Each of these natural supplements for sinus relief and their all-natural herbal ingredients support some aspect of sinus health, largely through their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-microbial properties
Some sinus issues for patients can be benign, such as a stuffy or runny nose, or debilitating, such as pain or pressure in the face and teeth. Some people also experience headaches, ear fullness, coughing, and fever when their sinuses are inflamed. Approximately 11.6% of Americans have been diagnosed with sinusitis according to the National Center for Health Statistics, which involves inflammation of the tissue that lines the sinuses. Allergic rhinitis, also referred to as hay fever, is another condition that can aggravate the nasal passages, and studies show that its prevalence is increasing over time. While there are several over-the-counter meds designed to help relieve sinus problems, many contain ingredients that cause drowsiness. Here are a few all-natural supplements for sinus options that patients may want to try instead.
Eyebright extract, among the natural supplements for sinus relief
Eyebright extract (Euphrasia officinalis) is an herb often used to help treat eye disorders. But research suggests that this extract’s ability to inhibit inflammation may also make it a good candidate for other inflammatory diseases, such as sinusitis. In fact, in Europe, eyebright is widely used for this condition, along with being used for hay fever and upper respiratory tract infections.
This research indicates that eyebright can help with these conditions without creating the side effects commonly associated with anti-inflammatory drugs, some of which include an elevated risk of gastrointestinal bleeding and ulcers, kidney disease, and heart attack.
Stinging nettle extract
A 2022 review of stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) shares that this plant has several bioactive compounds that contribute to its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and analgesic effects. Among the conditions that it has been used to help treat are two that involve the nasal cavities: allergic rhinitis and nose bleeds.
Research published in the European Journal of Pharmaceutical and Medical Research adds sinusitis, colds, and flu to this list. All these conditions can cause enough discomfort to send patients in search of some type of relief.
Goldenseal extract
Like stinging nettle, goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. It also contains a bioactive alkaloid called berberine.
Animal studies have connected berberine with a reduction in nasal symptoms due to allergic rhinitis, particularly when combined with coenzyme Q10. Berberine may also help improve treatment outcomes in patients following endoscopic sinus surgery due to chronic rhinosinusitis according to a 2022 study in the American Journal of Otolaryngology.
Grape seed extract
The grapevine (Vitis vinifera) is a flowering plant native to parts of Europe and Central Asia. Extracts made from the seeds of grapes have been found to provide several health benefits.
A 2020 review in the Journal of Food Science and Technology explains that grape seed extract helps reduce inflammation and protect against oxidative stress. It also helps prevent the growth of bacteria, which can be beneficial for conditions such as bacterial rhinosinusitis, which involves an infection of both the sinuses and nasal cavities.
Purple coneflower extract
Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) has long been promoted for its ability to help prevent and relieve viral respiratory infections. However, some research suggests that the power of this plant lies, at least in part, in its dual ability to prevent secondary bacterial infections such as sinusitis.
According to a study published in Virus Research, viral infections can increase the risk of bacterial infections in the airway. These infections can cause the original infection to progress, leading to complications that raise morbidity and lethality levels.
Among the secondary infections that pose an elevated risk are sinusitis, pneumonia, and sepsis. Yet, among the natural supplements for sinus, Echinacea purpurea appears to prevent these secondary infections and their resulting complications by inhibiting inflammation, which prevents bacterial adhesion caused by viruses.
All in one: comprehensively leading the natural supplements for sinus relief
Research supports each of these natural supplements for sinus relief and their all-natural herbal ingredients support some aspect of sinus health, largely through their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-microbial properties.
Patients can pick and choose between them, selecting supplements that are linked with preventing and/or treating their specific sinus issues. Or they can purchase a comprehensive dietary supplement that contains several of these ingredients, providing the health benefits of each in one tablet or pill — also providing maximum convenience.
Dee Cee Laboratories offers PHYTOFED-DF, an all-natural nasal relief product that contains all of these extracts. This provides patients access to a complete all-natural supplement designed to support sinus health. And it works without causing drowsiness, a common side effect of many over-the-counter sinus medications.