The term sinus is used commonly for sinus infection i.e. sinusitis. Sinus infections are caused by infections from pathogenic micro-organisms like virus, bacterium or fungus. The clinical features are headache, facial pressure, tenderness or pain in the sinuses, nasal stuffiness, fever, sore throat, cough, cloudy discolored drainage from nose, facial swelling etc.

According to Ayurveda the disease Pratishyay can be taken as Sinusitis. In Ayurveda there are five types of Pratishyay i.e. Vataja, Pittaja, Kaphaja, Raktaja, Sannipataja. Among them Vataja and Kaphaja variety are commonly seen.

The common etiologies for all types of Pratishyay are:

2. Heaviness in head
4. Repeated sneezing
6. Bodyache
8. Horripilation

For Amapachana following treatments are recommended:

1. Swedan (steam bath or fomentation or heating of body by any means).
3. Intake of Amlarasa (sour) and hot diet(hot and sour soup is preferable).
5. Adrak Siddha milk (milk boiled with wet ginger).
7. Ikshuvikara (diet made up of sugar).

After the above treatment the discharge, become thick and patient feel as if something is hanging in the throat (post-nasal drip). In this condition the treatment are as follows:

2. To expel out the Kapha Shirovirechan Nasya should be done under doctors' supervision only.
4. Mustard oil can be applied in the nostril (2-4 drops in each nostril).
6. Kavala (gargling by warm water with salt or mixed pepper powder/trikatu churna).

If the above advises are not followed or due to severe vitiation of Vata or Kapha Dosha, it may manifest as Vattik or Kaphaj Pratishyay.

Vattik Pratisyay: if patient feel stuffiness in nose associated with, thin discharge, dryness in mouth, headache or hoarseness of voice:

Treatment

2. Take three types of available salt in a container one pinch each (Saindhav, Kala Namak, and Rock Salt) and add little water and one to two spoon of cow ghee into it; slightly warm it and take after meals.
3. Nasya Therapy by Bala Tail/ Anu Tail/ Sadvindu Tail.

Kaphaj Pratisyay:

In this case thick, whitish discharge occurs from nose, swelling of eye, heaviness in head, itching in head and mouth are seen.

Treatment

2. Kaphaghna treatment (take Trikatu Churna-1/3gm with honey or Vyosadi Vati 4 tab thrice daily).

Sannipataja Pratisyay (chronic rhinitis):

If proper treatment is not followed in time; gradually involvement of all Doshas occurs.

Treatment

2. Intake of Panch Tikta Ghrit/ Guggle Tiktak/ Mahatiktak Ghrit mixed with Trikatu Churna.

General Considerations:

Pathya

2. Stay in a room devoid of direct air.
3. Cover head with heavy cloth.
4. Intake yava anna (barley diet).
5. Take haritaki.

Apathya

2. Cold water for drinking and bath.
3. Retention of natural urges.
4. Heavy & dry diet (dry chana).

Prevention- seasonal Nasya Therapy as per Ayurveda is a blessing for mankind to protect the most vital part of body i.e. head from any diseases.