Sinusitis (Kaphaja Pratishyaya)
कासारुचिम्रावघनप्रसेकाः कफाद् गुरुः स्रोतसि चापि कण्डूः॥
Sinusitis - Causes, Symptoms and Ayurvedic Treatment
The inflammation of the tissue lining of various sinuses of the nasal cavity is called sinusitis. In general, nasal sinuses are filled with air. The inflammation of sinuses leads to its blockage and may get filled with increased tissue secretion. Sinusitis is termed as “Kaphaja Pratisyaya” as per Ayurveda.
Ayurveda assures a complete cure for Sinusitis. Ayurveda has diet measures, regimens, medications, and external procedures for managing Sinusitis. Dr. Gupta along with his years of Ayurveda experience is using unique pulse diagnosis methods to find out root cause treatment in Sinusitis.
Sinus or Paranasal Sinuses
Sinuses are the air-filled spaces within a human skull. The sinuses surrounding the nasal cavity are called paranasal sinuses.
Ayurvedic Reference of Sinusitis

Types of Sinusitis
In general, there are three types of sinusitis. They are namely:-
- Acute sinusitis
- Sub-acute sinusitis
- Chronic sinusitis
- Recurrent sinusitis
Sinuses are connected to the nasal cavity through small openings called Ostia. They help in improving our voice and it lightens the skull by acting as a shock absorber. Mucus production for lubricating the nasal cavity is the major function of nasal sinuses.
Causes of Sinusitis
Sinusitis can be caused due to various internal and external causes.
- Various Allergies
- Small Polyps
- Septal Deviation
- Drug or chemical reaction
- Smoke may cause sinusitis
According to Ayurveda, the causes of sinusitis are exposure to mist or fog, excess sleep, avoiding sleep during nights, using a very low, very high, or improper pillow, drinking excess cold or dirty water, suppressing vomiting and all Kapha dosha increasing measures like water sports, heavy and cold food. In the case of sinusitis, the major doshas affected are Vata and Kapha.
Symptoms of Sinusitis
Acute sinusitis will have similar symptoms than that of cold. Running nose and pain will be felt over the sinus areas. Fever and thick discharge from nose may be observed associated with acute sinusitis. Acute sinusitis may last up to a period of 2 weeks.
Sub-acute sinusitis is similar to that of acute sinusitis with extreme manifestation of symptoms experienced in acute type of sinusitis.
Chronic sinusitis will have heaviness in head, pain over the sinus areas during some particular time of a day. The symptoms will show a mild nature in case of chronic sinusitis and may last up to a period of 3 months.
Recurrent sinusitis will be having a cyclic nature of the occurrence. It occurs in a particular pattern with repeated occurrence within a year. The symptoms will be more or less the same than that of acute sinusitis.
As per Ayurveda, the symptoms of Sinusitis are slimy discharge from nose, heaviness overhead region, tastelessness, itching inside nose, breathing difficulty, and general heaviness all over the body.

“Sinusitis is a condition that must be managed with immediate attention. The treatments started at the earliest will make the curing process fast. Ayurveda assures the complete cure of sinusitis through natural methods. Dr. Gupta’s Institute of Applied Food Allergy® has proven to be the best in Ayurvedic management of sinusitis through treating plenty of cases with high success rates”.
– Dr. Sahil Gupta (B.A.M.S., M.H.A.)
Ayurvedic Allergy Specialist
CEO & Founder of IAFA®
Diet for Sinusitis
The food should be hot and combined with a proper quantity of good quality sea salt. Liquid or semi-solid foods will be more suitable for a person suffering from sinusitis. The diet can be combined with Kapha dosha balancing food materials like barley, wheat, red rice, and butter. Spices like pepper, ginger, and Curcuma can be combined in a diet. Cold generating fruits like apple and banana along with slimy vegetables like eggplant and big tomatoes must are avoided. Water made of Dashamoola (Ten Ayurvedic medicine roots) is also suggestive in curing sinusitis.
Regimen for Sinusitis
The activities including over-exertion and head movement must be reduced or avoided completely as per the guidance of the doctor. Avoiding the chance of getting cold air during traveling will be beneficial in reducing the symptoms of sinusitis. Protection measures must be used for covering ears and head for preventing easy exposure to cold wind.
Do’s (Pathya)
- Take warm and liquid food
- Add spices to the diet
- Always use boiled and warm water for drinking
Don’ts (Apathya)
- Avoid water sports
- Avoid eating cold foods including cold generating fruits like apple and banana
- Avoiding overexertion including strenuous workout
- Avoid smoking
Yoga for Sinusitis
Yoga practices including Pranayama and Jalneti (cleansing of nostrils with water in a unique manner) are good for sinusitis cure. Yoga asanas or postures namely:-
- Dhanurasana
- Shalabhasana
- Halasana and
- Sarvangasana is good in managing sinusitis.

Ayurvedic Treatment of Sinusitis
Ayurveda suggests various internal and external treatment measures including Panchakarma for treating sinusitis permanently.
Shunti or Ginger (Zingiber officinale), Marichamor Black pepper (Piper nigrum), and Pippali or Long pepper (Piper longum) are single medicines used in Ayurveda.
Internal medicines like Vyoshadi Vatakam, Talisapatradi Choornam, Agasthyarasayanam, Dashamoola katuthreyam kashayam, and medicated ghee intake are the few internal medicines used in the treatment of sinusitis.
Nasyam (Ayurvedic nasal medications), Vamanam (Ayurvedic vomiting treatment), Steam bath, and special bandages are the external methods used in the Ayurvedic management of Sinusitis.
References
- Shloka No. 106, Trimarm Chikitsa, Charak Samhita, Indian Materia Medica of Agnivesa
- Acharaya P.V. Sharma, Kaiyyadevanighantu, Edition Reprint 2017, Chaukhambha Orientalia, p. 137.
- The Ayurveda Pharmacopeia of India Part II, 1st edition New Delhi, Govt. of India, Dept. of AYUSH, The controller of publications Civil Lines 2000, p. 41.
- Professor K.R. Sreekantha Murthy, Ashtang Hrudaya. Vagbhata (English Translation), Edition, Reprint 2014. Chaukhambha Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 20, shloka 17-20, p. 258.
Article Written By: Dr. Sahil Gupta (B.A.M.S., M.H.A.)