17 DIY Home Remedies for Sinus Infection

Sinuses are the small cavities in the skull that are normally filled with air. Sinus produce
mucus, this helps to keep the nasal passage free from allergies and pollutants.
Generally, sinusitis is an inflammation of the tissues that will lines these cavities. This
sinus is mostly caused by bacterial infections and if it has blocked and there is no free
passage of air then it forms to fungus infections.

Sinus Infection
There are two types of sinusitis. They are acute sinusitis (lasts for about 4 weeks) and
chronic sinusitis (lasts for more than 12 months and continues for years). It causes pain
and pressure as these swelling blocks off the sinuses trapping mucus and air inside.
Cold and allergies are the main triggers to cause sinus. Congestion, facial pressure
and pain, thick discolored mucus is some of the symptoms of this sinus.

Home Remedies for Sinus Infection:

Survey says that about 37 million people in U.S were affected by sinusitis every year
and spending many billion dollars for its treatment. Despite of spending the money
and not getting proper cure and with many side effects will be useless. So, you can
follow these natural home remedies to get rid of this sinus problem.

1 Garlic
It contains some chemical substance which kills virus, bacterial or fungal infections.
As sinus is a bacterial infection, garlic helps to destroy the bacterial infection and
cures the sinus problem.
Remedy 1:
Ingredients:
Garlic cloves 3 to 4
Water
Process: Put water in a pot and boil it for few minutes
After it starts boiling, then add crushed garlic cloves into it.
Turn off the heat and cover it with a towel or wash cloth so that the steam will not
escape.
Now inhale the steam which gives instant relief from the sinus by thinning the mucus.
Repeat the process whenever you feel necessary.
Remedy 2:
Ingredients:
Garlic cloves 2 to 3
Turmeric powder 1/2 teaspoon
Water 1 cup
Process:
You can make a soup or juice from garlic cloves
Boil garlic cloves in water
Then mix turmeric powder in it. Mix it well
Drink this regularly until and unless you get relief from the sinus problem.
Remedy 3:
Process:
Take few fresh garlic cloves and eat them as often which helps to get relief from the
stuffiness and discomfort.
Or you can simply eat the garlic bread or pizzas to get relief from the sinus problem.
But make sure that not to give garlic cloves to the children for eating as it can leads
to any other problem without the advice of the doctor.

2 Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) helps to clear a stuffy nose as it thin the mucus
immediately.
Remedy 1:
Ingredients:
Apple Cider Vinegar 2 tablespoon
Honey 1 tablespoon
Warm water 1 cup
Process:

Take apple cider vinegar and add honey to it

Mix it well in a cup of warm water
Drink this solution two to three times a day to get rid of the sinus infection.
Remedy 2:
Ingredients:
Apple cider vinegar 1/4 cup
Water 16 oz
Process:
Mix apple cider vinegar in water
Sip it throughout the day to get relief.
Or you can simply use the ACV Tablets or capsules which helps to fight against sinus
infection.
Remedy 3:
Ingredients:
Apple cider vinegar 1/2 cup
Water 1/2 cup
Process:
Take apple cider vinegar and mix it in water
Now heat this mixture on the stove for few minutes
Turn off the heat and inhale the steam by closing your mouth and eyes.
Inhale it for few minutes regularly to get relief from the sinus infection.
For better results, use organic ACV rather than non organic.
For some more remedies, read the post Apple Cider Vinegar for Sinus Infection
Treatment

3 Turmeric Powder
Turmeric contains a substance called curcumin which helps to heal the sinus cavity
and clears your airways. Turmeric also possess anti inflammatory properties as sinus
infection is caused by nasal inflammation.
Process:
Use turmeric in as many ways as possible
You can include in your diet by adding it while cooking food or take a capsule
made of turmeric etc.
Regular usage of turmeric will helps to get rid of the sinus infection.

4 Steam:
Inhaling steam is an old and popular remedy which helps to give instant relief from
nasal congestion or sinus infection. Carom seeds help to give relief from the sinus by
thinning the mucus due to its natural property.
Ingredients:
Crushed carom seeds 1 tablespoon
Boiling water enough to inhale the steam
Process:

Take crushed carom seeds (ajwain) in boiling water

Leave it for few seconds by closing the water so that the steam wont escape from it.
Now inhale the steam which is mixed with the flavor of carom seeds
Process has to be repeated for several times a day to get relief from the sinus.
Or you can use few drops of peppermint oil instead of crushed carom seeds and
inhale it to get relief. Also follow this remedy for few times a day.

5 Fenugreek Seeds
Fenugreek has anti inflammatory property which helps to cure sinus problem.
Process:
Take some fenugreeks and pour it in a glass of water
Mix it well and boil it for few minutes
Try to drink this solution when it is warm
Repeat the process for several times a day to get relief from sinus problem.
But make sure to take the doctors advice as fenugreek may have some sides while
using it.

6 Eucalyptus Oil
This essential oil helps to fight against the infection causing sinus and strengthen your
respiratory system and clears your sinus problem.
Process:
Pour a drop or two of eucalyptus oil in a fresh handkerchief
Try to inhale its perfume regularly to get relief
Or you can also use eucalyptus oil on pillows where you sleep so that it will help while
you are sleeping.
Do it regularly to get rid of the sinus problem.

7 Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE)

Grapefruit seed extract is a citrus fruit which have powerful antibiotic property and
used to cure this sinus problem.
Process:
Take grapefruit seed extract of about 5 drops
Add this in 6 oz of water
Mix it well and drink this twice a day
Drinking it regularly will help to get rid of the sinus problem as it has both anti
bacterial and anti fungal properties which helps to cure the problem.
GSE can be found in either liquid form or in pill form.
Make sure that it can cause allergic reaction to some people so start it by taking a
small amount with doctors advice.

8 Hot Tomato Juice

Tomato is rich in vitamin A and lightly has anti inflammatory property which helps to
repair the mucus membranes in the sinus cavity.

Ingredients:
Tomato juice 1 cup
Chopped garlic 1 tablespoon
Hot sauce 1/2 tablespoon
Lemon juice 1 tablespoon
Celery salt pinch
Process:
Boil tomato juice by pouring it in a saucepan
Meanwhile you have to add all the remaining ingredients in it
Mix it well and boil it for few minutes
Drink this homemade tomato juice when it is hot for at least twice in a day to get rid
of the problem.

9 Onions:
Onions contain sulfur which acts as antibacterial and cures the sinus problem.
Process:
Take an onion and chop it into small pieces
Pour this onion pieces into a pot of boiling water
Let it boil for about 5 minutes
Now pour this solution in a bowl to inhale it
Inhale it for few minutes to get relief from the clogged nose and sinus infection.
Or you can simply cut the onions into two parts and take one part to inhale.
Repeat the process whenever you feel necessary.

10 Saline Solution
Saline solution is used to clear your mucus and sinus infection.
Ingredients:
Salt 1/4 teaspoon
Baking soda 1/4 teaspoon
Warm water 1 to 2 teaspoons (to mix the solution)
Water 1 glass
Process:
Take a mug and add salt and baking soda into it
Then mix it well with warm water
Now add normal water to fill the mug.
Check the solution whether it is hot or lukewarm
Take nasal aspirator or neti pot and put the tip in the solution and fill it up.
Tilt your head to one side and slightly pour this solution in one nostril
Now allow the solution from other nostril which will clear up the mucus and your nose.
Repeat the process for other nostril to get relief from the sinus problem and also its
symptoms.
Make sure that not to do this process immediately before going to bed, as sinus will
drain immediately into your ear canals which may cause ear infection.

11 Horseradish
Horseradish is having the property which cures the congested nasal due to sinus
infection.
Process:
Take a horseradish and grate it into small tiny pieces
Then hold a pinch of this radish pieces in your mouth.
Leave it like this for few minutes, so that the flavor of it will moves up to your sinus to
ease and dissolve the mucus formed it
When you think that flavor disappeared in your mouth then swallow this grated
radish to get the flavor and also to eliminate the mucus from your throat.

12 Oregano Oil
Oregano oil helps to treat the sinus infection with its natural healing properties.
Process:
Add few drops of oregano oil in water
Boil it for few minutes
Then turn off the heat and inhale it by covering your head and that bowl with water
Inhale the steam for few minutes but make sure that your eyes are closed while
inhaling it
Continue doing this process until you get relief from the sinus.
Not only for sinus, oregano oil can also be used to improve digestion, fight against
infections and improves biological functions.

13 Ginger
Ginger is also used to treat the sinus infection as it contain anti inflammation
property.
Process:
Take a ginger and cut it into thin slices
Step it in hot water for 10 minutes
Strain it and drink it as tea
Or inhale the warm vapors to get instant relief from the pain.

14 Hot Compress
Warm compress will helps to heal the sinus infection. The compress when placed
over the infected sinus region will be proven to be effective as it helps to reduce
facial pain, headaches and congested cavities to get relief from the sinus infection.
Process:
Take water and boil it in for few minutes to get hot
You can either inhale the steam or place a towel which is dipped in warm water on
your forehead.
You can also add few drops of eucalyptus oil or menthol for additional effect.
This process has to be repeated to get relief from the sinus and its pain.

15 Diet Plan:
Diet will also make the problem / disease to get healed fast or slow
Have herbal tea regularly to make the mucus thin, this helps to flush out the toxins
from inside your body. So sinus will be cured.
Include ginger, garlic, onions and red chilly in your diet to make your food more
spicier. Take spicy food which helps in improving the flow of mucus within the nasal
passages and get relief.
Include food which is rich in vitamin A like carrots, mangoes, tomatoes, sweet
potatoes and broccoli leaves.
Have food which contains anti inflammatory property in your diet.
Increase the quantity of liquid by drinking water, fresh fruit juices, hot beverages,
herbal teas, soups, broth etc to get yourself hydrated. This helps sinus drain excess
mucus and helps to prevent the sinus infection.
Avoid taking alcohol, smoking and other beverages like coffee, cola etc.
Avoid diary and high processed foods which increases the nasal congestion.
Highly refined foods containing starchy ingredients, white sugar and white flour like
fried foods, pies, candies and macaroni products should be avoided. As these will
increase the mucus secretions and make sinus to prolong.
Avoid food which causes food allergies to you as it can increase the sinus.

16 Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is having the property of fighting against and virus which causes sinus.
Process:
Take few dried lemon balm leaves
Boil these leaves in water for about 10 minutes.
Sieve the mixture and use it as gargle.
Gargle this mixture twice a day to get relief from the pain.

17 Acupressure:
Acupressure will also cure sinus infection. This can be done by gently applying the
pressure with the pads of your fingers on both sides of your nose and also between
your eyebrows to alleviate the pain and improves blood circulation to the
membrane which is lined the cavities. This will reduce the inflammation and makes
you feel better. But make sure that you should know the correct pressure point so for
that take the advice of specialist.
Also Read the Related Post Home Remedies for Sinus Headache
Tips to reduce the Sinus Infection:
Follow these tips other than home remedies to get relief from the sinus infection and
its symptoms.
Find the Triggers which causes sinus problem and avoid them to reduce the sinus
infection.
Use a humidifier to open up the clogged nasal passages there by to get instant relief
from sinus.

Stand in the shower for few minutes so that the stem will build up and now you can
breathe that soothing vapors which gives some relief from the problem. Repeat the
shower twice a day to heal the sinus problem.
Take clean washcloth and get it wet in warm water and apply this cloth over your
check bones, nose and eyes for about 10 15 minutes. Repeat it as if needed to get
instant relief from pain and congestion.
You can also use bulb syringes, neti pots etc to clear out the mucus and also to keep
your sinus moist. But make sure to wash these devices after each use and leave it
open to air dry.
Taking rest will also help to reduce the sinus infection. Get plenty of sleep which helps
your body to get enough strength to fight against the sinus infection.
Open up your house on a warmer day to clear the air will definitely help to have an
energy efficient house. But make sure that it wont be a high pollen day which will set
off your allergies.
Elevate your head while sleeping will helps to drain your sinus by reducing
congestion.
Doing some regular exercises especially cover Peak Fitness type of exercises to get
relief from the sinus infection.
Take fermented cod liver oil or capsule which helps to boost your immune system to
get quick heal and relief from the sinus infection now in resent and also in future.

Preventive Steps:
Prevention is better than cure so, follow these preventive steps for not to face the
problem.
Treat the allergies and colds when you are affected by it as it causes inflammation
and may lead to sinus infection. So, treating allergies and colds faster will make you
feel better.
Avoid pollution, as contaminated air may irritate the nasal passage and aggravate
your sinusitis.
Avoid chemicals and other strong fumes which will irritate the sinus linings.
Practice good hygiene, as bacterial and viral infections are most common causes of
sinusitis. If you practice good hygienic conditions such as frequently washing your
hands whenever required etc. will reduce the chance of getting it back.
Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol
Drink plenty of water and make your home neat and clean from dust particles
Follow these remedies and tips to get rid of the sinus infection rather than over the
counter medicines which may harm to your body. So, whenever you suffer from this
sinus infection, you can go through these remedies to cure your problem but make
sure to consult the doctor if it doesnt cure as it can leads to any other serious
problem.