As the weather changes between seasons, many of us will suffer one or more sinus problems, and a growing number of those problems are related to sinus infections. This article will explain the symptoms of sinus infections, what causes these ailments, and some easy home remedies for sinus infections that you can try today.
Western North Carolina is a breeding ground for sinus infections, or sinusitis. The climate, plant life, pollution and surrounding mountains make this area tough on all of our sinuses. Sinusitis is basically inflammation and infection of the sinuses, which inhibits normal clearance of mucous. It affects approximately 31 million adults and children in the US.
Causes of Sinus Infections
Sinus infections are most commonly caused by an upper respiratory tract infection by bacteria, virus or fungi. Long-standing infections can lead to increased allergic reactions in the sinuses and even spread to dental infections. Some of the more common elements which increase your risk of getting a sinus infection include: deficient immune system, nasal polyps, abnormalities of the sinus anatomy, cold air, cigarette smoke, decongestants, metal vapors, and allergies.
Common Sinus Infection Symptoms Include:
- headache
- pain
- fatigue
- sneezing
- tender sinuses
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toothache
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cough
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fever
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loss of smell
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sneezing
If you have chronic post-nasal drip you may have a long-standing fungal infection. A culture can be taken to see if fungus is present.
Home Remedies for Sinus Infections
Many people are given antibiotics for viral and fungal infections, but antibiotics only work on bacteria. These infections also tend to be chronic if not fully dealt with, and this causes a gradual thickening of the lining in the sinuses until eventually surgery is required. Proper diagnosis and remedy is a necessity to prevent unnecessary surgeries.
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Echinacea Root
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Osha Root
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Yarrow
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Orange Peel
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Prickly Ash Bark
To use: take this tincture orally every 2 hours until symptoms resolve, and then three times a day for one week just to be sure the infection is gone. These herbs are anti-viral, boost the immune system and break-up sticky mucous quickly.
My favorite home remedy for sinus infection caused by bacteria is:
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Goldenseal
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Chaparral
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Echinacea
To Use: You will also want to take this mixture every 2 hours until the symptoms are gone, and then three times per day for one week. But as an added power, mix this remedy with a bit of water and snort it twice daily (using this method) to directly kill the bacteria affecting your sinuses.
Fungal infections tend to be the most common causes of chronic sinus infections and herbal medicine can work wonders in these cases.
My favorite home remedy for fungal sinus infections is a mixture of:
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Usnea Lichen
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Pau D’Arco
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Black Walnut
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Thuja Leaf
To Use: You will also want to take this mixture every 2 hours until the symptoms are gone, and then three times per day for one week. I also have the patient snort the herbs with water using the following protocol:
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Lie on your back with your head tilted back and flush the mixture up the sinuses using a 5ml. Plastic syringe which can be bought at any pharmacy or we have them at the office.
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Perform twice daily for 7 days.
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Take the herbal formula orally as well during treatment.
Patients report a large amount of drainage and “gunk” coming out as the fungus dies and the sinuses clear. The herbs we use are organic, wild-crafted plants to be sure there are not pesticides, chemicals or metals in the formula.
As usual, mother nature has given us the necessary plant medicines to deal with a wide variety of ailments and infections. See your doctor for the diagnosis of viral, bacterial or fungal sinus infections and try these home remedies for sinus infection to feel better soon!
Property of The Immune Restoration Center Copyright 2012, Rheingold, LLC.
Thank you for this article. That’s all I can say. You most definitely have made this blog into something special. You clearly know what you are doing, you’ve covered so many bases.Thanks!
Thanks!