10 Home Remedies for Sinus Headaches & How to Use Them

Are you bothered by that chronic throbbing pain in your forehead and cheekbones?

It’s possible that you have a sinus headache, a rare form of headache caused by sinus inflammation [1].

According to Medicine Net, inflamed sinuses block the nasal passageways and prevent proper drainage of mucus.

Sinus inflammation and nasal congestion, otherwise known as sinusitis is a condition triggered by respiratory infections like flu or cold, or allergic reactions.

Get relief from pain and other symptoms caused by this condition with the help of these effective home remedies.

1. Turmeric

Turmeric does more than flavor up your curry.

Dubbed as the queen of spices, turmeric is also a popular traditional remedy used in India, China and many parts of Southeast Asia [2].

Among the countless health benefits that it provides is relief from sinus inflammation [2].

Curcumin, the substance that gives it a vibrant yellow color, is a strong anti-inflammatory agent that fights infection and reduces swelling [3].

In a study conducted in Germany, turmeric is listed as one of the highly effective traditional Persian medicines for throbbing headache [4].

It has been found to have analgesic, prophylactic or sedative effects on the central nervous system, which explains why it’s a great remedy for headache and other painful conditions [4].

What You’ll Need:

1 teaspoon of turmeric
1 teaspoon of honey
1 glass of milk
3 drops of turmeric oil
1 teaspoon of jojoba oil

Recommended Directions:

Add turmeric and honey into the milk.
Mix well.
Drink the concoction once a day for two weeks.
Combine turmeric oil and jojoba oil.
Massage a thin layer of the oil mixture on your forehead and sinus area.
Let it sit for five to 10 minutes.
Wipe it off with a clean towel.
Repeat remedy twice a day until condition improves.

2. Black Pepper

Salt and pepper are the ultimate table condiment duo that’s used all over the world.

Apart from adding a spicy taste to your dishes, black pepper is also replete with remarkable health benefits that would make you want to use it more often.

Pepper, which can either be whole (peppercorn) or ground (black pepper powder), is packed with essential nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin K, fiber, iron, potassium and manganese.

It also has various pharmacological effects that make it ideal as remedy for minor ailments like sinus headache.

Researchers from the University of Karachi in Pakistan investigated the analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of black pepper [5].

Findings revealed that black pepper’s active compound piperine is a good way to ameliorate pain and inflammation [5].

In addition to this, it also helps by toning down the inflamed sinuses, which in turn, helps drain the mucus, clear congestion and provide immediate relief.

What You’ll Need:

1 teaspoon of black pepper
1 bowl of soup
5 drops of black pepper oil
1 teaspoon of olive oil

Recommended Directions:

Add black pepper to the warm soup.
Sip the soup slowly.
Do this two to three times a day for one week.
Mix black pepper oil and olive oil.
Use this oil blend to massage painful parts of your head and face.
Do this technique twice a day until you achieve pain relief.

3. Tea Tree Oil

One of the most extensively studied essential oil is tea tree oil.

This is because it has many notable curative properties—antibacterial, antiseptic, antiviral, antimicrobial and many others.

Its antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties have made tea tree oil a widely used remedy not only in Australia where it originated but in many other parts of the world [6].

Various studies show that tea tree oil is indeed a potent fighter of inflammation, helping in a wide array of inflammatory diseases [7, 8, 9].

Tea tree oil helps in sinus headaches by getting to the root of the problem—microbial infection.

It also reduces the severity of inflammation of the sinuses so that the mucus can be drained more efficiently.

What You’ll Need:

3 to 5 drops of tea tree oil
Hot water
4 drops of tea tree oil
2 drops of lavender oil
1 teaspoon of almond oil

Recommended Directions:

Add three to five drops of tea tree oil to hot water.
Inhale the steam.
Repeat two to three times a day.
Blend tea tree oil, lavender oil and almond oil in a bowl.
Spread a thin layer of this oil mixture on your face and head.
Massage gently for 15 minutes.
Follow this home remedy for sinus headaches once or twice daily.

4. Cinnamon

Many agree that cinnamon is one of the most delicious spices in the world.

It won’t be a favorite flavor for pastries and other dishes for nothing.

Did you know that it’s also loaded with remarkable health benefits?

Studies have shown that this spice can reduce heart disease, lower blood sugar levels, ward off infection, and boost the body’s immune resistance.

If you want to get rid of sinus headaches, this can also do wonders for you.

A team of Iranian scientists probed the antimicrobial effects of cinnamon and other essential oils on microorganisms that cause sinus infection [10].

Results revealed that the essential oils featured in this study, including cinnamon effectively destroyed the four leading causes of sinusitis, namely S. pneumonia, S. pyogenes, S. aureus and P. aeroginosa [10].

Apart from curbing the root of infection, cinnamon also helps open up the passageways and boost immunity.

What You’ll Need:

1 tablespoon of cinnamon powder
1 glass of warm water
3 drops of cinnamon oil
1 teaspoon of olive oil

Recommended Directions:

Mix cinnamon powder with warm water.
Drink this concoction once a day.
Do this for one to two weeks.
Add cinnamon oil to olive oil.
Mix well.
Apply on the forehead and face.
Massage gently for a few minutes before rinsing.
Repeat everyday for up to one week.

5. Lemon

People love lemon juice not only for its refreshing flavor, but also for what it can do for their health.

An excellent source of vitamin C and antioxidants, lemon is a powerful immunity booster, as reported by Medical News Today.

With a stronger immune defense, it becomes easier for the body to combat sinus infections, and in turn, relieve you of the pain caused by sinus headaches.

Plus, increasing intake of liquid can help drain mucus and unclog the nasal passageways, according to Live Strong.

What You’ll Need:

1 lemon
1 glass of water
1 tablespoon of honey

Recommended Directions:

Squeeze juice from the lemon.
Add lemon juice to the water.
Stir in honey to sweeten.
Drink the mixture once a day in the morning.
Do this for two to three weeks.

6. Ginger Tea

With its long list of impressive and remarkable characteristics, ginger has always been one of the most widely researched and utilized traditional medicine in the world.

It is commonly employed as a solution for nausea and morning sickness, muscle pain, motion sickness, indigestion, and many more.

These benefits can be enjoyed whether you consume ginger fresh and raw, in dried form, as a juice, or applied topically on the skin.

In a 2002 study published in the East African Medical Journal, it was stated that ginger has strong antibacterial effects on pathogens that cause respiratory infections [11].

Research findings found that ginger is in fact a better treatment than certain antibiotics for sinusitis and other respiratory ailments [12].

As you probably know, certain strains of bacteria have already grown resistant to antibiotics.

The ability of ginger to kill the microorganisms causing the sinus inflammation makes it a practical home remedy for sinus headaches.

What You’ll Need:

1 ginger root, sliced
2 to 3 cups of water

Recommended Directions:

Put water in a pot.
Add ginger and boil water.
Remove from heat.
Steep for 10 minutes before drinking the tea.
Drink this tea several times in a week.

7. Peppermint Oil

Peppermint oil can benefit your health in more ways than one.

When applied on the skin, it leaves a cooling sensation, which immediately produces a calming effect on the body.

It has the ability to tone down muscle soreness and other types of pain.

A hybrid plant resulting in a cross cultivation of spearmint and watermint, peppermint is also fast becoming a popular remedy for various ailments.

According to a 2008 study, inhalation therapy of essential oils such as peppermint can effectively treat acute sinusitis and other infections [13].

This form of natural treatment promoted proper drainage in the sinuses, increased output of mucus, and reduced inflammation in the sinuses [13].

This oil is highly effective for sinus headaches not only because it combats the source of infection, but also because it has analgesic effects that work to relieve pain and discomfort.

What You’ll Need:

1 basin of hot water
2 to 3 drops of peppermint oil
4 drops of peppermint oil
1 teaspoon of olive oil

Recommended Directions:

Add two to three drops of peppermint oil to hot water.
Mix well.
Inhale the steam coming from the water.
Do this once or twice a day for two to three weeks.
Dilute peppermint oil in olive oil.
Blend well.
Apply a thin layer on your temples and forehead.
Massage these areas gently for a few minutes.
Repeat this technique two to three times a day until condition gets better.

8. Garlic

Ginger has a long history of use as a medicinal remedy.

It has long been trusted by folk healers to resolve many kinds of health issues including bacterial infections, painful and inflammatory conditions, and so on.

Called many times as nature’s antibiotic, garlic is also one of the fastest ways to get relief from sinus headache.

Many studies have proved garlic’s potent antibacterial, anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory effects on the body [14, 15, 16].

Garlic’s allicin is one of the active compounds that produce these pharmacological properties.

It works by destroying the cells of the pathogens, and preventing them from spreading and causing infection.

It also tones down swelling by suppressing the release of pro-inflammatory enzymes.

Inflammation and pain will immediately tone down once the microorganisms causing the infection have been neutralized.

What You’ll Need:

3 to 4 cloves of garlic
2 teaspoons of honey

Recommended Directions:

Crush garlic cloves.
Pulse them in a food processor until consistency becomes paste-like
Add honey.
Mix well.
Consume this two times a day, five minutes before eating lunch and dinner.

9. Fenugreek Seeds

Fenugreek seeds have various powerful medicinal properties that people should know more about.

A study published in the International Journal of Current Pharmaceutical Review and Research described fenugreek seeds as a “valuable medicinal plant with potential for curing diseases” [17].

It provides significant relief from burns, eczema, boils and other inflammatory skin diseases.

It also takes care of digestion-related ailments such as flatulence, bloating, nausea and vomiting.

Moreover, fenugreek seeds are also a recommended remedy for sinusitis and other similar infections [17].

Due to their anti-inflammatory effects, these seeds can immediately provide relief from the discomforts caused by sinusitis and sinus headache.

It’s a good way to get immediate relief from sinus pain.

What You’ll Need:

3 teaspoons of fenugreek seeds
1 glass of water

Recommended Directions:

Put water in a pot.
Add fenugreek seeds and boil water.
Simmer for 10 minutes.
Drink the tea two to three times a day for one week, or until symptoms subside.

10. Mustard Oil

Mustard oil has many notable roles in traditional and natural medicine.

It has been proven to be an efficient stimulant, antibacterial, antifungal, insect repellent, anti-irritant, and antirheumatic, among many others.

It’s also a must-try if you’re having problems with sinus infection, and would want to get relief from the pain and other distressing symptoms that it causes.

According to Live Strong, mustard oil is a type of mucolytic that “breaks up mucus and supports sinus drainage during sinusitis”.

Not only that, mustard oil is also a powerful antibacterial that works against up to 11 strains of bacteria, including those that infect the sinuses.

Once mustard oil destroys the pathogens causing the sinus infection, you will experience relief from painful and annoying headache.

What You’ll Need: