Discover how to get rid of sinus infection! There can be little worse than the discomfort and pain of chronic sinusitis. Luckily there is a way to avoid pharmaceuticals. Use these 9 natural remedies, they are simple and safe and the best acute sinusitis cures!
- What Are The Sinuses?
- How To Get Rid Of Sinus Infection – 9 Herbal Remedies
- No. 1 – Stay Hydrated To Treat Acute Sinusitis
- No. 2 – Dissolve Mucous with Spices. Get Rid Of Sinus Infection.
- No. 3 – Pressure Point Facial Massage – Acute Sinusitis Cures .
- No. 4 – Herbal Steam Bath To Relieve Acute Sinusitis
- No. 5 – Salt Water Rinse – How To Get Rid Of Sinus Infection.
- No. 6 – Grapefruit Seed Extract
- No. 7 – Apple Cider Vinegar – How To Get Rid Of Sinus Infection.
- No. 8a – Vitamin C – Boost Immunity and Get Rid Of Sinus Infection.
- No. 8b – Fermented Cod Liver Oil
- No. 9 – Oregano Oil
What Are The Sinuses?
Our nose is not just designed to provide us with a sense of smell. Far more than that! Our nostrils and nasal passages are designed to act as highly efficient filters.
When we are at optimal health our nasal passages are capable of removing up to 80 percent of any foreign particles, substances and pollutants in the air.
This is done through tiny, hair-like fibers known as cilia.
The cilia are teamed with a naturally occurring nasal mucous. This mucous contains substances that trap and prevent toxins, and potentially harmful elements, from entering our lungs through the air that we breathe.
Sinuses – An Elaborate Air Filter!
The siuses are actually a number of small, air-filled hollow cavities in our skull.
The largest of these sinus cavities, in the average adult, measures around an inch in diameter. The others are a lot smaller.
Where Are The Sinuses?
There are 4 areas where we find our sinuses.
- The cheekbones – this is where the largest of our sinuses are found known as the maxillary.
- The center of our forehead, positioned just above and surrounding the brow of the nose is where our frontal sinuses are found.
- Below the frontal and between our eyes we find the ethmoid sinuses.
- Located in the bone between our eyes and under the ethmoid we have the sphenoid sinuses.
When in optimal health the sinuses should be empty, apart from a very thin layer of mucous.
Most of these sinuses drain into our nose via the “middle meatus”. This is a small channel that is designed to drain our sinuses and prevent foreign particles and toxins reaching our lungs and airways.
Why Do We Have Sinuses?
The reality is that no one really knows! There are many theories.
One school of thought is that they help to humidify the air we breathe. Another is that they prevent mucous from entering our lungs preventing infection.
What all theories have in common is the acceptance that the mucous-covered cilia in our noses trap foreign bodies and then this is drained via our sinuses before it can access airways or enter your lungs.
The problem is that if our sinuses become inflamed or infected it weakens the effectiveness of our cilia. This prevents them from filtering foreign invaders and leaves us exposed to risk as we breathe.
It is when the lining of our sinuses become inflamed that we develop the conditions known as chronic oracute sinusitis.
These two types of sinusitis are easily treated with our natural remedies. They are:
- Acute – This is often bought on by a common cold, bacteria or viruses.
- Chronic – This condition usually begins as acute sinusitis and is made worse when secondary infection occurs. Because of the infection our sinuses remain inflamed and the toxins and pollutants in the air cause it to become even more aggravated. This is especially true for those who smoke or have allergies. It has even been linked to those who have been under pressure or stress.
Left untreated sinusitis would usually clear itself in less than a month however if symptoms still present themselves 10-12 weeks later a diagnosis of chronic is the likely result.
Diagram Of Sinus Locations
Symptoms of Sinus Infection and Acute Sinusitis
Symptoms often include facial pain and tenderness in the areas containing our sinuses.
In severe cases you may also have noticeable redness and swelling which is painful to the touch.
Other symptoms include developing a fever, having either a runny or a severely blocked nose, headaches which radiate from the top of the nose, difficulty breathing, bad-breath, phlegmy cough and fatigue.
How To Get Rid Of Sinus Infection – 9 Herbal Remedies
These herbal treatments can be used singularly or together. They are proven effective treatments for ridding yourself of infected sinuses.
No. 1 – Stay Hydrated To Treat Acute Sinusitis
It may sound overly simple but staying hydrated is one of the best natural cures for infection.
This means that you require lots of pure water.
Staying hydrated means an increase in pure water intake. It does not include sugary drinks, it doesn’t include clear soups or broths, nor does it include tea or coffee. Pure water only!
By increasing your intake of water you help your body thin any clogged and pollutant laden mucous. This allows the infection causing substances to drain away from our irritated sinuses.
Caffeine, sugary drinks and alcohol must be avoided. All of these cause you to dehydrate even further.
Dehydration does the opposite to what is required. Your mucous will thicken even further. This causes more blockages and irritation to already inflamed and infected sinuses.
No. 2 – Dissolve Mucous with Spices. Get Rid Of Sinus Infection.
Create your own mucous dissolving brew.
The use of spices, such as cayenne pepper, horseradish, or turmeric makes an excellent herbal remedy to combat sinus infection.
Spiced Apple Cider For Acute Sinusitis
1 Serving. 5 Mins Prep time. 5 Mins Cook Time.
Ingredients
1/4 cup water;
1/4 cup unfiltered apple cider vinegar;
1 tablespoon honey;
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper;
1/2 a lemon.
Directions
- Boil your kettle.
- Add the apple cider vinegar to a small mug.
- Stir in the honey and cayenne pepper.
- Squeeze the lemon juice on top of the mixture.
- Now pour in the freshly boiled water
- While this cools use the steam as a nasal inhalation.
- Breathe in the spicy steam.
- Once the brew is cooled drink it all quickly.
No. 3 – Pressure Point Facial Massage – Acute Sinusitis Cures .
You will want to ensure that you include the following into your sinus treatment.
I recommend you use the spice drink in tandem with this remedy. Take your spice drink 10 minutes before you use the facial self massage!
This massage takes less than 2 minutes and gives immediate relief, albeit only temporary. Through massaging pressure points you aide the body to clear and drain blocked sinuses.
- Place your thumb and forefinger, of either hand, on the sides of the bridge of the nose.
- Squeeze the bridge of the nose for one second, and then release the pressure for one second.
- Repeat this process ten to fifteen times.
- This will open the sinuses and allow drainage.
- Massaging above and below the eyes will break up congestion as well.
For more techniques on sinus massage from Jamie Vendera please click here
No. 4 – Herbal Steam Bath To Relieve Acute Sinusitis
Use a steam bath to inhale steam that is infused with essential oils. This is a brilliant natural remedy for sinus infection. Essential oils have been used to aid health for centuries and are a wonderful natural decongestant.
Break up thick mucous by adding a few drops of Eucalyptus or Peppermint oil into a bowl of recently boiled water.
Place your face down over the water and drape a towel over the back of your head. Make sure the towel covers your head and the bowl so that you are able to inhale the essential oil infused steam.
If you do not like the hot steam bath this method will also work by using a few drops of either oil in a household aromatherapy diffuser.
A humidifier with an aromatherapy filter is also an alternative and a brilliant asset for your home and health.
No. 5 – Salt Water Rinse – How To Get Rid Of Sinus Infection.
For those who find they are prone to sinusitus or infection I highly suggest you invest in a Neti Pot.
These brilliant little devices make it simple to irrigate your nasal cavity and clear any thick mucus and trapped pollutants.
Use the Neti pot with salt once or twice a day to clear infection. This can be done as a daily routine for your ongoing nasal care.
Research backs up the use of a neti pot, showing that nasal irrigation is an effective way to relieve sinus symptoms. For some, nasal irrigation relieved all sinus symptoms without the use of medication.
No. 6 – Grapefruit Seed Extract
Grapefruit seed extract is a natural antibiotic.
It is made by grinding dried grapefruit seeds and pulp into a fine powder.
Used with your Neti Pot and as a nasal spray the Grapefruit Seed Extract will help clear mucous and prevent other microbial contaminants taking hold and further weakening your inflamed sinus tissues.
No. 7 – Apple Cider Vinegar – How To Get Rid Of Sinus Infection.
In one cup of hot water add two or three tablespoons of raw unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar .
Take this as a drink three times a day and you will help thin out excessive or thickened mucous. This will relieve congestion and the pressure pain in your sinuses.
You can add honey or lemon juice for additional flavor.
No. 8a – Vitamin C – Boost Immunity and Get Rid Of Sinus Infection.
Probably the best known and most widely available of immunity boosting vitamins is Vitamin C.
This vitamin can be taken as chew-ables, in tablet form, as a liquid or as capsules.
Vitamin C improves overall health and improves and strengthens the bodies immune system. To help with full absorption use a Vitamin C supplement alongside Acerola.
No. 8b – Fermented Cod Liver Oil
Fermented Cod Liver Oil is dense and highly rich in vitamins A and D, as well as Omega-3 fatty acids.
The oil is extracted via a fermentation process meaning it does not damage or alter the nutrient levels.
This makes it packed full of health giving properties to boost immunity.
No. 9 – Oregano Oil
Oregano Oil contains natural antibiotic, anti-fungal and anti-viral properties making it one of the natural worlds super foods.
It can be taken added to a drink, inhaled as a vapor or applied topically to the skin.
Just adding a few drops of oregano oil to your drinks each day will boost immunity and clear infection associated with sinuses.
I hope this article has helped. I also hope you will use these methods. The natural remedies for acute sinusitis are proven. They are methods that will alleviate pain and get rid of sinus infection.
If you would like to make comment or ask further questions please do so in the comment thread below. Alternatively you can contact me directly by clicking here.
To your best health always
hi Jason
well this is so the post for me! I have always been prone to sinusitis all my life. I tried so many medications as a kid and even had surgery as a young adult. Worse experience ever and it really did not help. I do go the natural route now. I have been using saline water forever. And for the past 8 months or so I have been doing a sinus rinse. Greatest invention ever! It certainly is awkward the first few times but it helps so much. I do it every day in the morning and I can really feel a difference throughout the rest of the day. I also have oregano oil at home but I keep forgetting to use it! I did give some to a friend last year. Not warning him of the intensity. He took quite a few drops and boy was that ever funny! Well for me that is! Very powerful herb for sure.
Lol…Oregano is most certainly powerful and your friend (I hope still your friend) must have thought very pretty thoughts about you!!!
Glad you have found the answer to your sinusitis. Saline is great and really healthy.
Wishing you much love and great health
Jason
Hello Jason,
You really have posted a comprehensive list of sinus remedies. I have some friends who swear by the neti pot for sinus pressure and allergies, but I had never heard of a lot of the other remedies.
I have used both eucalyptus oil and peppermint oil in our humidifier at night and we like it, but I didn’t know it would be good for sinus problems.
Another remedy I had no idea was good for sinus was apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar sure seems to be helpful for so many things. Would you recommend having some apple cider vinegar every day, just for general health?
Of all these sinus remedies which are your favorites, or which have you had the best results with?
Sincerely,
Xin
Hi Xin
I really recommend the Neti Pot. So simple to use and very effective. Plus adding essential oils as a general household diffuser
Adding Apple cider vinegar to daily diet will improve health overall as it is a mainstay ingredient for many holistic remedies as it is anti bacterial antifungal and antiviral.
J
Hi Jason, Excellent article and great timing. My whole family has been suffering with sinusitis for quite sometime now. I really would prefer to use a natural approach where as my husband thinks that if it doesn’t come from the doctor, it won’t work. I believe a lot of people I personally know prefer a magic pill that will cure them instantly. LOL. I recently went to my doctor for a yearly checkup. My doctor noticed my symptoms and wanted to write me a script. I said no thanks!
I have never tried a neti pot but I think I will give it a try. The one thing I do do when I feel the sinus pressure coming on is to stand in a hot shower and let the jet stream beat down on my sinuses. It feels so good! I also have a personal vaporizer that I use that has really helped as well.
I have hear about drinking apple cider vinegar but I am not such I could stomach that, but hey, I am willing to try anything if it means staying away from the pharacitals.
I signed up for your newsletter so I will be looking forward to getting them. Thank you.
Suzette
Hello Jason, thanks for comprehensive article regarding treatment of sinusitis. Maybe I need to use word cure, not treat, because medical people do not recognize natural remedies.
Your all mentioned options are great, because with them we can help our bodies to get back on track without side effects.
What do you think about garlic? I know that this relative of onion, clive, leek and shallot can make miracles for us.
Sometimes when I get cold and my nose does not function properly, I eat couple cloves. I feel that it penetrates all my passages where air circulates. Most of all time, all problems are gone.
Thanks for spreading message about helpful and natural remedies for sinusitis.
All the best, Nemira.
Hi Nemira
Thanks for your comments. I most certainly would add garlic to the diet as it is a superfood and definitely improve health. You can also add crushed garlic to a facial steam bath which will help clear the sinus but be careful it is highly potent but works a treat.
Best health to you
Jason