Wow. I would not wish a sinus infection on my worst enemy. I had my first sinus infection three years ago and it was miserable. Almost as bad as mastitis, which in my mind is worse than having the baby! Now I know what to do, and I hope this sinus infection protocol helps you catch it quicker than I did.
Here is the first thing I found out: do not bend over! That pain is terrible. Ok, we can not avoid that completely, but in all seriousness, here is what I do.
When to See a Doctor
Most sinus infections are caused by viruses and clear up on their own, but please see your doctor if:
- Symptoms last more than 10 days, or get better and then get worse again.
- You have a high fever (over 104°F) or a severe headache.
- You notice swelling or redness around the eyes, vision changes, confusion or a stiff neck.
- You get sinus infections over and over, this could be an infection on a larger scale and cleaning it up from the body is the key.
You can learn more about sinusitis on MedlinePlus.
My Sinus Infection Protocol
Here is my sinus infection protocol, step by step.
Step 1: Cut Out Dairy and Refined Sugar
First, get off all dairy. Many people find dairy makes them feel more congested, and you do not want the body making more mucus and sitting in your sinuses. Then get off refined sugar. Sugar can weaken your immune response, and feed the virus/bacteria and you want your body putting all its energy into getting well.
Step 2: Get the Mucus Out
I know it is annoying to have your nose running and to be blowing it all the time, but I believe it is better to GET IT OUT. Mucus is made of dead white blood cells (the guys on your side) and dead virus or bacteria, and it is your body’s way of c
learing the infection. That is why I would rather flush it out than dry it up. If you do choose to use a decongestant or Mucinex, this will build a layer of dried mucus (infection) every time you use it. Once the layers have built up to thick, then you need to go in and have it all scrapped out. yuck.
The Neti Pot
Wow, I should have gotten a neti pot a LONG TIME AGO. It is basically a little pot you fill with a warm saline solution and pour into one side of the nose. It flushes everything out the other side, cleaning out your sinuses. Do it morning and night when you have a sinus infection. If you get sinus infections often, using it daily may help keep them away.
VERY IMPORTANT neti pot safety: Never use plain tap water. Only use distilled or sterile water, or tap water that has been boiled for at least one minute and cooled. You do not want to be putting contaminated water in that sensitive area. Clean and dry your neti pot after every use.
Goldenseal
When I have a sinus infection, I add a pinch of powdered goldenseal herb to my neti pot solution. Goldenseal is the herb traditionally used for the sinuses. Only use a tiny pinch, mix it well, and stop if it stings or irritates. Goldenseal is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and it can interact with some medications, so read up on it and check with your doctor.
Step 3: Ease the Pain
Peppermint and Breathe Essential Oils
Rubbing diluted peppermint oil on the painful side of my face helped my pain and inflammation. You can also rub a drop on the roof of your mouth to open up the airways. Breathe oil helps open up the airways, and it also comes in an easy stick you can rub on your chest. Keep oils away from your eyes.
Tooth Pain
Next, let’s talk about the tooth pain that can come with a sinus infection. This part bugged me more than it hurt. The headache and pain in my cheeks were worse, but my teeth felt like they were filled with gel that moved every time I moved. I used clove essential oil on my gums to numb the area. I also used Dr. Schulze’s Tooth and Gum tincture. It tastes terrible, but putting it on my gums helped. My own Healthy Teeth and Gums tincture is made for this kind of support too.
Step 4: Support Your Immune System
Vitamin C
Give your immune system extra vitamin C every day. Around 1,000 mg is what I aim for as an adult. You know you have had more than your body needs if your stools get runny, so back off if that happens. Adults should stay under 2,000 mg a day unless their doctor says otherwise. For kids and babies I use a chewable, and for adults a capsule. I prefer a whole food vitamin C instead of plain ascorbic acid, which is usually made from corn. You can read more in my post on natural vitamin C.
Elderberry Syrup
Elderberry syrup is wonderful for supporting the immune system during viral illnesses. Kids need at least 1 tsp a day. Adults can take more, or make elderberry tea.
Ionic Silver
I put ionic silver into a nasal pump and spray it up my nose several times during the day, and then do the neti pot morning and night.
Echinacea and Goldenseal
Echinacea and goldenseal capsules are a classic combination. Echinacea helps power the immune system and goldenseal is for the sinuses and mucus. I take 2 capsules 3 times a day, following the label.
More Natural Protocols
Other posts you might want to look at, depending on your symptoms:
This post shares my own experience and is not medical advice. Please talk with your doctor before using herbs, supplements or essential oils, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or treating children. *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
