You have a sinus infection or recurring sinusitis and the pain and pressure in your face are enough to send you running for medication. Instead of taking pharmaceuticals, herbal remedies and other natural solutions can heal your inflamed tissues. Most sinus problems are caused by viruses, which antibiotics don’t treat.
Sinus problems occur when too much mucus builds up in the sinus cavities behind your face. This causes one or more of these cavities to become swollen or inflamed. People who have allergies or asthma get recurring sinus infections. This leads to constant pressure around the nose, a bad-tasting postnasal drip, headache, and exhaustion.
Sinusitis symptoms typically last no longer than 10 days. Chronic sinusitis can last for 12 weeks or longer.
Herbs For Sinus Infections
Garlic (Allium sativum) and onions (Allium cepa) are two of the best foods for fighting an infection. They are allium vegetables rich in allicin, vitamin C, vitamin B6, and selenium. These act as powerful antioxidants in the body to reduce inflammation and boost the immune system. One of the best ways to use garlic and onions to treat or prevent sinus infections is in soup or broth.
To use garlic medicinally, try 2 to 5 grams of fresh garlic or take 300 to 1,000 milligrams of garlic extract per day.
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) works as a natural antihistamine, potent antiviral agent and immune booster. Drink ginger tea to alleviate nasal congestion and headaches, adding raw honey for an extra boost. Honey is packed with antioxidants and has antibacterial and antifungal properties.
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is excellent helping you eliminate excess mucus from your sinuses and respiratory system. Drinking a cup of licorice root tea helps smooth the mucous membranes and relieve inflammation. It is a medicinal plant with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Nettles (Urtica dioica) is one of the most effective herbal treatments for allergic rhinitis. As an antioxidant, astringent, antimicrobial, and analgesic, it reduces allergy-related inflammation. Nettles doesn’t produce any of the side-effects that come with the use of pharmaceuticals. Cooking the leaves will remove their stinging effects. Add the cooked leaves to your salads, soups, or stews or brew nettle tea.
Butterbur (Petasites hybridus) has been used for hundreds of years to treat headaches, fever, allergies, asthma, and breathing difficulties. It dramatically improves breathing and reduces the effects of histamine and nasal congestion, all without side effects.
Use tinctures or capsules and make sure to get a formula that’s standardized for petasin and isopetasin. These are the active phytochemicals that reduce spasms in smooth muscle and relax swollen nasal membranes.
Herbal teas provide antioxidant support to fight against infection. Herbs support the immune system, assist the body in self-regeneration and fend off infections. Herbal teas with ingredients such as licorice, eucalyptus, peppermint, and ginger help relieve the symptoms of sinus infections.
Using Essential Oils To Clear Sinuses
Grapefruit seed extract is antiviral, anti-fungal and antibacterial making it applicable to all forms of sinusitis. It is taken in capsule or tablet form. Take a steam bath and add a few drops of essential oil to the freshly boiled hot water. Cover your head with a towel and inhale the steam.
Eucalyptus essential oil is strong and pungent. The essential oil has antibacterial, antispasmodic and antiviral properties that open airways and relieve congestion. It lessens mucus production and kills the germs that cause illness. Eucalyptus oil is also beneficial in a steam bath or as a salve applied under your nose to open airways.
Peppermint essential oil relieves sinus congestion and pressure. The oil eases headache pain from infections or weather pressure changes. Peppermint essential oil has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiseptic properties. The oil properties penetrate the nasal lining giving rapid relief when inhaled through an essential oil diffuser.
Other Methods To Try
Use a neti pot, a small ceramic pot specially designed to irrigate sinuses. The pots help with nasal irrigation and clear sinus drainage from your nose to make it easier to breathe.
Fill the neti pot with 1 pint of lukewarm distilled water mixed with 1 teaspoon of sea salt.
Water
Drink more water to keep your body hydrated, this keeps the mucus thin and loose. Drinking 8 oz of water every two hours, helps dilute thick mucus and facilitate better mucus drainage. The build-up of mucus contributes to sinus pain.
It is important to consume a mostly liquid cleansing diet incorporating garlic, onions and herbal teas. Using essential oils and a neti pot is very effective for preventing and healing sinus infections.
Hey! Great post- I love the herbal wisdom, will keep this marked for if I get a cold 😉 Thank you!
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed my post and found it helpful.:)