Sinus Cold Remedies

During a cold, the sinuses and the blood vessels in the nasal passages become inflamed. When this occurs, you nose often feels "plugged up." Often, pressure in the head and sinuses accompanies a sinus cold. If not cared for properly, the infection may worsen and spread to other parts of the head, such as the ears and throat. Fortunately, there are various remedies that can help clear up a sinus cold quickly.

Change Your Diet

• If you have a sinus infection, avoid eating processed foods and dairy products, which can worsen mucus in the sinuses. Also, certain types of bacteria feed off sugar, so eating it will only fuel and prolong the infection. Replace processed foods with a diet high in fresh fruits and vegetables. The nutrients in these foods will boost your immune system, enabling it to fight infection. Particularly, look for foods high in vitamin C, such as citrus fruits; garlic, which has natural antiviral properties; and berries, which contain high levels of antioxidants.

Nasal Irrigation

• During a sinus infection, bacteria-infested mucus collects in the nasal passages. Because the passages are inflamed, the mucus often becomes "trapped" in the nose. When the mucus cannot be expelled from the nose, the bacteria proliferate and the infection worsens.

  You can expel mucus in the sinuses using a solution of water and baking soda. Mix about one-half cup of lukewarm water with 1 tsp. of baking soda. Dissolve the baking soda fully, then pour the liquid into a needle-less syringe. While standing over the sink, inject the mixture into one side of the nose and tilt your head to the side. The solution will come out the other nostril. Perform on both sides.

  You can also flush out your nasal passages with a warm saline solution to ease sinus congestion. You can use a neti pot---found at many health-food stores---or buy NeilMed sinus rinse at your drugstore. As an alternative, dissolve ¼ tsp. of salt in 1 cup of warm water and pour the solution into a bottle with a rubber-bulb syringe. Squirt some of the liquid through one nostril, while simultaneously closing the other with a finger. Inhale enough water to spit it out through your mouth, and repeat on the other side. Repeat this two to four times a day while your infection persists.

Natural Remedies

• Drinking a solution of 1 cup of water mixed with 2 tbsp. of apple cider vinegar at the first sign of an infection will thin the mucus in the nasal passages, allowing it to be expelled more easily and providing relief from a stuffy nose. Also, taking supplements high in natural antibiotics can help kill the bacteria causing the infection. Zinc, goldenseal and echinacea are three popular choices that have been proved effective.

  You can also encourage your sinuses to drain by placing hot, wet washcloths over the sinus area for 10 minutes, several times a day. Try inhaling the steam from a pot of boiling water with a few drops of eucalyptus oil added to it. Finally, stay well-hydrated by drinking lots of water and other fluids to help moisten and thin the mucus.