A sinus headache is a recurring headache that is often mistaken for other types of headaches such as migraines or tension headaches. To effectively treat sinus headaches, you have to treat the underlying cause of a sinus headache. Sinus headaches are often related to allergies or an infection, some of its symptoms can be a runny nose, fever, swelling in the face, or feeling of fullness in ears. Forget about over-the-counter medications, we have for you several natural home remedies for sinus headache that can be much more effective.
Our home remedies for sinus headache will help you get fast pain relief
1. Hot and Cold Compresses
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Since sinus headaches are often related to allergies or infections, they are often caused by a build-up of mucus. A hot compress can break down thick mucus, which can ease the pressure causing the headache. While a cold compress will reduce blood flow, which can help reduce inflammation and pain.
Instructions
- Soak a washcloth in hot water and wring out excess.
- Fold the cloth and place it on your face while lying down.
- Keep it like this for three minutes.
- Remove the cloth and soak it in cold water.
- Wring out excess, fold it and place it on your face for 30 seconds.
- Repeat process 2 to 4 times per day.
2. Eucalyptus Leaves
Eucalyptus is native to Australia and has been used for centuries as a treatment for a wide range of health conditions, including nasal congestion. One of the main ingredients in most mentholated chest rubs or cough drops is eucalyptus. Below we have the best way you can use eucalyptus as a home remedy for a sinus headache.
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Instructions
- Bring 2 cups of water to a boil.
- Pour the water over 1/2 teaspoon of dried eucalyptus leaves or 1 teaspoon of fresh eucalyptus leaves.
- Let steep for 10 minutes.
- Strain tea and add honey for taste.
- Inhale the steam between sips to help loosen mucus and alleviate the pressure causing the sinus headache.
3. Peppermint Oil
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Peppermint oil is also one of the many mentholated products that make great home remedies for sinus headache. Peppermint has a number of antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties, and when applied to the skin it creates a cooling sensation. Also, it is a popular treatment for other types of headaches as well.
Instructions
- Mix a few drops of peppermint oil with 1-2 tablespoons of a carrier oil such as almond, olive or coconut oil.
- Gently rub a bit of the oil onto the top of your cheeks, nose and lower center of your forehead.
- Repeat once an hour until pressure eases.
4. Steam
Most forms of heat will loosen mucus and relieve pressure in the sinuses, which also helps alleviate a sinus headache. Steam, however, is another one of the great home remedies for sinus headache because it will also penetrate deep into the sinus cavity to loosen blockage.
Instructions
- Boil water in a pan then turn off heat and let sit for a few minutes.
- Pour steaming water into a bowl.
- Place a towel over your head and the bowl creating a tent.
- Breathe in through your nose and hold the steam in for 5 seconds, then exhale through your mouth.
- Continue for 10 minutes or until the heat becomes uncomfortable.
- Repeat one more time, and then once again every 2 hours until pain subsides.
* Make sure your face stays far enough away from the bowl so as not to burn your face, and blow your nose as needed during the treatment.
5. Ginger Root
Ginger has numerous pain relieving properties as well as anti-inflammatory properties, which make it great for both alleviating the symptoms of a sinus headache as well as minimizing the pain. It is a great time-tested home remedy for sinus headaches. Cooking with ginger is one great way to benefit from its healing properties, but below we present another.
Instructions
- Grate or finely chop 1 teaspoon of a fresh ginger root.
- Place ginger in a tea strainer or use a teapot with a strainer inside.
- Pour 1 cup of boiling water over the ginger.
- Let steep for 5-10 minutes.
- Remove the ginger.
- Add honey to taste before consuming.
6. Neti Pot
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A Neti Pot is a means of irrigating the sinus cavity with saline solution to drain mucous and is also one of the oldest home remedies for sinus headache. Neti pots have been used for centuries, but are just now gaining in popularity in the US. Draining mucus will help relieve sinus pressure, which in turn alleviates a sinus headache.
Instructions
- Add 1/2 teaspoon of salt to a cup of lukewarm distilled, sterilized or previously boiled water.
- Stir thoroughly until salt dissolves and then fill Neti pot with the solution.
- Lean over a sink or large bowl and tilt your head to a 45-degree angle.
- Place the Neti pot spout into one nostril and gently pour in the solution.
- Blow your nose to clear any mucous or remaining saline.
- Refill pot and repeat process on the other side.
7. Cinnamon Powder
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Next on our home remedies for sinus headache we have cinnamon. Like many of the other most effective treatments against sinus headaches, cinnamon also contains numerous antibacterial, antiseptic, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. You can use cinnamon in many of the same ways but it’s best to use it as described below.
Instructions
- Mix a small amount of cinnamon powder with just enough water to make a paste.
- Apply to the forehead.
- Leave on for 10 minutes before washing off.
- Repeat as often as necessary until you feel relief.
8. Cayenne Pepper Powder
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Most types of peppers contain capsaicin, which is what causes you to “tear up” when you eat a pepper and can also cause your nose to run. This same compound can significantly help reduce nasal congestion and can even be useful in helping alleviate other types of headaches.
Instructions
- Place 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper powder in a mug.
- Pour 1 cup of almost boiling water over the pepper.
- Stir until the cayenne dissolves in the water.
- Squeeze the juice of half a lemon into the tea.
- Drink slowly and inhale steam between sips.
9. Holy Basil
Holy Basil is also sometimes known as Tulsi. It is called Holy Basil because it has been used in India in almost all forms of worship ceremonies for thousands of years. Its many healing properties, however, make it potentially worth the level of worship. It is one of the best home remedies for sinus headaches thanks to its ability to clear congestion and reduce sinus inflammation. It also offers a soothing effect that can help provide headache relief.
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Instructions
- Crush 10 basil leaves in a mortar and pestle.
- Add 1 inch of washed and peeled ginger along with 10 peppercorns.
- Make it into a paste and added to a cup of boiled water.
- Simmer until it becomes half its original quantity.
- Strain the solution in a strainer and add honey for taste.
- Drink on an empty stomach.
10. Apple Cider Vinegar
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Apple cider vinegar contains many antimicrobial properties which help kill off bacterial forms of sinus infections which can create sinus headaches. Moreover, it helps break up mucus, as well as having anti-inflammatory properties, which help reduce the swelling that produces the “stuffed up” feeling of a sinus headache.
Instructions
- Combine equal parts apple cider vinegar and water and bring to a boil.
- Pour mixture into a bowl and create a tent over the bowl with a towel.
- Inhale deeply so it can break up mucus and allow it to drain.
11. Tea Tree Oil
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Tea tree oil comes from the Australian Melaleuca plant, and like peppermint oil, it has strong antimicrobial, antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal properties. This makes it particularly useful when your sinus headache is the result of a sinus infection of some kind.
Instructions
- Mix a few drops of tea tree oil with a few drops of a carrier oil such as olive, almond or coconut oil.
- Place a drop or two of the diluted oil on a cotton swab or Q-tip.
- Gently swab inside of the nasal cavity, this will help clear up the infection and ease your headache.
12. Spicy Tomato Tea
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Many of the same remedies you might use to combat cold symptoms are also great home remedies for sinus headache since sinus headaches are often caused by nasal congestion, which is also a cold symptom. Tomato tea combines many of the above remedies into one drink for a supercharged headache buster.
Instructions
- Combine 2 cups of tomato juice with 2 or 3 garlic cloves.
- Add 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Add 1-2 tablespoons of honey and heat mixture.
- Sip slowly and between sips inhale deeply.
Conclusion
Since sinus headaches are almost always caused by either a sinus infection or a buildup of mucus due to allergies, you have to treat the underlying problem in order to alleviate a sinus headache long term. Many home remedies for sinus headache are so effective because they often have antiviral, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties that will treat both the headache and the underlying cause of it at the same time. Which remedy of the above worked best for you?
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