Sinusitis is quite common, and if you’ve experienced it before, you know it’s much worse than just a stuffy nose. It inflames your sinuses and can lead to a post nasal drip, congestion and pain and swelling in your face. While antibiotics are often prescribed for sinusitis, there are a number of natural ways to help clear it, and today we’re letting you in on 8 natural sinusitis remedies for fast relief!
What is Sinusitis?
Sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinuses that leaves them blocked and filled with fluid. The blockage can cause your sinuses to become inflamed and swollen and lead to an infection. This interferes with drainage and causes mucus to build up, which can make it difficult to breathe through your nose and cause a bunch of other symptoms. Your sinuses are the passageways that lie behind your forehead, eyes and cheeks. They’re lined with mucus membranes, which produce the mucus that flows from your nose when you’re sick.
What Causes Sinusitis?
Sinusitis is caused by a virus, bacteria or fungus, such as a cold, asthma, or nasal or seasonal allergies. It’s most commonly caused by the common cold. Unless a bacteria infection develops, sinusitis symptoms should clear up after about 10 days.
11 Sinusitis Signs and Symptoms
1. Nasal inflammation
2. Runny nose, often with thick and discoloured discharge
3. Drainage down the back of the throat (post nasal drip)
4. Congestion
5. Pain, tenderness and swelling around the eyes, cheeks, nose or forehead
6. Reduced sense of smell and taste
7. Ear pressure
8. Aching in your teeth
9. Fatigue
10. Cough
11. Bad breath
When to See a Doctor
You should make an appointment to see your doctor if you’ve had sinusitis a number of times and your symptoms don’t subside with treatment. You should also call them if your sinusitis symptoms last more than 10 days or if your symptoms don’t improve after seeing your doctor. Seek medical attention immediately if you have a fever, swelling or redness around your eyes, a severe headache or forehead swelling, confusion, a stiff neck or vision changes like double vision. These symptoms can indicate a serious infection.
8 Natural Sinusitis Remedies
1. Steam Your Face
One of the best ways to clear your sinuses is to steam your face. This warms up and moisturizes your sinus passageways and helps to clear them out. Boil a pot of water then take it off the heat. Place a towel over your head and bend over the pot to inhale the steam. Keep your eyes closed and don’t get too close to the water until the water cools down a bit. It should be comfortable and not feel like it’s burning you in any way. Consider adding essential oils like eucalyptus oil to help open up your sinuses even further.
2. Drink Lots of Liquids
Drinking liquids like water and herbal tea helps keep your sinuses moist and also decreases the thickness of mucus so it flows out more easily. You should be drinking six to eight 8-ounce glasses of water everyday, so make sure to at least do this. Stay away from caffeinated or alcoholic drinks as they can cause dehydration.
3. Try a Humidifier
Dry air can dry out the sinuses and irritate the mucous membrane. Humidifiers add moisture to the air, so when you breathe it in, it helps moisturize your sinuses. Moist air can also loosen and thin out mucus. Humidifiers work great in rooms you spend a lot of time in, such as your bedroom. Using one overnight can help you wake up feeling less congested.
4. Eat Lots of Antibacterial Food
Since sinusitis is often caused by a virus, load up on antibacterial foods to fight it. Eat lots of garlic, ginger, onions, cinnamon and turmeric, as well as ginger tea with raw honey. Raw honey is particularly great because as well as being antibacterial, it’s packed with antioxidants, and also has anti-fungal properties.
5. Use a Neti Pot
A neti pot is a great way to provide sinus relief and ease symptoms of sinusitis. Using a neti pot with saline solution provides comfortable nasal irrigation to help you breathe easier. Fill the neti pot with saline solution, tilt your head over the sink at a 45 degree angle, insert the spout of the pot into your top nostril and carefully pour the solution down the nostril. Repeat on the other side.
6. Make Some Chicken Soup
Yes, chicken soup does actually help you when you’re sick and specifically helps ease congestion. Of course, this goes for homemade chicken soup loaded up with lots of veggies and spices. It’s thought that the steam combined with the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of the soup’s ingredients can help clear the sinuses.
7. Oil of Oregano
If you’ve ever tried oil of oregano, you know it has a very strong taste, but its benefits are worth it! It contains two powerful compounds – carvacrol and thymol that have powerful anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. Try 500 mg of oil of oregano four times per day to help with sinusitis symptoms.
8. Load Up on Vitamin C
Vitamin C is vital for your immune system, which protects your body from getting infections and helps your body fight infections once it has one. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps protect our cells from free radical damage. Free radicals can be found in things like air pollution and cigarette smoke, which can contribute to sinus infections. Food sources of vitamin C include citrus fruits like oranges and grapfruits, bell peppers, strawberries, tomatoes, kale, broccoli, and white potatoes. You can also take a vitamin C supplement if you feel like you aren’t getting enough through food sources.
If you’re experiencing sinusitis, we hope these home remedies help you get back on track to feeling better soon!
