For those of us who suffer from sinus infections, getting through the day can be an uncomfortable and painful experience. In some cases, we may even have to stay in bed. It can make us desperate for a way to make it better. That means that many of us will stock up on cold medicine.
Of course, taking a lot of cold medicine isn’t the healthiest thing to do. That’s why many of us are looking for relieving without having to take any chemicals. Luckily, there are plenty of all-natural cures that can be used to help you breathe normally again. Here are 10 natural sinus infection remedies to try!
Symptoms of a Sinus Problem
How do you know if you have a sinus infection or just a cold? Here is a list of symptoms that indicate you have sinus problems:
- difficulty breathing
- pain in the face
- stuffy nose/ runny nose
- inability to smell
10 Natural Remedies
1. Quercetin
Quercetin is a natural flavonoid-rich with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. It also hinders the cells that manufacture histamine, a mucus generating chemical. This is why it is used to help with sinuses. In addition, the antioxidants slow down the oxidation process that we go through every day, essentially keeping us younger. The anti-inflammatory properties assist with heart disease, cancer, and mental faculties.
People typically take 500 milligrams twice a day as a supplement. However, you can also get it from the foods you eat. Berries, broccoli, kale, and tomatoes are all filled with quercetin.
2. Yoga
Yoga has been known to help the body and mind, but who knew that it can actually also help with your sinuses? There are a number of poses that allows you to keep your head elevated in a purposeful way. One pose especially popular for sinus relief is the Supported Reclined Cobbler’s Pose.
The Supported Reclined Cobbler’s Pose is a restorative pose, and it’s doable for people of any level. To accomplish this pose, first, you lay back on a support. You then bring the bottom of your feet together, bending your knees in the process. This helps open your lungs and sinuses without putting a lot of pressure on them.
There are plenty of other benefits to yoga, too. You can use yoga to help de-stress, increase flexibility, and open your chakra.
3. Neti Pot
Only people who have sinus infections will know what a neti pot is. Other people may have seen them being used but not know what they were called. Essentially, it’s a pot with a tube, and it’s one of the best sinus infection remedies available.
The first thing to do is to fill the neti pot with water. You don’t want to use water from the faucet, so use bottled water or filtered water. If you don’t have that available, you can just boil tap water and let it cool down. Once you fill the neti pot with water Over a sink, you will put the tube into one nostril with your head tilted. Pour the water into your one nostril and let it run out the other nostril. Do this on both nostrils. This will flush all of the unnecessary junk out of your nose.
Many people find this method extremely effective. However, some people don’t like pouring water into their nose. Either way, it’s worth a shot.
4. Acupressure
Eastern medicine has been given a bad reputation due to certain invalidated procedures. However, acupressure is not one of them. Not to be confused with acupuncture that sticks the body in certain points, acupressure uses certain pressure points in the body but doesn’t use the needles (yes!).
It’s best to go to a professional, but it’s possible to do the procedure yourself at home. Massages in very specific areas of your back, neck, head, and face can help relieve the pressure. The thought is that certain pressure points control certain parts of the body, including the sinuses. A professional will be very familiar with exactly where these pressure points are and how much pressure to apply. For the best results, go as soon as you notice a problem developing.
5. Sweet and Spicy Apple Cider Vinegar Tonic
This simple drink may not be the tastiest drink you’ll ever have, but it’s very effective. It only consists of three simple ingredients: apple cider vinegar, honey, and cayenne pepper.
The apple cider vinegar is the base. Of course, this isn’t super tasty. That’s why you add the honey. It adds to the flavor, and it also helps if you have a sore throat.
Have you ever smelled or tasted something really spicy that automatically opened up the sinuses? That’s why spicy foods and drinks can be especially effective. That’s where the cayenne pepper comes into play! Insert the
When making this drink, the amount of each ingredient you use is really based on your taste options and how effective it is. If you’re not feeling the effects with the amount of cayenne pepper you used, try more.
6. Steam
When you wake up with a sinus infection, you will want to do anything to get relieve. One of the easiest things you can do is use steam. This works by heating up water in a clean pot on the stove until it is boiling. Once it’s boiling, you’ll put your face over the pot of water. Many times, people put a towel over their head to help keep the steam in a concentrated place. The steam opens up the sinuses, allowing you to get over your sinus infection more quickly. For even better results, add some eucalyptus essential oils to the water. In a pinch, steam up the bathroom in the morning with an extra hot shower and breathe in the steam.
7. Eliminate Triggers
Certain things may trigger a sinus infection. While some infections are caused by a physical problem, others can be caused by the things around us. One of the best sinus infection remedies is to discover these triggers and eliminate them from your home. Some of the most popular triggers include allergies, smoke, and strong chemicals. Get rid of these problems by keeping pets outdoors, not allowing smoking in your home or your car, and using cleaners with no strong chemicals.
If you’re not sure where you’re getting your sinus infections, talk to your doctor to help find the cause. When you know the cause, it’s easier to come up with a solution.
8. Drink Healthy
Another natural sinus infection remedy is hydration. When you hydrate your body, it helps the mucus to drain. So, you should drink plenty of helpful fluids. Focus on drinking water and tea in particular. Drink 8 glasses of water when you start to feel a sinus problem. If you choose to drink tea, look for teas specifically designed to help sinus infections. Feel free to add honey or ginger to enhance flavor and effectiveness. You can also hydrate yourself by drinking healthy juices or smoothies.
While you should drink plenty of fluids, you want to stay away from caffeine and alcohol. They both tend to dehydrate the body more than help. If you’re feeling sick, it’s best to just stay away from both.
9. Take Plenty of Vitamin C
Vitamin C has been proven to help the immune system. The immune system is our internal protection against infections and illness. When you have a sinus infection, it’s time to give your immune system all the help it can get. That’s why you should take plenty of vitamin C.
Vitamin C is often found in oranges and orange juice as well as plenty of other fruits and vegetables, like lemon, broccoli, kale, and strawberries. Fruits can have a lot of sugar, though. The sugar can counter the effects of the vitamin C so choose where you get your vitamin C from thoughtfully. That’s just one of the reasons that some people choose to take vitamin C supplements. You should take these regularly, though, to prevent a sinus infection from happening in the first place. Don’t just start taking the supplements when you notice that you’re feeling stuffed up.
10. Natural nose and mouth sprays
A saline nasal spray or another natural nasal spray can be useful to get you through your day when you have an infection. You’ll use it during the day when you are feeling especially congested. When looking at all of the options, be sure to get one that is all natural. Many of the options have chemicals that you might not want to put into your body. You can even make your own nasal spray at home by using distilled water and salt.
Remember that your sinuses are connected to your throat and your ears. To help your entire head feel better, you should also get a natural mouth spray.
Natural sinus infection remedies are the way to go for people who want to feel their best without putting any unknown chemicals or toxins into their body. While medicine is a wonderful thing, if there are natural alternatives, why wouldn’t you try those first? When you’ve tried all of the above natural sinus infection remedies and you still aren’t getting the results you want, it’s time to talk to your doctor about alternative solutions.
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