Home remedies for sinusitis

Acetic acid is one of the primary constituents of apple cider vinegar that prevents bacterial growth. Apple cider vinegar is a natural antibacterial, antiviral, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory solution which can kill the microorganisms that cause infection. The acetic acid in apple cider vinegar reduces the mucus in the throat and helps it to move out of the respiratory tract more quickly.

Doctors have used 1% acetic acid for the lavage of the sinus (to drain them). Apple cider vinegar is also known to maintain a healthy alkaline pH level in the body, which helps to break up mucus and does not allow the infection to become severe.

What you will need:

• 1 glass warm water
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• 1-2 teaspoons honey

How to make it:

Stir the apple cider vinegar in a glass of warm water. Add honey to combat your sinus infection.

Inhaling steam is an old remedy for common cold and a blocked nose. However, if you add a few leaves of peppermint into boiling water and take that steam for 10-15 minutes, it will loosen up your thickened mucus. Because of its strong, minty scent, peppermint essential oil is very useful in relieving sinus congestion and pressure.

Peppermint essential oil has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiseptic properties that easily penetrate the mucus lining of the nose and provide rapid relief. It can also relieve the headaches that occur due to sinus infections or pressure during weather change.

Read more: Home remedies for blocked nose

In a comparative study, it was seen that the dryness of the nasal mucosa was improved significantly and showed better results after using pure sesame oil compared with isotonic sodium chloride solution. The study found that there was a marked improvement in nasal stuffiness after the use of pure sesame oil. You can cook your food in sesame oil to reap its benefits.

Onion is known to have a chemical compound called quercetin which has antihistamine (anti-allergic) properties that helps in lowering inflammation and nasal congestion during sinusitis.

We all cry while cutting onions, have you ever wondered why? When we cut onions, it produces a chemical irritant known as syn-propanethial-S-oxide which stimulates the eyes' lacrimal glands to release tears and naturally help with the opening and draining of your sinuses.

According to a study published in the American Journal of Rhinology & Allergy, quercetin has the ability to effectively maintain normal motion of the cilia present in the nose by controlling the release of mucus even during sinusitis. You can add onions in your regular food or can even consume it in your salad.

Tomato is rich in Vitamin A and vitamin C. Vitamin A helps in conditioning the membranes and also helps in building healthy mucus membranes in the head and throat. You can make tomato soup and have it once regularly when it's warm. 

Cineole and eucalyptol present in eucalyptus oil are responsible for providing medicinal property to the oil. In a study done on 150 people with acute sinusitis but who did not require antibiotic treatment were divided into two groups: one received 200 milligrams of cineole orally three times a day, while the other one got a placebo. The study concluded that people who got cineole recovered significantly faster than those who received a placebo.

Inhaling eucalyptus oil can reduce the muscle spasms that narrow the airway and cause difficulty in breathing during sinusitis.

You can either inhale the oil by adding two drops of it in warm water or you can add it in your warm bathing water. 

Turmeric is rich in curcumin which gives it colour, fragrance and anti-inflammatory properties. Turmeric also has antioxidant properties which help in removing the oxidative stress of the body. According to studies, curcumin has potent anti-inflammatory effects on the cytokines (inflammation-causing cells) which are seen in acute sinusitis. You can add a teaspoon of turmeric powder in a glass of warm milk and consume it once daily. You can also get curcumin supplements from the market and consume one tablet daily. 

Fenugreek seeds have a cleansing action on the body as it helps in purifying the blood and cleanses the lymphatic system, thus detoxifying the body. It is widely used for illnesses like hay fever and sinusitis.

You can soak the fenugreek seeds overnight in water and then drink it early in the morning. You can also consume it in a powder form along with a glass of water or buttermilk, 15 minutes before your first meal.

Read more: Home remedies for allergic rhinitis (hay fever)

Ginger is possibly one of the oldest remedies that is used for the treatment of any nasal or throat illness. Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties which help in reducing the inflammation seen during sinusitis. The antioxidants of ginger are helpful in treating various symptoms of a sinus infection. You can make ginger tea or ginger juice that can be consumed on a regular basis to exterminate the sinus infection.

Allicin is an enzyme which is present in garlic which helps in destroying bacteria and viruses that may cause sinusitis. Garlic also contains a number of unique sulfur compounds which gives it antibiotic and anti-inflammatory effects. Garlic can help in relieving the swelling present in the nasal passages, which allows maximum flow of mucus through the sinus cavities, thus eliminating the infection. You can eat two cloves of raw garlic early in the morning or you can add it in your daily diet while cooking.

Ayurveda has been using the holy basil (tulsi) for the treatment of various infections since ages. According to them, holy basil tea can help in moistening the mucus membrane of the airway, thus clearing the sinus network. Some research suggests that holy basil can relieve inflammation, sinus pressure and muscular tension. You can make a concoction with the holy basil and warm water or can use essential oil to reduce the symptoms of sinusitis.

Cumin seed oil has shown anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antihistaminic, immune-modulator, antimicrobial and analgesic effects. Scientists believe that cumin seed oil can reduce the inflammation of sinuses and airways, and also decreases the microbial infection in the people with sinusitis.

Cumin seed oil helps in relieving clinical symptoms of sinusitis such as coryza, nasal congestion, headache, neck pain, earache and toothache. You can add cumin seeds in your food. You can also roast them in a pan for less than a minute and then grind them into a powder form. Take one teaspoon cumin powder twice a day.

Cinnamon has the ability to fight fungal infections in the respiratory tract like fungal thrush. Cinnamon’s natural oil contains cinnamaldehyde that fights various bacteria such as salmonella and listeria. Cinnamon also has antioxidants which are known to provide anti-inflammatory properties to it. You can add a pinch of cinnamon in lukewarm milk and drink one glass of it regularly. You can even bake a spice cake with cinnamon.