That nasty cold just won’t go away, and before you know it, the pressure in your face feels like it could explode. And now you have found yourself with a sinus infection also known as sinusitis. Ugh. Most people assume this requires a round of antibiotics, but not so fast! Keep reading to learn how you can treat this at home naturally and try to avoid a doctor’s visit.
What is a Sinus Infection?
Your sinuses are cavities located in your face that are normally filled with air. They are connected by narrow passages and allow mucous to drain out your nose. When working properly, they allow allergens and germs to pass out your nose through the mucous.
When your sinuses become inflamed due to allergens, bacterial, fungal or viral infections, these passage ways get blocked. Pressure builds and this is what causes that awful pain in your face. It can often put pressure into your ears as well. Some common illnesses that can lead to sinus infections are: the common cold, the flu, covid, seasonal allergies, and streptococcus pneumoniea bacteria. Having any of these doesn’t mean you’ll get a sinus infection, but it can predispose you to it.
Signs of a Sinus Infection
- Facial Pressure
- Bad Breath
- Headache
- Cold/Cough Symptoms
- Fever
- Stuffy Nose with inability to relieve pressure in your face
- Thick Green Mucous
Supplements and Equipment
Last year I had an awful sinus infection after being sick with Covid. The pressure was so extreme in my face that I felt it into the roof of my mouth and teeth. It lingered, but finally went away. I was able to treat it at home with persistent use of the following treatment.
I always take Vit C, Zinc, and Zand Immunity with acute infections. Zand Immunity is a tincture with a powerful list of ingredients to boost your immune system. These are staples that I have on hand.
Garlic is a go-to for infections. You know we are fans of this if you’ve read even one of our “Mama Doctor” blogs. The antibiotic properties of garlic speak for themselves. I chop up a clove and take it 3-4 times a day. This, plus lots of hydration to thin out secretions are ongoing lines of defense.
A Neti Pot is a great thing to have in your crunchy mama medicine cabinet. Most kits come with saline packets that can be mixed with warm water. A neti pot works by flushing out your nasal passage and thinning out mucous. And man, does it work!! I recommend rinsing your sinuses at least twice a day when you have a sinus infection.
We also have a small handheld nebulizer that we use for coughs/colds/sinus infections. This is so wonderful to have at home. For sinus infections, we use normal saline with a few drops of colloidal silver in the nebulizer. Colloidal silver is antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and anti-inflammatory. I also will use normal saline with food grade hydrogen peroxide. There are multiple studies on this especially during the surge of Covid on how it effectively kills infections. There is a great video on how to make the correct concentration for your home nebulizer.
Natural Treatment Continued
In addition to the above treatments, I use a diffuser with on guard, eucalyptus and tea tree oil. I make sure to massage over my sinuses to help the flow of mucous. Peppermint oil placed under the nose also helps open up the sinues.
Lastly, a warm shower- allowing the hot water to run over your face and open up the passages. You can also do this by hovering over a pot of steaming water, or placing a warmed rice bag over your face.
Sinus Infections are no fun, but there is power in knowing you can treat them at home. These treatments are also safe to use on kids. If your infection persists and you see no progress, it’s always a good idea to get it checked out by a medical doctor. As we say, antibiotics aren’t the end of the world and there is a time and place for them! I have found that it is best to have these natural products on hand so you’re prepared when infections come, instead of having to figure out what to do in a pinch.
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Medical Disclaimer: The information on this site is not meant to be medical advice in any capacity. It is informative in nature, only. Please always consult your doctor for medical advice. Pregnant and nursing moms need to consult with their doctors as well before consuming any herbal medicine.
