According to the definition provided by MedlinePlus, a sinus infection is an inflammation in the sinus cavity, usually caused by a virus, fungus, or bacteria.
Sinusitis can lead to problems like sinus pressure, congestion, low-grade fever, body chills, thick nasal discharge, and sinus headaches, which can be treated with antibiotics or even other medical treatments.
However, no food properly helps in curing sinus completely but does help in lowering this problem. It helps to release the mucus and reduces congestion. It also helps to drive out the phlegm from the body. Also remember, before making any changes to your diet, you should consult with your doctor regarding the problem.
Foods and Natural Remedies to Cure Sinus
Foods won’t help you to get rid of sinus completely, but they can help in solving the problem up to a certain extent. Some of these foods are as follows:
1) Soup and Tea
To increase the rate of nasal drainage, you can eat and drink liquid-based hot foods. These will help to lower the mucus. MedlinePlus stated a lot of these healthy soups and liquids would help to enhance the sinus health.
Drinking and eating these hot foods and soups help to heat the mucus congested in the sinus cavity and help to thin the mucus similar to that of congealed fat in the frying pan. HealthMad.com also suggests eating chicken noodle soup and hot drinks.
Nevertheless, you should avoid consuming drinks that contain caffeine since these beverages can cause dehydration and increase nasal congestion.
2) Fruits and Vegetables
You can add fruits and vegetables to your meals if you are suffering from a sinus infection. These will help to enhance health and produces less mucus, as referred by Harvard’s School of Public Health. A healthy adult who has 2000 calories a day should consume nine servings of fruits and vegetables each day.
You should make sure to add vegetables in all your diets, and instead of the pre-packed snacks, you should have some fresh fruit. Fruits and vegetables are enriched with vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that help to fight infections. These will prove to beneficial for enhancing sinus health.
3) Oregano Oil
Oregano oil is packed with essential compounds like carvacrol and thymol, which has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal characteristics.
You can use 500 milligrams of oregano oil four times a day for the treatment of sinus infection.
Just add a few drops of oregano oil in a bowl of boiled water. Also, ensure that you don’t burn yourself. Use a towel covering the head, forming a tent over the steam. Close your eyes and bring your face near the steam and inhale it, although you should keep it at a safe distance from your face. Inhale the steam for some minutes. It will clear the congested nasal passage.
4) Pineapple
Pineapple is loaded with antioxidants, which prevents the soft mucous from damaging. It contains enzymes that help to break down the waste materials which form in the sinuses. These are also responsible for lowering the inflammation associated with sinus.
5) Horseradish
Horseradish acts in the same way as that of the hot chili peppers. These help to lower the inflammation and enhance the rate of producing mucus. Horseradish is also enriched with antibiotic characteristics.
6) Peppers
Peppers have an advantage and help in the clearance of the sinus cavity. Chili peppers are enriched with a compound, capsaicin, which is known to provide the heat to these peppers. This compound helps to relieve pain, lowers inflammation, and enhances the rate of producing mucus. However, make sure that you are using it in moderate amounts to avoid any risk and side-effects.
7) Garlic and Onion
Garlic and onion, both help to induce the pathways similar to that of peppers and lowers inflammation. It is also beneficial for reducing inflammation and relieving pain. When garlic is crushed, it forms allicin. A compound enriched with sulfur. Allicin is antifungal and antibacterial. Sometimes, it also helps to kill certain viruses.
8) Add Moisture
If you want to get rid of mucus, you should ensure to add moisture to the air around you, such as a humidifier, saline nasal spray, and steam-filled bathroom or sitting. These will prove to be beneficial for cutting down the congestion.
If you are suffering from a sinus infection, you should ensure to have a humidifier when you sleep. You can even buy a saline nasal spray, which you can use several times a day. Also, ensure to follow the instructions of packaging. Inhaling steam can also help lower the risk of a headache.
9) Essential Oils
Eucalyptus oil and peppermint oil can prove to be beneficial for clearing off sinus in a natural way. This is one of the most effective methods.
These beneficial essential oils can help to clear the sinuses naturally, clean the mucus, and cut down the infections. Take one drop of the food-grade essential oil and rub it on the mouth. After you are done with it, drink water. You can also diffuse the essential oil into the air so you can breathe it in. You can even prepare these at your home. These will thus prove to help treat sinus infections.
10) Water
Water is an essential part of our day to day lifestyle. This is one of those things which can help treat several diseases. Water can prove to be beneficial for sinus infections too. Clean, fresh, and filtered water in excess can help to treat sinus infections.
The body depends on water to function correctly. If the body does not get enough water, it fails to work correctly. If the body does not get enough water, it derives water from the unimportant functions so that it can make the essential functions. This can thicken the mucus, which prevents the smooth flow of mucus. This, therefore, leads to clogged sinuses and the growth of bacteria in the area.
11) Grapefruit Seed Extract
The seed extract of grapefruit contains potential antiviral characteristics. Therefore, this is why it is a part of so many nasal and throat sprays.
Grapefruit seed extract contains polyphenols known as limonoids and naringenin, which makes them able to destroy some infections. These invade the diseases and destroy them. To treat the sinus infection, you can use the extract of nasal spray four times a day. These will be helpful to clear off the sinus cavity and cure you of the sinus infection.
12) Turmeric or Ginger Root
The roots of turmeric are beneficial. They have a sweet fragrance and contain anti-inflammatory curcumin naturally. It also acts as a useful anti-oxidant. You can prepare a hot brewed tea of turmeric and ginger root. This tea helps to make the mucus loose from the clogged nasal passages.
This, in turn, helps to treat your sinus problem and helps you to feel better. The ginger root can also be beneficial for your stomach health. It helps to treat stomach disorders. These stomach upsets are usually side effects of the sinus drainage at night time.
13) Vitamin C
The body necessarily requires vitamin C for the immune system to function correctly. The immune system helps to protect the body from various infections. A properly working immune function also fights these infections. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that protects the body from free radical damage and helps to fight it. Free radicals help to enhance the signs and symptoms of sinus infections. Cigarette smoke and air pollution are a source of these harmful free radicals. You should use at least 1000mg of vitamin C thrice a day.
14) Echinacea
Echinacea is an herb that prevents viruses and bacterias and protects the body against it. This herb is often suggested by professional herbalists to treat sinus infections naturally.
Scientific studies have also proved that Echinacea is enriched with active components that are antiviral. These thus helps to improve the immune system and relieves the pain. The active ingredients found in Echinacea also help to lower the inflammation. This is, therefore, very beneficial for preventing the side effects of sinus infections.
15) Neti Pot
You can also treat the sinus infection using a neti pot with saline solution. It will help to clear off the nasal passageways. This is known as nasal irrigation.
According to research in the Canadian Medical Association, neti pot can help to get rid of the signs and symptoms of chronic sinusitis and give a positive result within six months.
Final Thoughts
Sinus, if not treated properly, can lead to various side effects. Therefore, it is suggested to take care of it properly. Apart from the medications, you should have a proper diet routine too to prevent the risk of sinusitis. Also, do not make abrupt changes to your diet, before making any changes consult a doctor.
The foods, as mentioned above, can help to treat sinus up to an extent. So, before starting with it, you should consult a doctor.
It is always advised first to consult a clinical practitioner in case of Sinus problems before you choose a course of treatment for yourself.