The Best Home Remedies For Sinus Infection

Sinus infection can be very unpleasant since it is accompanied with pressure and pain. Fortunately, there are many natural ways to help you cure the painful and unpleasant sinus infection that affects millions of people each year.

The hollow pockets in the bones around the nose are your sinuses. They produce mucus that comes into the nose afterwards. You can experience pain, cough, congestion, nasal drip and pain in the face or teeth if your sinuses are blocked due to inflammation and swelling of the nose.

There are small holes that connect the nose to the sinuses. These tiny holes cause sinus infection. If the hollow cavities beneath your eyes, cheeks and nose are blocked, the bacteria and other germs can grow easily and make you feel awful.

What causes sinus infection?

Allergies

Longer and more difficult sinus infection can appear among people who have allergies since the nasal passages are blocked and there is no draining due to an inflammation.

Viruses

Viruses cause colds. The cold is often followed by a sinus infection since the holes that drain the sinuses are blocked due to swelling of the nasal tissue. Antibiotics kill bacteria only, so they cannot cure a sinus infection since if it is caused by a virus.

Bacteria

With the growth of bacteria sinus infection develops. This happens when a cold lasts for more than 10 days. You should consume garlic, onions, honey, apple cider vinegar, coconut oil, lemon, turmeric and other similar foods that have antibacterial characteristics.

Fungi

If your immune system is weakened, sinus infection can develop by the influence of fungi. The sinuses are an excellent place for the fungi to grow since it is dark. Even an allergic reaction to fungi can cause a sinus infection. Antifungal therapy, surgery to remove the fungi or scraping the sinuses may be required to cure the sinus infection.

Nasal products

Nasal sprays relieve congestion but prolonged use can constrict the blood vessels. Moreover, if you use the nasal sprays for a long period they lose their effect of relieving congestion. They can even lead to dependency of nasal sprays.

Chlorine and diving

Both the nasal lining and the sinuses can become irritated, infected or congested by the chlorine in swimming pools. The sinus tissue can also become irritated and inflamed if you are diving. The pressure that occurs during diving pushes water into your sinuses and in this manner sinus infections appear.

Pollutants and smoking

Dust, strong odors, air pollution and other similar allergens and pollutants can also cause sinus infection as well as nose irritation and coughing. People who have allergies and asthma should be especially careful in the presence of these substances. You can reduce the pollutants by using an air purifier in your room or home.

Cigarette smoke damages the cleaning system of the sinuses, so smokers can easily develop sinus infections.

Dryness of the nasal passages

If the mucus remains in the nasal passages for a long time, it becomes thicker. This increases the chances of sinus infection to develop. Avoid caffeine and drink a lot of water in order to moist your nasal passages. Moisturize the air in your home during the winter with a humidifier. Protect yourself from sinus infections caused by dryness by using a saline spray occasionally.

Polyps

If you are born with this nasal abnormality you are at greater risk of developing a sinus infection. Mucus drainage can be prevented by tumors, narrow passages or a cleft palate. The mucus becomes infected because it is trapped by these blockages and sinus infection develops. If the center section of the nose is shifted on one side and the tissues between the throat and the nose are enlarged, sinus infections can also develop.

The Best Home Remedies For Sinus Infection

Inhalation with garlic

If the infection is not fully blown yet, inhalations should be your first course of action to alleviate discomfort. Boil a pot of water and then add minced fresh garlic to it (3 to 4 cloves should do). Get yourself comfy, cover your head and pot with a towel and start inhaling. It might be uncomfortable at first, but it will help. The steam alone is an amazing decongestant and helps to clear the breathing pathways. When you add other healing ingredients, the positive effects multiply. Garlic is an extremely potent natural antibiotic, and is antiviral and antifungal.

Inhalation with apple cider vinegar

Instead of fresh garlic, you can also use apple cider vinegar. A 1:1 proportion with steaming water will create a powerful mix. Apple cider vinegar thins the annoying mucus.

Inhalation with essential oils

Some swear by adding tea tree oil (a few drops will suffice), as the oil is another strong natural antibiotic and antifungal. By inhaling it, you deliver the antibiotic directly to your suffering nasal membranes (this may hurt at first, and you may feel a burning sensation). Also eucalyptus essential oil helps clear nasal and chest congestion caused by colds and sinus infections, so you can use it instead or with tea tree essential oil.

Add honey

Raw honey is a magnificent antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal bee creation, and boosts the immune system. Followers of Ayurvedic medicine suggest starting the day with honey water. You simply mix a teaspoon of honey into a glass of warm (not hot!) water. Your body is then geared to start the day. Now, for maximum therapeutic kick to get over a tenacious sinus infection, you can try out this combination:

– a glass of warm water
– 1 teaspoon of honey
– 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
– 3 cloves of minced raw garlic

Mix well and drink to your sinuses’ health!

Eat Horseradish

Not many people know that when treating certain conditions, horseradish is just as effective as chemically-synthesized antibiotics and it can sometimes even be superior to over-the-counter drugs. Horseradish is particularly potent in the treatment of sinusitis and it clears upper respiratory passages, which helps with cold, influenza and lung congestion.

Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE)

Grapefruit seed extract (GSE), which is made from the pulp and the seeds of the grapefruit, acts as a natural antibiotic. It has antioxidant, antibacterial and antiviral properties and is a very versatile natural remedy. You can take GSE in different forms: you can irrigate the nasal passages, take it in a capsule or tablet form or drink it mixed with water (or other fluid).

Elderberry Infusion

The elderberry is a bush that can reach to a great height with small white flowers and dark purple sweet-sour fruit. You can also make an infusion from the flowers of the elderberry plant, which has been shown to prevent inflammation and infection in the respiratory system and is effective against winter ailments including sinusitis. Use 1 heaped teaspoon of dried flowers per 1 cup of boiling water. Simmer for approximately 10 minutes. Allow tea to cool, strain the tea and drink.

If you consume these beautiful gifts of nature regularly, your immune system bolstered, there is a fighting chance the sinus infection will stay clear of you for the foreseeable future. Good luck!