How to Treat a Nasal Infection: Can Natural Remedies Help?

Clearing Out Your Nasal Passage

Inhale steam to loosen mucous. For a simple steam treatment, fill a bowl or pot with hot water. Then place your face over the bowl and drape a towel over your head. Inhale deeply to bring the steam into your sinuses. You can repeat this treatment 2-4 times per day while your symptoms last. You could also take a hot shower or bath and inhale deeply. This has a similar effect.

Rinse your sinuses with saline spray. Get a plain saline nasal spray from the pharmacy. Then hold your head over a sink and spray it into your top nostril, letting the saline flow out the opposite nostril. Repeat this 3-4 times per day. You could also make your own saline solution by mixing 1/2 tsp (2,300 mg) of salt, 1/2 tsp (2,300 mg) of baking soda, and 2 cups (470 ml) of lukewarm water.

Flush your nasal cavity with a neti pot. This pot looks like a small teapot and provides a comprehensive nasal flush. Tilt your head to the side over a sink and pour saline solution into your top nostril. Let the solution flow out of your bottom nostril.

Overcoming the Infection

Rest so your body can fight off the infection. Your body can fight off the infection by itself, but it needs adequate rest to that. Do your best to get 7-8 hours of sleep every night and take it easy during the day while your symptoms last. If you can, take a day or two off from work or school to rest up.

Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. When you’re well-hydrated, mucous stays loose and drains easier. Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water every day to keep yourself hydrated.

Sleep with your head elevated so mucous doesn’t pool. If the mucous flows backward and pools, the infection could get worse. Put an extra pillow under your head at night to keep your head tiled forward.

Eat fresh fruits and vegetables to keep your immune system strong. The vitamins and minerals in these foods will help your body fight off the infection on its own. Following a good diet can also prevent future infections, so consider making some permanent changes if you don’t always eat the healthiest meals.

Reliving Pain and Discomfort

Press a warm compress onto your face to relieve pain. Either soak a washcloth in warm water or use a heating pad. Hold the compress onto your face for 15-20 minutes at a time to soothe your sinuses. Sinus pain is most common between your eyebrows and sometimes on your cheeks. Focus the compress wherever you feel the pain.

Use a humidifier to moisten the air in your home. Dry air can irritate your nasal passage and make the pain worse, so running a humidifier can make you more comfortable until the infection clears up. If you regularly suffer from sinus infections, then running a humidifier all the time can help prevent future ones as well.

Blow your nose gently to prevent pain. While your stuffy nose will definitely be annoying, try not to force the mucous out. Blow your nose gently to prevent pain and nosebleeds.

Avoid bending forward with your head down. This will increase the pressure in your sinuses. Instead, bend at the knee and keep your head up if you need to reach something below you.

Unverified Herbal Remedies

Drink tea to reduce inflammation. There is some evidence that green, black, chamomile, and ginger teas have anti-inflammatory properties. Having 3-5 cups per day might reduce the inflammation in your nose. If you also have a sore throat, then adding some honey and lemon to the tea will help soothe it.

Eat fresh pineapple. Pineapples have an enzyme called bromelain, which could fight inflammation and pain. Snacking on some fresh pineapples could help you feel better. Even if pineapple doesn’t directly treat the infection, it has plenty of vitamins and nutrients that will help your body’s immune system.

Try elderberry extract. This herb has been a home remedy for colds and the flu for hundreds of years. It comes in tablet form, but also powders and teas. Do not give elderberry to children younger than 12 unless your pediatrician says it’s safe.

Take gentian root. There is also some evidence that this herb can relieve sinus infections. It usually comes in an oil that you can take orally or mix with tea.