Sinus Infection Home Remedy

Sinus infection home remedy - article head image

Sinus infections are often viral cases that go away in less than ten days, but bacteria can alternatively be a cause for bigger problems. There are also a number of triggers that can contribute to chronic sinus problems for some sufferers.

Objectively speaking, we can probably all agree that there are worse things in life than having a sinus infection, but when you’re in the midst of a painful attack, it can be hard to keep your mind on anything else but the intense suffering.

The pressure and pain around the face and eyes can be absolutely excruciating. Just like with allergies, colds or other conditions that interfere with your sinus passages, your symptoms can also include congestion, nasal discharge, a fever, a cough and constant headaches.

Here’s a look at a few of the sinus infection home remedies that can help ease your unwanted symptoms, kill the nasty germs and reduce the likelihood of future infections.

Reducing swelling & headache pain

Inflammation can be a major source of your sinus pain and pressure. Over-the-counter decongestants can help reduce the swelling in your sinuses and nasal cavity, but you may be more interested in natural options that don’t leave you dependent on drugs.

When looking into herbal supplements, however, it can still be best to consult with a medical professional to make sure you understand what doses are safe for your body and what options conflict with other health conditions you have going on.

Bromelain

Bromelain is actually an extract that comes from pineapple stems and can be taken in supplement form to reduce nasal swelling.

Unfortunately, those with a pineapple sensitivity should avoid taking this anti-inflammatory option since even in extract form it can still cause allergic reactions.

Butterbar

Butterbar is another natural pick, being a member of the daisy family, used to treat inflammation, headaches and allergy symptoms.

Because components of the plant at large have toxic properties, you should only use a supplement of butterbur root or butterbur extract that has been manufactured by a respectable company or organization.

Quercetin

Quercetin is a plant pigment found in organic foods like apples and onions. The natural antihistamine fights against inflammation and is commonly used in the world of alternative medicine to treat runny noses, watery eyes and facial swelling.

You can include more quercetin-containing fruits and vegetables into your diet or you can pick up a supplement that features the plant pigment.

Peppermint

Peppermint is a natural decongestant that can reduce nasal passage inflammation, enhance breathing and alleviate additional sinus infection symptoms like sneezing and itching.

Drinking peppermint herbal tea can provide these benefits while also soothing your throat and keeping you hydrated. For headache relief, you can additionally pour a few drops of peppermint oil on a wet washcloth to cover your forehead and to topically access the calming, pain-relieving benefits of nature’s delicious mint.

Loosening mucus

When sinuses are swollen and the normal discharge of mucus has been halted, your system can often benefit from outside help with eliminating the excess mucus. The herbal decongestants and anti-inflammatory agents previously discussed can help, but here are a few additional suggestions for aiding your body’s ability to thin out and release the unwanted mucus.

Spicy flavorings

Sinus infection home remedy - Spicy flavorings image Spicy flavorings like garlic, cayenne pepper and wasabi can be extremely effective counterirritants, helping to stimulate surrounding tissues to enhance sinus drainage. You can add the flavorings to season meals or, if desired, you can add a teaspoon or two to a small glass of water for a purely-medicinal approach. Garlic is also a natural antibiotic that can help you get over your sinus infection faster.

Steam

Sinus infection home remedy - Steam image Steam can help loosen mucus and get your nasal passages back on track. You can take a hot shower or, in between wash times, you can simply heat a pot of water on the stove to provide a nice source of steam. After the water has reached a boil, you can pour the hot water into another pan or bowl and place it on a table or desk where you can comfortably sit in front of and lean over. Because of your sinus infection, it may hurt to lean forward and down so be careful about finding an angle that doesn’t aggravate your pain while opening up your sinuses.

Nasal irrigation

Nasal irrigation is another method lauded by those with chronic sinus infections as a way to successfully wash mucus from your nose. If you’re using a neti pot or other similar device to flush out the mucus, be sure to use an uncontaminated source of warm salt water as your irrigation solution.

Killing the sinus infection germs

Although viral sinus infections generally go away on their own, antibiotics are commonly prescribed for bacterial infections, which your body usually needs outside help to overcome.

In the midst of treating your symptoms with alternative medicine strategies, you can also turn to natural solutions to help kill off the infection. However, if you take a natural antibiotic for ten days and still don’t see any improvement, you may want to set up an appointment with your doctor to make sure you don’t need additional treatments beyond your at-home remedies.

Goldenseal

Goldenseal fights against viruses and bacteria, activates white blood cells and further enhances your body’s germ-fighting abilities. The anti-inflammatory herbal supplement is also anti-catarrhal, calming your inflamed and blocked mucous membranes and helping excess mucus remove itself.

Grapefruit seed extract

Grapefruit seed extract is another natural antibiotic that can help kill a sinus infection and other viruses, bacteria and fungi that may be lingering around. You can find the natural remedy in capsule or nasal spray form so opt for whichever suits you best.

Avoiding chronic sinus infections

To prevent future infections, avoid common triggers that contribute to sinus problems and infections. Try not to eat too much dairy or any other foods that cause allergic reactions in your body. Stay away from smoke and tobacco pollutants as well as environmental allergens that negatively affect your nasal passages.

Keep the house vacuumed and as allergen-free as possible. Also make sure to keep on top of your personal hygiene, washing hands often and not touching your eyes, nose or mouth while your hands have any possible contaminants on them. Additionally, attend the dentist regularly to avoid teeth-related infections that can spread to your sinuses.