If you suffer from chronic sinusitis, you know how frustrating it can be to deal with all the symptoms that come along with having an inflamed nasal passage. Luckily, if you have access to some common household items, there are several remedies for sinuses that actually work and can help relieve those symptoms and improve your overall quality of life.
Try one of these nine home remedies to get your sinuses back to normal, without having to pay hundreds of dollars to your doctor or buy expensive medicines in the store. These homemade solutions are easy and effective and won’t hurt your wallet either! So next time you’re feeling stuffed up, give these remedies a try.
1) Use Steam to Soothe Your Sinuses
When your sinuses are inflamed, you can use steam to help ease your pain. All you need is a bowl of boiling water and some towels. Lean over one towel that’s been draped over a bowl, placing your face above it. After five minutes of inhaling steam, move to another towel and do the same thing. Do not use any medication in combination with steam therapy—it may interfere with its effectiveness.
People swear by steam as a natural treatment for sinus pain. The other way you can use steam is; simply to boil water and pour it into a bowl or pot. Once it has boiled, add some salt and pepper to flavor it up if you like, then drape a towel over your head so that you’re breathing in steam. After about 10 minutes of inhaling hot vapors, your sinuses should start to clear out—and after several times doing this, they should stay clear all day long!
2) Apple Cider Vinegar- remedies for sinuses
Apple cider vinegar is a popular home remedy to help relieve sinus pressure and congestion, but how does it work? Antibacterial properties in apple cider vinegar can reduce inflammation. It also helps thin mucus, allowing your body to expel mucus more easily. And by helping thin mucus, you’ll have less of it in your system.
To use ACV to relieve sinus pain, mix a teaspoon of organic apple cider vinegar with a glass of water. Then drink up! You can take another sip every hour or so until you feel relief. This can help provide relief from sinus pressure and congestion.
Apple cider vinegar is an easy and effective treatment for sinus infections. It has antibacterial properties that help fight infection and promotes good overall health by helping your body to better absorb nutrients.
3) Ginger Tea- remedies for sinuses
Ginger tea has been used in traditional Chinese medicine as a treatment for sinus issues. If you have access to fresh ginger, simply boil up 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of it with some black peppercorns and cloves. You can drink it hot or cold and sweeten if desired. This will help clear up your sinuses and make you feel more relaxed!
Hot ginger tea can help soothe your aching sinuses and ease your sinus pressure. The combination of hot water and ginger can even open up clogged nasal passages. It’s a simple remedy that’s highly effective—so next time you have a cold, try some ginger tea! And remember to grab plenty of tissues; if you do happen to get congested, you don’t want to be stuck with no way to clear out those nasal passages!
4) Pineapple Juice- remedies for sinuses
Pineapple juice contains bromelain, an enzyme that can help break up mucus buildup in your nasal passages. Using a neti pot with a mixture of 1⁄4 cup pineapple juice, 1⁄4 cup water and a pinch of salt can help clear out your sinuses, says Bonnie Blodgett, M.D., assistant professor of medicine at Dartmouth’s Geisel School of Medicine.
And if you have an over-the-counter decongestant to help with swelling and congestion, be sure to follow directions closely. Combine that with its anti-inflammatory properties and you’ve got yourself a natural remedy to help relieve symptoms of sinusitis. Drink one or two glasses a day until you feel better.
5) Saline Nasal Spray- remedies for sinuses
Your nose runs constantly and you can’t breathe. Your sinuses are inflamed, which results in pain and pressure. There is a common misconception that simply blowing your nose will help cure these problems. While blowing your nose does clear out mucus, it doesn’t reduce inflammation. The best treatment for sinusitis is an over-the-counter saline nasal spray.
Nasal irrigation can help clear your nasal passages and relieve some of your sinus pressure. To do so, use a neti pot or make a saline solution using 1 cup (250 milliliters) of warm water and 1⁄4 teaspoon (1.25 grams) of salt; mix until dissolved, then use a dropper to put two drops in each nostril several times per day.
6) Eucalyptus Oil- remedies for sinuses
This common essential oil is one of the remedies for sinuses. It has potent anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It’s also a natural decongestant, which means it can shrink swollen sinus membranes. Mix several drops of eucalyptus oil with a carrier oil such as coconut or olive oil and rub on your chest and face to relieve sinus pain and pressure.
You can also; Boil water and add eucalyptus oil. Place a towel over your head, breathe in through your nose and exhale through your mouth. Do this as many times as needed throughout the day to help soothe sinuses.
Popularized by its use in treating respiratory problems, studies have found that applying eucalyptus oil topically to your sinuses can help reduce swelling. Not only will you breathe easier, but you’ll also clear up any germs lurking in your noggin (hey, they breed fast down there).
7) Turmeric- remedies for sinuses
Turmeric is a spice commonly used in Indian curries and lentil soups. While you can buy ground turmeric at your local supermarket, it’s a good idea to get your hands on some fresh turmeric root and grate it yourself.
Turmeric is known to have a strong antiseptic quality. Mix 1 teaspoon of turmeric with 1/2 cup of water, and boil in a pan until only 3 tablespoons remain. Let cool, then add 2 tablespoons of honey and drink on an empty stomach
8) Honey and Cinnamon
Honey has long been known to have antibacterial properties, so you can use it as a topical treatment on your sinus-infected areas. Honey also has a soothing effect, which may relieve some of your sinus pain. Similarly, cinnamon is an anti-inflammatory spice that also kills bacteria and may help alleviate discomfort caused by congestion.
Honey and cinnamon can help clear up a stuffy nose by thinning mucus. Mix 1/2 tablespoon of honey with 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon and stir until well blended. Use a dropper to put 1-2 drops into each nostril and allow it to dissolve naturally in your nasal passages. Another option is to heat a bowl of water, drop 2-3 teaspoons of honey into it, then cover your head with a towel and lean over the bowl; inhale while taking slow deep breaths.
