Sinus problems are a very common ailment. Allergies, nasal irritants and colds can all trigger sinus trouble. When a large amount of mucus is present in the sinuses, it can easily lead to a sinus infection.
Doctors prescribe antibiotics to those with sinus infections. Sometimes they work. Sometimes they don’t and when the antibiotics don’t do their job, the bacteria could become resistant to them. That means that you’ll need stronger antibiotics and they may or may not do the job. If they don’t work, you’ll need even stronger ones. This can lead to long-term antibiotic use and that kills the good bacteria in your system, possibly leading to other health problems.
Because of these potential problems, many sinus sufferers are hesitant to use antibiotics. There are herbal remedies that may provide relief. They have fewer side effects and less potential for complications.
Grapefruit Seed Extract
Grapefruit seed extract is a powerful herbal antibiotic. It must be diluted in warm water before use. You can make a nasal spray out of it and use it every hour or two.
You can also dilute grapefruit seed extract and use it in a neti pot. A neti pot is a ceramic pot that is used to flush out the sinuses. It may be hard to get the hang of, but this method gets the grapefruit seed extract up into your sinuses, making it more likely to work quickly.
Garlic
Garlic kills bacteria and fungi. No matter which one is causing your sinus infection, garlic can help. It is best used fresh but the cloves must be crushed in order to obtain maximum effectiveness.
If you can’t stand to eat raw garlic, you could juice a couple of cloves and add the juice to a more palatable vegetable juice. It is crucial to use fresh, raw garlic and not garlic pills. These are not nearly as potent and will likely be ineffective on tough sinus infections.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Many people find apple cider vinegar effective in helping to prevent sinus infections. Drinking 1/8 to 1/4 cup per day diluted in water thins the mucus, making it less likely that an infection will form. If you already have an infection this can help increase drainage and decrease congestion.
Another thing that many have found effective is boiling equal parts water and apple cider vinegar, removing it from the stove, and inhaling the vapors. This will relieve congestion in addition to helping get rid of the infection.
Many people suffer from sinus problems every winter. The next time you get a sinus infection try using an herbal remedy. It might get rid of your sinus infection with fewer side effects and less expense than antibiotics.
