A sinus infection, or sinusitis, is when the sinus passages become inflamed, according to Family Doctor. When the swelling in the sinuses takes place, mucus cannot move and sinusitis will develop. Allergies, smoking, decongestant nasal sprays or changes in air pressure or temperature can cause sinusitis. A sinus infection occurs when bacteria grow in the nasal passages since blocked mucus is a good place for bacteria to grow. This can especially occur after a cold. Headaches, fever, nasal congestion and aching in the teeth are symptoms of a sinus infection. Natural remedies and herbs may help treat sinus infections. Note that herbs are not meant to replace medical treatment. Seeing your doctor can also help treat a sinus infection.
Step 1
Take a 1000 mg of vitamin C daily. In the Reader's Digest book "The Healing Power of Vitamins, Minerals, and Herbs," it suggests taking this amount to help strengthen the body's immune system, which helps to fight a sinus infection.
Step 2
Find tinctures of echinacea, astragalus and reishi in a health food store and take the recommended dosage listed on each bottle daily. Add the tinctures to warm water or tea. Sweeten with honey to help the taste. Reader's Digest suggests all these herbs for a sinus infection, which all help support the immune system.
Step 3
Add water to a small glass bottle, then add 5 to 10 drops of eucalyptus, rosemary, cloves, peppermint and bay leaf essential oils to the water. Jeanne Rose and Michael S. Moore suggest this remedy to clear the nasal passages in their book "Herbs & Things: Jeanne Rose's Herbal."
Tips and Warnings
- The Reader's Digest book also suggests the herb ephedra, which helps open the nasal passages and relieves swelling. This herb should only be taken for acute attacks that don't respond to other treatments, as nervousness and insomnia are some side effects that may occur. You also avoid smoking and drink plenty of water to help a sinus infection. Try placing warm compresses on you face or trying a salt water flush pot, which you can find at natural health food stores.
- If your sinus infection has not cleared after trying natural treatments for seven or so days, contact your doctor.
Things You'll Need
- Vitamin C supplement
- Echinacea tincture
- Astragalus tincture
- Reishi tincture
- Small glass bottle with lid
- Eucalyptus essential oil
- Rosemary essential oil
- Cloves essential oil
- Peppermint essential oil
- Bay leaf essential oil
References
- FamilyDoctor.org: Sinusitis
- "The Healing Power of Vitamins, Minerals, and Herbs"; Reader's Digest Association'; 1999
- "Herbs & Things: Jeanne Rose's Herbal"; Jeanne Rose and Michael S. Moore; 2002
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