Last week I was hit with a virus that eventually turned into a sinus infection.
To be honest, I was pretty surprised.
Not because I felt great (I definitely didn’t!), but because I honestly couldn’t remember the last time I had a sinus infection.
Years ago, sinus infections were a regular part of my life. I used to get four or five of them every single year. It felt like I was constantly dealing with congestion, pressure, headaches, and that overall miserable feeling that comes with not being able to breathe normally.
But over the last several years, as I’ve worked to reduce toxins in our home, clean up what we’re eating, support my immune system naturally, and be more intentional about what I put in and on my body, something changed.
The sinus infections stopped.
In fact, it’s been well over five years since I’ve had one.
So when this recent virus decided to settle into my sinuses, I had to brush up on what had worked for me in the past.
Now, let me be clear—this isn’t medical advice, and everyone’s body is different. I’m simply sharing what I personally did and what seemed to help me start turning things around within 24–48 hours.
The First Thing I Focused On: Supporting My Body
Whenever I’m sick, I try to remember that my body isn’t working against me—it’s working for me.
Instead of looking for a quick fix, my focus was on supporting my body’s natural healing process.
Here’s what I reached for.
Garlic Capsules
Garlic has been one of my favorite wellness tools for years.
Whenever I feel like my immune system needs extra support, it’s often one of the first things I grab.
I took 2–3 garlic capsules daily throughout the worst of the infection.
Click here for garlic capsules.
Thyme Essential Oil Capsules
This was another one of my go-to supports.
I only use Young Living essential oils because they are labeled as dietary supplements and meet the quality standards I’m comfortable using internally.
I placed a drop of Thyme essential oil into a size 00 veggie capsule and took it 2–3 times per day.
Simple, easy, and something I’ve done for years when I need extra support.
Saline Nasal Spray
If you’ve ever used a neti pot and loved it, that’s wonderful.
I am not one of those people.
I’ve tried.
Many times.
I simply cannot tolerate it.
So saline nasal spray has become my substitute.
I used it 4–5 times a day to help keep everything moist and moving. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was incredibly helpful.
Click here for saline nasal spray.
Diffusing Essential Oils Throughout the Day
One thing I noticed was that dry air made everything feel worse.
I kept a diffuser running nearby most of the day using:
- Eucalyptus
- Raven
- Dorado Azul
The added moisture combined with the aroma of the oils seemed to make breathing much more comfortable.
Steam Inhalation Was a Game Changer
If I had to pick one thing that gave me the most noticeable relief, this would probably be near the top of the list.
A few times each day, I filled a bowl with hot water and added a few drops of either Raven, Dorado Azul, or Lemongrass.
Then I draped a towel over my head, closed my eyes, and breathed in the steam for about 3–5 minutes.
The warmth, moisture, and steam felt amazing.
I repeated this 2–3 times daily and found it especially helpful before bed.
The Post-Nasal Drip Cough Was Exhausting
If you’ve ever had a sinus infection, you know that sometimes the congestion isn’t even the worst part.
For me, it was the post-nasal drip.
Especially at night.
Just when I was ready to sleep, the drainage would kick in and I’d find myself coughing over and over. Not exactly the recipe for a restful night!
One thing that helped tremendously was using cough drops throughout the day and keeping them by my bed at night. They helped soothe my throat, calm the irritation, and made those nighttime coughing fits much more manageable.
Cough drops linked below.
Chest Rub = A Total Game Changer
As the virus moved through my system, I also started feeling congestion settling into my chest.
One thing that made a huge difference was applying a chest rub throughout the day and before bed.
The combination of the topical support and being able to breathe in the aroma was incredibly comforting. It seemed to help loosen things up, support easier breathing, and made it much easier to rest.
Honestly, this was one of those things where I noticed a difference almost immediately.
Chest rub linked with my essential oil list.
Bone Broth Was a Lifesaver
There were several days when I simply didn’t feel like eating much.
You know that feeling when you’re sick and nothing sounds good?
On those days, bone broth became one of my go-to staples.
It was warm, comforting, easy to sip, and gave me some nourishment without feeling heavy. Sometimes I would drink a mug by itself, and other times I’d pair it with a simple meal.
I truly believe giving my body the hydration and nourishment it needed helped support my recovery just as much as anything else I was doing.
When you’re not feeling your best, having something nourishing that’s easy on your stomach can make a big difference.
Hydration Became a Full-Time Job
Along with bone broth, I made hydration a major priority.
When you’re congested, it’s easy to forget how important hydration really is.
I made a conscious effort to drink at least 100 ounces of water every day and added electrolytes to support hydration.
I truly believe this made a difference.
Hot Showers Helped More Than I Expected
Sometimes the simplest things are the most effective.
Several times throughout the week, I took long hot showers and just allowed the steam to do its thing.
Not only did it help loosen congestion, but it also forced me to slow down and rest.
Gentle Movement
This one may sound a little strange when you’re not feeling well.
I wasn’t doing workouts.
I wasn’t pushing myself.
But I did try to move my body.
Some days that meant a short walk.
Other days it meant standing on my vibration plate for a few minutes.
For me, gentle movement seems to help everything circulate and keeps me from feeling completely stuck.
Click here for vibration plate.
The One Thing I Needed Most: Rest
And finally…the thing I resisted the most.
Rest.
If you know me, you know I’m not great at sitting still.
I always feel like there is something that needs to be done, somewhere I need to be, or someone I need to help.
And let’s be honest—when post-nasal drip has you coughing through the night, quality sleep can be hard to come by.
But this experience was a reminder that healing requires energy.
Our bodies can’t fully focus on recovery when we’re constantly pushing through exhaustion.
So I rested.
More than I wanted to.
And honestly, I think my body appreciated it.
The Essential Oils I Used
You can find the oils I used here.
New to Essential Oils?
While I’ve linked the oils I personally used, if you’re new to essential oils, I usually recommend starting with a bundle instead of buying individual oils.
It’s almost always the best value and gives you a variety of oils you’ll actually use throughout the year.
There is nothing better than having high-quality essential oils in your wellness cabinet when you need them most.
If you’re not sure where to start, send me a message. I’d be happy to help you choose the bundle that makes the most sense for your goals and budget.
Starter bundles can be found here.
Use code SHAREYL at checkout to save 10% on your first order.
Final Thoughts
While I certainly didn’t enjoy getting a sinus infection, it reminded me of something important:
Our daily habits matter.
The choices we make year after year to support our health add up.
Do I think essential oils, hydration, bone broth, cleaner living, better nutrition, movement, and reducing toxins mean we’ll never get sick? Of course not.
But I do believe they help build a stronger foundation for wellness.
This is simply what worked for me, and I hope sharing my experience gives you a few ideas if you’re navigating something similar.
As always, listen to your body, stay hydrated, nourish yourself well, support your immune system, and don’t underestimate the power of rest.
