Sinusitis, Chronic
Natural Remedies

Sinusitis, Chronic - Editor's Choice

| Modified on Mar 11, 2025
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Natural Remedies for Chronic Sinusitis

What is a person to do when the symptoms of a sinus infection - headaches, sinus pressure, congestion in the head, and possibly fever and malaise, continue on for weeks, or even months in spite of treatment? Many Earth Clinic readers have shared the tried and true natural treatments they have found to cure chronic sinusitis.

Cures for chronic sinus infections include apple cider, herbs, coconut oil, and vitamin supplements. It is also important to use remedies that will reduce inflammation in the body to help heal inflammation in the sinus cavities. Remedies to strengthen an immune system that has been overworked for weeks or months are also important.

Natural Remedies for Chronic Sinusitis Relief

If you go by personal experience of Earth Clinic readers, Apple Cider Vinegar is the most popular treatment for Chronic Sinusitis. It can be used in the nose or taken internally, or both! The best way to take it internally is to mix 2 Tablespoons of raw apple cider vinger with 2 Tablespoons or Raw Honey with 1 cup of almost boiling water in a mug. A hot drink helps the sinuses to drain. If you prefer a cold drink, add 1 - 2 Tablespoons of vinegar to a tall glass of water and sip over the course of an hour. To make an apple cider nasal rinse, add 1/2 teaspoon of raw apple cider vinegar to 1 cup of boiled cooled water (or use distilled water.) Put some of the solution in your cupped hand and snort up into the sinuses. Alternately, use the solution in a netti pot.

Extra virgin coconut oil is another popular and effective treatment that can be used internally and externally. Coconut Oil is an amazing antiviral. To use it in the nose, melt a small amount and drop a few drops into each nostril. This should also be soothing to the nasal passages. The recommended dosage for adults is 1 Tablespoon of Coconut Oil three times a day. It may be best to start with 1 teaspoon three times daily to make sure the remedy suits you.

Herbs to Heal the Sinuses

Cayenne pepper, garlic, eucalyptus, and mullein are some of the many herbs that can be used to treat chronic sinusitis. Some even put some cayenne pepper into the nose, but be prepared - that treatment is not for the faint of heart! Dip the tip of a q-tip into a bit of cayenne pepper and use that to get some cayenne up into each nostril. Be prepared for some discomfort and then some drainage! The herb mullein is great to thin mucous to help the sinuses to drain. Mullein can be taken as a tea. Garlic is a wonderful anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-biotic. Take one clove 3 - 4 times each day. The clove can be minced and taken in a spoon with raw honey, or spread with coconut oil onto toast.

Eucalyptus essential oil is a great addition to a healing bath. Fill a tub with water as hot as you like. Add 1 cup of baking soda or Epsom Salt and 4 drops of Eucalyptus essential oil. Soak for 20 minutes or so. To get an extra steamy bath, fill the tub with very hot water from the shower with the bathroom door closed. This will put more steam into the air to help moisten and drain the sinuses while you soak.

Supporting the Immune System

If your body is dealing with a chronic infection, likely your immune system needs some support. 1,000 mg of Vitamin C several times a day will be a help. Elderberry syrup or astragalus root (as a tea, in capsules or in a tincture) are two herbal supplements to help the immune system. Keep dairy products, sugar and processed foods to a minimum to help the immune system work better and keep mucous production down.

Reducing Inflammation from Chronic Sinusitis

Many of the above mentioned remedies are anti-inflammatory in nature, including the garlic, vinegar and coconut oil. If you have been dealing with chronic sinusitis, your body has had an extended time of inflammation. Whatever you decide to use to treat your condition, continue treatment for at least several days, or even weeks, after you feel better. Your body needs some extra care and nourishment to get back to full health. The above remedies are all safe for long term use for most people.

Please scroll down this page to see what Earth Clinic readers have found helpful for their chronic sinusitis! You'll find an extensive list of remedies that you can sort by date or by remedies, including the number of people who have been cured by a particular remedy. If you have dealt with a chronic sinus infection, please share your experiences with us!


Additional Pages of Interest:
Sinus Infection Remedies
Allergy Remedies
Sinus Headache Relief from Folk Cures
Apple Cider Vinegar Cures


The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.

Warning on Levofloxacin

Posted by Art (California) on 04/11/2024 2527 posts

Editor's Choice

H PayItForward,

You also might be interested in this article I wrote on torn tendons and ligaments in a friend which presumably was caused by at least three courses of Levofloxacin:

https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/collagen-for-torn-ligaments.html

Art


Open Nasal Passages Trick

Posted by Arn (Kenmore) on 05/05/2023 20 posts
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

I was completely unable to breathe normally through my nose for the first 40 years of my life. Many people are mouth breathers like I was, and it causes problems because our lungs do not get the filtered and humidified air that comes from nasal breathing. The docs told me it was allergies or maybe polyps, but, no. The good news is, I found an easy trick to open the nasal passages.

Everyone can flare their nostrils, and they can close the nasal passages when in the water. So we have some control of muscles in that area. The good news is that the muscles continue up into the sinuses, but we haven't learned to use them yet.

So here's the trick: Flare your nostrils, then visualize flaring them up a bit higher. Do this several times a day and you will begin to have control over those unused muscles. Every day you will be able to open the passages a bit higher up. It only took about a week before I was breathing freely through my nose. Try it.


Glyco-Thymoline (aka Listerine)

Posted by Rob (Kentucky ) on 03/17/2021
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

Glyco-Thymoline (aka Listerine) for Sinusitis

This paper is based upon the study of 193 Edgar Cayce readings (1901-1944) wherein Glyco-Thymoline (aka Listerine) was prescribed in one or more ways.

Glycol-Thymoline dates back to the late 1800's, when it was advertised as: An alkaline, antiseptic, non-irritating, cleaning solution for the treatment of diseased mucous membrane, especially nasal catarrh.

Listerine is a common item found in almost every drugstore and supermarket. It has many of the same ingredients as Glyco-Thymoline (see below). Listerine, named for Dr. Joseph Lister, was invented it as a surgical antiseptic and disinfectant in 1879, and has been used as a treatment for gonorrhea, post surgical wounds and even as a floor cleaner, among others. Despite its long and varied history, it didn't become known exclusively as a mouthwash until the 1970s.

Both products were cutting edge technology in their day. Glyco-Thymoline can be purchased thru Amazon.

A medical paper entitled “Chronic Nasal Catarrh and what the General Practitioner Can Do for it, ” presented in May, 1893, mentioned that Kress introduced Glyco-Thymoline to the medical profession around that time.

Over the years, advertisements for Glyco-Thymoline focused primarily on treatment of the nose and throat. One, from December 1899, included this quote from the March 1898 issue of the Chicago Medical Recorder.

In acute and chronic rhinitis and post-nasal catarrh it will be found specially effacious, diluted in from one to three parts of water, and slightly warmed before using. As a gargle in diphtheritic inflammations and other forms of pharyngitis, its bland and non-irritating properties render it most soothing and curative to the inflamed membrane.

Many early advertisements promoted the use of Glyco-Thymoline in concert with a nasal applicator called the Birmingham Douche. (A precursor to today's Neti Pot?) Their 1899 advertisement printed in the American Journal of Surgery and Gynecology was one that promoted them together under a single process. The application of Glycolic-Thymoline (Kress) to the nasal passages with our Birmingham Douche, obviates the danger of drawing Muco-Pus into the Eustachian tube.

https://baybottles.com/2019/05/05/glyco-thymoline-kress-owen-co/

Edgar Cayce readings about Glyco's use as a pack and nasal spray for sinusitis, and inflammation of the air cavities (sinuses) in the skull that open into the nasal cavities. For frequent sufferers, this ailment is painful experience: congestion, headaches, pain when touching the forehead and cheeks—even toothaches, fever, or chills are often part of the uncomfortable symptoms. A person may also feel sick in general if the infection has spread beyond the sinuses.

Sinusitis is caused either by an allergy or by a viral, bacterial, or fungal infection. During a cold, the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity will swell, blocking the sinus openings. Then air from the sinuses is absorbed into the bloodstream, decreasing the pressure inside the sinuses and resulting in a painful negative pressure. The vacuum created by this condition provides a breeding ground for micro-organism's. As white blood cells and more fluid enter the area to fight the microbes, pressure increases, creating more pain.

Glyco-Thymoline, according to Cayce readings, it can be used as a treatment for mucosity (abnormal excessive mucous secretion) and for several other types of internal and external application. Glyco-Thymoline, can be used as a nasal spray, nasal douche (neti-pot) or as a gargle, acts to detach and help remove sticky, mucous accumulations from nasal and throat passages. Also suggested as a soothing, cleansing, non-irritating solution for feminine hygiene, oral hygiene, babies' simple skin irritations, minor burns, poison ivy, sunburn, and chapping. https://www.si.edu/object/nmah_209672

Glyco-Thymoline contains all natural ingredients. Its previous label stated “Treatment for Mucosity, ” but its present label denotes it as a “Mouthwash and Gargle.” Most often it is used in small amounts or in diluted form (equal parts with water or one part Glyco-Thymoline to two parts water) when used in cavities of the body. For oral hygiene, for example, it can be used full strength. The manufacturer reports that, though the label was redesigned to conform to Food and Drug Administration regulations, the formula has not changed since Cayce's day. A number of directions for its use as given in the Cayce readings closely coincides with the manufacturer's recommendations.

Glyco-Thymoline Ingredients. Water, Glycerin, Alcohol (3.27%), Sodium Borate (Borax), Sodium Benzoate (widely used food pickling agent), Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda), Carmine (natural red 4), Sodium Salicylate (is a sodium salt of salicylic acid), Oils of Menthol (Peppermint), Eucalyptol (Eucalyptus), Abies Sibirica (Fir Needle) Oil, Thymol (Thyme), Methyl Salicylate (Wintergreen).

Listerine Active Ingredients: Eucalyptol (Eucalyptus) 0.092%, Menthol (Peppermint) 0.042%, Methyl salicylate (Wintergreen) 0.060%, Thymol (Thyme) 0.064%

Inactive Ingredients:

Water, Alcohol (26.9%), Helps to dissolve the oils in mouthwashes

Benzoic acid, Prevents microbial growth and helps adjust pH in the product

Poloxamer 407, Helps mix the oils and water and helps remove food particles

Sodium benzoate, Provides sweetness to enhance the flavor

Caramel, coloring agent

Note: Dollar Tree discount store has a spearmint mouthwash with similar ingredients to Listerine but at 21% alcohol level. This is what I use.

Preparation and Use of Packs

According to Edgar Cayce reading and the preparing of Glyco-Thymoline pack, these general suggestions were included with the reading:

“Use 2 to 3 thicknesses of cotton cloth well saturated with the commercial strength Glyco-Thymoline and apply over affected areas, or areas specified for your particular case. An electric pad may be used to keep the pack warm. A piece of oil cloth (or plastic) may be put over the pack, after it is placed on body, to prevent soiling linens, etc. Apply for 20 to 30 minutes, to an hour at the time. In cold weather, place the bottle of Glyco-Thymoline in a pan of hot water to take the chill off before using it for the pack” (Cayce)

Length of time for the packs and their frequency of use varied as people's individual physical conditions warranted. Depending upon one's health needs, Glyco packs could also be placed along the spine before osteopathic treatments were administered to “relax the area to be adjusted” (Cayce)—across the sacral area “to aid in eliminating the accumulations there, through assisting the system to absorb poisons” (Cayce), and over the abdomen for a variety of intestinal and bladder ailments.

Except for a few instances in which the person specifically was told not to use heat, Glyco-Thymoline was to be applied as a warm compress across the face, covering the forehead, nose, and upper cheeks, under which the sinus cavities rest. According to one reading, “…the heat causes the certain oils in the elements to loosen themselves, so as to enter into the cavities of the nasal passages and into those areas so distressed at times” (Cayce). This fifty-four-year-old woman had a chronic sinus condition and was advised to use a nasal spray as well as a pack two to three times a day. In several other cases osteopathic adjustments were to be undertaken in conjunction with the packs. Cotton cloth or gauze was the recommended material.

Preparation and Use of Nasal Spray

Add 1:1 ratio Glyco Thymoline to distilled saline water mixed with baking soda into 1 oz nasal spray bottle. Spray each nostril several times daily til infection is gone.

source: https://www.edgarcayce.org/the-readings/health-and-wellness/holistic-health-database/therapies-glyco-thymoline/




Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Rob (Bowling Green, Ky) on 10/29/2018
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

Here in Kentucky, we grow up with grandma's home remedies and cure-all's. We just put a new twist on those old-remedies. I wanted to share a solution to Chronic Sinusitis. I have suffered from sinus problem for 20 years. I found this guys post where he use garlic tea loaded up into a nasal mist pump spray and got relief from his sinusitis in a week. So, I tried it. It helped but did not cure it.

Back to the drawing board. So I'm thinking, why not use ACV (w/mother)? I changed out the garlic tea for ACV in distilled water and WOW! It dried up my congestion in 2 hours, opened up my clogged eustachian tubes in 4 hours, and completely cured within 24 hours. All without a trip to the doctor office, antibiotic, flonase nasal spray, etc… and a fat bill to go with it. I was blasting each nostril every hour or so. It has been 3 weeks now and I'm still clear. If my nose feels stuffy, I blast it with the ACV pump spray and I'm good for the day. Try it, you won't regret it.

Now for side effects. It burns alittle. If it ain't burning, it ain't working. I notice a loud ringing in my ears. I'm sure it had something to do with the clogged eustachian tubes. They had been clogged for months. It does go away after a few hours. You will taste ACV in the back of your throat.

Apple Cider Vinegar Nasal Spray: The ACV nasal spray should provide relief to those suffering from nasal congestion. ACV thins out and eventually removes mucus that is blocking passages in the nasal sinus. The antimicrobial properties will kill the pathogenes causing the sinusitis.

Procedure:

  • Mix 5 to 10 drops raw apple cider vinegar (w/mother) with 1 tablespoon distilled water.

  • Pour the ACV- distilled water mixture to a clean and dry nasal mist pump sprayer that the pump can be screwed off. Got mine at Dollartree.

  • 3 Spray the ACV- distilled water mixture to the affected nostril.

  • Spray at least thrice daily until you get rid of sinus infection.

This remedy is expected to provide relief to nasal congestion within 12 hours.


Apple Cider Vinegar, Lugol's Iodine

Posted by Vitamin D (Serbia) on 09/02/2018
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

DIY Apple Cider Vinegar + Lugol's iodine spray for sinusitis

I am just going to get straight to the point what helped me after years (tried everything, including all recommended natural remedies):

Did not want to make nasal irrigations with ACV (too complicated and too much work), but googled and found a recipe for DIY sprays with ACV instead: 1 tablespoon distilled water + 5-6 ACV drops. Just spray into nostrils. OK. Done - helped almost instantaneously. So what's new here?

Well since after a while I had to repeat the process, I realized ACV was great but not perfect. So I decided instinctively to add 2-3 drops of Lugol's iodine solution to it and see what happens. And - what happened? My nose is 100% decongested now. Later on I read iodine does not only help against bacteria and fungi, but also in case of allergic rhinitis/sinusitis. Must-try! (I seldom post anything anywhere, but simply HAD to make an exception this time! Good luck!


Oil Pulling

Posted by Laurie (Redmond, Wa) on 10/03/2017
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

Oil Pulling with Coconut Oil for Sinuses

I've had sinusitis for years now and am not crazy about using sinus sprays all the time. A friend told me about oil pulling not only for sinus but for healthy teeth and actual help with cavities. I don't usually try 'fad' things, but I bought some virgin coconut oil and gave it a try.

At first, ten to twenty minutes of swishing oil about in the mouth bothered me, but I got accustomed to it and over the past six months, both my oral health and sinus condition have improved. I haven't had a sinus infection in months and when I 'chew' the oil I can feel the sinuses loosening when they're blocked. I recommend you try it if you have sinus issues or tooth/gum problems as well.


Coconut Oil

Posted by Perry (Nj) on 02/26/2017
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

Extra virgin coconut oil swab of the nasal passage relieved my sinus pressure pain as well. I had a constant sinus pressure pain for weeks in the wintertime. I tried saline sprays, antihistimines, allergy eye drops, hydrogen peroxide in the ears. Two swabs of my nasal passages and over 90% of the pain is gone. I think a neti pot rinse with salt and coconut oil would get any deeper residual allergens out. THANK YOU!!


Sauerkraut

Posted by Jessica (New York, Ny) on 02/06/2017
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

Raw, unpasteurized, organic sauerkraut cleared up my sinuses -finally!! After many, many years of stuffiness and suffering. You buy this kind of sauerkraut at a health food store or a farm - NOT at a supermarket - that's the processed kind and you don't want that! Start out just taking a teaspoon, then a few days later add another teaspoon, keep going until you find the right dose that clears you. If you take too much all of a sudden, you may get stuffy - that's a detox reaction. Try and gauge what the right amount is for you and stay on that amount for a while before you raise it. Raw, unpasteurized sauerkraut kills yeast and fungus, which is usually the culprit in long term sinus issues.


Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Daniella (London) on 09/29/2016
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

ACV STEAM FOR SINUSITIS

Hi there. So for a whole month I have been suffering with sinusitis. It started off as a cold that wouldn't go away. The sinus blockage went from bad to worse. Dairy products made it even worse. So realised that needed refrain from dairy products too. Tried steaming with ACV and water. Each time I did it it helped but came back. So I decided to use ACV with less water so that it will be more concentrated. Oh boy oh boy just that one treatment and I felt like a new person.

Did it the second time and now I feel back to normal. Completely. I am glad I didn't agree to take the antibiotics!

I also have been drinking lemon juice with honey on a daily basis.

ACV works like magic.... after a whole month of suffering for nothing!

It was quite strong... so u must close your eyes and mouth. I use the face steamer... so that the steam is not too strong... put over a towel and that does the trick!

Thank you earth clinic. Wish everyone good health and a speedy recovery!



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