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It’s winter and the change in climate has caused some individuals to stack up on medication in order to treat sinusitis.

Seasonal changes, new location, environmental changes are factors that will sooner or later wreak havoc on your sinuses, especially persons who suffer from sinusitis.

Of course, there are tons of medications persons can take to gete relief from sinus issues.

But a warm cup of herbal tea can help ‘sinus suffers’ relieve the pain and aches associated with sinusitis.

Yes, as you may know, in Jamaica there is a special herbal tea for every common ailment. Sinus infection is no exception. 

Not only will these teas help with sinus issues, but they will also keep you warm during the winter months.

Sinus issues may include:

• Clogged nose
• Sinus Pressure
• Headaches
• Sore throat
• Sneezing
• Facial pain
• Postnasal drip

Here are five of the most popular teas used as home remedies for sinus problems.

Peppermint tea for sinusitis

Peppermint is a popular herb that most individuals are familiar with. It is one of the most common home remedies that you’ll find in the Jamaican home.

Peppermint is used to help cure anything from ingestion to the common cold.

Peppermint tea is a great tea for nasal congestion.  It works well because of its most important compound, menthol which is naturally found in mint plants.

How it works: menthol has a cool taste and aroma. When it enters the nasal passages, it soothes the irritation and calms the pain caused by a sinus infection. 

So, because peppermint has a high amount of menthol, drinking peppermint tea helps relieve nasal congestion that is caused by sinus issues.

Eucalyptus tea for ‘sinus headaches’

Eucalyptus tea is another great tea for clearing the sinuses and relieving ‘sinus headaches’. A sinus headache is a common symptom of sinus infection.  

The Eucalyptus plant has a chemical called eucalyptol. It is also known as Cineole.

Here is how it works: eucalyptol has a spicy smell and a cool taste. Research shows that the chemical is an effective treatment for some upper respiratory infections.

Eucalyptol is used as a cough suppressant in a number of products.

The eucalyptol in eucalyptus tea works to relieve your sinus headaches by removing what causes them. 

Sinus headaches happen because of mucus buildup and swollen, irritated sinuses. Eucalyptol clears and soothes irritated sinuses.

Sinus headaches may also be a result of swollen sinuses that you get from a cold or seasonal allergies.

If you are experiencing ‘sinus headache’ at the moment, you might want to brew some eucalyptus tea to relieve the pain.

Rosemary tea for ‘sinus pressure’

Rosemary is one of the most widely used herbs. It is used in cuisine, beauty products, medicinal products and of course to make a good cup of tea.

Rosemary has a comforting smell and a soothing taste that makes it a wonderful herb for making tea for sinusitis relief.

 Carnosol and carnosic acidare two of the most dominant compounds in rosemary.

This is how it works: both of these compounds have anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, they help reduce inflammation that leads to clogged nasal passages and sinuses.

As a result, rosemary tea is great for relieving the sinus pressure and pain you feel on the forehead, around the eyes and along the cheekbones when you have a sinus infection.

Bay leaf tea for ‘sinus drainage‘

The annoying dripping sensation in the back of the throat is the result of an accumulation of mucus. The buildup of mucus causes persistent coughing and hoarseness. 

Bay leaf tea is a popular Jamaican herbal tea that helps with ‘sinus drainage’.

Here is how this remedy works: add three or four Bay leaves to two cups of water in a saucepan. Boil for 10 minutes. Let sit for another five minutes.

Strain and sweeten with raw honey and drink while the tea is still warm. In no time your ‘sinus drainage’ issue should be gone.

Bay leaf contains the same compound that is found in Eucalyptus – Eucalyptol.

How it works, the Eucalyptol in bay leaf tea will help thin the mucus and phlegm buildup to stop post postnasal drips.

If you drink two or three cups of Bay leaf tea along with other fluids daily, this should provide some relief from ‘sinus drainage’.

Thyme tea for sinus infection

There is a variety of thyme that grows in Jamaica but the common thyme (thymus vulgaris) is the most popular type.

The common thyme not just only help to add flavour to your pot – thyme tea can also help you cope with your sinus troubles.

The most prominent compound in common thyme is an astringent called thymol.

Thymol is an ingredient in many well-known brands of oral rinses. This chemical is also used in the manufacture of disinfectants.

This is how it works, thymol has antimicrobial properties. This means it can act against microbes which include the viruses and bacteria that cause sinus issues. 

Because of this, thyme makes a great tea for relieving upper respiratory infections. This includes strep throat, sinus pain, coughs and congestion.

Use a couple branches of fresh thyme to make tea it will help to ease the discomforts of a sinus infection.

– If you want to find out more about Jamaican herbs visit the Jamaica Tea Shop at jamaicateashop.com