The bones around the eyes, cheeks and the nose are lined with membranes called as the sinuses. These membranes produce mucous. This mucous filters the air we breathe in and protects the lungs, nose and throat from germs entry. These sinuses at times are infected through a bacterial invasion and become blocked and inflamed.
If these mucous membranes cannot be drained, the mucous continues to accumulate and stagnate causing severe pain and swelling. This can lead to utter misery and discomfort, cold, flu, allergies, stress, poor immunity and dental problems can lead to blocked sinuses. Luckily, you do not have to suffer the agony. While allopathic medication can bring you the much-needed relief, you can also take solace from these simple natural cures for a sinus infection.
Natural Ways To Cure Sinus Infection
1. Eucalyptus Oil
There is nothing like potent eucalyptus oil to treat a blocked sinus or a severe sinus infection. Just put a few drops of the oil on your handkerchief and inhale the fumes.You can also gently apply some to your nostrils to get relief. The eucalyptus oil is one of the most potent and effective natural cures for a sinus infection.
2. Steam Inhalation
Treatment of a sinus infection at home begins with steam inhalation done every 2-3 hours. Boil some water in a big vessel. To this, add a couple of drops of eucalyptus oil. Place your head over the vessel at a safe distance such that you can inhale the steam but not get burnt. Cover your head with a towel and slowly inhale the steam. You will immediately start to feel your clogged nasal passages opening. The mucous will also begin to drain thus giving you relief from the pain and the swelling. Steam inhale as often as you can.
3. Neti Pot Treatment
A conventional way of treating a sinus infection is to use the neti pot. This is a salt-water irrigation technique. Take a tablespoon of salt in two big glasses of water and bring them to a boil. When the water has cooled down considerably, fill up the neti pot. Now take the nozzle of the neti pot and place it on one nostril allowing the water to go up and out of the other nostril. Do it very carefully to ensure that the water does not go into the throat. The saline water will help to clear your nasal passages and blocked sinuses.
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4. Gargling
If you are suffering from blocked sinuses, there is a high probability that you could also be suffering from a sore throat. With blocked sinuses and infection, your throat may also feel irritated and inflamed. In such cases, it is better to do regular gargling with salt water.Take a pinch of salt in a glass of water and heat it. Now gargle with the water when it is moderately hot. Gargle every one hour for relief from a sore throat.
5. Sip On Fluids
Keep sipping on hot fluids throughout the day. One of the best fluids to have with a sinus infection is hot chicken soup with cayenne pepper mixed in it. The capsaicin in the pepper will help to give relief from a blocked and painful sinus. Keep sipping on hot ginger tea, herbal teas like chamomile tea and cinnamon tea all of which give tremendous relief. It is also important to keep sipping on hot water throughout the day as this keeps you hydrated, helps the mucous to drain out effectively and flushes out the bacteria from the system.
6. Warm Compresses
If the sinus infection is bad and your sinuses are swollen and tender, try applying some warm compresses to the affected area. This should bring relief. You can also cover your head and neck region with a warm scarf or muffler to provide heat to the area. Never allow cold air to hit your throat and neck region as this can compound the problem. Keep yourself warm and well clothed at all times.
7. Garlic
Include a lot of garlic and onion in your soups and broths as this helps the mucous to dissolve. Garlic also helps to fight the infection due to its anti-microbial properties. Along with garlic, horseradish is also an effective cure for treating sinus infection.
8. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a good remedy for thinning and dissolving the mucous. Take a heaped tablespoon of honey and one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and dissolve it in a glass of warm water.Now sip on this water throughout the day. This will help to thin the mucous and reduce the inflammation in the mucous membranes.
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9. Grapefruit Seed Extract
Grapefruit seed extract is a powerful natural antibiotic and is used to eliminate and remove a number of different types of fungi, Candida and bacteria. For sinus infections, you can buy grapefruit seed extract in the form of a nasal spray and use it for treatment along with other natural cures.
10. Turmeric
Turmeric can be used as a gargle or you can douse your milk with turmeric and have it. Just put a pinch of turmeric in water and do a normal throat gargle with it. Alternately, you can add a pinch of turmeric to hot milk and sip on this hot milk throughout the day.
11. Oregano Oil
Another effective natural cure for clogged sinuses and sinus infection is the use of oregano oil. You can inhale the oil on your hanky or put a few drops of this oil in your pot of hot water and inhale the steam. This is a very effective cure for sinus infection.
12. Vitamin C
Make sure you take a preventive course of vitamin C as a supplement just before the onset of the flu season. You can speak to your doctor and take 1000mcg of vitamin C. Vitamin C helps to boost the immunity and prevents the onset of colds, flu and sinus infections. With the help of the above remedies, you can easily treat and cure a sinus infection. In addition, consult your doctor, if the infection goes out of hand.
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.