MAILBAG! Stop Sinus Headaches NATURALLY
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted May 21, 2024
“I am constantly getting sinus headaches. Tylenol doesn’t seem to help much. Do I have any other options?”
–Alice
Hi Alice,
The fact that you can buy Tylenol over the counter has given this drug a safety halo. So, I want to start by cautioning against taking too much of this med.
Swallowing a daily dose of acetaminophen (the generic name for Tylenol) could harm your liver. But things could get even worse if, when it doesn’t work to relieve your sinus pain, you end up taking even more.
I often find that when folks complain of chronic sinus headaches, the trigger for the pain isn’t located in their sinuses. It starts with their teeth, instead.
A bad tooth, gingivitis, or periodontitis (inflammation of the tissue around your teeth) can mimic a sinus infection. The only way to figure this out is to go to the dentist and have them take a look.
If your dentist gives you the all-clear, several drug-free solutions could help relieve a chronic sinus infection and ease sinus headaches.
- Identify Food Allergies: A hidden food allergy could be behind your chronic sinus complaints. The most common culprit is dairy. But other suspects include corn, wheat, nuts, and eggs. An elimination diet is a good way to determine if food allergies could be causing your sinus pain. Remove common food allergens from your menu one at a time for two weeks. If your sinus headaches or pressure don’t improve during those two weeks, that food is in the clear.
- Herbs: Ginger, garlic, onions, and horseradish can all help relieve chronic sinus infection pain. Both whole foods and supplements can do the trick. I suggest frequently sipping on ginger tea to my sinus patients.
- Oregano Oil: Concentrated oregano oil is available online and in stores with supplements. It contains carvacrol and thymol, potent compounds with antibacterial and antifungal properties. A drop or two of the oil in a carrier oil such as olive or coconut can be placed under your tongue. You can also add it to boiling water several times a day to create medicinal steam to breathe in.
- Neti Pot: This small container with a spout is used to pour a salt solution through your nose. This form of “nasal irrigation” clears mucus and other junk from the sinuses. Using a neti pot can take some practice and may sting a bit at first. But it can quickly relieve sinus pressure and headaches for many people. Just be sure to follow the directions precisely.
These natural solutions can ease or eliminate persistent sinus headaches without resorting to risky drugs.
PS: Still battling head pain? Stress-triggered tension headaches could be to blame. But they don’t stand a chance in the face of THIS ancient solution.
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
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