What home remedies help with sinusitis?
In the case of sinusitis, the mucous membranes in the cavities in the skull bone have become inflamed. These are normally air-filled and directly connected to the nasal cavity. There are the following sinuses:
- Frontal sinus above the eyes (frontal sinus)
- maxillary sinus to the left and right of the nose at the level of the cheeks (maxillary sinus)
- Ethmoidal sinuses of the nasal cavity (ethmoidal sinus)
- Sphenoid sinus at the end of the nasal pharynx (sphenoid sinus)
Inflammation, usually from an infection of the nasal mucosa, causes mucus to build up in the sinuses. This presses on the face and head. An important treatment step is therefore to clear the nose and sinuses of mucus. Various home remedies are said to help with this.
Home remedies have their limits. If the symptoms persist over a long period of time, do not improve or even get worse, you should always consult a doctor.
Massage sinuses free
A pressure massage usually has a relieving effect here: Massage your face, starting from the center of the face, first along the eyebrows to the temples. Then work your way from the wings of the nose over the cheekbones to the temples. Finally, massage from the chin over the jaw bones to the temples.
A facial massage with diluted lavender oil is also beneficial.
Sinusitis: Inhalation does good
In sinusitis, the mucous membranes are swollen. Inhalation has a decongestant effect, moistens the irritated sinus mucosa and helps to liquefy the viscous secretion.
To do this, heat water and put it in a bowl. Then hold your head over it and cover your head and bowl with a towel to prevent steam from escaping. Breathe in and out slowly and deeply for ten to 15 minutes.
Possible supplements for inhalation are:
- Salt
- Chamomile flowers
- Thyme
- Lavender
- Two to five drops of essential oil (e.g. from eucalyptus, thyme, pine needle, mint or tea tree)
How the additives work and how to inhale properly, read the article Inhale.
Nasal irrigation
For mild sinusitis, nasal irrigation helps some people. The rinsing removes mucus and pathogens.
To learn how to properly perform nasal irrigation, read the article Nasal Irrigation.
Saline nasal drops
Saline nasal drops unclog a stuffy nose when you have a cold. Since the sinuses are directly connected to the nose, the drops also usually help as a home remedy for sinusitis: With a cleared nose, the secretions from the sinuses drain more easily.
To do this, dissolve exactly nine grams of table salt in one liter of boiled water. Fill this saline solution into a pipette bottle or a small bottle with a spray attachment (rinse with hot water beforehand). Now apply three to five drops or two sprays into each nostril several times a day. It is best to renew the saline solution every two days.
Sinusitis: Red light
Such heat applications are only advisable if you find the heat pleasant. Especially in the case of severe inflammation with swollen mucous membranes, heat sometimes also intensifies the discomfort. Cold is then sometimes perceived as more pleasant and is then more effective against the discomfort of sinusitis.
Caution. Infrared rays sometimes damage the eyes – even when the eyelids are closed. Therefore, especially when using it on the face, keep a sufficient safety distance (30 to 50 centimeters, see also instructions for use), put on suitable protective goggles and close your eyes in a relaxed manner.
Compresses, wraps, compresses
Warm and moist chest compress
A warm, moist chest compress can have an expectorant effect. To do this, roll up a cotton cloth from both sides toward the center and wrap it lengthwise in a tea towel. Then place the roll in a bowl with the ends sticking out and pour 500 to 750 milliliters of boiling water over it.
Leave the poultice to infuse for 15 minutes (if necessary, add one to two teaspoons of thyme tea or the slices of half an organic lemon).
Flaxseed compress
Home remedies that involve heat, such as a flaxseed compress, are also said to be very helpful for sinusitis: for one packet, boil five tablespoons of flaxseed in two cups of water until soft. While still hot, stuff them into a linen sachet and place the sachet on your nose, forehead and cheeks as hot as you can stand.
Use a freshly prepared poultice several times a day.
Mustard flour compress
A mustard flour compress helps with constricted airways and relieves pain. Put ten to 30 grams of mustard flour about two millimeters thick on a piece of cellulose. Fold it in and wrap it in a cloth. Put the compress in 250 milliliters of warm water (maximum 38 degrees) and let it soak for a few minutes. Then squeeze (do not wring).
Place the compress on the cheeks and nose with as few wrinkles as possible. As soon as skin burning starts, leave the compress on the face for another one to three minutes. Then quickly remove the mustard flour compress and rub the skin with olive oil. Then rest covered for 30 to 60 minutes. You can use this home remedy for sinusitis once a day.
A horseradish poultice works in a similar way. It has an expectorant and analgesic effect. Apply a tablespoon of freshly grated horseradish to a gauze compress, wrap it and then tape it shut. Then place it on the nose and sinuses for a few seconds to a maximum of four minutes.
Then rub the reddened skin area with vegetable oil (for example olive oil) and rest for 30 to 60 minutes. Apply the home remedy only once a day.
Lemon compress
The essential oil of lemon has, among other things, anti-inflammatory and expectorant effects on colds. Cut an unsprayed lemon into slices for the compress. Then attach two to three slices at a time to the soles of your feet with a gauze bandage. Put cotton socks over them and leave the compress to work overnight.
Read more about the proper use of compresses in the article Wraps (compresses) and compresses.
People with cardiovascular disease or a neurological condition, should use home remedies with heat only after consulting a doctor.
Foot baths
Mustard flour foot bath
A mustard flour foot bath stimulates blood circulation. This relieves pain and loosens mucus from the respiratory tract. To do this, fill a footbath tub or a large bucket with water at a maximum temperature of 38 degrees. The water should reach up to the calves. Stir in ten to 30 grams of black mustard flour.
Then put your feet in and place a large towel over your knees. This will protect against rising vapors. Once a burning sensation sets in (after about two to ten minutes), leave your feet in the water for another five to ten minutes. Then rinse your legs thoroughly and rub them with olive oil. Rest in bed for 30 to 60 minutes.
You can learn more about the effects of mustard in the medicinal plants article Mustard.
Rising foot bath
Some people swear by a rising foot bath to stop an incipient infection, clear the nose and warm the body pleasantly. Fill about 37.5 degrees warm water into a vessel and put both feet into it.
Read more about the effect of baths in the article Hydrotherapy.
People with cardiovascular disease or neurological condition should use home remedies with heat only after consulting a doctor.
Tea as a sinusitis home remedy
A popular home remedy for sinusitis is medicinal herbal teas. Some medicinal plants help unclog sinuses. The following plants are suitable:
- Verbena promotes the production of thin mucus.
- Ginger has a mild anti-inflammatory effect and clears the airways.
- Linden flowers promote expectoration and have a diaphoretic effect.
- Thyme inhibits inflammation and promotes expectoration.
- Meadowsweet has an anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and mild analgesic effect.
- Primrose liquefies the secretion in the respiratory tract and promotes expectoration.
- Elderflower increases the production of mucus.
To learn how to properly prepare the teas, see the respective medicinal plant article.
What to eat for sinusitis?
Some foods are also said to help as home remedies for sinusitis.
Do onions help with sinusitis?
Onion syrup: For sinusitis, a popular home remedy is onion. The best way to make onion syrup is to. Peel and dice a large onion and put it in a clean canning jar. Then add two tablespoons of sugar, close the jar and shake vigorously.
After about two hours, the sweet onion syrup will form. Take one to two tablespoons of it several times a day. The onion syrup has an anti-inflammatory and germicidal effect and relieves coughs, colds and mild aches.
Does ginger help with sinusitis?
Many people swear by ginger when it comes to colds. A raw piece of ginger is suitable, for example, for tea. Dried ginger also has an expectorant effect.
Do radish and honey help as a home remedy for sinusitis?
After that, fill the honey enriched with radish juice approximately in a clean jam jar. Older children and adults take two to three teaspoons up to four times a day – directly or in tea. The tea should not be too hot, however, because otherwise too many valuable ingredients would be destroyed.
Children in their first year of life should not consume honey. It may contain bacterial toxins that are life-threatening for them.
Other tips for sinusitis
The following tips can help you relieve the discomfort of sinusitis:
Drink plenty of fluids: this will liquefy the mucus. Two to three liters of fluid a day are ideal, preferably warm water, tea or diluted fruit juice.
Keep your head elevated: Keep your head elevated when lying down. This makes it easier for mucus to drain.
High humidity: Dry air dries out the mucous membranes – especially in winter when the heating is on. Ventilate regularly and place a humidifier in the patient’s room. A damp cloth or a small bowl of water on the radiator can also help.
