sinus infection home remedy
Sinus Infection Home Remedies
A sinus infection will dull you down, affecting your ability to perform even routine activities. This article will provide you with a few simple home remedies for curing the blocked sinuses.
Sinuses are small cavities which get blocked as a result of inflamed nasal passages, usually due to dust, pollen, viral fever, fungal infections or allergies. The bacteria attack the lining of the sinus tracts, leading to an infection. This sort-of-an infection can last for weeks or months too. Nevertheless, a sinus infection home remedy can help you cope with the infection effectively.
Sinusitis or allergic rhinitis is a condition in which the tissues lining the sinuses, i.e. paranasal sinuses, get swollen or inflamed. This occurs usually due to an infection from various germs like viruses, fungi, and bacteria, or due to allergies and a few autoimmune problems. The various factors that lead to sinusitis are nasal polyps (tiny growths in the lining of the nose), common cold, or a shift in the nasal cavity (deviated septum). Sinusitis causes acute pain and discomfort, which leads to irritation and inactivity. The early symptoms of a sinus are difficulty in breathing, fever, headaches, cold and flu. Home remedies for sinus comprise age-old formulas for nipping this problem in the bud. Here are some that you can use for instant relief.
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Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is one of the most hailed treatment for sinus infection, and more so because it contains potassium which helps relieve the sinus pressure. Over here, the use of organic apple cider vinegar is recommended.
Option 1
Mix 2 teaspoons (tsp.) of apple cider vinegar with a glass full of warm water. Drink the mixture and repeat this about 2 to 3 times a day. This will reduce the mucus, and help in treating the sinus and ear infection, if any.
Option 2
Mix 1 tablespoon (tbsp.) of honey and 2 tbsp. of apple cider vinegar with 8 oz. of lukewarm water. Consume this potion and feel the sinus infection disappear in just a few days.
Option 3
Mix half a cup of this vinegar with half a cup of water. Heat it on the stove, and inhale the steam while keeping your eyes and mouth closed.
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Allium sativum a.k.a. Garlic
Garlic inherently has antifungal and antibacterial properties, which makes it the most efficient remedy for sinusitis. As this infection is bacterial in nature, garlic serves the purpose of providing relief to the patient.
Option 1
Boil a bowl of water, and add freshly-chopped garlic to it. Inhale the steam for about five minutes, at least 2 to 3 times a day.
Option 2
Cut a garlic into small cubes and add 2 quarts of water to it. Let this mixture boil on a low flame for about an hour. Now strain it and sip on this beverage. You may add a pinch of salt as per your taste.
Option 3
Over-the-counter garlic capsule supplements are also quite beneficial in alleviating a sinus blockage.
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Eucalyptus Oil
This potent oil is said to have anti-inflammatory abilities, and is a great decongestant. A specific ingredient in it, named cineole, helps in reducing the inflammation. Besides, it also aids in arresting excess mucus production.
Option 1
Add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to a bowl of hot water. Bow down and hang a towel over your head in such a way that it covers your head from all sides, including the bowl. Now inhale the steam for 10 minutes, for 2 to 3 times a day.
Option 2
Add 3 to 4 drops of eucalyptus oil to any other mild oil like coconut or olive oil. Now apply this mixture directly on the nose, cheekbones, and forehead (all areas affected by sinus). Make sure you ensure that eucalyptus oil is suited for your skin type, so as to avoid any kind of skin irritation.
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Soup for the Soul
Warm soups are excellent home remedies to cure sinus headaches. Have a bowl of any warm soup, with a dash of garlic for easing out the headache. Try the recipe mentioned below, which is also a great sinus reliever.
Ingredients
Half chicken or 2 to 3 drumsticks (for vegetarians), 4 slices of ginger, 2 large onions, 5 garlic cloves, 2 carrots cut into cubes, and 1 tsp. of black peppercorn
Procedure
Put all the above-mentioned ingredients into a large bowl of water. Boil the mixture, and simmer until the chicken becomes tender and cooked. Now add sea salt as per taste, and relish your sinus away.
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Steam It Up
This is a very simple-to-do and the most common home remedy. Steam inhalation can be very effective in alleviating sinus-related discomforts, cold, etc. Besides, when certain essential oils like lavender, rosemary, or the previously-mentioned eucalyptus oil are added to boiling water, the effect of the vapor is more eminent.
Method
Take a bowl of water and heat it well until you see vapors (add the essential oil if needed). Bow your head down on the bowl of water and inhale the vapor arising from it. Do this for about 10 minutes, with a gap of 30 seconds after every alternate minute. Inhale this steam vapor periodically all through the day. This will thin the mucus stuck in the tracts which will eventually help sinus drainage and alleviate the sinus pain immediately.
Note.- When a child or an elderly person is taking this treatment, don't let them too close to the steam or hot water, as they might burn themselves.
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Oil of Oregano
This herb oil is said to have antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties, and hence known to be the most powerful antiseptic oil. It is also useful for strengthening the immune system and fight off any kind of infection.
Option 1
Meld 3 to 4 drops of oregano oil with a little olive oil. In order to open the nasal passages, apply this mixture directly over the sinus-affected areas.
Option 2
Just add 3 to 4 drops of this oil to any juice of your choice, and consume it daily. The effective results will be usually seen in four to five days time.
Note.- Do not confuse oil of oregano with cooking oregano, as both are gained from two types of plants that are unlike in nature. Oil of oregano comes in either liquid, powder or tablet form.
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Curcuma longa a.k.a. Turmeric
Since ancient times, turmeric has been of a great and potent use in the medicine world. It bears a lot of different types of bioactive substances named cucuminoids; and the most active one is curcumin. This component, having an anti-inflammatory property, aids in healing the sinus cavity and clears the airways.
Method
Mix 2 big pieces of turmeric root with 1 whole lemon, a pinch of cayenne pepper, 1 tbsp. honey, and water to make a turmeric smoothie. Along with these ingredients, for a little extra flavor, add banana. A drastic improvement would be seen in 3 to 4 days of drinking this smoothie.
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Grapefruit Seed Extract
The various symptoms of sinusitis get alleviated due to this magical extract. Grapefruit seed extract is known to be the most efficient herbal antibiotic, and has antifungal properties. It is recommended that this extract should be diluted with water prior to usage, due to its potency. It has been proven that herbal remedies like grapefruit seed extract help in decreasing the various indicants of a sinus infection, and aids in speeding up the healing process.
Method
To clear out the sinuses, just add a few drops of this extract to your nasal solution. Various other nasal sprays which are available at the pharmacies contain grapefruit seed extract as one of their main ingredients.
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Cayenne Pepper
As bizarre as it may sound, cayenne pepper has proven to be very beneficial in curing sinus infections. Cayenne acts as a mucolytic, a potent vasoconstrictor -- chemical agent which eases nasal congestion, and has an antipyretic effect (alleviates fever).
Option 1
Take 7 to 8 drops of water and add a few sprinklings of cayenne pepper to it. Now either snort or dab it into the nostrils. You might feel a slight discomfort due to the pepper, but it will definitely relieve the sinuses.
Option 2
Mix 1 tsp. cayenne pepper in a glass full of lukewarm water, and sip on it slowly. Do this thrice a day, as it would distend the blood vessels in the nose and act as a mucus stimulant, which would drain the sinuses.
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Drinking Pots of Water
Last but definitely not the least, drinking water has proven to be a boon as far as combating various health issues are concerned. Make an effort to drink at least eight to ten glasses of water everyday. This helps the mucus to liquefy and eases the process of sinus drainage.
Drinking oodles of water also helps in hydrating one's system, which flushes out toxins in the body and boosts the immune system. It is said that drinking water before hitting the bed at night helps in keeping the sinuses in check, and keeps the nasal passage clear.
A sinus remedy can help you if it is followed properly for at least a week. Consult your doctor if the trouble is too much to bear. To keep such infections at bay, eat a lot of citrus fruits. A healthy diet and regular exercise strengthens your immune system and makes you tougher.
Disclaimer: This Buzzle article is purely for informative purposes, and should not be treated as a replacement for professional medical advice.
Home Curatives for Sinus Infection
Few Other Remedies
- Home treatment for sinus includes a sinus rinse, which means cleansing your nasal passage regularly. This will reduce the sinus cough for sure, and treat the sinus headache as well.
- Taking a nap for ½ an hour when the headache gets unbearable, will also make you feel better.
- Add black pepper or other spices to your food, as spices are known to assist in clearing of the sinus tracts.
- Take warm water baths and avoid eating cold food items.
- Hold a tsp. full of freshly grated horseradish in your mouth, till the taste is gone. The strong flavor of this root will loosen the mucus and drain it down the throat, thereby releasing the sinus pressure.
- Consume two to three cups of echinacea tea everyday, as it naturally combats viral, bacterial, and fungal infections. Besides, it also strengthens the immune system.