Best Ways to Get Relief from Sinus Headache

Sinus headache is a common problem faced by the people those who are suffering from sinusitis. The membranes that are lining the sinuses becomes inflamed and swollen due to allergies, bacterial or fungal infection, pressure changes in the ear, cold, sinusitis, etc. Then you feel some pain and pressure around the eyes, forehead, nose and cheeks (sinuses) that result in sinus headache.

Sinus headache is accompanied with many other symptoms of sinusitis like pain and pressure around the sinuses, pain becoming worse with facial movements, fever, cough, sore throat, nasal discharge, fatigue, runny nose, etc.

Make sure to know whether it is a sinus headache or tension or migraine headache before starting the treatment. Then follow these natural remedies at home to relieve the pain and pressure causing headache by relieving the inflammation and thereby free passage of air ways.

Method – 1: (Steam Inhalation)

Inhaling steam will help you to relieve nasal congestion, cold, sinusitis and other respiratory problems. It passes warm, moist air into the nose and thus moisturizes the nasal passage. The mucus will drain off to clear the blocked nose and to open up the congested sinus. This process reduces the pressure and will make you breathe easily.

Steps to be followed…

• Pour hot water in a large bowl.
• Add few drops of essential oils and stir gently to mix the oils in water.
• Then lean forward over the bowl and cover your head and bowl with towel.
• Be sure that the steam should not escape.
• Now breathe the steam deeply as long as you can.
• After that, remove the towel and relax yourself till you feel calm and comfortable.
• Again repeat the same process for few minutes.
• Dry your face and remove the loosen mucus to clear the pressure and thereby headache.
• Continue inhaling the steam daily for 2 – 3 times until you got complete relief from the problem.

Note:

• Pour few drops of eucalyptus essential oil (has anti-inflammatory and decongestant properties) in hot water before inhaling the steam. Or put few drops on a clean cotton ball or kerchief and smell this by placing it near to nose.
• Or simply add peppermint essential oil (has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and carminative properties) in hot water before using it for steam inhalation. Or rub it on affected areas after diluting it in carrier oil.
• Alternatively, you can also add few drops of tea tree oil (has antimicrobial property) to your hot water and inhale its steam.
• Also, pour 3 – 5 drops of cinnamon oil and thyme oil or clove oil to hot water and inhale the steam.

Method – 2: (Hot and Cold Compress)

Alternate application of hot and cold compress will relieve the pain and pressure on the face to get rid of sinus headache. Hot compress will provide moist heat directly on the sinus regions to ease the pressure and loosen the thick mucus. Cold compress constricts the blood vessels on the region to reduce pain and pressure on the face.

Steps to be followed…

• Place 2 bowls near you, one with hot water and other with cold water.
• Soak a face towel in hot water and wring out to remove excess water.
• Fold the towel and place it on the face by covering the forehead, nose, cheeks, etc. where you’re feeling pressure due to sinusitis.
• Let it stay for about 3 – 5 minutes and then remove the towel.
• Soak the towel in cold water and wring to remove excess.
• Fold and place it over your forehead for 30 – 45 seconds by closing your eyes.
• Relax and calm down yourself for another few minutes.
• Repeat the same process of applying hot and cold compress for 2 – 4 times daily till you got relief from sinus pressure and headache.

Method – 3: (Saline Solution)

Usage of saline solution will irrigate the nasal passage to drain out the mucus (sticky or persistent) to clean the nose and sinuses. It removes dirt, pollen, and other contaminants or irritants along with preventing dryness in the nasal passage. Thus, you can breathe freely without any sinus pressure or headache.

Steps to be followed…

• Add 1/4 teaspoon of salt and baking soda in 1 cup of warm water.
• Stir it well and pour this water in neti pot.
• Now tilt your head slightly and introduce this water to one nostril. The water comes out with mucus from other nostril.
• Be sure to breathe through your mouth till you completed this process.
• Then change the nostril to clear them completely along with sinuses and nasal passages.
• Discard any unused mix in the neti pot and prepare freshly for next time usage.
• Do the same process regularly until the pressure and pain reduced in sinusitis and thereby sinus headache.

Note: Or you can also use a dropper or Waterpik or squeeze bottle rather than neti pot as per your convenience.

Method – 4: (Cinnamon)

Cinnamon has antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and immune boosting properties that cure any bacterial or viral infection causing sinus pressure along with reducing the inflammation. it opens up the passage by reducing the swelling to breathe normally.

Steps to be followed…

• Infuse a cinnamon stick in hot water for about 10 – 20 minutes.
• Drink this tea by inhaling its steam.
• This will loosen the mucus and clears it to cure headache.
• Regular intake of cinnamon tea will definitely provide you with a relief.

Note:

• You can add a dash of cinnamon powder to your teas, milk, coffee or other beverages.
• Alternatively, mix 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon powder to 1 tablespoon of honey and consume this mix for twice a day for 5 – 7 days to get rid of the problem.

Method – 5: (Basil Tea with Ginger)

Basil contains eugenol, camphene, and cineole that not only clears the congested sinuses but also reduces the inflammation and allergic reaction on the body. It also has expectorant and soothing properties that reduce the pain, pressure associated with headache. Ginger acts as anti-inflammatory agent to reduce the swelling and drains out mucus in sinuses.

Steps to be followed…

• Start the process by washing out 10 basil leaves and 1-inch piece of ginger root.
• Peel off the ginger and crush basil leaves, 10 pepper corns and ginger to make it fine paste.
• Mix this paste in 1 cup of water and bring it to boil.
• Then simmer it until the mix reduces to half of its quantity.
• Now strain and add a little of honey in it.
• Drink this basil herbal tea every morning with an empty stomach or whenever you suffer from headache to cure sinusitis and headache.
• Be sure that not to take bath or expose yourself to cold after drinking this tea.
• Regular intake will help you to prevent the sinusitis and its side effects like sinus headache.

Tips and Precautions:

1. Drink a lot of fluids like water (prefer warm), fruit juices, warm soups, herbal teas (ginger tea), chicken broth, etc. to keep your body hydrated and thereby to bring down the pressure and inflammation that results in headache. Avoid caffeine, carbonated beverages, and alcohol which cause dehydration.
2. Use humidifier to add moisture to your dry indoor environment and helps you to sleep better. Also, relax yourself to calm down all your senses by closing your eyes and sit or lie down, which in turn reduces the stress or tension to cure pain.
3. Include vitamin C rich foods and spicy foods like jalapeno peppers which drain the mucus and boost up the immunity. Avoid food that triggers sinus pain and headache.
4. Acupressure relieves sinus pressure and headache by applying pressure on the area where the thumb and index finger meet. Massage gently the painful areas like forehead, nose, eyebrows towards hairline, temples, etc. to open the space that allows the sinus drainage and gives your relief.
5. Always keep your room or surrounding clean and free from dust, allergies, and other pollutants. Be sure to check for proper ventilation to decrease the microbe growth and passage of fresh airways.
6. Elevate your head while sleeping by placing a couple of pillow beneath the head to breath easily and to prevent the buildup of sinus pressure. Prefer to take long, hot and steamy showers but not for too much time to open up the nasal passage.
7. Consult your doctor if your symptoms persist for more than 10 days or having high fever for proper diagnose and treatment as per your health condition.

This is all about Natural Home Remedies for Sinus Headache. Follow these methods and share your experience with us.