The clinical term for Sinus is Sinusitis. They are found in your cheeks, on either side of the nose, at the back of the nasal cavity, between the eyes and in the forehead. Mucous Membrane is a tissue that is a thin layer found inside the nose. It protects the nose from the dust and germs that are present in the air when we breathe in.
Sinusitis is the inflammation of the mucous membrane related to any sinus. Actually, there are some hollow spaces behind the bones of the face that are filled with air. We call these hollow places ‘sinuses’. When there is inflammation in the hollow places it is called sinusitis. Sinusitis may be caused due to the attack of viruses, fungus or bacteria. Allergic reactions and low immunity power also lead to such a malady. Sinusitis generally occurs with the inflammation of the nose.
Sinusitis causes tremendous pain and acute discomfort. There are certain antibiotics that are related to sinusitis infections. All these depend on the strains to which the patient is susceptible. But if you want to get rid of recurring sinus infections you may try home remedies for sinusitis that are safe, non-allergic and if properly used can bring an end to the disease.
There are two types of sinus infections, acute infection and chronic infection. You have to decide what type of sinus pain offers you constant discomfort. If you can do so you may easily find out the remedy quite easily.
Ayurvedic Treatments for Sinusitis
Actually, “Sinus” the word itself means a blind sac. The suffix “itis” means inflammation or swelling. More specifically, sinuses, Paranasal sinuses are blind sacs in and around our nose area situated in our skull. There are sinuses in our forehead (Frontal Sinus), on the cheekbones ( Maxillary sinus) between the eyes ( Ethmoidal sinuses) and behind the eyes( Sphenoid Sinus)
Sinuses are not bad as they are thought to be. It has an important function, such as it acts as an air humidifier regulating the temperature of the air we breathe in. It makes the skull lightweight and provides resonance to the speech as well. Sinuses are lined by a thin layer of cells that secretes mucous that is drained out into our noses in a usual way.
It is this blockage in the sinuses that leads to infection and inflammation thereby, leading to Sinusitis. Sinusitis symptoms include low-grade fever, malaise, pain on the forehead (frontal Sinusitis), pain and tenderness on the cheekbones (maxillary Sinusitis), sneezing, stuffiness in and around the nose, etc.
Ayurveda has offered several remedies that solve this problem. First, Ayurveda focuses on the medium and not on the bacteria/germ. This means that if we make the media (our bodies) resist these baddies to attack us. So let’s see what Ayurveda has to offer:
Ayurveda treatment( Ayurveda Chikitsa) works on two broad principles, namely – Samanam Chikitsa (suppression of the symptoms by medicines/herbs) & Shodhanam Chikitsa (rooting out of the toxin out of the body- Panchakarma)
Samanam Chikitsa for Sinusitis can be obtained by making changes in our lifestyle & food. It is done to suppress the symptoms/disease which is of recent onset.
- Removal of the cause: It is the golden principle in Ayurveda. The factor that is causing the problem, we have to remove it. So, in the case of Sinusitis, the cause is –blockage of sinuses leading to infection. This infection leads to pain. So to open up the blocked sinuses is the first line of treatment.
- Warm fomentation: Warm fomentation on the forehead, steam inhalation gives a lot of relief to the sore areas.
- Avoid direct cold air/air conditioned to hit your face/head. It will increase the pain & congestion.
- Avoiding curd, ice creams, milk and milk products, frozen food / fast food, fruits like Banana, grapes, oranges, watermelon etc.
- Warm water to the rescue: Whenever one suffers from the first bout, start drinking lukewarm water or water at room temperature.
- Taking Ayurveda preparations like Trikatu Choornam with Honey three times a day helps.
- Combinations like Amrutharishtam, Balajeerakadi Kashayam, Vasarishtam, Chyavanaprasam helps.
- A Good herbal cocktail: a warm drink of crushed peppercorn, tulsi leaves, ginger and jaggery can benefit. It will bring down fever, improve blood circulation in and around the head and face, thereby reducing congestion in the sinuses. It also boosts immunity.
- If there is excessive running nose, inhaling the fumes from the burnt turmeric piece helps. This immediately arrests running nose.
- Dried ginger powder, lemon, pepper powder, and strong tea can also help mobilise the phlegm in the sinuses and soothe the throat.
- Taking warm light food would help to ease the congestion.
- Doing breathing exercises like pranayam can be very effective not only in controlling stress but also improving the sinus circulation as well.
- Rasnadi choornam application onto the head after bathing every day can control the sudden inflammatory process in the head.
Shodhana Chikitsa: When Sinusitis becomes chronic by nature, Panchakarma therapies, especially Nasya Chikitsa, would help. Nasyam means nasal instillation of medicated oil, herbal juices, medicated smoke or powder. The best oil for Nasyam is Anu Tailam which is suited for all kinds of Sinusitis.
Nasyam will bring out the phlegm and clogged discharges, lubricate the nasal pathway, and irritate the Sinuses’ internal mucous layer to produce more mucous, increasing its flow and eventually venting it out. It also provides an antibiotic cover to the mucosa.
A golden Tip for all who suffer from Sinusitis : A regular application of oil into our nostrils has been very effective in preventing nasal cavity problems.
Home Remedies for Sinusitis
- Steam inhalation – This process is not tough to follow at all. All you have to do is to take a pot full of warm water from which vapour is coming out. Now try to inhale the vapour that is going up. Go on taking this steam inhalation all through the day at least 6 or 7 times. This steam inhalation helps in the drainage of the mucus that is stuck to the membranes.
- Garlic – You may have known that garlic has a potent anti-microbial and viral property. You may take half a cup of garlic juice without bothering its pungent smell. Again if you add the garlic pieces to the steam inhalation you may have a better result too.
- Water – Consumption of enough water helps to thin out the mucous and paves the way for drainage. Warm water also helps to offer you perfect amelioration to a great extent.
- Apple cider vinegar – Apple cider vinegar packed with enough potassium helps to ease the sinus problems. Take two teaspoonfuls of vinegar in a bowl of warm water. Now try to sip the water in a gentle manner. Drink in this way 4-5 times a day. This would give you enough ease as the mucous is sure to be drained.
- eucalyptus oil – Add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to a pot of warm water. Now bowing your head try to inhale for at least 15 minutes. Continue this process 3 or 4 times a day.
When you eat something add enough black pepper to the dish. The more pungent your dishes are the more result is sure to ensue. Again never take bath in cold water. Try to have a plunge into warm water on a regular basis. Whenever you take some food take it hot all the time. Remember, it is the cold items that aggravate the situation.
Other Remedies
- Fresh juice of onion with honey also helps in sinusitis.
- Black pepper(5gms) with a cup of warm milk helps in prevention of infection.
- Steam inhalation also gives a fast relief in sinusitis.
- Drink plenty of water as it helps to keep the mucus thin and helps in fast relief.
- Elevate your head while sleeping in the night.
- Dipping a small towel in cold water and then applying it on the forehead help. Once the towel becomes warm, then flip to the other side. Then again dip it in cold water.
- Ripe grape juice is an effective home remedy.
- One can lie down in a dark room for about half an hour. The soothing atmosphere will make one feel better.
- Have jalapeno pepper as quickly as possible. Very quickly the sinus will disappear and the headache will die down.
- Inhaling peppermint steam is very good. Peppermint is decongestant.
- Mix a teaspoonful of finely grounded cinnamon in a teaspoonful of water and apply it on the forehead. It relieves of headaches caused due to exposure to cold.
- Grind about 10 to 15 basil leaves with about 4 cloves and a teaspoonful of dried up ginger into paste form and place it on the forehead.
- Take hot foot bath and also place a cold compress on the forehead simultaneously.
- Prepare a paste of dry ginger adding a little milk or water and place it on the forehead.
Tips of taking care of Sinus
- Stop the usage of nose spray containing decongestant not more than for 3 days
- Consult your doctor in case you are experiencing severe sinus problem
- Drink plenty of fluids and and hot liquids
- Try lying side on the ways which will help you to breathe the best
- Inhale steam with the help of a cloth or towel
Causes of sinusitis
Air or a large amount of catarrh in the nose blocks the hole thus causing infection. The amount of infection differs between people as some people are more prone to get a lot of catarrh due to allergy of the nose. the other reason could be that the holes made for draining sinuses are small thus gets blocked easily.
- Inflammation of our sinuses, which are cavities filled with air around the eyes, nose and cheeks.
- Cold and damp weather makes it worse.
- Leaning or bending down also makes it worse.
- Sinus congestion.
Symptoms of sinus infection
Excessive or constant sneezing, pressure around the face, eyes, cheeks and head, headache, blocking of the nostrils, running nose etc. Patient could feel the pressure in the above mentioned by touch.
- Pressure type of pain in a specific area of the head or face. (for instance, behind one’s eyes).
- Face becomes tender to our touch.
- Pain becomes worse with sudden movements of the head and bending it forward.
- The worst pain is in the morning.
- Headache begins when one has a bad cold.
- Sudden temperature changes, for example going out into the cold weather from a warm room.
- Fatigue.
- Green or yellow discharge from the nose.
- Swollen and red nasal passages.
- Not feeling well.
- Moderate or mild fever.
Sinus is very discomforting and painful as one suffers from bad headache.