Bourbon is a natural decongestant – so for a stuffy nose or sinuses, bourbon can be your best friend. Alcohol dilates your blood vessels, which will help heal irritated mucus membranes in your nose. The more blood flow to the area, the easier it is to deal with an infection or inflammation.
Examples of fluids to drink when a person has a sinus infection include: plain water. hot water with lemon, honey, or ginger. herbal teas.
Don't drink alcohol: You shouldn't consume alcohol with a sinus infection. Alcohol dehydrates the body and can cause your nose and nasal cavities to swell when dehydrate, in turn exacerbating your symptoms.
Alcohol, including different types of tequila, has natural decongestant and antibacterial characteristics, which aids in relieving inflamed tissue. Tequila is made from the agave plant, which has anti-inflammatory properties and is used as a medicinal herb.
As a rule of thumb, it is a mixture of an antihistamine such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine), an injectable steroid (usually a form of prednisone), and an antibiotic (most often amoxicillin). What people seem to like is that it is given as a shot.
Whiskey is a great decongestant, and it helps soothe any pain associated with your head cold. Hot liquids of any kind are a good way to soothe a sore throat. Honey and lemon help soothe a cough and any congestion.
We should also avoid alcohol when we are sick, as it can have harmful interactions with multiple ingredients found in cold and flu medications. Drinking alcohol while taking certain medications could make you drowsy, and lightheaded and put you at risk for dangerous driving.
Whiskey is an effective decongestant. The alcohol dilates the blood vessels. The steam from the hot beverages works with the decongestant benefits of the alcohol and makes it easier for the mucus membranes to deal with nasal congestion. Whiskey can also relieve aching muscles and soothe a sore throat.
Some natural ways to get your sinuses draining and relieve sinus pressure include drinking plenty of fluids; using a humidifier; avoiding cold, dry air; taking plenty of steamy showers; and drinking a cup of hot tea or soup.
Too much alcohol can leave you dehydrated and worsen cold symptoms such as congestion. It can also suppress your immune system and — potentially — interact with cold medications you're taking. Until you're feeling better, it's best to lay off the booze.
Alcohol is not a treatment or cure for colds, and it does not act as a decongestant. Generally, health authorities do not recommend consuming alcohol during a cold.
The effect of alcohol on your throat
Many people drink alcohol when they have a dry or sore throat in the belief that this will ease it but the opposite is true. What happens is that the alcohol dries the tissues out which further exacerbates their sore throat.
“You should not drink alcohol when you have a cold,” says Dr. Robert Segal, Co-Founder of LabFinder. “Your immune system is already weakened when you are sick. Adding alcohol to that equation can only prolong the process of getting better.”
Gin is a great liquor for when you have a cold. The juniper in gin can help relieve congestion, and the citrus will help to break up mucus. This drink is also great if you want something to help a sore throat. The juice will help to soothe your throat, and the gin will numb the pain.
7. IT CAN HELP FIGHT OFF A COUGH. The oils contained in juniper berries can alleviate coughs by expelling the mucus in the throat and aiding lung congestion. The great thing about gin is that it can be mixed with many different herbs and ingredients such as ginger, which will help to soothe a sore throat.
Infections in your respiratory tract — most commonly colds — can inflame and thicken your sinus membranes and block mucus drainage. These infections can be caused by viruses or bacteria. Allergies such as hay fever. Inflammation that occurs with allergies can block your sinuses.
Antibiotics help eliminate a sinus infection by attacking the bacteria that cause it, but until the drugs take effect, they do not do much to alleviate symptoms. Some over-the-counter medications can help provide relief.