Sinusitis, or a sinus infection, occurs when the sinuses and nasal passages become inflamed. Sinus infection is a common condition, with over 24 million cases annually in the U.S. It can be acute which will last for less than four weeks or chronic which will last for 8 weeks to 12 weeks. The symptoms of acute and chronic sinusitis are similar. Some of the common symptoms of sinus infection include: headache, facial tenderness, pressure or pain in the sinuses, blocked nose, fever, nausea, swelling and pain around the forehead, nose, cheeks and eyes. Treating an infection of the sinuses hinges on relieving inflammation, clearing the passageway and eliminating infection. You can try the various home remedies for sinus infection to achieve these results. Even better, many of the measures are simple and inexpensive.
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a hailed sinus infection home treatment. Apple cider vinegar delivers a number of nutrients to the body that support overall immune health and prevent infection. If you are sensing irritations due to sinus infection, then you need to simply combine 1-2 teaspoons of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar in 6 ounces of water, a teaspoon of raw honey and drink three times a day, the sinus infection could vanish within just a few days. In addition, apple cider vinegar can be diluted and used as a rinse to thin mucus almost immediately and to eliminate infection.
2. GrapeFruit Seed Extract (GSE)
Grapefruit seed extract is an incredible “natural antibiotic.” It has excellent antifungal and antibacterial properties that are found to be very effective in treating sinus infection, and without any of the side effects of regular antibiotics. So if you have a sinus infection, remember this little home remedy for how to get rid of a sinus infection. Add a few drops of grapefruit seed extract to the neti pot, shake it up, and use as normal. Do this 2-3 times a day for a week to 10 days.
3. Steam Inhalation
One of the best sinusitis home remedies is steam inhalation. Hold your head over a pot of boiling water and breathe through your nose. Be careful. If the steam burns your nose, breathe in more slowly. Regarding the best results, you can add a few drops of essential oils like eucalyptus into the water, which will help further reduce congestion.
4. Nasal Saline Rinse
Nasal saline rinse has been shown to be a beneficial therapy in the treatment and prevention of sinus infection. You need to create your own saline solution, mix 1 cup of lukewarm distilled, sterile, or previously boiled water with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda. Place the above mixture in a bulb syringe, flush your nasal cavities to clean out mucus and debris. It may not be the most comfortable of solutions, but a nasal saline rinse seems to continuously be passed down as one of the more effective home remedies for sinus infection. As a further convenience, you can also buy a sinus rinse kit. The last reference of this article shows a video of a sinus rinse procedure.
5. Cayenne Pepper
While the above remedies may suffice, cayenne pepper is also a very popular sinus infection treatment to store in your home remedies memory bank. Capsaicin found in cayenne – a stimulant that encourages blood flow and boosts the functioning of the nasal passages. This can help reduce fevers and relieve such the congestion of colds and sinus infection. Take a few pinches of cayenne pepper powder and dab inside your infected nostril. You can also add cayenne peppers to your meals.
How to use sinus rinse: