Tag Archives: natural sinus remedies

Home Remedies for Sinus Congestion

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I’ve decided to create this page to list most of our home remedies for sinus congestion on our website. Homemade remedies are always a great thing because they are typically inexpensive and easy to try – and since the majority of sinus infections are not caused by bacteria (see why antibiotics don’t work for sinus infection), then you pretty much are stuck with only using the natural and more holistic/homeopathic approaches to getting rid of that stuffy and runny nose.

So, as I add new ideas and treatments for treating sinus infections at home, I am going to keep them here.  Here are some ideas to try:

Apple Cider Vinegar: Apple Cider Vinegar, also known as the “cure all to everything” can sometimes help clear congestion – many people use it as an alternative to cough syrup. The best thing to do is mix a tablespoon of it a cup of water and gulp it straight up, but since that’s tough, then you might want to try mixing it with a little honey to sweeten it. (Bee Pollen and Raw Honey supposedly has some help with allergies, too). You can find it at most grocery stores from anywhere from $1 to $4 if you want to go for the organic version.

Hot Water Compresses and Steam: Sinus pressure and pain is due to mucous blockage. When you apply warm compresses or inhale steam it can be quite helpful in causing it to loosen and drain. It can also be soothing as well. Just be careful not to burn yourself!

Nasal Irrigation: While it might sound funny to pour water through your nose, it’s actually quite easy to do and can help clear out the sinuses quite well. Most Ear, Nose, Throat Doctors recommend it and you can choose from $8 neti pots to more expensive pulsating systems for a more thorough rinse. If you suffer from chronic sinus infections or persistent allergies, it’s a must. Learn More About Nasal Irrigation Here.

Saline Solution: You can make your own homeopathic nasal spray solution by mixing water and table salt together to loosen mucous and congestion. It can be used with nasal irrigation systems or just as a nasal spray.

Avoid Dairy Products: When you are congested, dairy products can make it all the much more worse because it causes mucous to thicken. My children have not had a single ear or sinus infection since removing milk from their diet! (They do get the occasional cold, but no longer does it escalate to the infection)

Here are some other resources on our site you might find useful:

If you have any home remedies for sinus congestion you find useful, please feel free to share it with us here – we’d love to hear what worked for you and include it on our site!

Please remember this site does not replace professional medical advice – if you think you should see a doctor, you probably should! Getting a professional diagnosis can help you make sure there are no serious problems that could be present.

Olive Oil for Sinus Infection Problems

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oliveoilA natural remedy that some have tried included using olive oil for sinus infection problems. There are two different ways of using olive oil for your sinus problems, both of which we’ll outline below.

Olive oil is extracted from the fruit of the olive tree. Commonly grown in the Mediterranean, olive oil and olives is a huge industry and contributes as a major export for many of the countries located there. Olive oil is made by first harvesting the olives from the tree and then ground into a paste. This paste is then put under pressure which separates the oil from water. The oil is then bottled.

Olive oil is known for many health benefits, especially in regards to it being high in antioxidants as well as its content of monounsaturated fatty acids. Many people recommend it for better health and being used to substitute other fats and oils in the diet, especially because it can help with cholesterol levels in some individuals. Other claims of health benefits and healing properties include colon cancer prevention, better resistance to infection, warding off infections, moisturizing properties, inflammation, arthritis, improved memory, and many others. Warmed olive oil is sometimes used as drops for ear pain (though it will not resolve an ear infection on its own and should never be used if there is drainage from the ears)

If you are using olive oil for sinus problems, there are two things you can try:

Mixing Olive Oil With Essential Oils/Herbs

There are a number of essential oils and herbs that can be mixed with olive oil that can help alleviate sinus pain and pressure. As most herbs and natural remedies are not FDA approved, it’s important to know that there is no research on how well they work and in some cases they may present side effects – so always research carefully and/or consult with your physician before trying these remedies.

Some of the popular herbs to be mixed with olive oil are these:

Eucalyptus
Peppermint
Tea Tree Oil

In general, you should only mix very small amounts and then using a cotton swab gently apply it to the inside of your nose. Be careful not to insert the cotton swab in too far. Too much of the herbs will likely cause burning!

Massage With Olive Oil

Some believe that applying olive oil (with or without herbs) to your skin where your sinuses are located can help with draining them better. This is easy to do as well, you simply need to take about a teaspoon or two of olive oil and gently massage into your face where your sinuses are located – which includes your upper cheekbone, the sides of your nose, between your nose, and your forehead. (Basically wherever you are feeling the sinus pressure!) If you have sensitive skin however you may want to do this one with caution, as it could cause the skin to be more oily and result in breakouts or potentially cause irritation if you are using different herbs or essential oils.

With the ease of these remedies and the wide availability of olive oil, this is a very simple remedy to try.

For more natural remedies in curing sinus infections and problems, you’ll also want to read the guide Natural Sinus Remedies That Work.