Home Remedies for Acute Sinusitis

In this article, we would like to bring to you the top 15 most effective treatments for this infection of sinuses as well as its brief introduction about the symptoms and causes.

What is Acute Sinusitis?

Also known under the name Acute Rhinosinusitis, it is the term used to describe an inflammation or infection in the short term at the cavities surrounding the nasal passages or sinuses ^[1][2].

The swelling and inflammation will block the openings of the sinus, interfere with the normal drainage of mucus as well as trigger the buildup of mucus. Thus this problem will make it difficult for the breathing by your nose.

This condition is fairly as it is reported to take impact on over 37 million of Americans every year.

What causes Acute Sinusitis?

Acute sinusitis can be triggered by the infection of fungus, bacteria or virus which is often prolonged for couples of day up to 4 weeks.

There are people who can be more vulnerable for acute sinusitis such as people with high possibility to hay fever or allergies, abnormality of nasal passage, tooth infection, cystic fibrosis, GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), weakening of immune system as well as frequent exposure to such pollutants as smoke from cigarette ^[3][4].

Symptoms of Acute Sinusitis

Some common symptoms of this condition can be discharge with thick mucus through nose as well as back of throat, nasal congestion, cough with sore throat (might worsen at night), earache, headache, fatigue, fever, pain, bad breath as well as tenderness behind eyes, forehead, cheeks and nose. Occasionally, it might decline your sense of taste and smell.

Here are the top 15 most effective home remedies for acute sinusitis which are easy for you to apply at home in order to get rid of those symptoms of acute sinusitis as well as improve your immunity.

1. Steam Inhalation

The most recommended tip from the list of home remedies for acute sinusitis is using steam. It is considered the most natural expectorant for clearing nasal congestion as well as opening the sinuses. It can even lubricate the irritation at respiratory tract.

How to use:

• Take some drops of eucalyptus or peppermint oil into a small hot tub. Have your head cover with a towel and then breathe in the steam for couples of minute. Perform couples of time per day.
• Also you can open a hot shower and inhale some steam vapor for about 10 minutes. Perform 1 to 2 times every day.

Note: It is not recommended to apply for pregnant women, small children and people who are having heart conditions, high blood pressure and disorders of central nervous system.

2. Saline Solution

This method is considered the most effective from the list of home remedies for acute sinusitis as it is able to treat the nasal irrigation by thinning out the mucus and expelling it from the nasal passages. Furthermore, it can maintain moisture for your nasal passages.

How to use:

• Take a teaspoon of sea salt into some warm water (prefer recently boiled or distilled)
• Take the solution into the neti pot.
• Then take a stand over the sink, insert the spout tip into 1 side of the nostrils while tilting the head to the other side in order to let water go out through the other nostril.
• Have the pot refilled and perform the process again on the other nostril.
• Perform this procedure for 1 to 2 times every day in couples of day.

3. Cayenne Pepper

The capsaicin compound is so effective that cayenne pepper cannot be left out of the list of home remedies for sinusitis. It is capable of acting as a painkiller while alleviating nasal congestion ^[4].

How to use:

• Take a teaspoon of cayenne pepper with honey and consume together for couples of time per day.
• Another way is taking a teaspoon of cayenne powder into some hot water. Consume 3 times per day for thinning out mucus and promote the secretion.
• Also you might use a nasal spray with capsaicin ingredient which is available at any pharmacy. Perform according to instruction.

4. Apple Cider Vinegar

The capability in thinning out mucus which make it easier for draining congestion together with the richness in some nutrients which are beneficial for immune system are the reason why apple cider vinegar is presented in the list of home remedies for acute sinusitis.

How to use:

• Take 1 – 2 teaspoon of unfiltered raw vinegar into some water.
• Put in some honey for sweetening.
• Consume 3 times per day in couples of day.

5. Garlic

The powerful immune-boosting, antibiotic and antioxidant properties are what make garlic a valuable ingredient in the list of home remedies for acute sinusitis. Also it is even considered a natural decongestant due to its ability to break down mucus, thus make it easier for draining ^[5].

How to use:

• Take 2 to 3 chopped cloves of garlic into some boiling water. Have your head covered using a towel and then breathe in the steam from that garlic-infused water for about 5 minutes. Perform couples of time per day.
• Also you might take the supplement of garlic for 250 – 500 milligrams but only after consulting the doctor.

Learn about another benefit of garlic at Home Remedies for Oral Thrush.

6. Horseradish

This herb is recommended in the list of home remedies for acute sinusitis is due to its strong capability of dissolving and eliminating excessive mucus. Together with its antibiotic property, it can improve your immunity as well as stimulate quick healing.

How to use:

• Take a large horseradish to grate and put into a jar. Then add in juice from a lemon with a tablespoon of honey. Have the jar sealed and keep for 24 hours. Consume a tablespoon for couples of time every day.
• Another way is taking some freshly grated horseradish into your mouth and keeping until the flavor completely fades away, and then swallowing. Perform couples of time per day.

7. Fenugreek Seeds

The mighty anti-inflammatory property from fenugreek is the reason why it is included in the list of home remedies for acute sinusitis. It can help you cleanse your mucous membranes which assist the sinus cavities in draining excessive secretions. Furthermore, it is able to decline the production of mucus.

How to use:

• Take 2 teaspoons of fenugreek seeds into some boiling water.
• Have them boiled until the water remains half.
• The have the solution strained and consume with small sips for 2 to 3 times per day.

Note: Avoid using fenugreek seeds when you are pregnant as it might trigger uterine contractions.

Learn about another benefit of fenugreek at Home Remedies for Bacterial Vaginosis.

8. Oregano Oil

Its potent antioxidant, antifungal and antibacterial properties from oregano oil is extremely effective in the treatment of acute sinusitis as it can help you get rid of those underlying causes of acute sinusitis while relieving the inflammation at nasal cavities ^[6][7].

How to use:

• Take some drops of oregano oil under the tongue for 2 times per day.
• Another way is taking some drops of oregano oil into some juice or water and consuming 1 to 2 times every day.
• Also you can have some water boiled and put in some drops of oregano oil. Then breathe in the steam for about 5 minutes in 2 to 3 times per day.

9. Black Seeds

Also called kalonji, it is a brilliant ingredient from the list of home remedies for acute sinusitis which possesses powerful antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties that can ease congestion, inflammation as well as some other symptoms ^[8].

How to use:

• Take some drops of black seeds oil onto a handkerchief. Breathe in the aroma regularly in order to ease congestion and improve flow of mucus.
• Another way is taking a teaspoon of roasted crushed black seeds with a teaspoon of honey and consuming 2 to 3 times every day.

10. Bromelain

This enzyme from pineapple is excellently effective in the treatment of sinusitis on children. With it anti-inflammatory property, it can alleviate the swelling from nasal passages while boosting up the healing ^[9].

How to use:

• You might take the recommended dose of 500 – 2000mg/day but only after consulting the doctor.
• Also you can include pineapple into your daily diet.

11. Turmeric

The curcumin compound from turmeric is undoubtedly one of the most essential components in the list of home remedies for sinusitis because of its ability to soothe sinus inflammation as well as decongest the airways while healing the sinus cavity ^[10].

How to use:

• You can include turmeric into your daily cooking.
• Also you might take supplement of turmeric in tablet form available at local drugstore.

12. Carom Seeds

Another efficient ingredient with the capability of thinning mucus from the list of home remedies for acute sinusitis is carom seed.

How to use:

• Take a tablespoon of crushed carom seeds into some boiling water.
• Have your head covered in a towel and bring your face to over the hot boiling water then breathe in the steam.
• Perform couples of time every day.

Note: You might opt for peppermint oil in the replacement of crushed carom seeds.

13. Grapefruit Seed Extract

The extract from grapefruit seed contains antibiotic property which is excellent at combating infection, thus provide significant support for the treatment of acute sinusitis ^[11].

How to use:

• Take 5 drops of extract from grapefruit seed into some water.
• Consume twice every day.
• Also you might take the supplement which contains the extract of grapefruit seed but you need to test with small amount first in order to ensure there is no allergy.

14. Tomato Juice

Abundance of vitamin A together with anti-inflammatory property, it is not surprising to see tomato in the list of home remedies for acute sinusitis as it can help you restore the mucous membranes from the sinus cavity ^[12].

How to use:

• Take a cup of tomato juice to boil.
• Add in a tablespoon of chopped garlic, a tablespoon of lemon juice, ½ tablespoon of hot sauce with a bit of celery salt.
• Have them mixed together and bring to boil for about 3 minutes.
• Consume twice every day.

Learn about other benefits of tomatoes at Health Benefits of Tomatoes.

15. Onion

The last ingredient from the list of home remedies for acute sinusitis is the common vegetable – onion. However, with its sulfur, onion is capable of eliminating efficiently those bacteria which trigger sinus infections ^[13].

How to use:

• Take some chopped onion into some boiling water.
• Have it boiled for about 5 minutes.
• Have your head covered with a towel and bring your face over the hot boiling water then breathe in the steam
• Also you might have an onion cut into half and breathe in directly its fumes.

Extra Tips:

• Have a humidifier inside the room which you stay the most in order to moisturize the air.
• Have some warm compresses applied on the face in order to maintain moisture for nasal passages.
• Consume healthy diet with more consumption of whole grains, lentils, beans, cold-presses oils and light soups.
• Keep out of foods which can assist the formation of mucus such as products of refined flour, chocolate, eggs, processed and fried foods, dairy and sugary products.
• Increase the intake of fluid in order to maintain hydration and moist for the sinus.
• Keep out of beverages which contain alcohol and caffeine as they might cause dehydration.
• Have more quality rest in order to support the body in fighting infection as well as quick healing.
• Have your head elevated while sleeping in order to improve flow of mucus and prevent congestion.
• Keep out of smoke from cigarette as well as other air irritants.
• Acupressure and acupuncture can bring great relief for acute sinusitis which is caused by allergies.

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