Before turning to antibiotics, try these sinus pain remedies to help ease achiness and nasal congestion. Whether you have a single sinus infection or recurrent sinusitis, the pain and pressure in your face is enough to send you running for medication.
In many cases, home remedies can effectively improve inflamed sinuses.
These treatments sooth irritated passageways and increase the flow of mucus so you don’t feel so stuffed up, he explains.
Heat up your face: One of the most effective home remedies is to warm up and moisturize your sinus passageways. For the most potent steam treatment, boil a pot of water, then take it off the heat. Tent a towel over your head and bend over the pot to inhale the steam. Be careful not to start out too close to the hot water and to keep your eyes closed. As the liquid cools, you can move in a little, but only to the point where it remains comfortable. You might add a drop or two of essential oils; eucalyptus oil can help open the nose, while lavender essential oil or chamomile essential oil will calm you.
Irrigate your sinuses: Nasal irrigation is basically a method of using a saltwater solution to force out germs and plugged-up mucous residing in the sinus passages. Other terms for this are nasal wash, nasal douche, or lavage. Some people refer to it by one of the popular devices used to get the water in, a “neti pot.” Experts caution that it is important to use distilled or sterile water (you can sterilize tap water yourself by boiling for 3 to 5 minutes, then cooling) to avoid the rare possibility of introducing a parasite into your sinus passageways.
Try Quercetin — a Powerful Herb: Quercetin is a natural plant component found in everything from onions and apples to green tea and red wine. Like many plant ingredients, it is an antioxidant. For sinus problems, quercetin has also been found to stabilize the cells in the body that release histamine the chemical that stimulates mucus secretion in the sinuses. The Alternative Medicine Review article recommends quercetin as helpful for sinusitis, suggesting a typical oral dose of 400 to 500 mg taken three times per day.
Drinking liquids: Staying hydrated keeps your sinuses moist so you feel better, and it also decreases the thickness of sinus mucus so it flows out more easily. Steer clear of too many caffeinated or alcoholic drinks, which can cause dehydration.
