15 Home Remedies for Sinus Headaches that Actually Work

Sinus headaches are typically caused by congestion or some form of blockage in your nasal passages. When mucus or air has difficulty passing through your nasal cavity, additional pressure is applied to the walls of your sinus cavity – leading to sinus headaches.

Many people turn to medications and over-the-counter drugs, to treat their sinus headaches. This often results in temporary relief and includes a potential risk of side effects. The safer solution is to use natural remedies to deal with your sinus headaches.

Use the following 15 home remedies that actually work, to cure your sinus headache in a natural way without the risk of any side effects.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon has strong anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants that could help reduce inflammation, clearing up your sinus issues and providing pressure relief. This should relieve your headaches.

To use cinnamon for sinus headaches, either add more cinnamon to your diet or massage a cinnamon paste onto your forehead. A paste can be made by combining one tablespoon of cinnamon powder with a tablespoon of water.

Ginger

Ginger also contains strong anti-inflammatory properties and can be very useful for fighting sinus headaches. To use ginger for dealing with sinus headaches, you can add freshly crushed ginger to a smoothie or juice drink. Some people prefer to mix it with milk, as the consistency and flavor of milk pairs well with ginger.

You could also crush the ginger and mix with a small amount of milk or water until you are able to create a paste. As with ginger, you can massage the mixture onto your forehead, for headache relief.

Turmeric

As with cinnamon and ginger, turmeric can also help ease inflammation and reduce sinus pressure, offering you relief from your headache. You can add fresh turmeric to salads, sandwiches, stews, soups, and just about any other meal, or you could use in smoothie or tea recipes.

Steam Therapy

Steam therapy is intended to help relieve congestion. This may help relieve some of the pressure on your sinuses, allowing you some relief from your sinus headache. There are two main methods of using steam therapy – you can either take a hot shower or breath in the steam from a boiling pot of water. If you choose to boil water, just be careful to avoid holding your head above the water while it is still boiling.

Warm Soup

Warm soup provides another way to relieve some of your congestion. You can use any soup that you want; though, a light soup, such as chicken and noodle soup, may be better than a chunky, meat and cheese soup. Heat the soup and prepare however you want. As you eat the soup, breath in the steam through your nose, between each bite.

Saline Sprays

Saline sprays are used to loosen up the mucus and debris in your sinuses, providing relief from congestion and sinus pressure. To make your own saline solution, combine 2 cups of water, 1 teaspoon of salt, and a ½ teaspoon of baking soda. The saline solution contains the same salt content as your body, which may help loosen up your congestion.

Drink Hot Tea

Drinking hot tea has several benefits, depending on which type of tea you drink. While you drink the tea, remember to breathe the steam, providing a small amount of steam therapy. You can drink herbal teas that contain anti-inflammatory or pain-relieving properties. Some of the remedies mentioned, including ginger, cinnamon, and turmeric, could be used to make an herbal tea that will help with congestion, inflammation, and pain relief.

Eat Spicy Foods

Eating spicy foods may help clear some of your nasal congestion. As you may have noticed, many of the home remedies for dealing with sinus headaches involve relieving congestion and sinus pressure. You need to target the cause of a headache, instead of just treating the headache itself. Try eating more hot peppers and other spicy foods.

Basil Leaves

Basil leaves contain properties that can help provide some pain relief. This remedy might only provide temporary relief from your headache, but the effects are almost immediate. If you want to use basil leaves to relieve some of your pain, combine a tablespoon of crushed basil leaves with a teaspoon of dried ginger and a few cloves. Thoroughly mix the herbs and then massage into your forehead.

Essential Oils

If massaging dried herbs and pastes on your forehead are unable to provide relief, then you should try using essential oils. Some beneficial oils for pain relief include lavender, oregano, eucalyptus, and peppermint essential oils. Select several different oils and combine them in a small jar or bottle. Apply the oil to your neck, forehead, and temples, massaging the oil into place – to help reduce pain.

Face Massage

You can perform a self-massage, to attempt and alleviate sinus pressure. Massage the area just below your eye sockets. As you massage, use circular movements, while applying light pressure.

Drink More Water

Dehydration is one of the most common causes of headaches. It can also increase your congestion. When dealing with sinus pressure, drink plenty of water. Try to drink at least eight glasses of water throughout the day.

Neti Pot

A Neti pot is used for treating sinus infections and sinus pressure. To use a Neti pot, you should first make your homemade saline solution, by combining 2 cups of water with a teaspoon of salt and a ½ a teaspoon of baking soda. Pour your saline solution into the Neti pot. Tilting your head at a 45-degree angle, pour the saline solution into your nostril. The solution should begin draining through your other nostril.

Repeat this process with your other nostril and then lightly blow your nose. This should help with congestion and sinus pressure while removing any blockage or dried up mucus from your nasal passages.

Apply a Cold Compress

Apply a cold compress to numb the pain of your headache. This may also reduce any swelling that you are dealing with. Swelling is one possible symptom that you may experience when dealing with inflamed sinuses. If you want to make your own cold compress, wrap a bag of ice with a hand towel and apply the cold compress to your forehead and any part of your face where you are experiencing pain.

Apply a Hot Compress

A hot compress will help to reduce inflammation and congestion. If you are going to try using hot and cold compresses, apply the hot compress first, followed by the cold compress.

You do not need medications to deal with a sinus headache. By using several of these home remedies, you should be able to get the sinus relief that you need. Make sure that you give some of these remedies time to work and consider using a variety of solutions, to maximize your chances of gaining relief from your sinus headache.