As we are into cold and flu season, here are some tips to help with sinus problems. 

We have two areas of our sinuses, one under our eyebrows and on each side of our nose; the upper and lower sinuses.

Common symptoms of a sinus issue:

  • Pressure behind the eyebrows, or on each side of the nose.

  • Nasal drainage (it may have a color or be clear and dripping).

  • A sinus headache above the eyebrows or forehead area.

  • Feeling fatigued and locked up. 

What do you do when you have sinus problems?

Whether you are just locked up or have a bacterial or viral infection, the following tips are helpful:

  • Bundle up and get outside. The fresh air and movement will help loosen things up, get things draining, and even bring down the inflammation.

  • Get and stay hydrated. [If you lose your taste for water, as noted in the food poisoning post you can get support from an Infusion (IV) clinic.]

  • If you’re feeling up to it, eat some garlic. Chew up a clove or two a day. Garlic has both antiviral and antibacterial properties. It also acts as a (natural) decongestant.

  • If your headache is hanging on, every two hours, try taking a ½ tsp apple cider vinegar (ACV) in a few tablespoons of water and drink some more water afterwards.

If you have green drainage, that is more of a bacterial infection, and you want to clear that out.

  • Liquid iodine is a full spectrum antibiotic. It is very gentle on the body. Use 1/3 Liquid Iodine to 2/3 water, which can be used in the neti pot, or squirt a dropper up your nose and sniff, repeating on both sides. There are many brands, which should be available at a natural store. We carry this at the clinic.

  • Sinatrol supplement. It is a blend of effective herbs to help clear the bacteria that tend to affect the sinuses and reduce inflammation. Taking 2 every 2-3 hours can really take the inflammation down. We carry this at the clinic.

If you have clearer nasal drainage, it is more likely to be an allergy or a virus.

  • Viracid supplement has vitamin A, C, B12, Zinc, and several herbs. Available at the clinic.

  • You can support yourself with all the tips in the first section.

Yellow drainage is in between, bacterial or viral; it can be hard to tell. You can do all the tips in the first section.

If you need more help, call us and get scheduled for Acupuncture or an Herbal Consult with our Chinese Medicine Specialist, Wells. Acupuncture and herbs can give effective symptom relief for sinusitis, colds, and flu.