By Dawn Combs
It may seem odd, but even in the month of January you may have to worry about a sinus headache brought on by rain. It is raining as I write this here in Ohio. The change in barometric pressure that happens with a storm like this can wreak havoc with your head and cause dizziness and headaches.
Enjoy!
6 Natural, Home Remedies for Sinus Headache
If you get these headaches often you probably have your favorite remedy for the pain and pressure. I don’t have time to sit and suffer so I’ll be using one of these options before my day gets started:
1. Sinus Steam
A facial steam is perfect for the skin on your face, but when you have a sinus headache this therapy’s benefits are more than skin deep. To a bowl of boiling water, add a half a handful of eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus), peppermint (Mentha piperita) or rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis). You may also choose just one or two drops of essential oil. (Find these dried herbs here and pure essential oils here.)
Using a large towel, bend over the bowl and keep yourself and the bowl completely covered. The goal is to keep the steam trapped in while you breathe in the anti-inflammatory benefits of the herbs. The warm steam will soothe your irritated sinus passages, relieving your headache. Try to stay in your steam tent for at least eight minutes.
If you are suffering with congestion keep a tissue handy for the inevitable release of mucus. If your sinus suffering is coming from excessive dryness, you may also wish to add a pinch of marshmallow leaf (Althaea officinalis) for lubrication. You may want to repeat this another time during the day if you don’t get relief from your headache right away.
2. Chilled Washcloths
Add a drop or two of lavender essential oil to a wet washcloth. Seal it in a ziplock bag and put it in the fridge for at least an hour to chill. When placed over the eyes and temples this is very soothing.
3. Foot Bath
I never use a chilled washcloth for a headache without adding a nice footbath. You’ll need a small tub or basin for this. We have found inexpensive kitty litter pans are the perfect size. Fill the basin with very warm water. It should be as warm as you can possibly stand. Add a handful of the herbs you have available. I especially like hops (Humulus lupulus), but you might try some lavender (Lavendula angustifolia) or even some basil (Ocimum basilicum) out of your spice cabinet!
4. Horseradish
Want to open your sinus passages quickly? A heaping spoonful of fresh horseradish is just the ticket. This one may be difficult for some, but I love horseradish!
5. Honey
If your sinus headache is due to congestion honey is a perfect, if sticky, solution. Spread a bit over the sinus cavities both over your eyes, on your forehead, as well as under your eyes. You’ll be surprised how quickly your sinuses will begin to drain, providing relief.
6. Herbal Tea
Some of my favorite herbal options for headache pain can be used alone or in combination. They are lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), ginger (Zingiber officinalis), skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora), garlic (Allium sativa), St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) and hops. (Find all these herbs here.)
Do you have a favorite headache remedy? Share yours in the comments section below!
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Acetic acid is not the optimal substance for change of nasal microbiome. It is more suitable to use probiotics (acidophilus bacteria). A dose of “good” bacteria could solve your sinus problems.
http://www.livescience.com/23130-chronic-sinus-problems-bacteria.html
You should change also the oral microbiome. Google for:
microbiome, “nasal microbiome”, “oral microbiome”, “snorting probiotics”, “chewing probiotics” etc.
Something a chiropractor told me years ago that worked wonders when I had a severe sinus infection was, empty a nose sprayer of its contents, rinse and add about 5 drops of vinegar (I used cider vinegar). Fill the sprayer with filtered or distilled water, shake. Spray your nostrils. It doesn’t burn and it started helping me the very first time I sprayed it. He told me that so often a Dr. will recommend saline for these issues and he said the worst thing you can do is use saline when your sinuses are infected or clogged or . . . The reason is that when your sinuses are running or clogged or whatever, the acid in them has been stripped out from all the running, blowing, etc.. By spraying acid in through vinegar water helps to balance your sinus’s out again. I know it worked wonders on my infected, bleeding sinuses and a lot of others who I’ve shared this with over the years that had severe allergies and clogged sinus’s and all different sinus issues. It never burned at all and my sinus’s were bleeding so I know they were raw inside. I didn’t have a nose spray bottle so I went to the store and bought a spray bottle with saline in it (it was the cheapest thing I could find) and dumped it out and used that. He said you could do it as 4 or 5 times a day or more that it wouldn’t hurt you and it sure does help!!!
Thanks so much for the vinegar idea Lorene! And for adding the tip on buying a saline filled bottle to empty. That is something I will definitely try next time. The above tips seemed more for sinus headaches than the infection itself, and since I don’t get the headaches, your tip was perfect!