Homeopathy for Sinus Infections

Summertime is not when you normally think of colds and sinus infections. But, sinus infections really don’t care about the time of year. Yes, they do prefer springtime with all its pollen and other allergens, but for the most part, you can have a sinus infection any time of the year. You can easily use homeopathy for sinus infections and feel relief.

Symptoms of a Sinus Infection

Sinusitis (aka sinus infection) is an inflammation of the sinuses that can cause them to get blocked and filled with fluid. It is usually caused by the flu, a cold, or allergies. But, can also be caused by nasal polyps.

Common symptoms include pain in the face and cheeks, around the nose, back of the eyes, ears, or forehead. Additionally, nasal congestion can lead to a distorted sense of smell, itching, loss of smell, runny nose, or sneezing. The whole body may have fatigue or fever. Along with these symptoms, there may be facial tenderness or swelling, mouth breathing, phlegm, throat irritation, and trouble sleeping.

Typical Treatment

According to the Mayo Clinic, “Most cases of acute sinusitis get better on their own. Self-care techniques are usually all you need to ease symptoms.”

They go on to say that the best treatments for a sinus infection are:

• Saline nasal spray – while these are considered “safe” they do contain some preservatives that may cause stinging or further irritate the nasal passageways.
• Nasal corticosteroids – These nasal sprays help prevent and treat inflammation. The side effects of these nasal sprays are inflammation, irritation, and bleeding. In small children, the overuse of them can cause stunted growth. In pregnancy, they are considered “safe” even though there have been no studies on humans using them while pregnant. But in animal studies, these medicines have been shown to cause birth defects in unborn animals.
• Decongestants – These medications are easy to get over the counter. But you’re only supposed to use them for a few days because they can cause a “return” of more severe congestion. As well as some rather nasty common side effects. Among those are constipation, heart troubles, and dysphoric moods.
• Allergy medications – If your sinus infection is due to allergies, it is tempting to grab one of these medications off the shelf. Side effects of allergy medications include dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, nausea, and constipation.
• Antibiotics – aren’t usually needed to treat acute sinusitis, because it is caused by a virus and not a bacteria. I was so surprised to read this on the Mayo Clinic website while researching for this post. Antibiotics are the #1 solution to a sinus infection in my experience. I tried to think of people I know, or in my own family, the number of times a doctor has said, “It’s a virus. You’ll feel better in 7-10 days.” I can’t think of one time! We have always left a doctor’s office with a prescription in hand.
• OTC pain relievers – I gotta admit. When you are hurting it is soooooo tempting to grab acetaminophen or ibuprofen or aspirin. Everyone knows you should never give a child with a fever aspirin due to a rare but potentially life-threatening condition called Reye’s syndrome. But what about the side effects of the other two? The Mayo Clinic lists the side effects of acetaminophen ranging from an upset stomach and diarrhea to severe liver damage. They also say that taken properly, it is relatively safe. Ibuprofen? The side effects range from abdominal gas to hemorrhage. As well as headache, coughing, and dizziness.

No Thanks, I Choose Life

I really don’t understand when the side effects include the very symptom you are trying to alleviate. If we all know to not give a young child aspirin because of a “rare” condition called Reye’s syndrome, then why are the “common” side effects of liver damage and hemorrhaging considered acceptable? If only we had a safe, non-toxic alternative with no unwanted effects. Praise the Lord, we have homeopathy for sinus infections!

Homeopathy for Sinus Infections

• Belladonna – This remedy is best when the headache predominates. The forehead has pain and heaviness that is relieved by pressure. There may be a sore throat and a dry, short cough that accompanies the headache. This is the best remedy for acute sinusitis.
• Kali bic – This remedy is best when the post-nasal drip is the dominant complaint. The dripping of mucus from the back of the nose into the throat is very thick, sticky, and ropy and is mostly yellowish or greenish. Along with a frontal headache, there is pain at the root of the nose. A weird keynote is that the area of pain is small and the person needing it can tell you exactly where it hurts.
• Silica – This remedy is highly recommended for sinus infections and chronic colds. There is also a frontal headache, especially over the right eye. Other symptoms with this include blocked nasal passages and thick pus-like discharge. There are a lot of boogers, or clinkers as the old books say, and picking them may cause bleeding. There is a loss of smell and taste. Not like the loss of smell and taste that happened during covid, but the loss of smell and taste that is common with colds and sinusitis.
• Hydrastis – This remedy is like Kali bic in that post-nasal drip is foremost. But, the discharge is yellow. Hydrastis is made from the plant Goldenseal. Which has a beautiful yellow flower. And it treats yellow discharge. The usual symptoms of headache, burning pain in the nose, and sore throat with burning accompany the yellow discharge.
• Pulsatilla – This remedy is good at the end of the cold when the discharge is yellow or green. It is very thick and may be very foul-smelling. The sinus pain may extend from the forehead, down the cheeks, across the jaw, and even into the ears.
• Natrum mur – Cases of sinusitis where an allergy is the cause do well with Nat mur. There is watery discharge that is preceded by lots of sneezing.

Using Homeopathy in Real Life

My children just had a bout of sinus infections. Well, when I started researching and writing this post, then I realized they had sinus infections. At first, I just thought, “They have a cold and they’ll be fine.” I have a tendency to not treat and let the body do its thing. They were miserable! And when I started listing the remedies I realized they had had a cold that had morphed into an infection.

I gave Pulsatilla before they went to bed and again when I first saw them in the morning. One little girl seemed to be suffering more than the rest. She had a terrible frontal headache. I asked her to describe it to me and she said, “It’s like I’m surfing, but I fall off the board and the wave smashes me into the sand on my face.” Sidenote: we’ve never been surfing or to the beach.

She also complained more of burning in her nasal passages. I gave her Hydrastis 30c. She instantly fell asleep. Then awoke 15 minutes later to cough up a gross amount of yellow mucus. Then she got off the couch, fixed herself a glass of water, and sat down to watch a movie. I asked her how she felt. She said, “The same.” But she absolutely was acting like she felt better. She was still coughing, but much less often and without the same intensity. I continued to give her Hydrastis and she continued to improve.

It wasn’t immediate. But, it wasn’t as long as those I let suffer when I thought they had a cold.

Moral of the Story

I don’t know if there is a moral, but sometimes we do really great and hit the right remedy right away. And sometimes kids struggle with symptoms while we struggle to find the right remedy. But the thing is, even trying the wrong remedy and going through a few of them until we find the right one is still better than anything else out there! Trying the wrong remedy will result in no change. No harmful side effects, just nothing. But when we hit that right one and they start to improve…..chef’s kiss.

Continue to Learn

My next Legacy class (beginner’s) will be in September. If you’ve ever wanted to do a deeper dive into homeopathy (and you’re dying to spend your Monday nights with me via Zoom) this is your last chance of 2023. So mark your calendars and I will send out more info as we get closer. Sign up for my emails (by downloading a printable card or the Material Medica) so you’ll be in the loop.