Clearing Out Congestion: 13 Ayurvedic Treatments for Sinusitis

Explore 13 Ayurvedic remedies for balancing your energy, improving focus, alleviating stress, and preventing sinus problems. 🤧 Ready to enjoy improved breathing? Continue reading! It's time for healthy sinuses with Ayurveda.

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13 Ayurvedic Treatments for Sinusitis

Sinus crud, constant throat clearing, bad breath, sour stomach, and persistent sniffles can feel like an inevitable part of life this time of year – but they don’t have to be. This blog takes a closer look at how Ayurvedic sinus treatments can put an end to sinus suffering.

The 3 Doshas & Sinus Issues

Every person is comprised of a unique mix of the three Ayurvedic doshas – Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. These doshas are the energetic building blocks of the universe and are present in everything around us.

We’re all affected differently by seasonal shifts, depending on the balance of each dosha in our bodies and environments. Here’s how doshic imbalances manifest in our sinuses and respiratory systems:

🍃 Aggravated Vata can lead to dry and weepy nasal tissues and sinus irritation. Wild List of Vata Imbalances

🔥 Inflamed Pitta can trigger stuffiness, inflammation, and irritation without the mucus or nasal drip. Hot List of Common Pitta Imbalances

🌊 Excess Kapha, which rules the sinuses and chest, can cause wet, damp coughs and winter chest colds when out of balance. Sturdy List of Kapha Imbalances

In Ayurveda, it’s important to treat the whole person. What’s best for one person may be imbalancing to someone else. An experienced Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner can help assess what’s happening in your body and mind – and how to regain balance.

Related Readings: Ayurveda Remedies for Mucus and Congestion

13 Home Ayurveda Sinus Treatments

While personalized treatment is essential, it’s helpful to understand the most common Ayurvedic sinus treatments. Read on to learn Ayurveda can help prepare your body and immune system for seasonal shifts in the world around you.

1. Nasya Oil Treatment

What is Nasya Oil?

Nasya oil is a therapeutic oil used in Ayurveda to nourish and cleanse the nasal passageways. Nasya oil is used for both Panchakarma (specialized deep cleansing) and Dinacharya (daily routine). Nasya oil is infused with Ayurvedic herbs to balance the doshas, improve the flow of prana, and alleviate a number of mental and physical health ailments.

Nasya oil is an herb-infused oil used in Ayurveda to cleanse and nourish the nasal passageways. Regular Nasya oil treatment can help relieve mucus and congestion, pacify doshic imbalances, and improve breathing to support the flow of prana.

Nasya oil therapy is simple, and it only takes a few minutes. An Ayurvedic practitioner can help ensure you’re using the proper herbal blend, and that daily application is right for you.

Learn More: Nasya Oil Benefits | How to Use Nasya Oil for Greater Wellbeing.

2. Oil Pulling or Kavala kriya

Oil pulling is an Ayurvedic treatment that alleviates excess doshas in the head and mind. It helps cleanse oral ama - or toxins - to ease congestion and support healthy sinuses.

Understanding Ama or Toxins in Ayurveda is the Key to Good Health

This traditional Ayurvedic treatment is simple:

• Place one tablespoon of oil in your mouth (usually sesame oil).

• Swish the oil through your teeth and gums for 15-20 minutes.

• Spit the oil in the trash or toilet when you’re finished. Don’t swallow it or spit it in the sink.

When you’re just getting started, start with five minutes and work your way up to 15 or 20. The oil may quickly change consistency and color at first, which means it’s full of oral gunk. If this happens, spit it out and continue the following day.

Related Readings: How To Do Ayurvedic Oil Pulling

3. Herbal Steam Inhalation

Herbal steam baths are an Ayurvedic sinus treatment that balance the doshas in the head and respiratory system. Steaming involves mixing Ayurvedic herbs into boiling water, leaning over the bowl and placing a towel over your head to trap the steam, and breathing it in for 10 to 15 minutes.

Eucalyptus, basil, and rosemary are all great for herbal steaming – but the best combination of herbs depends on your specific symptoms and Ayurvedic constitution.

4. Herbal Therapy

Ayurvedic herbs aren’t just good for steam baths. Ingesting certain anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial herbs can help prevent and relieve sinus and respiratory issues.

• Ginger and Honey: A spoonful of honey and ginger every morning helps boost the immune system and alleviate allergies.

• Cinnamon: Adding a little cinnamon to your diet can help reduce inflammation, a key trigger for sinus and respiratory issues.

• Salt & Turmeric: Gargle warm salt and turmeric water, which have anti-microbial properties.

• Herbal Water: Add basil leaves, mint leaves, cloves, and ginger to boiling water and sip throughout the day for sinus relief and immune support.

  
  

• Please note: Saumya Ayurveda does not recommend using herbs as if they were over the counter or prescribed pharmaceuticals. An experienced Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner will create you a custom herbal formula, special nasya, and customized Ayurveda plan to support the whole you.

  
  

  Herbs are not Ayurvedic because it comes from India. Nor it is correct for you because it is organic. Herbs become Ayurvedic when used as part your customized Ayurveda plan which is carefully tailored for your constitution. An herb that is balancing to one person for a concern, may be imbalancing to another.
  

Related Readings: Ayurvedic Remedies for a Sore Throat

5. Yog-Asana

Yog-asana (the physical part of a yoga practice) benefits our physical and mental health in many ways.

The following poses, in particular, support the sinuses and respiratory system:

• Adho Muka Svanasana (Downward-Facing Dog): This foundational pose helps improve circulation and open blocked channels to decongest the nasal cavities.
  

• Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose): This pose stretches your chest and lungs to enhance the breath and flow of prana. It also invigorates the heart and reduces stress to boost immunity.
  

• The Best Asana and Pranayama for Your Dosha: A Guide for Vata, Pitta, and Kapha
  

• Discover the Best Pranayama Practices for Balancing Kapha Energy

6. Balancing Diet: Let Food Be Your Medicine

When the doshas are out of balance, we become more vulnerable to respiratory infections. In general, consume foods that are well spiced, warm, well cooked, and light in nature.

"Which dosha or doshas are out of balance, determines which specific food, herbs, yoga, pranayama are correct for you. Ayurveda shines in it's specificity of treatment and is not a cookie cutter approach. In Ayurveda, it's all about you!"

-Veena, Saumya Ayurveda

7. Ayurvedic Cleanse and Detox

Ayurvedic detox diets help flush contaminants (ama), correct doshic imbalances, and give your body a clean slate to combat respiratory issues. They’re one of the best Ayurvedic sinus treatments – but it’s essential to take the unique needs of your body into account. Explore this guide to learn how to do an Ayurveda detox diet at home.

8. Pranayama and Diaphragmatic Breathing

Today, the word pranayama is familiar to many – yet its meaning may not be. The word “pran” is the prefix “pra” and the verb root “an”. Think of words such as animate and animation. The prefix “pra” means forth and perfectly. Prana is the animating force. Today, pranayama is widely taught as exercises of the physical breath, and as preparations for meditation, but it is a vast exploration of depth and subtleties.

There are many pranayama breathing practices. Some practices are generally balancing, and others specifically affect different doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha), tissue layers, organs and channels. It is important to know, with certainty, your current state (Vikruti) before beginning pranayama.

Pranayama practices are powerful, and it is imperative to perform the practices that are correct for you currently, as well as to perform them correctly. (Incorrectly performed pranayama can create disturbances.) The first step, prior to pranayama, is to have diaphragmatic breathing well established – and this typically takes six months to a year of daily practice.

Related Readings:

Learn Diaphragmatic Breathing and Change Your Life. Ayurveda Breathwork Pranayama

9. Systematic Guided Relaxation Practices

Retrain and rejuvenate your nervous system and calm your mind with our daily guided practices. Eleven minutes as part of your Ayurvedic morning routine and eleven minutes as part of your evening routine.

13 Ayurvedic Treatments for Sinusitis can be woven into your morning and evening Ayurveda routines.

10. Warm Facial Compress

Place a warm, damp cloth on your forehead, cheeks, and nose to alleviate sinus pressure and encourage mucus drainage. The warmth of cloth promotes circulation and relaxation. Listen to our free guided practices to deepen your state of relaxation.

"When we're in a relaxed state, we heal better." - Veena

11. Elevate and Hydrate

"Keep your head above water" is an English idiom about avoiding trouble. Raise yourself up! Use gravity to your adventure and help mucus drain down and out. Propping up your upper body up a little helps sinuses drain.

Now, help yourself even more by liquefying that mucus so it easier to drain. How? Warm liquids. Keep well hydrated with hot herbal teas, broths, and even plain hot water. (Avoid dairy.)

12. Rest and Rest Still More.

Used to pushing through life everyday? Work hard, play hard? Do you consider high levels of stress as just part of a typical day? It might be that pushing through it all, contributed to sinusitis. Take a break. Just be. Follow the guided meditations, and Learn Diaphragmatic Breathing and Change Your Life. Make use of this time to create a vast perspective on how you're navigating life. May you be blessed with fresh insights. Resting supports a strong immune system.

13. Humidify Your Air

Moist air helps thin mucus and supports healthy sinus tissues. Humidity can help ease symptoms such as a stuffy nose, dry throat, and it soothes irritated nasal passages.

Related Readings: Ayurvedic Morning Routine | 6 Rituals for a Calm and Centered Day 10 Ayurvedic Evening Rituals for a Calming Night

“So glad I came across Saumya Ayurveda’s clinic. This is a gem offering holistic preventive care. I had great results with seasonal allergies and general well-being.

Veena is extremely knowledgeable and takes great care in remedying underlying health issues. Thank you for all your help and continued services to our community.” --Pawan K., Corrales, New Mexico

“I feel much, much better. Amazing. I feel ten years younger and at 76, that really matters. Digestive issues are totally 100% gone. Not an issue at all. I feel great! Blood sugar and lifelong sinus issues, much better.”

--Kathy B., Minneapolis, Minnesota

“I've been working with Veena since 2010. She has helped my overall health improve in many ways. We addressed my health concerns using food, lifestyle, and herbs that best support me. I used to have chronic sinus infections and in the first year of her care, I didn't have one.

She also works with my emotional health. My anxiety has decreased significantly and I'm almost completely free of it! Emotional ups and downs are gone.

Veena teaches you what to eat and drink to maintain balance from one season to the next. I'm amazed that learning what foods to eat, which teas to drink, and the herbal treatments helped mental health as well and my physical body.

I highly recommend seeing Veena if you are looking for better physical and emotional health.” –M.B., Minnesota

“Working with Veena was a true pleasure. I booked the Half Year Consultation Package, and I am amazed about the positive changes that it brought into my life. I feel energized, less anxious and I have great Ayurvedic tools at my disposal.”

-Remo Canonica, Switzerland

Clearing Out Congestion: 13 Ayurvedic Treatments for Sinusitis Discover how personalized Ayurvedic treatment can change your life

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Discover the Saumya Ayurveda Way

We all want to be heard, understood, and cared for as whole beings, not a set of isolated symptoms. True health is more than the absence of disease, which is why Western medicine so often leaves us feeling hopeless and unseen.

Deep down, you already know what you’re searching for: a new framework for living – one that brings your entire being back into balance. With Saumya Ayurveda, you’ll receive individualized guidance to create the physically, mentally, and spiritually vibrant life you crave.

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MEET VEENA: YOUR AYURVEDIC GUIDE

Veena is a Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner and meditation teacher, and monk.

She is President Emeritus and teaching faculty of the Meditation Center.

Veena fell in love with the traditional medicine used in her family’s home, learning herbal remedies at her grandmother's knee.

An experienced Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner, Veena’s deep, intuitive knowledge of Ayurveda empowers her clients to reclaim their fullest, most vibrant lives –mentally, physically, and spiritually.

Veena individualizes treatment plans to each person, rather than offering a one-size-fits-all approach, so it fits your life and becomes woven in your lifestyle, naturally.

Learn more about Veena's work and book your FREE discovery call today.