Anyone who has had sinusitis or a sinus infection knows how miserable they can be.  The pressure in your eyes, nose, cheeks, forehead or head can be unbearable!   Usually sinus infections are treated with antibiotics but if you get frequent sinus infections, they lose their effectiveness over time.  One year I had over fifteen sinus infections which was not pleasant, but as a result I learned a few at home remedies that have helped me to not only reduce the pain of sinus infections but also prevent them. 

Sinus drainage is the best way to prevent sinus infections since they flush out the blockage before it has a chance to build up causing pressure in the nasal cavity. Sinus flushes are one of the best methods for sinus drainage and have been around for over 5000 years originating in India. Sinus flushes are simple to do and just require you to mix water as hot as you can stand it with salt (to kill the bacteria in the sinus’) and pour it into each nostril. It will feel strange the first time you do it and if your sinuses are blocked, it can be quite painful but it is very effective. You are literally flushing out all the bad stuff that is causing you pain in your sinuses. For best results and to prevent against sinus infections, sinus flushes should be done every day or at least several times a week. When I forget to do my sinus flushes for a week, I will almost always start to get a sinus infection. Then I start the sinus flushes again and usually the sinus infection disappears. Of all the sinus treatments I’ve tried, sinus flushes have been the most effective by far. There are a few different types of sinus flushes on the market, but they basically all do the same thing. A few of the more popular ones are featured on the right.

Sinus massage is another method for sinus drainage. One of my favourite techniques is to place your fingers together forming a “tent” at the bridge of your nose, and then slowly move your hands in a downward motion past your lips. Do this several tips and you will immediately feel your sinuses start to drain. If you have a sinus headache, I would also recommend self acupressure. Press your temples with your index and middle finger or thumbs and hold for at least 10 seconds. Next find the soft spot on the inside of your eye brows that meets the bridge of your nose and press with your thumbs for at least 10 seconds. I find that while this won’t totally relieve the pressure it does help alleviate some of the pressure and pain in your sinuses.

Another effective method for sinus drainage is using mint and/or eucalyptus. It can be used in a multitude of different ways, but I personally love the eye pillow and find it very soothing. Peppermint oil can also be effective if you put a few drops in hot water, cover your face with a towel , lean over and inhale. There are also a multitude of bath products that work well since they work in conjunction with the hot water and steam from the bath or shower. For best results inhale deeply, or as deeply as you can with your sinus blockage. A candle will have a lesser effect but may still provide some sinus relief. Mint tea or sniffing a mint plant may also provide mild sinus relief and assist with sinus drainage.

I couldn’t find any studies or evidence supporting that yoga offers sinus relief or promotes sinus drainage but from my own experience I’ve found that doing gentle yoga poses, especially the ones found in the a.m. section of the A.M. and P.M Yoga DVD on the right really help me. I love this DVD since each section is only 20 minutes long and I find that the a.m. exercises help relieve some of my sinus pressure and I swear I can feel my sinuses draining after doing the exercises and the brain fog lifting. Evidence or not, if it works, that’s all the proof I need.

Vaporizers can be effective at preventing sinus infections since they keep the nasal passages from drying out and becoming irritated. This is especially important for those of us living in colder climates in the winter when we have the heat cranked up creating a hostile environment for our sinuses. I will also put a few drops of mint oil in mine to promote further sinus drainage.

By using these home remedies much of my sinus pain has been alleviated and although I am still susceptible to sinus infections, I have greatly reduced the frequency of sinus infections by using these home remedies. I hope they work for you as well and I would love to hear about any sinus treatments that you have found to be effective.