Nine Ways to Naturally Treat a Sinus Infection

Sinus infections are the most common reason for doctor visits in the United States.¹Battisti AS, Modi P, Pangia J. Sinusitis. [Updated March 2, 2023]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; January 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470383 The main symptoms are a stuffy nose; postnasal drip; pain; cough; fever; brain fog; fatigue; thick yellow or green, offensive-smelling mucus; and pressure around the nose, eyes, and face.

When you have a  sinus infection, the tissues in the maxillary sinuses become inflamed and swollen, which can also happen with a common cold or allergies. How can you tell the difference between a cold and a sinus infection? A cold starts with a runny nose for a few days, followed by a stuffy nose for another few days, before typically subsiding. Nasal mucus remains clear, and discomfort resolves in about 7 days.

A small percentage of colds turn into sinus infections. Sinus infections occur when a build-up of mucus and bacteria lingers. Staying hydrated and flushing your sinuses with saline can prevent the sinuses from trapping bacteria and causing an infection.

What’s the Difference Between Colds and Sinus Infections?

Your sinuses have many important functions. They lighten the weight of your head, protect your face and skull, and enhance the quality of your voice. Most important, sinuses work to create the perfect amount of moisture inside your nose, protecting against pollutants, pathogenic organisms, dust, pollen, and dirt. 

Three attributes differentiate a sinus infection from a cold: duration, color, and fever. Sinus infections last longer than colds (more than 7 days); mucus is typically green; and trapped bacteria may produce a fever. 

Smoking, air pollution, and a deviated septum (a displacement of the wall between the nasal passages) can make matters worse. Other factors can increase the risk of developing a sinus infection or worsen the infection:

• Sinus polyps (small, benign growths)
• Changes in air pressure (e.g., while flying or scuba diving)
• Ongoing dental issues
• Injury to the facial area

How Naturopathic Doctors Treat Sinusitis

Sinusitis is commonly treated with antibiotics. In fact, it’s the fifth leading reason for antibiotic prescribing in the United States. Sometimes, the body resolves a sinus infection over time.

Natural approaches for symptom relief aim to address the root cause of sinusitis and help prevent future infections. A licensed naturopathic doctor (ND) will create a tailored treatment plan for each patient, as sinusitis presents somewhat differently from person to person.

Your ND will also check the structural makeup of your spine, neck, and skull to ensure they are not contributing to sinus issues. The doctor may recommend manipulation, massage, and other hands-on approaches to address any issues.

Find a Naturopathic Doctor

Experience the benefits of personalized natural healthcare with a trusted, licensed naturopathic doctor in your area.

Find an ND

Nine Natural Strategies for Relieving Sinus Symptoms

1. Reduce refined sugar and fast food in the diet, as they decrease the body’s ability to fight infection.²Myles, I.A. Fast food fever: reviewing the impacts of the Western diet on immunity. Nutr J. 2014;13:61. https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2891-13-61 
2. Adopt an anti-inflammatory diet.
3. Ensure adequate hydration to keep mucus thin and clear away toxins.
4. Consume an adequate amount of soluble fiber to support daily bowel movements—one way we naturally remove toxins from our bodies.
5. Address the microbiome. When your gut health is diverse and robust, it supports overall immune function.
6. Drink bone broth (or a vegan alternative with mushrooms and other immune-supporting ingredients) for essential micronutrients that can reverse infection and build healthy mucus membranes.
7. Consider reducing or removing dairy products that increase mucus production. Studies show many people who suffer from sinusitis or nasal polyps have a dairy allergy.³Lill C, Loader B, Seemann R, et al. Milk allergy is frequent in patients with chronic sinusitis and nasal polyposis. Am J Rhinol Allergy. 2011;25(6):e221-e224. https://doi.org/10.2500/ajra.2011.25.3686
8. Consider food allergy testing to determine if a specific food might be aggravating your condition.
9. Exercise daily to help reduce overall stress, which in turn enhances immunity. Exercise is a key component in removing typical metabolic toxins from the body through perspiration and deep breathing.
10. Examine the main stressors in your life that contribute to poor immune function and disturbed sleep. Practice mind–body strategies like mindfulness and meditation.
11. Maintain sleep habits that support overall health and immune function.
12. Use a humidifier, especially in your bedroom, to prevent the sinuses from drying out.

Botanical Relief for Sinus Infections

1. Horseradish, ginger, garlic, and onion help clear the sinuses and support immunity.
2. Oil of oregano can help clear the sinuses and fight infection.⁴Leyva-López N, Gutiérrez-Grijalva EP, Vazquez-Olivo G, Heredia JB. Essential Oils of oregano: biological activity beyond their antimicrobial properties. Molecules. 2017;22(6):989. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6152729 Add a few drops of oil of oregano to a sinkful or pot full of hot water. Place a large towel over the water and your head to create a tent. Take care to not burn yourself as you inhale deeply.
3. Diluted grapefruit seed extract⁵Heggers JP, Cottingham J, Gusman J, Reagor L, McCoy L, Carino E, Cox R, Zhao JG. The effectiveness of processed grapefruit-seed extract as an antibacterial agent: II. Mechanism of action and in vitro toxicity. J Altern Complement Med. 2002 Jun;8(3):333-40. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22185729/ contains antimicrobial features and can be used three to four times per day as a sinus spray. Check with your naturopathic doctor for dilution ratios. 
4. A neti pot (nasal irrigation) flushes out pathogens and supplements treatments for upper respiratory infections, including sinusitis.⁶Rabago D, Zgierska A. Saline nasal irrigation for upper respiratory conditions. Am Fam Physician. 2009 Nov 15;80(10):1117-9. PMID: 19904896; PMCID: PMC2778074. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2778074/
5. Bromelain, an anti-inflammatory enzyme in pineapple, helps keep sinus cavities healthy. It also thins mucus, making it easier to blow your nose. 
6. Probiotics and cultured and fermented foods are key in fighting sinusitis.⁷De Rudder, C., Garcia-Tímermans, C., De Boeck, I. et al. Lacticaseibacillus casei AMBR2 modulates the epithelial barrier function and immune response in a donor-derived nasal microbiota manner. Sci Rep 10, 16939 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-73857-99 Creating a robust and diverse microbiome supports healthy immune action.
7. NDs often prescribe immune-boosting nutrients such as vitamin C and zinc, along with N-acetyl cysteine, quercetin, echinacea, and astragalus.⁸Helms S, Miller A. Natural treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis. Altern Med Rev. 2006 Sep;11(3):196-207. PMID: 17217321. https://altmedrev.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/v11-3-196.pdf

A hot foot bath can draw inflammation and swelling from the head and improve overall circulation. In a seated position, place your feet in a bathtub or basin of hot water. Use water as hot as you can tolerate without burning yourself. Take 10 minutes or so to relax.

Using gentle natural medicines to prevent and address acute or chronic sinusitis is a good starting place. If your sinus infection does not go away or worsens, there is also a time for antibiotic treatment. Your ND can help you navigate the most effective sinusitis treatment.

Footnotes

• 1
  Battisti AS, Modi P, Pangia J. Sinusitis. [Updated March 2, 2023]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; January 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470383
• 2
  Myles, I.A. Fast food fever: reviewing the impacts of the Western diet on immunity. Nutr J. 2014;13:61. https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2891-13-61
• 3
  Lill C, Loader B, Seemann R, et al. Milk allergy is frequent in patients with chronic sinusitis and nasal polyposis. Am J Rhinol Allergy. 2011;25(6):e221-e224. https://doi.org/10.2500/ajra.2011.25.3686
• 4
  Leyva-López N, Gutiérrez-Grijalva EP, Vazquez-Olivo G, Heredia JB. Essential Oils of oregano: biological activity beyond their antimicrobial properties. Molecules. 2017;22(6):989. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6152729
• 5
  Heggers JP, Cottingham J, Gusman J, Reagor L, McCoy L, Carino E, Cox R, Zhao JG. The effectiveness of processed grapefruit-seed extract as an antibacterial agent: II. Mechanism of action and in vitro toxicity. J Altern Complement Med. 2002 Jun;8(3):333-40. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22185729/
• 6
  Rabago D, Zgierska A. Saline nasal irrigation for upper respiratory conditions. Am Fam Physician. 2009 Nov 15;80(10):1117-9. PMID: 19904896; PMCID: PMC2778074. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2778074/
• 7
  De Rudder, C., Garcia-Tímermans, C., De Boeck, I. et al. Lacticaseibacillus casei AMBR2 modulates the epithelial barrier function and immune response in a donor-derived nasal microbiota manner. Sci Rep 10, 16939 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-73857-99
• 8
  Helms S, Miller A. Natural treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis. Altern Med Rev. 2006 Sep;11(3):196-207. PMID: 17217321. https://altmedrev.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/v11-3-196.pdf