Sinuses
Synopsis of Sinuses
The sinuses are air-filled cavities located within the bones of the face and skull, connected to the nasal passages. There are four main pairs of paranasal sinuses:
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Frontal sinuses (above the eyes, in the forehead)
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Ethmoid sinuses (between the eyes, behind the nose bridge)
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Maxillary sinuses (under the eyes, in the cheeks)
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Sphenoid sinuses (deep behind the nose and eyes)
Sinuses are lined with mucous membranes that produce mucus to trap pathogens, humidify inhaled air, and drain into the nasal cavity. They also help lighten the weight of the skull and may contribute to voice resonance.
Healthy sinuses drain freely and stay clear of buildup. Disruption in drainage or inflammation can lead to congestion, infection, or chronic discomfort.
The sinuses are prone to inflammation and blockage due to infection, allergens, structural issues, or immune dysfunction. Common sinus-related conditions include:
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Sinusitis: Inflammation or infection of the sinus cavities. It can be:
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Acute: Often viral, resolves in under 4 weeks.
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Chronic: Lasts longer than 12 weeks and may involve nasal polyps or structural problems.
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Allergic rhinitis: Triggers mucus overproduction and sinus congestion.
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Nasal polyps: Noncancerous growths that obstruct sinus drainage.
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Deviated septum: A structural shift that may impair airflow and sinus drainage.
Symptoms of sinus dysfunction include nasal congestion, pressure or pain in the face, headache, postnasal drip, reduced smell, and fatigue. Complications (rare) can include orbital infections or sinus-related migraines.
Natural remedies to support Sinuses
Nasal irrigation (e.g., neti pot): Flushes out allergens, mucus, and pathogens.
Steam inhalation with eucalyptus or menthol: Opens passages and reduces pressure.
Quercetin and bromelain: Natural anti-inflammatories that reduce swelling in sinus tissues.
Vitamin C and zinc: Strengthen immunity and reduce the duration of infections.
Probiotics: Support immune modulation and may reduce allergic reactivity.
Spicy foods (e.g., horseradish, cayenne): Temporarily thin mucus and stimulate drainage.
Avoid dairy and processed sugars: These may worsen inflammation and mucus buildup for some people.
Ingredients
These raw ingredients are often used in alternative medicine to support Sinuses.
alpha-pinene
basil
bayberry
radish
bromelain
chamomile
turmeric
echinacea
elderberry
fennel
feverfew
garlic bulb
ginger
goldenseal
onion
hawthorn
horseradish
lactobacillus salivarius
lemon
licorice root
marshmallow
mint
mucin
spruce
orange
oregano
peppermint oil
perilla
pineapple
plantain
platycodon root
protease
purified silver
purple butterbur root
quercetin
sage
schizonepeta
serratiopeptidase
serrazimes (proprietary)
thyme
vitamin C
vitamin D
water
xylitol
zhejiang fritillary
zinc
boneset
mullein
catnip
xanthium (cockleburs)
lobelia
capsicum
malabar nut
anise
tylophora
lingzhi
yarrow
fritillaria
lemongrass
yerba santa
elecampane
sodium salt
coltsfoot
sweet flag
eucalyptus
menthol oil
aster root
wood betony
horehound
herbal blend (proprietary)
melaleuca alternifolia
cayenne pepper
Abies alba
African Ginger
Arisaema erubescens
Allicin
Ajowan
Arisaema amurense
Asarum heterotropoides
American Elder
Arisaema cum bile
Agastache urticifolia
Allium (unspecified)
Aresaema (unspecified)
Alpha-pinene
Asarabacca
Arisaema
Asarum sieboldii
Bee Propolis
Betony
Baikal Skullcap
Boswellia serrata
Bromelain
Bayberry
Buckhorn Plantain
berry
Boswellia
Balloon-Flower
Balsam (unspecified)
Butterbur
Bee products
Bacteria (unspecified)
British Elecampane
Buddha's Hand
Black Mustard
Balloon Flower
Breckland Thyme
Cubebs
Colloidal Silver
Carvacrol
Cayenne Pepper
Common Plantain
Coltsfoot
Citrus
Cineole
Capsicum
Cajuput
Camphor
cloves
Citrus Bioflavonoids
Cayenne
Centipeda
Centipeda minima
Cubeb
Catnip
Cowslip
Clove
Calamus
Cocklebur
Canadian Goldenrod
European Elder
Echinacea (unspecified)
Echinacea tennesseensis
English Horsemint
Echinacea
Elder
Eyebright
Elecampine
European elderberry constituents (unspecified)
Elecampane
Eucalyptus
Echinacea purpurea
Elderberry (unspecified)
English Plantain
Essential oil (unspecified)
Easter Lily
Echinacea (mixed)
Elcampane
elderberry
Frankinsense
Fungus
Flavanones
Fruit (unspecified)
Fibrinase
Flavonones (unspecified)
Goldthread
Ground Ivy
Gumweed
Guaco
Garlic
Grindelia
Glechoma hederacea
Goldenseal
Green onion
hydrastine
Horseradish
Hyssop
Hydrastine
Heal-All
Honey
Honey loquat syrup
Horehound
Irish Moss
Inula
Indian Frankincense
Indian Elecampane
Japanese arisaema
Japanese Elder
Japanese Horseradish
Japanese Mint
Juniper
Japanese camphor
lemon balm
Lactobacillus sakei
Lomatium
Ligusticum (Unspecified)
Licorice
Lung
Luffa
Lemon Myrtle
Lemon
Lobelia
Lysozyme
Leptospermum scoparium
Lomatium dissectum
Lactobacillus salivarius
Lungwort
Ligusticum
Malabar Nut
Mugo Pine
Mouse Ear
Menthol
Myrtle
Mucilage
Moroccan oregano
Monoterpenes
Mucins
Moisture
Magnolia biondii
Mexican oregano
Monardella odoratissima
Mucin
Mint (unspecified)
Maidenhair Fern
Malabar Nut Tree Leaf Extract
Mullein
Mucolase
Nasturtium
onion
Osha
Origanum (unspecified)
Peppermint leaf
Propolis
Pungent Principles
Plantain (unspecified)
Primula suffrutescens
Peppermint essence
Pinellia Ternata
Pulsatilla
Petasines
Proteolytic Enzymes (Proteases)
Pine
Petasin
Pellitory
Platycodon
Pelargonium (unspecified)
Peppermint
Pineapple
Pinellia
Plantain
Plantain (unspecifed)
Phleum Pratense
Pungent compounds (unspecified)
Pine (unspecified)
Plantain (common or English)
Plectranthus amboinicus
Ragweed
Rumex acetosa
Ravinsara
Rhus glabra
Sabadilla
Sanicle
Spruce (unspecified)
Streptococcus oralis
Serralysin
Sweet Orange
Serrapeptase
Skunk Cabbage
Spearmint
Siberian cocklebur
scallion
Sambucus nigra
Silver
Streptococcus salivarius
Streptococcus (mixed)
Streptococcus (unspecified)
Slippery Elm
Streptococcus
Serratiopeptidase
Silver
Sambucus Nigra (unspecified)
Styrax balsam
Scots Pine
Silver (usp)
Southern Elder
Sword Bean
Thyme
Terpene
Teucrium marum
Transfer Factor
Thymol
Tea Tree
Tulbaghia
Tea Tree Oil
Thymus satureioides
Usnea
Umckaloabo
Umckalin
Usnea
Valerian
Vitamin C (not specified)
Vitamin C
Water
Wild Indigo
White thyme
White Pine
Wild Bergamot
Wild Thyme
White Mustard
Wild Mint
Xylitol
Yerba buena
Yerba Mansa
Yerba Santa