Natural Ways to Relieve Sinus Pressure

1. Hydrate & Humidify
When full blown cold and flu systems occur, ease symptoms of nasal congestion and/or sinus congestion by adding chamomile flowers or 5–10 drops of eucalyptus essential oil (or both!) to boiling water, place your head under a towel over a pot of boiling water—keep a safe distance—and inhale the steaming vapors for 10–15 minutes. Drinking lots of water helps thin sticky mucous secretions, making them drain more easily from the sinuses, as well as keeps the mucous membranes moist. Plain, filtered water is best, but herbal teas can also help; ginger and peppermint help loosen and thin mucus, holy basil and licorice boost immunity, and marshmallow soothes irritated nasal passageways.

2. Use a Neti Pot
The Neti pot has been used in India’s system of Ayurveda for thousands of years. Today, its popularity is growing in the West, and it can be found in natural products stores everywhere. Made of glass, ceramic, or plastic, the Neti pot resembles an Aladdin’s lamp. It is designed to be filled with a saline solution and used to wash away pollens, mucus, viruses, and bacteria from nasal passages. The spout of the Neti pot is held to one nostril while leaning over a sink or basin, letting the water drain out of the other nostril. Research shows this technique can help ease allergy and sinus infection symptoms, and may even lower the chances of catching the common cold, according to some research. To make a saline solution for the Neti pot: Dissolve ½ tsp. noniodized salt in 1 cup of warm distilled or previously boiled water. Use once daily until symptoms subside.

3. Eat spirulina
Spirulina, a blue-green alga that can modulate immune function, is an effective treatment for allergic rhinitis, an inflammation of the nasal membranes that’s characterized by sneezing, nasal congestion and nasal itching, that’s linked to sinusitis. In one study, spirulina significantly improved symptoms, including nasal discharge, sneezing, and congestion. It’s thought to protect against sinusitis via its antimicrobial actions. Look for it in powders, tablets or capsules, and be sure to choose high-quality varieties that have been tested to be free of heavy metals.

4. Clean house
Besides mold, other sources of indoor air pollution are often to blame for sinus woes. Generally, anything with fumes or a very strong odor—cigarette smoke, hairspray, oven cleaners, and other cleaning products—can exacerbate (or even cause) sinus problems. Keep indoor air clean: get rid of chemical-based cleaning products, and switch to natural, unscented products. An air purifier can help, or try an ozone generator—a machine that creates O3, or ozone. Ozone has been shown to remove airborne toxins and kill mold.

5. Give up dairy
It has long been thought that dairy increases congestion and mucous production, and can exacerbate respiratory problems. Until recently, scientific studies failed to show a relationship between dairy and mucus production. More recent studies suggest that the type of milk may be the culprit.

Certain breeds of cows produce milk containing beta-CM-7, a protein that can stimulate mucus glands in the sinuses, respiratory tract, and digestive tract in certain susceptible people. If you’re plagued by sinus problems, try getting rid of dairy for a few weeks to see if symptoms improve.

6. Take quercetin
Quercetin, an antioxidant found in apples, onions, citrus fruits, red wine, parsley, and tea, acts an antihistamine and can help reduce inflammation and modulate allergic reactions that lead to sinus problems. Or try quercetin supplements, especially those that contain bromelain, a naturally-occurring enzyme that has anti-inflammatory benefits.

In one study, bromelain was effective in reducing symptoms in people with chronic sinusitis. Another enzyme to try for sinus issues is serrapeptase. This remedy is becoming increasingly popular for addressing different types of pain and inflammatory conditions, including sinusitis. The enzyme has been clinically shown to break down mucus and promote a normal inflammatory response in the body.

7. Avoid mycotoxins
Mycotoxins, poisonous chemical compounds produced by certain fungi, can exacerbate many sinus problems, especially those related to molds. Because they occur in common foods, they’re an often-missed source of sinus woes. If you suffer from chronic sinusitis, consider avoiding foods that are most likely to contain mycotoxins. These include peanuts, corn, wheat, barley, sugar, alcohol, cottonseed oil, aged cheese, and mushrooms or other fungi.

Natural Ways to Relieve Sinus Pressure
1. Hydrate & Humidify
When full blown cold and flu systems occur, ease symptoms of nasal congestion and/or sinus congestion by adding chamomile flowers or 5–10 drops of eucalyptus essential oil (or both!) to boiling water, place your head under a towel over a pot of boiling water—keep a safe distance—and inhale the steaming vapors for 10–15 minutes. Drinking lots of water helps thin sticky mucous secretions, making them drain more easily from the sinuses, as well as keeps the mucous membranes moist. Plain, filtered water is best, but herbal teas can also help; ginger and peppermint help loosen and thin mucus, holy basil and licorice boost immunity, and marshmallow soothes irritated nasal passageways.

You may also need to humidify. Dry air irritates already-inflamed sinus membranes, slows passage of mucus, and can exacerbate infections. If your home is excessively dry, use a vaporizer or humidifier. But don’t overdo it; too much humidity encourages the growth of mold, a common culprit in chronic sinus problems. The best range is 35 to 45 percent humidity. Or use humid air locally: take a hot shower, fill a sink with hot water and inhale the steam, or breathe in the mist coming from vaporizers (not the steam from humidifiers; it’s too hot and can damage delicate sinus membranes).

2. Use a Neti Pot
The Neti pot has been used in India’s system of Ayurveda for thousands of years. Today, its popularity is growing in the West, and it can be found in natural products stores everywhere. Made of glass, ceramic, or plastic, the Neti pot resembles an Aladdin’s lamp. It is designed to be filled with a saline solution and used to wash away pollens, mucus, viruses, and bacteria from nasal passages. The spout of the Neti pot is held to one nostril while leaning over a sink or basin, letting the water drain out of the other nostril. Research shows this technique can help ease allergy and sinus infection symptoms, and may even lower the chances of catching the common cold, according to some research. To make a saline solution for the Neti pot: Dissolve ½ tsp. noniodized salt in 1 cup of warm distilled or previously boiled water. Use once daily until symptoms subside.

3. Eat spirulina
Spirulina, a blue-green alga that can modulate immune function, is an effective treatment for allergic rhinitis, an inflammation of the nasal membranes that’s characterized by sneezing, nasal congestion and nasal itching, that’s linked to sinusitis. In one study, spirulina significantly improved symptoms, including nasal discharge, sneezing, and congestion. It’s thought to protect against sinusitis via its antimicrobial actions. Look for it in powders, tablets or capsules, and be sure to choose high-quality varieties that have been tested to be free of heavy metals.

4. Clean house
Besides mold, other sources of indoor air pollution are often to blame for sinus woes. Generally, anything with fumes or a very strong odor—cigarette smoke, hairspray, oven cleaners, and other cleaning products—can exacerbate (or even cause) sinus problems. Keep indoor air clean: get rid of chemical-based cleaning products, and switch to natural, unscented products. An air purifier can help, or try an ozone generator—a machine that creates O3, or ozone. Ozone has been shown to remove airborne toxins and kill mold.

5. Give up dairy
It has long been thought that dairy increases congestion and mucous production, and can exacerbate respiratory problems. Until recently, scientific studies failed to show a relationship between dairy and mucus production. More recent studies suggest that the type of milk may be the culprit.

Certain breeds of cows produce milk containing beta-CM-7, a protein that can stimulate mucus glands in the sinuses, respiratory tract, and digestive tract in certain susceptible people. If you’re plagued by sinus problems, try getting rid of dairy for a few weeks to see if symptoms improve.

6. Take quercetin
Quercetin, an antioxidant found in apples, onions, citrus fruits, red wine, parsley, and tea, acts an antihistamine and can help reduce inflammation and modulate allergic reactions that lead to sinus problems. Or try quercetin supplements, especially those that contain bromelain, a naturally-occurring enzyme that has anti-inflammatory benefits.

In one study, bromelain was effective in reducing symptoms in people with chronic sinusitis. Another enzyme to try for sinus issues is serrapeptase. This remedy is becoming increasingly popular for addressing different types of pain and inflammatory conditions, including sinusitis. The enzyme has been clinically shown to break down mucus and promote a normal inflammatory response in the body.

7. Avoid mycotoxins
Mycotoxins, poisonous chemical compounds produced by certain fungi, can exacerbate many sinus problems, especially those related to molds. Because they occur in common foods, they’re an often-missed source of sinus woes. If you suffer from chronic sinusitis, consider avoiding foods that are most likely to contain mycotoxins. These include peanuts, corn, wheat, barley, sugar, alcohol, cottonseed oil, aged cheese, and mushrooms or other fungi.

8. Take butterbur
The butterbur plant has been used for hundreds of years to treat headache, fever, and allergies; many modern studies show it can alleviate respiratory problems that lead to sinus issues. You’ll find butterbur in tinctures and capsules; look for a formula that’s standardized for petasin and isopetasin, the active component. Because the plant contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), chemicals that can damage the liver, also choose products that are certified and labeled “PA-free.”

9. Increase vitamin D
It’s the best way to increase the body’s levels of vitamin D, which may alleviate sinus problems by enhancing immune function. More specifically, vitamin D suppresses inflammatory response, and better helps the body prevent viruses and infections in the sinuses. Studies have also shown people with chronic sinusitis have lower levels of vitamin D. About 10 to 15 minutes of direct sun three to four times a week is enough to help the body produce sufficient vitamin D. If you live in the northern United States, have darker skin, are over 70, or spend very little time in the sun, consider a vitamin D3 supplement.

10. Use a natural sinus spray
Commonly used as a natural, lower-calorie sugar substitute, xylitol is a sugar alcohol found in many fruits and vegetables including berries, plums, lettuce, and mushrooms. But there’s more to this sweet ingredient—xylitol’s unique molecular structure enables it to effectively stop bacteria in their tracks. Here’s how: bacteria and yeast like to “eat” xylitol as they would sugar, but unlike sugar, they can’t digest it—therefore, the bacteria essentially starve to death and do not reproduce. Research demonstrates that when used in nasal sprays, xylitol reduces bacteria in sinuses. Additionally, it works via osmosis to pull fluid into airways and helps moisturize and thin mucus.