What is better for Sinusitis, Homeopathic remedies, or Herbal remedies?

Have you seen a doctor? If it’s been three months, you should see a doctor to help fight the infection.

I personally hate having sinus issues, so other than using a neti pot, I get my ass to the doctor for antibiotics.

Homeopathic remedies are literally overpriced water. I wouldn’t put any stock in them.

Herbal remedies should be OK, but if it’s been three months, I’d check with your doctor. It might be something else that the herbs aren’t treating.

Homeopathy is just a placebo. If you have been having sinusitis recurring for such a long period, see your doctor.

Any sinus issues I have, I take Pseudoephedrine. Infections, allergy problems, anything. I take one as needed. For a few days if I have to. Whatever is bothering me ALWAYS goes away.
As far as herbal, no advice there. I found this little red pill and my prayers have been answered.
If it’s reoccurring you really may want to go see a doctor. I personally wouldn’t but I suppose a normal person would want to.
Yes, I have a little red pill.

Wait, what? Homeopathy and herbal “meds” aren’t working? I’m shocked, shocked I tell you. So my answer to your question is: None of the Above. Go see a doctor…

@mellamashermosa
You talk about kali bichromium. Did you use Headon?
(HeadOn. Apply directly to the forehead.) That is an interesting concept.
Why would you believe that kind of stuff to work?

Homeopathy does not work. The herb ephedra was an effective remedy for symptoms, but it was banned by the FDA as a supplement in 2006. Sinus infections can be hard to kill with antibiotics. They can also be confused with nasal allergies, in which case, you need to take an antihistamine and try to avoid what you’re allergic to.

Homeopathy is a fraud.

Wow, never thought of it as a fraud..but I get it…wont get homeopathic stuff again….but what about herbs?

@mellamashermosa

Herbs are… well… herbs. Some work, some just taste funny, some are really yummy, certain herbs will kill you (like hemlock!).

Herbs fall under “non-FDA reviewed treatments” and generally “non-clinically tested” treatments. They might work, but nobody’s really clear.

Again, it falls under the problem that the plural of anecdote isn’t data. Sure, treatment X might work for a dozen people I know, but they might have just gotten better anyway without the treatment.

That make sense?

You won’t find strong support for alternative medicines here on Fluther. I’ve never had luck with homeopathics, but have fought off impending sickness with Echinacea. If your infection is in full swing, though, and it’s been months, you should probably go to a doctor. And don’t dismiss homeopathy altogether. So what if it’s placebo…? if it works for you, THEN DO IT.

@ubersiren, similarly, don’t dismiss paying money for a “disease-curing magical paperweight.”

Who cares if it’s actually just a regular paperweight and purchasing it wastes your money and supports a fraudulent industry? If the placebo effect you get from irrationally believing that a paperweight can help cure your disease works for you, then DO IT!

I’ve had sinus infections before, tried all sorts of stuff, and the thing that worked best was actually salt water. Look into getting yourself a Neti Pot and try nasal irrigation http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nasal_irrigation

It clears your sinuses of all the gunk, makes you feel a lot better, and it seemed to help fight the infection too.

Is there a full moon tonight? What’s up the internet’s ass today?

@Qingu : Whoa dude… uncalled for. If it’s that fraudulent, it wouldn’t still exist. It must be helping someone. It’s not like it’s getting government subsidies to stay afloat. Sort of like religion in that way…

Two words Neti Pot

I’ve heard a lot of good things about Neti Pots.

@mellamashermosa You will find many people here do not believe in alternative medicines and they are so vocal about their opinions that it likely stops a lot of questions about them from developing or even being asked. Personally I believe in alternative medicines. Homeopathy can be helpful but to be truly helpful the homeopathic medicine needs to be diagnosed by a homeopathic Dr. Homeopathy helped get me through an extremely difficult time in my life.

Having said that. I do believe that sinus infection can be most easily cured using conventional medicine.

If you want to try a home remedy then do a salt water flush at least twice a day. Put 1/4 teaspoon salt with 1/2 cup lukewarm water and mix. Then plug one nostril and sniff up the other. At this point you could do one of two things. You could tilt your head and let it go out the other nostril (i’m not sure how this is done but have heard others talk about it) or you can spit it out your mouth (many dr.s have told me to do it this way). Then switch nostrils. Keep doing this until your 1/2 cup of water is gone. It is nasty but works wonders.

Thank you Red Power Lady I will try this! Thanks for the practical advice:-)

@ubersiren, “if it’s fraudulent, it wouldn’t exist?” Really, that’s your argument?

So does that mean, for example, that penis enlargement scams are not actually fraudulent, or that they actually don’t exist?

@RedPowerLady, do you actually understand how homeopathy works? Allow me to explain. The principle of homeopathy is that if a substance has some effect on you, an infinitesmaly small amount of that substance will have the opposite effect on you. Which is completely untrue.

So, for example, caffeine keeps you awake. A homeopathic sleeping pill would thus dilute caffeine to such a small amount that there aren’t any molecules of it left—quite literally, the same as taking a sugar pill—and sell it as medicine.

I’m curious how one gets a PhD in homeopathy. I imagine it’s sort of like getting a PhD in astrology?

By the way, astrology also helps people. And, like homeopathy, it’s also complete bullshit.

@Qingu I understand how homeopathy works completely.
In fact I’ve discussed this very topic quite extensively on Fluther.

I do not think it is appropriate at all to use a thread like this as an attack session for people who do not believe the same way as you. If you are in the mood to go at everyone who expresses their belief in homeopathy then start a thread where you can do just that. Please and Thank You.

This is a thread asking for medical advice. Not all beliefs are equal. Psuedoscientific beliefs that cannot be supported in any way, shape, or form are just that, and should be identified as such. I’m sorry you take such criticism personally.

@Qingu Actually the question asker is asking about homeopathy and herbal medicines quite specifically. And was quite pleased by my response. Also it is quite different to “identify” something as pseudoscientific briefly than to argue with each person who holds a different belief than you. Some threads are great for that. But this one is not asking to debate the validity of alternative medicines. There is quite a difference in answering a question vs. debating a belief system. This is a question and answer thread, not a debate thread. Sometimes it is fun to debate, sometimes it is quite tiring. If I were up for a debate, which quite often I am, I would have responded to a thread titled something like this: “is homeopathy a crock of sh*t”. Or rather: “should I use homeopathy for this ailment or conventional medicine?” This question states: “what alternative medicine (specifically homeopathy or herbal medicine) is best for this condition (specifically sinusitis)”.

If this sounds like a bit of a vent then I apologize. It is not personal. However I am a bit tired of people not being able to openly ask questions about herbal and alternative medicine and having their question not answered because people prefer to debate the validity of the practice itself. It is just like someone asking a religious question like “what does this religious holiday mean?” and everyone debating whether religion should even exist instead of answering the question.

First of all, she asked about the effectiveness of homeopathy for a medical problem. Regardless of your “beliefs,” it is a matter of fact that homeopathy is a placebo. The “validity” of homeopathy is directly related to the question. And I don’t see how pointing this out isn’t answering her question, or is preventing her from openly asking such questions.

Secondly, I wasn’t aware we were debating the effectiveness of homeopathy. It’s not like you’ve provided a single counterpoint or point of evidence to support your claim that it is remotely effective. Is there even anything to debate?

@RedPowerLady You bring up an interesting point, but the issue is that many of us believe that it is actually dangerous and/or deleterious for someone to try to treat a condition homeopathically. For example, some sinus infections can become chronic, and can lead to debilitating illness. More rarely, sinus infections can lead to more serious brain abscesses. Thus, for someone to attempt to treat an actual infection (assuming this is the problem) homeopathically is potentially dangerous, and we are well within our rights to advise against it.

Just to be clear, @shilolo, I think you mean that it’s dangerous in the same sense that doing faith healing — or, you know, doing nothing — in place of seeking actual treatment can be dangerous, yis?

@Qingu Yes. Thanks for the clarification. Homeopathy itself is probably harmless. It is the use of homeopathy at the expense of actual treatment that can be dangerous.

[mod says] Everyone seems to have made their feelings clear, but please take the debate to PMs or ask a question about homeopathy vs conventional medicine.

[mod says] Off-topic debate quips have been, and will continue to be, removed.