Table of Contents
Cure a Sinus Infection
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DISCLAIMER
Our readers offer information and opinions on Earth Clinic, not as a substitute for professional medical prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your physician, pharmacist, or health care provider before taking any home remedies or supplements or following any treatment suggested by anyone on this site. Only your health care provider, personal physician, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your unique needs or diagnose your particular medical history.
HYDROGEN PEROXIDE AND SEA SALT
1 NAY
1 WARNING!
[YEA] 04/18/2006: Deirdre from Port Chester, NY writes: "though not prone to chronic sinus infections like many others posting here, I have had a couple of doozies and know what they feel like and how bad they can get and how long they can drag on, and I know the signs of the beginning of the onslaught. Over the past weekend seasonal allergies seemed to have kicked another one into full swing, I had a headache for three days, so bad that my TEETH had started to really hurt, and the mucus coming out when I blew my nose was dark green to brown; it was NOT headed in a good direction. I sensed a trip to the doctor sometime this week (IF I could even get an appointment), and with no health insurance, that just wasn't in the budget. But I knew this wasn't going to clear up on its own, so I found this site online, decided to try something home-based to see if I could nip it in the bud, as I prefer to avoid antibiotics whenever possible. Wasn't sure about the ratios/portions in some of these listings, so here's what I tried, winging it on my own. It POSITIVELY WORKED!!! Within less than a half hour, my headache was gone, the sinus pressure was gone, I was breathing through my nose, I ended up with a good night's sleep for the first time in almost a week, and my teeth no longer hurt! The discomfort level of the solution was minimal (it is uncomfortable to put liquid up your nose, for sure, and it DOES sting/burn just a little bit), the ease of procuring the ingredients and making it was amazing!
I found I wasn't sure how much of each thing I needed, so I ended up with way too much, but here's the recipe I used, you can figure out how to scale it down:
1 cup boiling filtered water (tap water run through my Brita filter)
3 Tablespoons Natural Sea Salt
3 Tablespoons 3% solution Hydrogen Peroxide
I boiled a kettle of water to make sure I killed off anything in there that might get me a WORSE infection, poured out 1 Cup into a measuring cup, stirred in the sea salt until it dissolved, then added the Peroxide, stirred it up, let it cool down to just warm. I sterilized a child's medicine dropper (holds 1 tablespoon of liquid) with rubbing alcohol, and then used that to suck the solution up from measuring cup. I then leaned over the arm of my couch with a towel under my chin and on the floor (this IS a little messy), so that my head was hanging upside down, and then gently squirted a full dropper into each nostril, one at a time, gently shaking my head to move it around, held it as long as I could, then sat up, let it finish dripping out, and GENTLY blew my nose. My left nostril was the real culprit this time, so I did the procedure on it twice. The whole thing took less than 15 minutes to prepare, cool solution and administer, and I felt almost instant relief. Within a half hour, after GENTLY blowing my nose several times, I felt 100% better! I was still a little skeptical, but when I woke up this morning, I felt great! I don't know what it is that makes this solution work, but it does! It probably didn't hurt that I also made sure to take some vitamins, drank a half a gallon of grape juice and had chicken soup for dinner - liquids and vitamins in your system surely help your body combat something like this. It's also important to note that I was very careful to make sure that everything I used to prepare this remedy and put it into my sinus cavity was STERILIZED. The morning after I still have some slight congestion and have had to blow my nose a few times, but the mucus is almost clear, I can actually GET IT OUT, and there is no headache or toothache - AT ALL. Hope this helps someone else, I feel SO much better, and I had been looking at what I knew was another week to ten days of worse misery."
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[YEA] Penny from Fresno writes: "Clean out a medicine bottle with an eye dropper. Put one eye dropper of 3% hydrogen peroxide, one pinch salt, one pinch baking soda, and purified water. Shake well. More hydrogen peroxide can be added if a little discomfort is not felt (some is normal). Next, get down on knees putting head on floor and put a little in each nostril and keep in there awhile, making faces to move it around, move head, etc. to move it around. This has stopped a severe sinus infection I had dead in its tracks AT ONCE. I learned it online by a man who does a much more severe version of this, so you can make it stronger at will, but start weak like I mention. Just a normal medicine bottle. Never put the straight peroxide into the nose! It must be very diluted, so one eye dropper per bottle. It should sting just a little bit. Some say a TEEEEEENNY bit of cayenne in the formula works wonders too."
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[YEA] Dani from Savannah, GA writes: "I have had a sore throat due to my sinus congestion/drainage for 4 days now. I assume it is due to allergies. I never had this problem until a few years ago, and it happens several times a year. I always end up at the doctor with a sinus infection and bronchitis. I'm tired of taking antibiotics, so I found this website and thought I'd give it a try. I tried 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp baking soda, and 1 tsp hydrogen peroxide mixed in about a cup of warm water. I layed on the couch and used a bulb syringe to squirt up my nose. I won't lie-when it flushed my sinuses and ran down my throat it did burn. Immediately after, I could breathe from both nostrils. It took a few minutes to quit burning, but it works. My nose began draining lots of mucus that was trapped in my sinuses. I gargled with milk and that soothed it. I also did the gargle recommended on this site for a sore throat-10 oz warm water and 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper and drank a shot of it also. This also immediately soothed my sore throat. I'm really amazed and relieved after days of feeling terrible. This really works and I'm very grateful to everyone who posted these remedies !"
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HYDROGEN PEROXIDE, SALT AND BAKING SODA
[YEA] Kerstin from San Francisco, CA writes: "I can't tell you how grateful I am for coming across this web site!! Last night I mixed Peroxide / Salt / Baking Soda with water and in a dropper put it in my nose while hanging upside down with my head and for the first time I feel hope! Today for the first time in many many months I woke up WITHOUT being totally clogged up and it seems like the constant flow of gross, horrible smelling stuff dripping down the back of my mouth is gone!! I actually feel like a person again! I can't believe this!! The last 3 months have been absolutely miserable and I have had no success what so ever getting rid of my sinus infection.Amoxocillin does nothing neither does Augmentin 850. My sinus problems started about 15 years ago when I ended up with a deviated septum as a result of years of snorting drugs and I have had major major sinus problems ever since! I am going to repeat this wonder cure a couple of times just in case. Thanks again!"
04/12/2009: DEB from Jacksonville, FL replies: "I WAS TOLD BY THE ENT THAT THE ONLY WAY TO CURE MY BLOCKED SINUS PASSAGES WAS THROUGH SURGERY, I WANT TO GO THE NATURAL ROUT. JUST WONDERING IF ANYONE ELSE HAS BEEN ADVISED THAT AND HAD RESULTS TO COMPLETELY CLEAR THE PASSAGES IN NATURAL FORM?"
11/28/2009: Kristin K from Santa Barbara, Ca, USA replies: "Do Not Rush to Surgery! In 2007, I had a sinus infection for 7 months. I was on multiple types of antibiotics and saw 3 different ENTs. Two ENTs advised me to have surgery. Finally, a General Practioner, Dr. Meller, advised that I should try saline rinsing along with two weeks (not 1 week) of Augmentin. That infection was finally cleared up. I have kept the infections at bay by using my sinus rinse kit; sea salt and hot water.When I feel one coming along, I have been successful using 2 or 3 Tablespoons of Hydrogen Peroxide, 2 TB of baking soda in with my 8oz of water to rinse my sinues. I would NOT advise using 50/50%.
I have found it is better to do rinsing 3 or 4 times a day and not using a high amount of Hydrogen Peroxide as it can be harmful to your ears and your sinus tissue.
I am going to try to Apple Cider Vinegar as well.
Thanks for this site!
In 2007, after months of pain, I asked the ENT that wanted to do surgery on me, "Can't I flush my sinues out?". He said "No. You can't."..
Well, Yes I can! And it has worked better than months on antibiotics. And I have yet to have surgery."
[YEA] 11/29/2009: Kristin K from Santa Barbara, Ca, Usa replies: "Yea! This really works! From a 46 year old with over 10 years of fighting Sinus Infections: I am sold on the effects of Saline Rinse, Baking Soda and followed up with Apple Cider Vinegar and Zinc.
After over a decade of dealing with sinus issues (two years of using sinus irrigation), I have found that the combination of frequent Saline Rinses including Baking Soda and following up with nasal sprays of Apple Cider Vinegar and Zinc, really worked for me in fighting a bacterial sinus infections!
This is what I did:
Twice yesterday, I rinsed with 2TB baking soda, 1TB Hydrogen peroxide with 1TB sea Salt in my usual 8oz sinus bottle.Approximately 3 hours after the last rinse, I began using Apple Cider vinegar as well: I took an empty nasal dispenser (Zycam or Afrin will do). I washed the dispenser thoroughly in very hot water. Then I filled the clean dispenser with equal parts Apple Cider Vinegar and filtered water. I pumped the ACV/water solution in each of my sinuses 5 or 6 times and for a few pumps I put my head upside down in the sink so the solution could reach the top of my sinuses. Although it stung slightly, it did not burn like the HP does.
I also sprayed my throat with Zinc Spray mixed with Apple Cider Vinegar. I then gargled with sea salt and baking soda mixed with warm water. I had realized the bacteria was beginning to infect my throat. I had developed pain on one side of the throat and signs of blood in the mucus when I coughed from my throat.
After following the program above, I was delightfully surprised this morning. I did not have a head full of mucus nor any sinus pain or pressure; only minor congestion. When I did a regular saline rinse this morning, a very thick brown clump of drying mucus/puss tinged with brown blood flew straight out of my right sinus after the first rinse. I did another rinse and only minor and regular looking mucus came out. My hope is that the combination I used last night (as listed above) finally killed off the bacteria infection in my sinus and what emerged was the remnants of that infection. This is very promising as in a persistent bacterial sinus infection, it often takes me four full sinus rinses to clean out the puss from the bacteria. Plus, I have had no pain or congestion all day today after 4 days of pain with lots of pussy mucus .
A note on Hydrogen Peroxide: Even just 3Tb of Hydrogen Peroxide in my 8OZ sinus rinse, has caused irritation to my sinuses in the past. A side effect of using Hydrogen Peroxide, is an hour later I usually end up with more mucus and stuffiness. I imagine this is due to the irritation to the sinus tissue. (as the member from Hawaii noted from his experience)
Another thing I have learned that is is risky to tilt my head to the side when doing any sinus rinse especially if it has HP in it. I think it is better to hang your head upside down as the solution is able to penetrate your whole sinus. Head upside down reduces the exposure of your Eustachian tubes to collecting fluid as can occur when you tilt your head.
Good luck! and take it from a veteran of this. Be patient, be consistent and if you are trying a remedy for the first time, reduce the ingredients to prevent from ill effects. YOu can always add a little more of an ingredient next time.
It is your body you are taking care of; use care and compassion toward yourself. Dealing with Sinus Infections can be a long process but it is better to be conservative than to damage your ears or your sinus tissue in trying new cures.Carpe Diem! and Bien Salud."
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1 YEA
[YEA] 04/08/2007: Linda from St.Paul, MN writes: "I rarely get sinus infections but have one as a result of a cold. I have been miserable for 4 days and the antibiotic has given me no relief. I have been using steam, hot compresses, saline nose flushes. My cheeks and teeth and whole face so inflamed and painful. Well since nothing worked I thought I would try the opposite and got a flexible ice pack I had in the freezer. I rested it in all different places on my face and eyes. I can't believe how much better I am feeling. My swelling went down and I am breathing well too. I think my sinuses were so inflamed that the ice was just the trick I needed. I am sooo happy now."
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IMPROVE AIR QUALITY, NASAL IRRIGATION
[YEA] 02/05/2010: Eww from Laurel, Md writes: "WHEN I HAVE BOUTS OF SINUS INFECTION IT IS USUALLY DUE TO POOR INDOOR AIR QUALITY. I RECOMMEND INVESTING IN A GOOD HUMIDIFIER(S)AND AIR TREATMENT SYSTEM. USE THE HUMIDIFIER RELIGIOUSLY ESPECIALLY DURING THOSE MONTHS WHEN HEATING IS BEING USED. IF YOU HAVE CARPET, VACUUM AND SPRAY IT WITH A NATURAL DISINFECTANT BECAUSE IT IS EASILY CONTAMINATED AND YOU BREATHE IN THE MESS FROM THE CARPET. I ALSO STRONGLY RECOMMEND NASAL IRRIGATION AT LEASE TWICE A WEEK FOR MAINTENANCE FOR EVERY ONE THAT HAS A NOSE ON THEIR FACE. IF YOU HAVE AND INFECTION, IRRIGATE TWICE A DAY UNTIL YOU FEEL BETTER. THIS WILL HELP GREATLY. I ALSO USED A NATURAL NASAL SPRAY THAT IS A GREAT HELP. "EACH ONE TEACH ONE""
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1 YEA
[YEA] 04/26/2009: Bev from Long Beach, CA writes: "Iodine for Sinus Pain:
Wonderful information on this site.
In Nov 08, I caught a cold and had terrible sinus. The cold cleared up but periodically my right sinus cavity would close and cause horrible pain. This area was on the right side of my nose about an inch down from my eye. I started using nasal irrigation and peroxide and water spray directly in my nose. This helped but I never seemed to be completely cured. The pain would start on the side of my nose, go around my eye, down my cheek to my teeth then into my neck and around the back of my neck. It rendered me useless. The addition of my favorite beverage, Chardonnay, would bring it on until I stopped having any. In searching this site, I read about Iodine (clear from Rite Aid) and painting it on certain areas of the body so I tried it on the side of my nose. I started doing this several times a day and last night was the test. I had my wine without any pain. I will continue to use Iodine until I'm sure it has cleared up. Who would have thought this would cure me. Thank you very much to everyone for your additions to this wonderful site."
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1 YEA
[YEA] 06/30/2008: Gloria from Toronto, Canada writes: "Sinus Infections and Ice cream: I do not know about the various brands of ice creams and their contents. However, my body is lactose intolerant and whenever I give in to consuming ice cream [of the homemade variety,no less], in a few minutes,I feel the nasal clogging. Has anyone been tested for lactose intolerance? Sugar and other foods that do not agree with my system affect my sinuses adversely."
11/05/2008: Stephen from Dallas, TX replies: "That doesn't sound like Lactose intolerance, that sounds like a milk allergy. There is a difference. I am a milk allergy sufferer and if I eat anything that contains milk, I get congested and alot of times end up with a sinus infection. Most people I know with lactose intolerance have no problems eating ice cream."
05/18/2009: Debbie from Malvik, South Trondelag, Norway replies: "I have a tendency to disagree here. Lactose could be only a part of your problem. Sounds like you have a problem with all sorts of sugar, not only milk sugar (lactose) Candida Albicans springs to mind, with all it's complications. Have the same problem myself, stuffy nose whenever I go anywhere near sugar!"
05/18/2009: PS from Atlanta, Ga replies: "Sinus congestion after dairy consumption is not too unusual. I have experienced and read about dairy and its tendency to cause sinus congestion. For this reason I do not eat dairy on a regular basis. I can definitely feel a difference after a few days of eating yogurt, milk, or cottage cheese. My sinus are full and drain down be back of my throat. I have often thought this is also why my sister is constantly blowing her nose and coughing up mucus. She drinks more than her fair share (even organic) of milk."
05/18/2009: T from Maryland, USA replies: "My son used to have chronic sinus problems. We went through the mill for several years with ignorant doctors and needless medications blindly prescribed because the fact was they hadn't a clue (they insisted he had asthma, then seasonal allergies, then sinus infection, etc. etc.). I didn't feel he had any of those; they just didn't fit. When I finally cut milk from his diet, voila! No more sinus problems. In his case it IS the dairy. Other sugars don't cause him any problems."
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2 YEA
[YEA] 03/17/2007: Josh from Orlando, FL writes: "After reading the Lightbulb therapy and thinking it was crazy I tried everything else to get rid of my severe congestion. I finally consented and as the heat was applied to my sinuses (I guess??) the congestion cleared. My congestion has been so bad that no amount of neti pot salt water rinsing (with Peroxide or Col.Silver will even penetrate). So this was a relief and hopeful."
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[YEA] 03/04/2007: Angelina from Apeldoorn, Netherlands writes: "This is a cure I got from my mom. With a lamp without a lampshade and easy to handle place a handkerchief or similar cloth over your face and use the now turned on light bulb (careful!! only adults should do this) massage your sinus areas until the heat gets too much and then wait a while and start again. Make sure you don´t go outside or catch cold or wind and do this for several days until symptoms disappear. She never had another infection again."
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1 YEA
[YEA] 04/02/2008: John from Fishers, IN writes: "I had a lot of sinus infections and 3 surgeries over a 10 year span. I finally thought it may be my diet. I read an article about measuring your body ph and I had an extremely low in ph in by body which is acidic. I changed my diet and corrected my ph and my sinus infections went away. I get 1 or 2 a year but as long as I eat good and keep my ph in balance everything is ok. The first week of the diet I broke out with blotches all over my body and the doctor said it was detoxing from all the bad chemicals in my body. "
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MOISTURIZE THE AIR,CHANGE HEATER FILTERS, AND THEN SOME
[YEA] 02/09/2007: Robert from Alpine, TX writes: "First of all, moisture in the air is very important. Many people get sinus infections during the winter months being cooped up in the house. I prefer the Vick's Vaporizer in my bedroom and I try to keep it boiling @ night. Servicing your heater filters regularly is important too, filters should be changed @ month. At the first sign of a sinus infection I snort a sea salt, baking soda, distilled water solution up my nose 2x's a day, That really helps. 1cup distilled water 1tsp. sea salt, 1/4 tsp soda, slightly heat in microwave, put in a baby bulb and snort it up your nose. I know it sounds gross and it is but it WORKS!"
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2 YEA
2 NAY
[NAY] 09/11/2009: Elizabeth from Nashville, Tn writes: "Nasal Fungal Infection? I have had nasal issues for the past couple of years since I have had septoplasty done. Since the surgery, I have had alot of post nasal drippage and a "smell" coming from my right nostril. Now, I am self treating for systemic candida so I am almost certain this is stemming from that. I have tried using 50/50 peroxide spray, tea tree oil spray, 50/50 ACV spray etc.. and have not had luck. Does anyone have any suggestions on the best way to get rid of this? My main complaints are stuffiness (like my nasal cavity is swollen and itchy) and nasal drip (which is stinky!!) and constantly blowing nose. Sorry, don't want to gross anyone out. I'm going crazy here!!!!"
09/11/2009: Kathy from Dubois, Pa replies: "This is going to sound very off-the-wall, but are you sure the doctor didn't miss a piece of gauze or wadding or something up there during or after the surgery?"
09/13/2009: Elizabeth from Nashville, Tn replies: "I have thought about that and have gone back to the Dr. multiple times. He has not mentioned anything being stuck up there. I notice I have a pocket along the septum which traps the mucus. Ugghhh..what a gross condition. My thoughts are, if I get rid of the source of the mucus ( bacterial, fungal, etc) than maybe I can get rid of these symptoms."
09/13/2009: Kathy from Dubois, Pa replies: "Have you been to see a different doctor? If I was in your situation, I would go to a different doctor, but I wouldn't ask for a referal from my current one, because they talk to each other and often cover each other's butts if they think malpractice might be involved. I would make like my old doctor retired or died or was in another state or something like that. If the problem is as troublesome as you say...something that I do not doubt...and your doctor is not taking you seriously, I would say it is time to find another doctor. What kind of doctor allows his patient to suffer as you are suffering without refering them to someone else who might be able to help? Something is clearly wrong up there. It cannot be good for your general health to have a sinus situation like you have. There must be something that someone can do, even if that someone is not your current doctor.
You also say that you have a pocket from the surgery? That doesn't sound right...why should there be a pocket there, and why should it be acting as a well of infection, whether it is yeast or bacteria (or maybe both)? Has the doctor tried cleaning the pocket out to see if anything is in there, or has he just ASSURED you that there is nothing in there? Assurances are not the same thing as investigating, that's for sure. Have you seen the x-rays, or cat-scans for yourself? I once went to a dentist that wanted to pull all my teeth, but she wouldn't show me the x-rays. You can bet I beat cheeks out of there fast. You also say that the Dr HAS NOT MENTIONED anything being stuck up there? Well, if there IS something up there, it is in his interest NOT TO MENTION IT, isn't it? You keep coming back with the same problem, which means that you are a steady source of income for him, not to mention a possible lawsuit if THERE IS something there! If it were me, I'd stop letting him fob me off and make him PROVE there is nothing stuck up there, or I'd get a different doctor."
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[NAY] 03/03/2009: Bill Julian from Brockton, Mass writes: "I have chronic sinus infection, I have it now and have had it for about 30 days. Just can't shake it. I am on ACV, GSE, Nasal pot, vit c 2000mg/day,garlic pills, trying to drink plenty of water each day, inhaling ACV as well. I have some relief but the pain the head is there, comes and goes, worse at night. I am leaving for India in 3 day and am desperate to find a cure. The cure may come but I need to see more improvement.
I have read so many posts by so many good people giving there solutions and their experiences. I guess I will just continue what I am doing. I will not go to a doctor to take antibiotics they don't work for me.
Well, thanks for allowing me to vent and when I find a cure or something that has really made the difference with these chronic horrible sinuse problems I will post it.
Bill"
03/03/2009: Gean from Salina, KS replies: "Take two washcloths and fill the sink with hot water, as hot as you can stand on your face. Fold the washcloths a couple of times to a rectangle shape to cover your sinuses. Put washcloths in the water. Wring out the first one and quickly apply to the sinus area. When it starts to cool, wring out the other one and apply. Keep alternating the moist heat compresses for 10 min. Keep it as hot as you can stand it without burning yourself. When you're done, lie down for 20 min. Do this several times (4-5 times) a day. It should feel better after the first day.
A friend told me to do this a few years ago when the sinus pain was so bad I thought I had an abscessed tooth, my gums were aching. It worked the first day. Hope this works for you."
03/03/2009: June from Asheville, NC replies: "Bill, I have sinus problems like what you are describing, especially in dry, cold weather. The best thing for me was getting as much humidity into the room as possible (or vacationing in a humid climate, which has literally healed a chronic sinus infection overnight). Winter time is especially brutal because the blast from the furnace throughout the house removes humidity from rooms. Try a humidifier as soon as possible (just make sure to disinfect it every few uses). The climate in India might heal your sinus infection, I wouldn't be surprised!"
03/03/2009: Avril from London, UK replies: "Hi Bill, what works for me is raw rhubarb juice to unblock sinuses and colloidal silver to protect against re-infection. The RAW rhubarb juice stings [but only a little] and starts clearing out within minutes, and keeps working all day. If you mix the two 50-50, there's no sting at all, but the unblocking is not quite so good, so if I've forgotten to do it for about 3 days, I just use pure rhubarb juice to get rid of the congestion and the headaches and impaired hearing that come with it. Hope you find your cure."
01/07/2010: Bonnie from Sun Valley, Nv replies: "I am not allowed to put name brands so I will just give you the name of the herbs. You must purchase 3 bottles, 1-ALJ, 2-CC-A, and 3, Lymph Gland Cleanse. I suffered for approximately 7 years, had surgery and no luck. Finally went to holistic health care. It takes approximately 9 capsules a day with lots of water and get some rest. These infections make your body very spetic, also be sure to take stool softeners or use whatever works, "fiber" to have regular bowel movements. Stay away from dairy and eat babyfood if your stomach is touchy. I can promise that your best bet is whole foods, high fiber, 10 glasses of water a day with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, stay away from sugar, and caffine products. Your body will heal, you may need to repeat this regime for a while until your body builds up its own natural defenses once again. I hope this works for you and have a wonderful trip to India. I have been blessed with good sources of information, and as always if you don't see results very soon perhaps your physician would be your best source, over time the body just gets tired and needs help. It sounds like you have been going through this for quite a while as it is. Gods speed on feeling your innate energy returning very soon."
01/07/2010: Rob from Manhattan, New York replies: "these are the Herbs so people can make up their own...
ALJ = Mullein leaves- fenugreek seeds- fennel seeds- boneset herb.
CC-A = Rose hips Chamomile, flowers Slippery elm bark,
Yarrow aerial parts, Capsicum fruit,
Golden seal root and rhizome, Myrrh gum, Peppermint leaves, Sage leaves, Lemon grass aerial parts
Lymph Gland Cleanse = Parthenium Root (Parthenium integrifolium), Yarrow Flowers (Achillea millefolium),
Myrrh Gum (Commiphora molmol), Capsicum Fruit (Capsicum annuum)"
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[YEA] 02/15/2009: Mary from Chesapeake, VA writes: "This has been the most effective cure for congestion and sinus infection I have found to date.
Use a saline wash (Neti Pot) with 1/4 teaspoom of non-idodized salt + 1/8 teaspoon of powdered grapefruit seed extract (found in vitamin/health store).
Chew two cloves of garlic twice daily. It helps to drain the sinuses. Garlic contains Allicin, a broad spectrum antibiotic. It's antiviral and antibacterial, as well as anti-microbial.
Drink mugs of steaming hot chicken soup. It's comforting and hydrating and helps to loosen mucous.
Take a teaspoonful of honey before bed to soothe sore throat and reduce coughing. This is amazing--something that tastes great and really works!
Eat two-three oranges or tangerines daily.
Keep up your circulation by walking lightly daily (20 minutes) at the tail end of your cold. Increased circulation boosts the immune system and stimulates the lymph nodes to produce the killer white blood cells.
Drink a healthful smoothie of pineapple juice, strawberries and blueberries to strengthen your immune system.
DO NOT eat anything fatty or fried foods that could plug up your digestive system. If you cramp up and get constipated you slow down your recovery from a cold or sinus infection."
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[YEA] 07/19/2008: D. from Atl, GA writes: "I think the ACV is great for thinning mucous of a sinus infection,but it hasn't worked well for an infection that has been going on for a number of days. I just got back from an 8 day trip and the plane (going and coming) reaked havoc on my congested sinus passages. While I was out of town, I stopped by a Whole Foods and got some acv to take. I kept my pH alkaline by sipping some acv in a water bottle every 5-10 minutes. It certainly made my nose run! I also squirted 3% hydrogen peroxide from a nasal spray bottle up each nostril... just one squirt. It burned like crazy for a minute, but definitely helped. When things got stirred up again after flying home, I decided to up my water intake (One glass of water every 2 hours), take oregano oil (to fight the infection), and one turmeric capsule (to reduce inflammation). The wild oregano oil turned my thick yellow mucous to clear in about an hour. I will continue all of this (lots of water, turmeric, oregano oil, acv) until the infection is gone. Lot of hard work to clobber the infection, but better than antibiotics. Which isn't to say I would refuse antibiotics if I really needed them! But if I don't have to, I don't."
07/21/2008: D. from Atl, GA replies: "Update to my post: The remedies worked in less than 24 hours! My sinus infection is completely gone. I am guessing the Oregano Oil killed off the infection, but all the water that I drank helped keep the mucous flowing, rather than stuck in the back of my sinus passages causing increasing pain."
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11 YEA
[YEA] 06/02/2008: Zuuch from London, United Kingdom writes: "I have used this technique to cure a really bad sinus infection. I just wanted to add that if you use green tea instead of just water its more effective. I also added a small amount of garlic juice and ginger juice to the tea. I made a half gallon of this solution and poured it all through. ( I just used a regular teapot because the neti pots are a bit small ) It took about half an hour. There was instant relief from pain and by the next day the sinus infection was cured just by this one treatment alone. I think the important thing is to get that garlic juice right up inside your sinuses onto the surface of the infected area. It stings a little, but not even as bad as chlorinated water."
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[YEA] 03/25/2008: Linda from Studio City, CA writes: "Try using the Neti pot with warm salt water. It flushes out your sinuses like nobodies business and it's safe and effective. You can use it everyday. Whole Foods sells them or you can get them off the internet. This and the Cayanne pepper drink saved me last night. My sore throat went away and now my PND is getting better. You guys are great."
12/29/2008: Heidi from Concord, NH replies: "I notice that most of the posts that suggest using salt name Sea Salt. I'd like to suggest Morton's Lite Salt. Instead of being all sodium cloride, it contains about 50% potassium cloride. I find that this salt does sting as much but give a similar result. True you are buying from a big company and there are "extra" ingrediants like calcium silicate, magnesium carbonate, dextrose, and potassium iodide. But for me the trade off makes sense. I do the Netti pot a lot less frequently if I was burning my nose with sodium cloride ever time. I use the same amount of Lite Salt to replace the sodium cloride."
01/04/2009: Heidi from Concord, NH replies: "Just a few corrections:
"I find that this salt does sting as much" should read "I find that this salt does NOT sting as much "
and
"I do the Netti pot a lot less frequently if I was burning my nose with sodium cloride ever time" should read "I WOULD do the Netti pot a lot less frequently if I was burning my nose with sodium cloride ever time.""
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[YEA] 03/20/2008: Lad from Bel Air, MD writes: "I had aggressive sinusitius for four years which would grace me with unusually acute fatigue and depression - it's REALLY miserable. I constantly took nasty Leviquin antibiotics and had sinoplasty over 2 years ago to open my breathing passages.
It is a very elusive infection (sinuses probably offer germs a lot of hiding places) though I think household and seasonal allergy congestion is my big trigger to proliferate it.
Earlier this year, I had a re-infection that closed off my breathing for the first time since the surgery. This time, the Leviquin didn't seem to get it all.
But, I FINALLY whipped it this time around, and breathe better than ever, with:
- Olive Leaf Extract Aggressive use (150mg 4-6x/day or more) w/ 15%-20% oleuropein (seems to route out the germs IF used long enough in quantity) DON'T use w/ antibiotics, N-Acetyl-Cysteine or Soil-Based probiotics. A co-worker, mentioned below, also swears by OLE alone for her chronic sinusitis.
- Neti pot rinse 2x/day (using dash of Himalayian Crystal Salt w/ low sodium, so it doesn't need baking soda buffering like table salt). Sinus irrigation is very proven and is not nearly as hard or gross as it may look to some. It works much better than the sinus/face "baths" & "dips" I tried and has more flow and volume than the squeeze bulbs I used. A special, BIG nasal syringe I bought blasted WAY too much pressure and drove the congestion/infestion further up my sinus/ear canals making it worse. (Which a co-worker swore her Neti pot use also did to her- something said to sometimes happen in people with larger ear canal openings). To prevent this, you may need to wait until you sinus passages open up enough for the water to gently flow through them. Maybe a one-time use of Afrin-type sprays will accomplish this. Just take it slow and steady.
- Nasalcrom spray afterwards 2-4/xday to turn off the Mast Cell / histamine triggers. It's neither an antihistamine, nor a steroid, and is a decent, localized, solution with a very good safety profile - (for a pharmaceutical ;-)). You just got to get started early with it and be patient. The coming Spring & Fall Allergy Seasons will put this stuff to the real test. I may have to use Nettles, Claritin, etc. to pick up the loose ends. (I had success with Zicam Allergy too, but I wondered if the gel ultimately worsened congestion).
------------------------------------- Also used (and probably helpful):
- Lactoferrin w/ colostrum 1-2 grams/day (infected sinuses naturally try to secrete more ferrins to rob germs of the blood iron they feed from). That, and Germanium, also seem to consistantly help my general respiration.
- Apple Cider Vinegar, (1 tsp) or Potassium supplements (150mg) whenever I felt stuffiness coming on (seems to help dry out the sinuses rapidly). Cheap and worth a try. Sinus Buster pepper-based nasal spray may also help open passages up - if you don't mind the sting.
- Seagate Olive Leaf Nasal Spray (w/ GSE & Wild Indigo) (used during the day, esp. in dry air - doubtful it is very effective alone without all the above).
---------------------------- Environmental trigger elimination I probably should try (if I wasn't so lazy)
- total house / air vent cleaning and mold detection (or just move!)
- eliminating ALL wheat/flour and dairy in my diet (major ER4YT "Blood Type O" immune triggers). Both seem to automatically make the sinuses a little stuffier, hence, I keep the ACV / Potassium above handy.
Good Luck!"
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[YEA] 11/29/2007: Rita from Pierson, FL writes: "NETI POT: Saw this remedy on Oprah and I tried it and no more antibiotics for me. This is an inexpensive ceramic pot (available in Health food stores)in which warm water and sea salt are mixed; you bend over sink and turn your head to once side. Keeping the pot level, place the small spout into the top nostril until it has a snug fit. breathe through your mouth and slowly tip you head downward allowing the warm water solution to travel through your sinuses and out the other nostril. You would not believe what will come out of there. This works for sinus infections, nasal congestion, post nasal drip and headaches. No more drugs or drops necessary. Can be used daily without any side effect."
05/28/2009: Greengirl from Boston, MA replies: "I too discovered the Neti pot from an Oprah episode. It helps, alot. So does a simple saline spray (drug store). I have some serious allergies, so I also take 1/2 a benadryl before bed (weaned myself down to 1/2 a pill a day, but eventually hope to rid myself from taking any pill). Additionally, and probably the most important tip I have, I see an acupuncturist once a week (tremendous help for allergies, sinuses and improving my immune system). Of all the treatments above, including mine, acupuncture and drinking lots of water helps the most."
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[YEA] 09/13/2007: Katia from Jacksonville, United States writes: "I get a miserable sinus infection every year, usually it begins in August. A couple of years ago it started, after about three weeks, I went to the doctor and he gave me antibiotics and nasal spray. Ten days later I was no0 better off than when I started. Another, stronger antibiotic, another two weeks, same infection. Eight weeks and three drugs later I decided I was just going to have live this way forever. Then our accupuncturist neighbor came over one day and explained the neti pot process to me. A mild sea salt and warm water solution into the neti pot, tip your head back and slowly pour the salt solution into one nostril. This is where it gets tricky, because nature sends the salt water straight to your throat which will generally make you choke or cough in that position. You have to teach yourself to close off your throat (not breathe). Once you get a good bit of water in your nose, you roll your head backwards slowly and in the opposite direction. If the water is in the right nostril, roll left. You should be able to feel the solution running through your sinuses. Make sure you do this over a sink, or with a towel handy, because once the water makes it through, it will come out the opposite nostril, at which point you will likely sneeze or cough. I would repeat this step 4-5 times twice a day, ending with a good nose blowing. Salt dries things, even gooey sinuses. I never buy allergy meds any more, and before I could find a real neti pot, I mixed the salt and water in a glass and filled a straw with the solution. My kids find this process very entertaining as well, I usually have an audience when I treat my sinus infections."
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[YEA] 03/20/2007: MAHINDRA from DUBAI, UAE writes: "Hi all. It may not be easy for everyone to buy a jalneti pot, coz it is not very easily available. A yoga institute in India taught me a better method, without using any pots. Take a cup (coffee mug size) of warm water (should not be too warm), add a pinch of salt and stir it. Now, try to hold some of this water in your palm (sufficient quantity) and quickly bring your left nostril close to it and try to suck that water with your left nostril, closing the right one with the right hand. As soon as you suck it take the right hand of your right nostril. All the water sucked in will come out either from your nostril or your mouth. Wait a bit, try it on the right side using the same technique and once done blow your nose gently from each side. Do it daily and say a big Good bye to your sinus issues."
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[YEA] 03/07/2007: Madeira from Alexandria, VA writes: "I was suffering from a sinus infection and did not want to take antibiotics so after reading the H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide) remedies and the feedback, I decided to add about 7-8 drops of 3% H2O2 to my Neti-pot and rinse my sinuses out. I did this twice and also applied H2O2 to my cheek where my sinus was killing me. I then slept with a heating pad on my face and WA-LA -- no sinus infection -no pain the next morning! I could chew again!! Lots of disgusting stuff still coming out 2 days later but no antibiotics and no pain and in less than 24 hours -AMA-ZA-ZING!! This remedy is a keeper! Thanks for all who shared -- you gave me the courage to try it!!"
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[YEA] 03/04/2007: Karena And Baird from Gainesville, FL writes: "I have cured my sinus infections by using a Netipot, which is a lavage treatment for your sinuses. But instead of just adding salt to the warm water, I also added 1/8 tsp. of a crushed clove of garlic. The garlic burns, but only for an instant. The garlic will zap the bacteria! I poured one pot of this into each nostril 2 times a day. My sinus infection was cured in 4 to 5 days. No, it is not a quick fix, but it does work!!"
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[YEA] 01/31/2007: Penny from Glasgow, Scotland writes: "I suffered with low grade sinus problems for years until I tried an ancient Indian yogic practice called Jala Neti, which involves using warm salt water to clear out the nasal sinuses. Yoga websites contain information on this procedure and links to suppliers of neti pots (little jugs specially designed for pouring the salt water through your nostrils). This is very different from spraying stuff up your nose, but is quickly learned and extremely simple, as long as you don't have a deviated septum or similar. Once you're in the habit, it takes about as long as cleaning your teeth. I now do this every day, more often if I can feel a problem developing with my sinuses, and for the first time in years have been able to breathe properly. I also haven't had a cold since I started jala neti about two years ago. The salt water clears bacteria, viruses, dust and assorted allergens out of your sinuses and nasal passages, and allows your nose to do its job properly. I would recommend this most highly, but would stress that you need a reputable source of information and products, and should never put anything except pure salt and warm water in the neti pot."
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