7 Best Home Remedies For Bacterial Sinus Infection

One way to fight a sinus infection is through a sinus rinse. This consists of using a saline solution to rinse out the sinus cavities. 

This is often done with a nasal syringe or neti pot. The solution is used to flush excess mucus out of the nasal cavities along with other bacteria and other irritants.

The saltwater solution is inserted into one nasal cavity. Using pressure from the tool of your choice (syringe or neti pot), the distilled water solution is inserted into one nostril and pours out of the other nostril. 

You can tilt your head to the side, allowing the sterile water solution to easily flow in and out of both nasal cavities.

Here is a nasal irrigation step-by-step from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.

Black Seed (Nigella Sativa seed) contains properties shown in studies to decrease histamine release. This thereby lowers inflammation levels in the sinuses. 

It can be used as a nasal decongestant spray or taken internally. The reason for this is because sinus infections can be symptomatic of combined body parts. Therefore, treating various parts of the body together can rid the body of the sinus infection.

The passage below is taken from Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery. It is refering to how Traditional Persian medicine treats Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).

"Because this disease not only causes disease in the nose, throat and adjacent organs, it also causes various diseases in other organs such as the lung, stomach and intestine. With the review of new references (written and electronic), it becomes clear that zokam and nazleh have not been studied separately, and the clinical signs of zokam and cold nazleh are consistent with chronic rhinosinusitis in modern medicine."

Grapefruit seed extract is the liquid that comes from the seeds, membranes, and pulp of the grapefruit. The compounds found in this extract show strong viral and bacterial-fighting benefits.

When grapefruit seed extract is used in spray form, it has the potential to kill bacteria and viruses within a short time of contact. Studies continue to provide increasing evidence of its powerful disinfectant properties.

We use grapefruit seed extract often. However, we use the internal form, such as this brand. Its benefits are great across the health spectrum. However, we use a high-quality extract due to antimicrobial contamination being a concern.

A second ingredient that has sinus infection-fighting properties is Xylitol. Xylitol is derived from birch trees or corn cobs. It is a sugar alcohol that is better metabolized by the body than white sugar. 

Studies, such as this one, continually demonstrate the positive effects of Xylitol's antibacterial properties on the body.  Viral and bacterial infections significantly improve. Specifically, bacterial sinusitis benefits from the use of Xylitol nasal solution.

Breathing in essential oils can also help alleviate symptoms of a sinus infection. There are several ways in which they can be effectively used.

Essential oils are used for their potent antibacterial properties in this case. Certain oils can be applied topically, inhaled through the use of a diffuser, or used in a steam facial. They can also be directly inhaled.

The inhalation of essential oils is shown to decrease post-nasal drip and lessen mucous and headache symptoms effectively.

Two essential oils that are often used successfully for sinus infection symptoms are Eucalyptus oil and Peppermint oil.

Natural home remedies, like a steam bath using a bowl, have been used for years. Essential oils can be added to a bowl of very warm water or dried herbs can be used as well.

Steam Bath Using Bowl

• Bring water to a slight simmer.
• Pour the water into a heat-safe bowl. 
• Add in 5-10 drops of essential oil. You can use a combination of oils if you want. Also, you can use dried herbs and place them in the bowl as well. The heat will allow their essential oils and other healing compounds to penetrate the air.
• Place a towel over your head as you place your head above the bowl. Inhale the essential oils and herbs, allowing your nasal cavities to open.

Herbal Teas are both effective and easy. They can benefit many health aspects at once.

A sinus infection will most likely not be cured immediately by drinking an herbal tea. However, using them as a preventative measure or in conjunction with other remedies provides huge benefits.

The herbs' medicinal properties work on many body parts. However, as the body is aided and heals, symptoms remain for some time.

The body uses those symptoms to slow us down and alert the body to problems to fix. Of course, there is more to it than that. But that is a simplified version.

This is a Post for an Herbal Tea Recipe For Healing Sinus Infections: My husband likes the flavor of it as well, which is an added bonus!

These may seem basic, however, both a warm shower and a warm compress can work wonders for sinus congestion.

First of all, the warm water relaxes the body, helping to reduce stress on the body.

Secondly. It will help with inflammation of the sinuses. This will then relieve sinus pressure.

When the mucous in the nose can break up and run, it clears out bacteria and viruses, allowing the body to heal.

Steam Bath Using Bowl

• Bring water to a slight simmer.
• Pour the water into a heat-safe bowl. 
• Add in 5-10 drops of essential oil. You can use a combination of oils if you want. Also, you can use dried herbs and place them in the bowl as well. The heat will allow their essential oils and other healing compounds to penetrate the air.
• Place a towel over your head as you place your head above the bowl. Inhale the essential oils and herbs, allowing your nasal cavities to open.

Both hydration and rest are key players in the body getting better from a sinus infection. The body's cells work at their best when they are hydrated. Addtionally, rest is needed for the body to repair.

The immune system is busy fighting off the infection, resting will give the body more of what it needs to work and get the job done.