How to relieve sinusitis (and cold/flu pain)

I’ve had chronic sinusitis for over a decade. Common symptoms during sinusitis are nasal discharge, facial pressure, headaches behind or around the eyes – getting worse when bending over. Antiobiotics, acupuncture, homeopathic drops, tinctures, neti pots, I continuously read to stay up to date about new ways to relieve the pain.

First of all, a little disclaimer: I’m not a doctor or a medical professional, these are just a few tips that worked for me. Now so far the best cure for me has been prevention. For that I maintain a dairy-free diet – dairy being one of the main triggers for inflammations (at least in my case) -, regulate my stress levels, increase my water intake, do breathing exercises, and incorporate a lot of immune-boosting ingredients in my diet, such as ginger, turmeric, vitamin c supplements, garlic. Since following this routine, I have definitely seen an improvement.

Massage : the Jade roller and Bodhi & Birch Mint Thé are always on my bedside. When I first got the Jade roller, I only imagined it would only work for puffy eyes, but it turns out to be amazingly efficient to relieve headaches. I roll over the sinus area as many times as I want, until I feel the tension go away. Mint Thé is a botanical blend of antimicrobial ingredients (mint, eucalyptus, frankincense, white camphor) and I rub it on my temples to soothe my headaches. I delicately apply a tiny amount under the nose, inhale deeply and I already feel less congested.

Essential oils steam inhalations: this has been of the best way to naturally relieve the congestion. I alternate with different essentials. Usually I add 8 drops of EO to a bowl of boiling water, place a towel over my head and and I breathe deeply. My favorite essential oils for that matter are Thyme (properties as an antiseptic, bactericidal, expectorant), Cajeput (blends well with Eucalyptus and is a strong, camphoraceous oil to soothe respiratory distress) and Eucalyptus. (effective use against respiratory ailments, stimulates red blood cell functioning, thus increasing the oxygen supply to every cell in the body.

Relax: Indulge in activities which won’t requite using many brain cells haha. Finding a distraction from the pain is key, since a sinusitis doesn’t usually go away after three days, you have to grin and bear it. I can’t focus nor think clearly when I’m sick, so I take it really slow. My eyes hurting, I can’t read nor stand on my computer for too long. A good warm bath, with a bath soak and Himalayan salts is one of my favorite ways to unwind. I use Flora Remedia Immunity roll-on and Scentered Stress Less Therapy Balm on my pulse points to respectively boost the immune system and calm me down.

Detox: Diet plays a pivotal role. I avoid starchy food, junk food, sugar, gluten during a sinusitis, and I drink a lot of lemon water, herbal teas and green tea, pineapple juice to  fluidify the mucus. Lately, I’m enjoying Yogi Tea Jasmin (green tea, jasmin, hibiscus, basil), because Jasmin adds a floral touch and balances out the bitter taste of green tea. I also drink manuka honey -lemon -ginger blends, but they are less tasty than Jasmin 🙂

Recently, I’ve also been adding tea to my bath, with the brilliant Tea-Tox Detox* from Queen Tea Cosmetics. Queen Tea Cosmetics is a UK artisan brand inspired by the ritual of tea, and its skin benefits. The bath tea bags contain a purifying blend of salts, herbs and essential oils. You add the tea bag in the bath, let it brew and wait for it to release its powerful aroma. The Tea-Tox is specifically made for cold and flu, since it contains eucalyptus, nettle and rosemary. I don’t strictly keep it for sick days. It’s now part of my prevention arsenal as well, to keep my nose clear and the respiratory system healthy.

Queen Tea also introduced last week new detox boxes, , where 10% of the profits will be donated to the Trussell Trust, to raise awareness for UK hunger poverty. I also use the Really Relaxing Detox Box* which contains a soothing blend of chamomille, rose and lavender extract to help me find sleep quicker. Queen Tea also includes in the mini detox boxes a small sachet fo bath milk. Since I avoid dairy, I don’t use it, but this is up to your personal preferences.

What do you use to relieve sinusitis pain?

Take care,