5 Best Natural Remedies for Sinus Infection

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There are various natural sinus pain remedies that can offer relief. This is regardless whether your symptoms are due to allergies, the common cold, or a sinus infection (sinusitis).

Before turning to anti-biotics or medicines, try these natural sinus pain remedies to help cure congestion and achiness.

5 Best Natural Remedies for Sinus Infection
natural remedies for sinusitis / photo credit: herbal supplement resource

What is a Sinus Infection?

According to Dr. Axe, the sinuses, or sinus cavities, are hollow spaces in which air flows through, within your bones surrounding the nose.

Sinusitis or sinus infection occurs when your nasal cavities become inflamed and swollen. Normally, your sinuses are filled with air, and when sinuses become blocked and filled with fluid, the bacteria, germs, fungi and viruses can grow, therefore causing an infection.

Natural Remedies for Sinus Pain:

1. Garlic

Garlic is known to be one of nature’s best antibiotics. Garlic is the best way, not only to naturally treat a sinus infection, but to prevent it in the first place.

In a study, participants took either garlic supplements or a placebo for 12 weeks during the cold season, between November and February. The garlic taker particpants were less likely to get a cold, and when they get a cold, they recovered faster than the placebo group.

While the particpants who did not take garlic or the placebo group, had a much greater likelihood of contracting more than one cold over the span of 12-week treatment period.

The study attributed garlic’s ability to prevent the common cold virus to its active component, allicin.

For general health promotion for adults, the WHO or World Health Organization recommends a daily dose of 2-5 grams or about 1 clove, of fresh garlic, 0.4 to 1.2 grams of dried garlic powder, 300 to 1,000 milligrams of garlic extract, 2-5 milligrams of garlic oil, or other formulations that are equal to 2-5 milligrams of allicin.

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2. Stay Hydrated

Staying hydrated helps your body in various ways, and it includes keeping your sinuses moist. Drink water all through the day. Also, stay clear of alcoholic or caffeinated drinks, as these can cause dehydration.

Although recommended fluid intake differs from person, an easy guidel is to drink at least 8, 8-ounce glasses daily.

But how can you tell if you are drinking enough water? If the color of your urine is clear,this means you are hydrated.

3. Steam Inhalation

You can break up thick mucus with a just a few drops of Peppermint or Eucalyptus oil in hot water. With your face down over the water, put a towel over the back of your head and inhale the steam.

This can also work with a few drops of either oil that added to the water in a humidifier. Some of these machines actually have a small tank that is included for just such a thing.

4. Use Spices

Spicy foods such as hot peppers, mustard, horseradish, curry and wasabi may help clear sinuses. You can add some hot spices to your dishes to open your nasal passages.

5. Vitamin C

Vitamin C is important to proper function of your immune system. The immune system is the system that helps your body to fight infections and protects your body from getting infections.

As an antioxidant, vitamin C helps in guarding your cells from free radical damage. Free radicals are present in things that can commonly contribute to the development of sinus infections such as cigarette smoke and air pollution. The recommended vitamin C intake is 1,000 milligrams 3x per day.

Read More:
1. 9 Immunity Boosting Foods to Fight Colds and Flu
2. How to Use Lemon Juice to Ease Gout
3. 7 Surprising But Effective Cold Remedies You Should Try

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