10 Ways To Kill A Sinus Infection Without Resorting To Drugs Or Surgeries

Last updated on 15 FEB 2020

Sinus infection, also known as sinusitis, is an inflammation of the tissue lining of the sinuses. There are two types of sinus infections: bacterial and viral.

Most sinus infections are viral. Symptoms of sinus infections are not reliable signs to tell the difference. Your doctor may only look at the symptom duration to determine the source of your infection, which means you may have to suffer through before nailing down the cause.

A viral sinus infection is shortlived and usually starts to get better after 5-7 days. A bacterial sinus infection may be more stubborn, lasting for 7-10 days or longer, and it may get worse after the seventh day.

Conventional medicine treats sinus infections with steroids, anti-inflammatories, and antibiotics (for bacterial infections). In other cases when it gets worse, surgery may be an option.

But, some of these methods can either do good or it could be harmful to our body. In this article, we will give you a few home remedies to cure sinusitis the natural way—hence, it is absolutely safe.

Natural Sinus Infection Remedies

1. Keep Yourself Hydrated

Avoid coffee, alcohol or anything that has caffeine, as this will thicken out your mucus and clog your airways. Instead, drink plenty of water, green juices with no added sugar or hot herbal teas. This will help to thin out mucus and drain it out from irritated sinuses.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is a wonderful health tonic that every home should have. It can be used on the body from head to toe, as a wonderful cleansing agent.

When it comes to sinus infection, take two to three tablespoons of raw and unfiltered apple cider vinegar to a cup of hot water or tea. Add lemon and honey to taste. Sipping on this concoction will help to thin out excessive mucus thus providing you with relief. is a good option

Look for apple cider vinegar that is raw, unfiltered, and unpasteurized for maximum health benefits. Bragg Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar is a great option.

Read more about the many uses of apple cider vinegar.

3. Bromelain

Pineapple is rich in bromelain which is used to reduce swelling. Research suggests that bromelain can speed up recovery of acute sinusitis. Try out this recipe.

Make sure that you seek doctor’s advice especially if you are taking medication as bromelain may counteract with your medication.

4. Eucalyptus or Peppermint Oil

Loosen up mucus and other debris blocking up your nose by steam inhalation. Use a few drops of either of these essential oils over a bowl of hot water and inhale the steam.

You can also steam up your bathroom and sprinkle a few drops of peppermint or eucalyptus oil. This can help to moisten the sinuses. A humidifier will also help to moisten the air vapor around your home and help to relieve sinus problems.

5. Natural Nasal Spray (Grapefruit Seeds)

Create an all-natural nasal spray from powdered grapefruit seeds and pulp. Administer such as you would with the conventional nasal spray. It is found to be effective to clear out mucus and helps prevent other contaminants that weaken and inflame the sinus tissues.

6. Spicy Foods

You can dissolve mucus by mixing a concoction of

• 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar
• a squeeze of lemon juice
• a dash of cayenne pepper (or horseradish)
• in a glass of about 250ml water.

Drink 2-3 glasses throughout the day.

Cayenne pepper works because when ingested, it helps to dilate vessels and help to break down mucus for draining. At the same time, this substance lessens your facial pain, reduces inflammation, stimulates circulation and acts as an antibacterial agent. All of these—and many more benefits of cayenne pepper—are helpful in preventing and relieving the symptoms of sinusitis.

7. Vitamin C

Boost your immune system by taking vitamin C and food supplements that is high in this antioxidant. This has been proven to help our bodies ward off diseases and improve overall health.

Vitamin C is available in tablets, liquid or chewable form that you can purchase over-the-counter. When choosing a vitamin C supplement, opt for one that is vitamin C “Complex” that is formulated for optimal absorption.

8. Avoid Dietary Irritants

Eliminate foods that have gluten, dairy and sugar as these have been found to trigger and cause sinus infections. Try gluten and dairy free products which can be found at your local food stores.

9. Oil of Oregano

Another essential oil that has been found to have anti-viral, antibiotic and anti-fungal properties is the oil of oregano oil.

A few drops of this in a cup of juice, water or tea can help to alleviate the symptoms of sinus infection as well as promote wellness.

Oil of oregano can also be used as an alternative to peppermint or eucalyptus oil for steam vapor, however, some people may not prefer the smell compared to the other two essential oils.

10. Eliminate Indoor And Avoid Outdoor Allergens

Indoor allergens such as dust, mold and pollen are the most common irritants that trigger sinusitis. Get an air purifier or activate charcoal filter to clean the air in your home. Make sure that you change your air filter at least once a month to eliminate air irritants.

If you are going outside, it is inevitable to be exposed to common outdoor irritants such as smog and car exhaust. Avoid such factors by wearing a mask to keep them out of your airways. Don’t drive with the windows down and set your car ventilation system to circulate to prevent allergens to enter the cab.

Related reading on natural remedies for sinusitis:
How to get rid of sinus infections for good
5 ways to stop a sinus infection using garlic
How to consume parsnip juice to stop sinusitis
How to kill a sinus infection within minutes

About Sara Ding

Sara Ding is the founder of Juicing-for-Health.com. She is a certified Wellness Health Coach, Nutritional Consultant and a Detox Specialist. She helps busy men and women identify their health issues at the root cause, in order to eliminate the problems for optimum physical/mental health and wellbeing.

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