eyes, or nose), postnasal drip, bad breath, fatigue or irritability, dizziness, and even nausea can also signal chronic sinus inflammation.
Commonly prescribed for a sinus infection, antibiotics can turn temporary pain to a chronic problem. That’s because sinus inflammation often stems from biofilms (clumps of pathogens implicated in 80 percent of infections)—and oral antibiotics don’t work against them.
Producing a slimy coating that’s hard to penetrate, Candida albicans is a notorious—and difficult to eradicate—source of fungal biofilms in the body. Because antibiotic drugs kill off both good and bad bacteria, they create an internal environment where candida yeast, which occurs naturally in the human body, quickly grows out of control.
Antibiotics can also disrupt the body’s natural pH balance. Without a healthy acid balance, immunity is compromised, allowing yeasts, molds, and harmful bacteria to multiply.
Dr. Ann Louise’s Take:
One in three American women have symptoms of candidiasis, a chronic yeast infection. Besides nasal congestion and sinus pain, yeast infections cause fatigue, indigestion, acne and skin rashes, sore or bleeding gums, thrush (white patches in the mouth or throat), and urinary or vaginal problems.
Candida yeast overgrowth is prevalent in women who use antibiotics—whether to treat a sinus infection or acne—or who have been on estrogen (including birth control pills), have had children, and/or consume a high-sugar diet.
First Control Yeast Infection
To kill off yeast that’s the underlying cause of chronic sinusitis, eat more protein (beans, chicken, fish, and lean meat), as well as essential fats and vegetables. Cut out sugar and high-glycemic carbs, especially grains that contain yeast or molds.
Fungi produce over 300 types of dangerous mycotoxins on foods. Grains pose the most frequent and serious risk for fungal contamination. So people with yeast infections need to limit their consumption of corn, wheat, and peanuts—all subject to fungal contamination.
New research in South Korea finds that pumpkin skins contain a potent antifungal protein that combats yeast infections, including candida. Known as Pr-2, this substance in pumpkin rinds also blocks fungi that attack plant crops.
Caprylic acid, found in coconut oil, is an effective antifungal in the digestive tract. It works as well in tamping down yeast overgrowth as the drug nystatin, which may damage the liver. I also like olive leaf extract, a potent antimicrobial, to fight fungi and yeasts—along with bacteria and viruses.
Most important in crowding out systemic yeasts and other pathogens, take Flora-Key, which contains both probiotics—each teaspoon has 6.5 million good bacteria including acidophilus and bifidus—and prebiotics to feed these beneficial bacteria. Flora-Key is also a “no heat” sweetener that won’t feed yeast.
Then Clear Out Your Sinuses
More effective than antibiotics, salt can prevent sinus problems in the first place. Combine ½ teaspoon of non-iodized salt (or ½ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon baking soda) in a cup of lukewarm water and use this mixture in a sterile eyedropper or neti pot.
Rinse your nasal passages twice a day until the infection clears—or whenever you feel sinus pain starting up again. If your throat is sore too, gargle with warm salt water.
Many aromatherapy oils—eucalyptus, oregano, tea tree, and thyme—are antifungal. Use one of these healing essential oils in a room diffuser or add a few drops to your bath water—the steam will help keep your sinuses clear.
Sources:
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16010846
www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/news/20091030/pumpkin-protein-may-field-off-yeast-infections
www.organic-center.org/reportfiles/Mycotoxins_From_SelkirkPress.pdf
Visionary, health guru, diet/detox expert, author, spokesperson, role model, and natural foods icon, Ann Louise Gittleman has always been a trendsetter. 
I have treated chronic sinusitis in exactly the way Ann Louise describes for about 2 years now, particularly using a neti pot. I discovered that when I was really on the verge of an infection, I could break open a probiotic capsule and put a little in my neti pot. Overnight it would clear up the pain. Just a word of caution; when your sinuses are healthy, the neti pot causes no discomfort. If they are inflamed, it can be painful to wash them out, but it is WAY better than harsher alternatives. I was told I was a candidate for surgery, unless (and the doctor smirked) I was willing to use the neti pot every day for the rest of my life. Guess what? After 6 weeks of doing just that, the inflammation was no longer there, and my surgery was cancelled. I’m a much happier camper
Great!
I’ve been suffering with sinus infections for the last 3 years. I have one now. I’m using the Neti pot, humidifier, olive leaf extract and steeped garlic and ginger tea (my poor co-workers) and all my usual suplements like C, D, Bcomplex, Chlorella, CoQ10… I know it will go away eventually, but I’m really curious about the cause and how to prevent them. I eat very little if any grain or sugar. Is the fungal infection always dietary? Can I be getting this from my heating system or carpet? I’ve always been curious about Candida, but don’t get vaginal yeast infections. Isn’t this the most common symptom?
I’ve just completed a 14 day course of anti-biotics. I can still feel the thick post nasal drip(yuck)and pressure under my cheekbone! This is extremely frustrating, so I will begin using the neti pot once again, after reading the comments. What do you do with the olive leaf extract? I am also planning on seeing an acupuncturist, I’ve heard that’s very helpful as well.
http://www.kolorex.com/horopito.html
My doctor had me using Horopito Sold as Kolorex from New Zealand. Supposed to be more effective than Nystatin and closer to diflucan.
My all time favorite anti-yeast, fungus, and mold product is Olive Leaf Extract. I have asked Uni Key to get the highest potency – 20% extract – for my patients and followers. It is not only a potent anti-fungal but is also anti-viral. Honestly, between this and the Y-C Cleanse and avoiding excess fruits, carbs,and grains, you can’t go wrong.
Hi Ann Louise,
How do you use the olive leaf extract? Is it to be taken orally, by mouth? Is it to be used in the neti pot? Do you think it would be safe for a 100 pound 10 year old boy?
Thank you, Patti
Hi Ann Louise; I have had sinus problems all of my life. I recentley had nasal surgery and I still have problems. Constantly clearing my throat, blowing my nose & coughing. Any suggestions?
Thank you, Cindy
Olive leaf extract is taken orally – 1 – 2 per meal. I would simply use 1 capsule for a 100 pound boy. The diet in Gut Flush Plan will help everybody with recurring sinus and fungal/yeast problems. Cut out fruits, fruit juices, excess starches, and allergic-producing grains (mainly wheat and corn.)
Our products are made with organic olive leaf and include capsules, tincture, fresh leaf elixir, tea, and soap. There are lots of good olive leaf references to support olive leaf useage against candida and other pathogens.
i have had a chonic cough for 2 years,all tests negative,just started on olive leaf,i do have sinus problems,using now a saline solution,hope this works,so found all your data great,exccept I still do my cranberry juice,fat flush you know,is this a problem,need to keep stomach and weight in check.
thanks
I’m glad to have stumbled upon this blog. I like your approach to Candida and yeast – a preventative approach or proactive approach for our health is critical. I agree that there is a connection with sinus issues. If you want any other info on yeast infections from my personal journey with it, you might enjoy my website http://www.yeast-infection-answers.com Thks again for your great info.
Hi. Always great to see more props for natural treatments! Sinus infections are an all-too-frequent topic as most of my extend family suffers from one extent or another. There have been many things tried and discussed, including acupuncture, changes in diet, neti pot, balloon sinuplasty, you name it! But one thing that we all agree on is the importance of keeping those nasal passages clean! This is good practice even when you’re NOT having sinus trouble! Thanks again for this post and have a great day!
Hi Ann, I have had this question for a while and no one has really satisfactorily answered it. When you take an anti-fungal like Oil of Oregano and Dr. Ohirra’s probiotics at the same time…what happens? Does the Oil of Oregano kill the good bacteria in the probiotics? This nagging question has stopped me from taking my Oil of Oregano because I will not go a day without my Dr. Ohirra’s probiotics. Can you help shed some light on this question for me? Thanks so much for your wonderful wisdom and for sharing with all of us!
Im also curious on the oregano/probiotic question.
Ive had post nasal drip etc for as long as I can remember.I am going to start adding the baking soda to the salt and using the neti pot as described,thanks for that tip.
Are there any products out there formulated with the pumpkin skin extract you mentioned above?If not,how much pumpkin skin would one use? And is it the very outside,or some of the inside of the skin as well?Thanks
Dear Friends:
I would love to answer each and every single one of your queries, as I have done to the best of my ability, in the past. The popularity of this Blog has grown to the extent that I can no longer provide that service but I am in the planning stages of an Internet – TV show where you can call in and get those questions answered by me in person! Please stay tuned for this exciting development. I first must complete a new manuscript and then will make some exciting announcements. In the interim, may I suggest that if you have questions about products, call UNI KEY at 1-800-888-4353. The folks there are helpful and will direct you accordingly. If you are concerned about a particular health condition, then by all means check out the Testing Kits on my site which will help you to determine underlying causes. Please don’t let this dissuade you from posting. Thank you so much for your enthusiasm and interest!
Dear Ann, I was going to do the fat-flush again and went and bought my Mountain Sun cranberry juice. Mixed it up and it was sooooo diluted..started a new bottle the same and the third….called the company and they are now using filtered water and pre diluting it!!! AND it is now almost $10.00 a bottle…I complained to the company and they are sending me some free coupons….but I can’t afford to use there product anymore…when I first started it a bottle was $5.99 (undiluted) which would take us thru 3 or 4 days now its almost doubled and diluted…what a rip off….just thought you would like to know. Thanks, Kay
I was mislead by the title “The Surprising Sinus-Yeast Connection” — no surprise — this came out in the medical literature about 10 years ago.
Why mislead? You do so many good things — you don’t have to resort to this type of journalism.
Dear Dr. K:
While this connection is well known to both you and Dr. Ann Louise, it is still new news to many of ALG’s followers. Even most ENT specialists still subscribe to the bacteria/ sinus connection and don’t even treat yeast/fungus or mold.
Chronic sinusistis is often fungal/yeast as stated above. Fungus/yeasts attach themselves to heavy metals so if you have mercury fillings this could be contributing to sinus problems. After fillings are removed and chelations are done, sinus probems most often disappear. Consult a wise holistic doctor and forget about taking those awful drugs from ENTs.
Also, very important – wheat and dairy are often culprits. Get a good blood food allergy test from a holistic doctor.
^^ So true, wheat and dairy are often culprits of sinusitis. I have learned on my own journey with sinusitis that long term sinusitis is often 1 or 3 things (or a combination)
1.) Food Allergies. You can get a food allergy BLOOD test (ask a holistic doctor – the skin pin prick tests that ENTs/conventional doctors suggest are not as accurate.
2.) Heavy Metal Toxicity (Mercury/other heavy metals). Once the heavy metals are removed from your system (through EDTA/DMPS chelations – some patients have to get their fillings removed first) Heavy metals can hold onto yeast/molds/fungus and make it much harder to get of. My long term sinusitis completely cleared up after doing EDTA chelations. If you choose to do this, make sure you do it with a holistic doctor you trust.
3.) Yeast/Fungus – high potent Oregano oil works wonders for this type of sinus problem!
This website makes thgnis hella easy.