Natural Remedies for Chronic Sinus Infections

Sinusitis is an inflammation of the mucous membranes. Most cases of chronic sinusitis are not caused by an infection, but are actually an immune disorder caused by fungus. Mayo Clinic researchers found that “fungal organisms were present in 96% of patients who had surgery for chronic sinusitis, and that inflammatory cells were clumped around the fungi indicating that the condition was an immune disorder caused by fungus.”

Chronic sinusitis causes long-term nasal congestion, excess mucus production, nasal polyps, diminished sense of smell, and headaches. Over time, chronic sinusitis creates an environment for bacterial infections that exacerbate these symptoms.

Suppressive OTC drugs can trigger an infection and repeated doses of antibiotics are not the solution either. Antibiotics destroy the friendly bacteria in our intestinal tracts and disrupt our microbiome. Watch this video if you've used antibiotics. Antibiotic overuse creates intestinal dysbiosis, which naturally weakens the immune system since 70-80 percent of our immune system resides in the gut. Fungal, bacterial and yeast infections, Candida and sinus infections are common side effects of a compromised immune system.

Excessive and inappropriate use of antibiotics has led to antibiotic-resistant bugs that can cause serious consequences and changes to the microflora. According to researchers, it has been discovered that antibiotics were shown to be no better than a placebo and can actually make fungal infections worse. Unfortunately, even a single course of antibiotics can permanently alter the gut flora. An unbalanced microbiota in the gut is also a contributing factor in autoimmunity. The strategy is to thin the mucous and take nutrients to support the immune system, heal the gut and supplemental support that is anti-fungal and anti-bacterial in nature.

If you suffer from sinus infections, it’s essential to identify the root cause and rule out pre-disposing factors, which will be different for each person and may include one or more of the following:

Gut dysfunction, GERD, bowel inflammation and toxins in the bowel
Hidden food sensitivities
Consuming the Standard American Diet (SAD). Overconsumption of milk and dairy products and mucous-forming foods.
Blockages (polyps, cysts, tumors)
Oral contraceptive use and other exogenous estrogens
Thyroid dysfunction
Overuse of antibiotics
Autoimmune problems
Dental infections
Adrenal insufficiency. Chronic stress, including emotional stress.
Insufficient rest, relaxation and sleep.
Ileocecal valve (ICV) dysfunction
Constipation
Biliary/liver dysfunction
Smoking and second hand smoke. Air pollution. Extremely dry, cold air.
Bacterial, yeast, fungal, viral and Candida infections Biofilm bacterial infections were found to be present on the removed tissue of 80% of patients undergoing surgery for chronic sinusitis

As you can see from the lengthy list above, the healing protocol will vary depending on each individual’s unique biochemistry. However, the following healing therapies and strategies have proven effective for eliminating chronic sinus infections.

Natural Remedies & Healing Therapies for Sinusitis

Food is Medicine!

Reduce the underlying causes of inflammation. This always starts by eliminating inflammatory and mucous-producing foods. The typical ones include gluten, wheat, corn, all grains, sugar and all dairy except for pastured butter
Avoid mycotoxic foods such as peanuts and peanut butter, alcohol, hard cheeses, grains (wheat, corn, barley)
Avoid all artificial sweeteners, fructose and sugar, food additives, vegetable oils, soy products, alcohol and caffeine, processed, packaged, fake foods.
Helpful antidotes for sinus sufferers: Bone broth, raw apple cider vinegar, garlic, onions, ginger, turmeric (curcumin), cayenne and fresh grated horseradish are
Drink plenty of clean, filtered water. Add fresh lemon or lime, a pinch of Celtic sea salt and a pinch of cayenne pepper.
Vitamin A-rich foods not only maintains healthy immunity overall, they also keep mucous membranes in tip-top form. Foods rich in vitamin A include sweet potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, leafy greens, mango, papaya, egg yolk, and pumpkin. Green smoothies.
Follow the Fat Loss Revolution lifestyle and an anti-Candida diet.
Healthy fats such as pastured grass-fed butter contains butyric acid, which is healing and nourishing for the gut. Organic coconut oil, rich in lauric acid is known for its antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal properties.
Herbal teas: Pau ‘d arco, Nettles, Fenugreek
Natural Sinus Relief Cocktail: 12 oz. filtered water, 1 tbsp. raw honey, 1 tbsp. raw apple cider vinegar, the juice from a fresh lemon, 1 tsp. fresh grated ginger, a pinch of cayenne pepper and pinch of turmeric.

Lifestyle

Heal the gut. Ruling out any underlying cause of gut dysfunction is a must. The gold standard test for this is a comprehensive digestive stool analysis with parasitology. Sinusitis is often linked to toxins in the bowel and intestines.
Use a Neti pot to irrigate, rinse and cleanse the sinuses. Make your own preservative-free saline solution. In a 16 ounce jar mix 12 ounces of clean, filtered water or distilled water. Add one tsp. Celtic sea salt or Himalayan salt and 1-2 drops tea tree oil (an anti-microbial and anti-fungal). May also add liquid iodine forte or liquid zinc or open a capsule of saccharomyces boulardii and add to the mix.
Aromatherapy oils such as tea tree, eucalyptus, goldenseal and rosemary applied as a compress to the nasal area or as steam inhalation are very helpful.
Sinuses that aggravated by weather changes often respond well to acupuncture.
Always get plenty of restful sleep. Use dust mite-free bedding.
Use HEPA filters. Change air filters monthly.
Visit the dentist regularly since infections in the mouth can easily spread to the sinuses.
Consider mental and emotional stressors. Practice daily relaxation and restoration. Emotional stress weakens the immune system creating the perfect environment for infections to occur. Everything’s interconnected. Emotions are not separate from physical manifestations in our bodies.

The extensive research from Dr. Robert Ivker and Dr. Geerd Hamer has shown that sinus problems are often triggered after the experience of an emotional “stink conflict.” This could be a severe emotional reaction to an actual odor or it could be the symbolic feeling that “this situation stinks.” Nearly all of Dr. Ivker’s patients with chronic sinusitis also had significant emotional issues, especially anger. Chronic sinusitis patients tend to be type-A, high-achieving perfectionists.

According to New York Times bestselling author, Louise Hay, an underlying emotional cause of sinus problems is irritation to one person, specifically someone close to you.

Enhance spiritual health. This may include meditation, prayer, gratitude, and spending time in nature.

Nutrient and supplemental support. As with all nutritional support, it’s not a one-fits-all approach. The best way to determine your personal nutrient profile unique to your biochemistry is through a functional blood chemistry analysis.

Natural Anti-bacterial and Anti-fungal Nutrients

ADP, an emulsified oil of oregano, which means that it is emulsified in a sustained release form. ADP is the ONLY oregano product that works throughout the small intestine.
FC Cidal
Homeopathic Fungal-Yeast Support

Nutrient Support helpful for Sinusitis

Bile salts (Beta-Plus).
HCL with digestive enzymes (Digestzymes)
Essential Fatty Acids: EFA Sirt Supreme
Immune-boosting Multi Vitamin/Mineral: BioImmunozyme Forte and Cytozyme-THY
Iodine/Iodide (Iodizyme). Liquid Iodine: Liquid Iodine Forte
Probiotics: Flora 20-40; Saccharromyces Boulardii; TherBiotic Complete
Intenzyme Forte, a powerful proteolytic enzyme contains therapeutic levels of pancreatin, bromelain and trypsin and the highest levels of alpha chymotrypsin that are beneficial for inflammation
Zinc, a powerful immune boosting mineral and cold-and-sinus infection fighter
Turmeric (curcumin) is a powerful anti-inflammatory that has antiviral and antibiotic qualities, and is very healing for the sinus cavity. Gargling with turmeric can help heal a sinus infection and reduce chronic sinus inflammation.
BioD Mulsion Forte, an emulsified liquid vitamin D

Everyone has a unique biochemistry and each person reacts differently to different treatments. The key is to work with a qualified practitioner for support, education and guidance. Curing your sinus infection naturally builds up your immune system, rather than letting the antibiotics take over and break the immune system down and alter your microbiome.

As a holistic nutritionist and functional health practitioner, my philosophy is to identify the root cause of chronic sinusitis and any underlying health issues, slowly "peel away the layers of the onion," and design a healing protocol and comprehensive LIFESTYLE plan specific to your unique biochemistry so you can heal, experience vibrant health, balanced hormones, strong immune function, age well, and look, think and feel better than ever for a lifetime. I consult with men and women around the world, all over the U.S. and with clients locally in the Phoenix area. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation!

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