A sinus infection can cause acute pain, discomfort and misery. The membranes around the nasal passages and the nasal bones produce mucus to moisten inhaled air and filter out germs. In an infection, these become blocked and are unable to drain properly. As a result, the mucus builds up, stagnates and causes inflammation and infection.
Colds, flu, food allergies, pollutants, weakened immunity are some of the reasons behind sinus infection. Allopathic medications are often recommended to treat a severe infection. In conjunction with these, you can use the following natural cures for sinusitis.
Tips To Cure Sinusitis Naturally
Cut Back On Dairy
Dairy is often considered a culprit in sinusitis. Some people are allergic to it and immediately develop symptoms especially when they consume cold, dairy products. Cut back on curd, ice cream and other milk products to reduce the severity and recurrence of the infection. If you are allergic to dairy, avoid it completely and look for healthier substitutes.
Steam Inhalation
Steam inhalation is one of the best natural cures for a very severe sinus infection. Put a few drops of eucalyptus oil in a pot of boiling water. Cover your head and the vessel with a towel so that the steam does not escape.
Now gently inhale the steam for 15-20 minutes. The eucalyptus oil is very potent and will cause a burning sensation in your nasal passages, but it will also cure the infection and give you considerable relief.
Take Rest
Sinus infection can become very debilitating. It can weaken you considerably. It is therefore very important to stay at home and take rest. Try to sleep off the infection for as long as you can. This will give your body plenty of rest to heal and throw off the infection. Take a break from work, as the infection is also very contagious.
Drink Up
Drink enough warm water throughout the day to keep your nose and throat passages moist. There are chances of you puking and vomiting especially if the infection has reached your lungs. This is likely to leave you severely dehydrated. Your throat will also feel dry. Drinking water is an effective remedy and will give you a lot of relief.
Soups
Drink soups, which are nutritious. They contain vital nutrients that help to fight off the infection. A cup of hot soup will also relieve a sore throat and inflamed nasal passages.
Use plenty of herbs and spices like black pepper, cayenne pepper and cinnamon in your soups. Drink chicken soup if you are a non-vegetarian as chicken soup is very good for the health and will give you strength and energy.
Herbal Tea
Make a herbal tea and keep sipping on this throughout the day. To a pot of water, add cinnamon, ginger paste, black pepper, basil leaves, cloves and honey. Boil this water considerably. In the end, infuse the water with tealeaves. Strain and consume a few cups of this tea throughout the day. Make sure it is sufficiently hot. This herbal tea has miraculous results and will make you feel much better over a course of 2-3 days.
Neti Pot
A neti pot is a good way of irrigating your nasal passages with saline water. Fill up a neti pot with luke warm water and add a teaspoon of salt to this. Place the spout in one nostril and tilt your head to the side such that the water comes out of the opposite nostril.
Do not tilt your head back as the water will go down your throat. Repeat the same process for the other nostril. This is an effective way of saline irrigation and really helps to clear up a severe nasal congestion caused by sinusitis.
Hot Water Gargles
A sinus infection could reach your throat and cause throat irritation and pain. In order to combat this, do hot water gargles on a regular basis. Just add salt to a glass of moderately hot water and gargle your throat with this water 4-5 times a day. This will relieve throat irritation.
Grapefruit Seed Extract
This citrus fruit has powerful antioxidants that have anti-bacterial and anti-microbial properties. These properties are useful in fighting off 30 types of fungi, bacteria and virus. You can take pills of grapefruit seed extract. Alternately, you can use it in the form of a nasal spray along with some other remedies.
Apple Cider Vinegar
This can be consumed as a tonic and had throughout the day to prevent the onset of allergies and sinusitis. Take 1/8th cup of apple cider vinegar and dissolve this in a glass of water. Sip on this water throughout the day. You can also put 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water and gulp this down all at once.
Steam Showers
Breathe in the hot steam from a shower by standing in a shower cubicle. This too will help to clear up the nasal passages and give you instant relief.
Also Read
Home Remedies For Sinus
Home Remedies For Sinus Infection
Home Remedies For Sinus Drainage
Top 10 Effective Natural Remedies For Sinus Infection
Allergy-Proof Your House
If you are allergic to dust and pollen, it may cause a severe bout of sinusitis. Stay away from environmental pollutants and beware of pollen especially during a change in season. Dust your house regularly to prevent dust mites from entering your nasal passages. Stay away from pets as they contain pet dander that can give rise to an allergy. Ask someone else in the house to take care of your pet.
Follow A Healthy Lifestyle
The best cure for sinusitis is prevention. Follow a healthy lifestyle by eating well, exercising and taking adequate rest. Stay away from sick people and always wash your hands whenever you come in from outside. Following these basic lifestyle tenets, you will maximize your chances of staying healthy.
Take A Course Of Vitamin C
Before the change in season occurs, take a short course of vitamin C to enhance your immunity. It will again further your chances of an infection free winter.
Stay Out Of Pollution
Stay away from environmental pollutants and avoid going out especially if you are vulnerable to colds and flu as these can enhance your susceptibility towards a sinus infection.
Caution: Please use Home Remedies after Proper Research and Guidance. You accept that you are following any advice at your own risk and will properly research or consult healthcare professional.