Sinus infections, or sinusitis, are typically quite painful ailments that can last days, weeks or even months. They usually present with blocked nasal passages, painful swallowing, pain in general and a post-nasal drip. While they aren’t fun, if traditional medicine and prescribed antibiotics aren’t doing the trick, there are some home remedies for sinus infection that have been proven to offer relief. Whether your symptoms are acute or you experience frequent sinus pain, try these sinus infection home remedies to start feeling relief and break the cycle of sinusitis.
Find relief and eliminate discomfort with these home remedies for sinus infection.
1. Salt Water Flush
Nasal irrigation is one of the best ways to get all the unwanted mucus and built-up nasal blockages out of the sinuses. It’s not a new system, but according to the chief of rhinology and sinus surgery at Emory University School of Medicine, Dr. John DelGaudio, using a neti pot and a simple salt water solution is one of the easiest ways to feel immediate relief. It’s a process that takes a little getting used to, but many people have begun incorporating it into their daily routines. If you don’t want to buy a neti pot, a small teapot or a funnel work just as well.
Instructions
- Prepare your saline solution of 1 tsp. salt to 2 cups distilled or boiled water, warm to the touch.
- Stand over a sink or in the shower, tilt your head to the side so your face is completely horizontal.
- Use a neti pot, teapot with a thin spout, or a funnel inserted in nose, gently pour warm saline solution into upper nostril, breathing through open mouth.
- Use half the saline solution on first nostril, water and collected mucus will stream out of lower nostril.
- Stand, blow nose, then repeat on the other side.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar
It seems like apple cider vinegar can cure just about anything. While that may not be true, a spicy drink brewed with this vinegar is one of the better home remedies for sinus infection. The vinegar promotes healing and has anti-inflammatory properties. Your sinus cavities will feel clearer and you will recover more quickly. The strong taste also allows for immediate sinus clearing.
Instructions
- Boil ¼ cup of water, mix with ¼ cup unfiltered apple cider vinegar.
- Add 1 tbsp. honey and 1 tsp. cayenne pepper. Top with a splash of fresh lemon juice for taste.
- Let mixture cool to drinkable temperature, take a few deep breaths of its steam, then sip slowly.
3. Steam Inhalation
Breathing in steam by itself helps to thin trapped mucus and let it run freely from the nose and unblock ears, alleviating one of the most uncomfortable symptoms of sinusitis. As it turns out, one of the most effective home remedies for sinus infection is also one of the most comfortable and easy. According to a recent article in Health, it’s a quick and easy way to break up congestion and breath more easily.
Instructions
- Run a hot shower.
- Stand in shower for 10-15 minutes.
- Breathe deeply.
- Blow mucus out of nose and throat.
4. Eucalyptus Oil
If you find that simply stepping into a hot shower isn’t enough, don’t reach for those antibiotics yet. Try a steam treatment with a few drops of eucalyptus oil mixed in. The Bastyr Center for Natural Health says that the decongestant and anti-inflammatory properties contained within the oil are best for relieving the worst symptoms of sinusitis, making breathing easier and relieving pressure in the head. It is a very strong oil, however, so use only a few drops and try not to get it on skin in its undiluted form.
Instructions
- Fill large bowl with boiling water, add 3-5 drops eucalyptus oil.
- Drape towel over head and lean into steam, allowing edges of towel to overlap bowl to prevent steam escaping.
- Breathe deeply through the nose, keeping mouth closed.
- Continue for 5-10 minutes, or until relief is experienced.
5. Peppermint Oil
Just as eucalyptus oil will help sinus infection symptoms go away, a similar steam treatment or bath with peppermint oil is a fantastic home remedy for sinus infection causes. One article suggests that the menthol in peppermint oil, with its anti-inflammatory and anti-septic properties not only acts as a decongestant, but also a stimulus to help clear out bacteria and speed up the healing process.
Instructions
- Fill bathtub with hot water.
- Add 8-10 drops of peppermint oil.
- Soak for at least 20 minutes.
6. Garlic
The idea of eating whole cloves of garlic, raw, turns off most people. However, research shows that only by mincing garlic or chewing whole cloves can the allicin be released. Allicin has powerful anti-bacterial properties, but only if ingested raw. That, combined with the strong, sinus-clearing taste and smell make this one of the more potent home remedies for sinus infection. Because garlic is so strong, it’s not recommended to give it in its raw form to children under the age of 12.
Instructions
- Mince or chop a whole clove of raw garlic, let rest ten minutes then eat.
- OR pop a whole raw clove of garlic in your mouth and chew very well before swallowing.
7. Turmeric
Though it has been a common ingredient in cooking and herbal remedies around the world for millenia, the uses of turmeric are only just becoming known in the west. According to an article in the International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, turmeric, or “the golden spice” contains curcumin, which in home remedies for sinus infection helps to decongest and kill bacteria. It also acts as an anti-coagulant, loosening up mucus and helping it to drain out of sinus cavities. A simple tea brewed from turmeric powder or store-bought turmeric capsules are both very effective for both immediate relief and long-term prevention of sinusitis.
Instructions
- Boil 1 cup water, stir in 1 tsp. turmeric powder, 1 tbsp. honey and a dash of lemon for taste.
- Let cool to drinkable temperature.
- Sip slowly.
8. Spicy Tomato Juice
The Vitamin A in tomato juice has anti-inflammatory properties, reducing swelling in sinuses and providing quick relief from sinus-related pain and pressure. As far as home remedies for sinus infection go, this one may look a bit familiar – there’s a reason Bloody Mary cocktails are so popular as a hangover remedy. In fact, the hot sauce will act as a sinus-clearer, while the garlic acts as an anti-bacterial. Though it may resemble a popular cocktail, skip the alcohol as it will cause even worse dehydration and sinus pain. This concoction may be a bit too strong for children, so is best for adults.
Instructions
- Combine 1 cup tomato juice with 1 tbsp. chopped garlic, 2 tsp. hot sauce, pinch celery salt and splash fresh lemon juice in pot.
- Bring mixture to a boil, boil 3 minutes then cool to drinkable temperature.
- Sip slowly.
9. Hot and Cold Compresses
Hot and cold compresses are some of the most tried and true home remedies for sinus infections, especially in children. Ear, nose and throat specialists at Johns Hopkins Medicine suggest using hot compresses to break up congealed mucus, reduce inflammation and provide pain relief. They can be used along with cold compresses to reduce pain and swelling, as well as provide relief for headaches caused by sinus pressure. As one of the gentler methods of relieving symptoms of sinusitis, this is an effective treatment for people of all ages.
Instructions
- Soak clean washcloth in hot water, wring out well and lay over forehead, cheeks and nose.
- Leave on until cloth has cooled.
- Replace with ice pack wrapped in towel, or cloth soaked in cold water.
- Repeat 3 times, twice a day.
10. Horseradish
Image by Anna Reg – Own work, source
Horseradish is well known for its sinus-clearing abilities, but why? It has high amounts of sulfur which, according to scientists in Italy, has a natural anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory effect. Thus, it can not only provide immediate relief for congestion, but also stimulates healing and reduces the swelling and pressure that cause sinus pain. While there are several ways to harness the abilities of horseradish, one of the most effective is simply eating it. It is very strong, so children may not like it, but it’s also a very powerful sinus infection home remedy.
Instructions
- Grate a small piece of raw horseradish, about ½ tsp.
- Place horseradish on tongue, suck until all juices have been released and flavor has dissipated.
- Swallow horseradish.
- Repeat twice a day to clear mucus in nose and throat.
11. Self-Massage
For milder cases of sinus infection, a simple acupressure-type massage does wonders for relieving the pain and pressure caused by blockages. It may take a few tries to get it right, but by putting the right amount of pressure on affected areas, you can not only break up clotted mucus, but also increase circulation and decrease pain, especially if you experience a headache.
Instructions
- Place pads of fingers along sides of nose, at inner eyes and between eyebrows.
- Use small circular motions with increasing pressure to relieve pain and congestion.
- Massage 10 minutes.
- Repeat three times a day.
12. Fenugreek Infusion
Fenugreek may be a little difficult to find in fresh form, but the seeds are readily available at most grocery stores or supplement shops. An article in the International Journal of Current Pharmaceutical Review and Research pointed out that the natural anti-inflammatory effects of fenugreek are great for reducing the swelling and pressure caused by blocked sinuses. It’s quite a powerful herb, so while many will find they experience almost immediate relief, it could react badly with other medications. It also has strong hypoglycemic properties, so if your blood sugar is naturally low it may prove dangerous. Before trying this sinus infection home remedy, consult your doctor.
Instructions
- Boil 1 cup water and 1 tbsp. fenugreek seeds for 5 minutes.
- Turn off heat and let sit until warm.
- Sip slowly throughout the day.
While there is no such thing as an immediate cure for a sinus infection, with any of these above home remedies for sinus infection, it is possible to achieve relief from some of the more painful or just plain annoying symptoms. Antibiotics are far too over-prescribed for sinusitis, so before you make an appointment with your doctor, give one of these a try and see how much better you’ll feel.
Do you have any home remedies that have worked for sinus infections? Please share them in the comments below!
Leave a Reply