Natural Remedies for Chronic Sinusitis Relief

I tried nearly everything on this list and nothing was working long term. I was suffering for a few months and the pressure was getting worse. I went to my natural food store and found grapefruit seed extract nasal spray. I got near immediate relief after a stinging sensation. After a week taking it twice a day it is gone.

I'd like to give a cautionary thumbs-up for Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE) as a potential remedy for acute and/or chronic sinustitis, and I'd like to continue posting my progress as i'm just beginning this treatment. First, a little history (maybe this will sound familiar to some).

I'm a 41-year-old male in otherwise excellent health who has had repeated sinus problems and infections since 1994. In march 2007 I began to have a series of R-side sinus infections (one was a particularly painful sphenoid sinus infection confirmed my a CT scan).

During this time I did frequently use a neti pot with NeilMed salt packs. It did help to clear and open my sinuses, but there was always one pocket of inflammation that was chronic, that never seemed to heal completely. My infections would always start there, where it seemed that once the inflammation in that pocket reached a certain point, that bacteria would become trapped, and within 5 days I'd have another bacterial infection that would require another round of antibiotics.

By september 2007 my ENT doc said if i got infected again, we'd have to have a serious look at surgery (and for the sphenoid, it is a very delicate procedure as it's located near the base of the skull with a host of delicate nerves and arteries that run along it's walls).

When the next infection began to take hold that september, I decided to take see a well-respected accupuncturist/Traditional Chinese Medicaine doc. The treatment consisted of accupuncture and cooking down chinese herbs that I'd have to drink twice a day. The accupuncture does provide near-immediate relief. I could go from a state of feeling the typical fever/chills and sinus pain from that pocket becoming infected, to having it open up deeply and drain/recover within 2 hours. The herbs evidently helped to reduce inflammation and keep it open, as well as boost my immune system to fight off whatever may be the underlying bacteria/virus/fungus that causes this to begin with.

I have maintained with the accupuncture and herbs until now, but at a tremendous dollar cost, and still have not resolved that ever-persistent inflammed pocket in my R-sinus that is the source of all my infections. (note also that a repeat CT a few months ago showed no underlying blockages or malformations in my sinuses).

A few days ago I could feel the pocket become inflammed again and was on the road to another infection. I found this site and have pretty much been throwing the kitchen sink at it - Oil pulling with sesame oil and oil of oregano, sinus flush with hydrogen peroxide and saline H2O, ACV, and tomato tea (yummy stuff, good temporary clearing!). It kept things at bay, but could not keep that pocket open.

Today I began using GSE as a spray. I took a used antihistamine spray bottle, added a pinch or two of NeilMed salt solition, 8 drops of GSE, and water, and sprayed it in my R-nostril. It stinged a little bit in unaffected areas, but BURNED in the pocket with the inflammation. The burning eased up within minutes, but that pocket opened right up, and i could feel that it was moist and draining easily. I must state that typically the only thing that reliably opened up that pocket was accupuncture, so the fact that this simple remedy did the trick was for me very remarkable.

I continued to spray today once or twice when i felt it was drying up or when it felt it was closing up again, typically every hour or two. I had to dilute the original mixture because it felt a bit too strong, doing more than just keeping it open, but producing copious amounts of clear mucous and sneezing. One thing I noticed about other remedies to open up the sinuses (H2O2 especially) was that while it would open things up, there would be almost a reflex backlash of swelling afterward at some point.

It is my hope that by keeping up with this routine, that the GSE spray will keep the pocket open and allow it to drain and heal, and that whatever is creating the inflammation that is the precursor to my infections (be it bacterial/viral/fungal) will evenually be killed off by the GSE.

Forgive the lenghty post, but I wanted to be thorough. I will keep you posted. My hope is that if it works for me, that it may work for you as well, and we all save thousands of dollars in treating and healing the root of the problem, as opposed to just being in a maintenance mode where we are constantly treating symptoms and not the cause.

Tea for Sinusitis/Sinus Infections

On my tiresome quest to find a cure to end my sinus congestion issues, I discovered that tea is the cure! All sorts of tea have completely cleared up my sinuses - Raspberry tea, Lemon Balm tea, and Hyssop tea are my top contenders for clearing effects. You have to drink A LOT of it - like 4 cups 3-4 times a day! I typically put 4 tea bags in a tall glass and drink all at once, then repeat that 2 or three times. Ideally, you should order the organic version in bulk loose and put 1 or 2 tea balls into a large glass. Let the tea soak for about half an hour so that it's strong. I don't know what it is in tea that has this clearing affect, but it WORKS!!

Quick note: the first couple of days you may go through a detox and feel more congested. Don't worry! That's just detox and the tea (unless of course you are having a real allergic reaction) is just clearing stuff out!

I have suffered from Sinusitis for years, especially during the winter months when the furnace was blowing air throughout the house. A tiny speck of dust would trigger an attack that was so debilitating, I wouldn't even be able to work. I had given up on a cure and thought I had to live the rest of my life taking daily allergy pills.

I discovered my cure by accident. I began taking vitamin C (ascorbic acid) powder in large doses, around 4,000mg per day. After reading and studying the benefits of vitamin C, I increased dosage to 8,000 to 12,000 mg per day. Within a week of increasing to 8,000 mg, I noticed how clear my sinuses were. I stopped taking my allergy meds and I began to improve to the point that I rarely even have to sneeze or blow my nose.

I am completely normal now and I haven't had an allergy pill in almost a year. I am thrilled, my quality of life has greatly improved and I'm sure my immune system has been boosted as well, I haven't had a cold or virus since I started taking AA.

I have had sinus infections for over 15 years, repeatedly and often, and have had two sinus surgeries which haven't helped. I have been told by Drs that sinus infections can only be cured by antibiotics. Glad I have wisened up! I tell everyone I know about Earth Clinic.

I recently gave my daughter honeyed onion juice for a hacking cough and it helped her cough to go away (I think I read about that on Earth Clinic). This time when she got a cough I was in the full throes of another sinus infection, which I had been too busy to really feel coming on. I have since learned to try to treat them right off with grapefruit seed extract, and I was already doing that, but this time I had the honeyed onions on the table, so I tried a piece of an onion. They are very high in sulfur and I don't know if that is the element that helps, but IMMEDIATELY my facial pressure and pain was GONE. I'm talking right away. I have been eating the onion throughout the day today and every time, the pressure is gone and I feel like I'm getting better. My sinuses drain out and I can breathe!

This is how you make it-- peel an onion and cut into fours or eights and then pull the layered pieces apart. Pour honey over top covering all the onion and let sit for a while. The honey pulls the liquid out of the onion and causes the honey to become more viscous. (You can drink this and it helps a cough go away. ) Eat the onion chunks and it will help your sinuses-- WIN/WIN! I just eat one onion chunk whenever I feel sinus pressure, so you can keep one bowl for several days until your infection is gone.

In response to Gregg (Statton, VT) on 02/20/2007:

"Just tried the tomato tea. I was really hoping this would work. Have not been able to breath for days and sleepless for past three nights. Unfortunately, it did not work.. So far Halls or Vicks has been the only help and that is not much."

I have found that things like Vicks and Halls dry out the mucus and seem to harden it up so it doesn't come out of the sinuses (I did this for many years, damaging my teeth in the process of sucking all those boiled “sweets”). Really really great hydration is vital to releasing the mucus.

If you've suffered from chronic sinus congestion there can be years of hardened build-up of mucus in the sinuses. If you consistently drink half your body weight in water with a pinch of good salt (Gros Sel de Guerande or Pink Himalayan) this will help loosen the hardened, thick gooey mucus, watering it down. (That is: if you weigh 100lbs, divide 100 by 2 = drink 50 fluid ounces of water each day - do this according to your own weight measurements in pounds and ounces).

Sinus Infections, Tinnitus and Fibromyalgia: I was curious on the link between chronis sinusitis, and tinnitus as well as fibro fatigue. I've used several rinses, 2 failed Sinus surgerie s(never do again) etc. Has anyone used hydrogen peroxide in their ears or as a nasal rinse? I was reading Jacob Teitelbaum's "From Fatigued to Feeling Fantastic", and "Beat Sugar Addiction Now".

I have faced chronic allergic rhinitis since more than 50 years now. Nothing worked (including 3 operations and plenty money wasted on all kind of especialized doctors, until I gave up and learned to live with the problem. On your site I found out abt H2O2. Curious enough decided to try my own drugstore formula reduced at 1% (2:1) in clear water. I started spraying twice every nostril, four times a day. At day #5 I started to show a mix o blood and yellowish mucus from my nose at morning time only (once). Quite an amount every day I must add. I was at first scared, yet decided to continue. It was the same cleaning routine (expelling out)for 7 days straight, then my nose came up with clean, clear mucus. No more yellowish or bloody outputs. I infer I have cleaned my sinuses completely from a fungus or bacteria that have been infecting me for decades. I have kept doing the spraying, but in leeseer frequency. I do carry my sprayer with me all day now and I think I will not stop from using it from here on. I believe it will keep me from getting sick again, no more flu, virus, rinitis, etc. I wake up now breathing freely, something I never thought possible. My snoring has been reduced or eliminated, and the only mucus I have known is clear like water. Still must keep cleaning my nostrils several times a day, but not as before and its clear. I thing if doctors are keeping this simple solution from us, they are all crooks. And I know how much money I have spent on all kind of expensive treatments, Xrays, poisons, etc. If I am doing something that may harm me, please let me know, but so far so good. I will keep going.

PS/ You may edit my poor English if you want to publish my experience.
Max from Costa Rica

Never take h202 with tap water. All water must be filtered or distilled. You never know what chemicals are in the tap water that can interact with the h202.

For me:

I mix 4 drops of 35% food grade h202 as in DROPS (not droppers full) in 16 fl oz bottle of filtered water. OR 2 drops of 35% Food grade h202 in 8 fl.oz glass bottle. (pre-mixed) If I feel it is too strong, i just dilute it with more water.

I shake the bottle before i drink it. I also use the (pre-mixed h202 that I made) with my Hydro Grossan sinus/nasal rinse. I usually out 2 tablespoon of my pre-mixed h202 into the hydro grossan water container, and fill the rest with filtered water and salt. I stir the water content and close the lid. I start rinsing my nose with it twice per day.

When I first started out - my nose was totally blocked in one side, constant post nasal drip, could not eat anything without having allergies. I went to doctors and had all kinds of antibiotics and even anti fungal for my candida - nothing worked. I would have phlegm everytime i ate something until I went on strict diet. Even with strict diet, I would still have constant hacking out of plegm after my salads.

One day, I just went on clear broth diet boiling (Chicken bones with filtered water and vegetables(any -but no carrot due to sugar content) and drinking it for every meal. I eat nothing else. This is to help me keep my symptoms down while i do my h202 treatment and let it work. I drank my 2 of my pre-mixed 16 fl. oz of h202 throughout the day (I continue to drink water in between at least 6 cups). I rinsed my nose and throat with the premixed h202 with salt 3 times each nose every 3 hours for the 1st day. The second day, I rinse my nose only twice a day - 3 times each side.I figured that if there is something in my sinus so deep and stubborn, I have to be more aggresive or stubbon than the bug to get rid of it. I was right!

You should have seen the gunk that came out of me. At first it felt uncomfortable, alot of mucus came out through my nose and mouth continuously, i let it come out for 2-3 days whenever it feels like coming out. The 4th day, my post nasal drip lessen considerably and my cough stopped. Amazing! I kept on doing the nose and throat rinse daily (twice a day- once in the morning, once before i sleep) and drinking at least a bottle 8fl oz. of my own pre-mixed h202 daily and now I am back to normal!! I have so much energy to do the things i want to do.

About 2 months ago I discovered that keeping the crown of my head warm using caps, hats or whatever helps to keep my head warm stopped my Sinusitis attacks! I had suffered from Sinusitis for over 11 years! No medical professional could help me and when they tried they usually prescribed loads of antibiotics that would not work. I saw many, many Doctors and had no relief from Sinusitis except for over the counter medications (benadryl). And I continued to suffer.

During one sinusitis attack about 2 months ago I noticed that the top back of my head was super cold. So I blow dried my head and the heat from the blow dryer helped ease my attack. This caused me to wonder about the cold on my head.

During the night I would wake up with a full blown attack of acid mucus keeping me awake and miserable. It was horrible. The acid mucus burned everything it touched.

I began wrapping my head in either a T shirt or a flannel to keep my head warm at night. This stopped my sinusitis attacks at night so I started using warm caps during the day. The caps on my head kept me well all day!

About 3 weeks ago during the night my cap fell off my head and I had sinus attacks for 2 days but they were not as harsh as the attacks in the past.

I have continued keeping my head warm especially at night or on cold days and I haven't had one attack in weeks! I recently fell asleep without a cap on and I have no sinusitis attacks! I seem to be healed.

I don't know why my head was cold but keeping my head warm seems to have healed my Sinuistis problem. No cold head and now no sinusitis! I will report back to Earth clinic in a couple months to see if this medical success story continues for me!

My Sinusitis attacks are GONE! I have been noticing that everytime I had a Sinusitis Attack- the crown of my head towards the back of my head would feel very cold! I would get relief from my Sinusitis Attacks by using a blow dryer on my head to warm my head. So I started wearing a warm Hat or Cap 24/7!

At night (if it is really cold) I not only wear my cap or hat but I also will wrap a sweatshirt or T-Shirt around my head on top of my hat to ensure my head is not cold at all. THIS HAS STOPPED ALL SINUSITIS ATTACKS! I have not had any problem with my sinuses at all since I kept my head warm!

It seems that I never had a sinus problem---but I seem to have a Cold Head problem that triggers my sinusitis attacks! My Sinusitus Attacks had become so bad they were now like panic attacks! Really horrible and ruining my life!

Whatever was draining (mucus/liquid) was burning my ears, sinuses, throat, and chest. I no longer need to irrigate my sinuses with my neti pot and various treatments as my sinuses are now back to normal. I have suffered from Sinusitis for 11 years!

Hope this helps YOU as it did for me!

I am a healthy 65 y/o female who HAD Chronic sinusitis for 30 years until I ordered Magnesium Lysinate Glycinate for inflammation. Never did I consider that it would help my sinuses. I took 2 tablets at bedtime and about an hour or so later my sinuses started draining and draining and draining. Best surprise of my life! That was about 4 months ago, and my sinuses are perfect as long as I take my magnesium pills every evening. I ordered Doctor's Best.

I tried GSE for my sinusitis, the result wasn't immediate, as is the case with most natural remedies, I believe. ACV helped a bit. Wanted to suggest something else, though. Try Malavit. It can be used for almost any ailment. It works for me! I get it from Russia, but I found a link in English, too.

I have variously reported some of my successes here on Earthclinic over the years, and now have another to report. I have from time to time had a number of common issues with eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis etc. , etc. which may or may not have been candida related, but almost certainly was caused by Malassezia spp. This has mainly been scalp related, but also in and behind the ears, the fold of the nose, the cheek's and the eyebrows. With a range of simple treatments commonly used on Earthclinic I have managed to sort all of these issues. On top of these problems I have also had sinusitis on-an-off for years, and I have also suffered from asthma from time to time (despite being a very active sports person).

So, I thought why not take Ted's 'Milk of Magnesia' treatment to the next level and put it in my nasal cavities? Why not? Well I did so. Bang! I have now gone a week of on-and-off irregular treatment and believe my sinusitis has cleared up completely! The very first time I tried it I almost had instant relief. What I have found is that you don't want to snort (sorry! ) the MoM back towards the soft palate as it kinda irritates that, but just apply it reasonably to the cavities, massage the nose, and/or leave it in the passages(…or flush) if you wish. Anyway, my problem is solved! Waking-up in the morning is now so, so refreshing! Bliss. Thank's Ted for the inkling of the idea. No more crazy medicine bills, and no more grumpy morning me. Yippee! Snot be gone.

I would like to state that up until a short while ago I have suffered from severe chronic sinusitis for 14 years. I am 34 years old and I am in my final stages of completing a medical degree and had chronic sinus pain and congestion for every second, literally every second since my highschool graduation. While I studied biology as an undergraduate I had brain fog and pain through all of the laboratories and had to give up sports and social life just to study and finish. I had two operations in the US and two in Italy, and no! I never asked for surgery, the ent's said that was the only thing to do. After a very delicate operation on my sphenoid sinuses at the skull base last year I thought I had finally resolved my problem because it was never operated on and the surgeon is a good one.

Unfortunately like the other operations all the symptoms came back and last winter I had a horrible headache, no concentration, brain fog, gas, athletes foot, starch cravings, internal itching inside my nose and head and intestines, and nobody supported me at all. It was at this point that I decided to research this problem, I couldn't study medicine properly anyways because of the anguish of the symptoms. I started treating my symptoms as if they were related to fungal overgrowth based on the research I found and the testimonials from sites like this one. I often find this topic to be considered "alternative medicine" but there are many formerly trained scientists and physicians who have referenced this ailment and it seems to me it is only alternative because it does not receive enough attention from the mainstream medical community. I started with baking soda and apple cider vinegar with some honey and wow IMMEDIATE RESULTS. I felt the ups and downs from more energy to flu like symptoms (Herxheimer). I felt I was on to something and I was surely desperate so I started studying again basic medical sciences such as pathology and also mycology (the study of fungi) and in the end I was able to improve my symptoms so dramatically and I will tell you what I did.

1) Baking soda - I spoke with a kidney specialist I know and about the safety because they work extensively with acids and bases and in small regular doses it is not dangerous, but it is always best to careful. I take 4-5 teaspoons a day, when I have time I also mix it with apple cider vinegar and some honey and I usually do not take it from friday through the weekend. I generally mix 1/2 teaspoon with one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and then add a tablespoon of honey and top it off with hot green tea, which I make at the same time. I also add another half teaspoon of baking soda alone to a half liter water bottle and drink it throughout the day, one third of a bottle every 4-5 hours. Be careful if you have any kidney problems and DO NOT CONFUSE TEASPOONS FOR TABLESPOONS because 4-5 tablespoons can make you very sick.

2. Colloidal Silver - I have taken this product for many years and I always took it sparingly because I didn't want to turn blue. In reality my research has found only a few cases in the world of Argyria and the EPA sets limits for its safety and I do not exceed that limit and I now take 5 ml of 40 ppm colloidal silver that I make from a high concentration of 240 ppm and it really works. I usually add 1 ml of 240 ppm colloidal silver to 5 ml saline.

3. MSM - I mix 1/4 teaspoon in an ounce of saline (30ml) and put it in my nose a few hours before I put the colloidal silver solution in my nose. It seems to help the inflammation.

4. Vitamin C powder - I take 10 grams of vitamin c powder daily and it really helps boost my immune system and I am sure it suppresses the inflammation. I take 5 grams twice daily. It can cause some diarrhea so some people might want to divide the dose a little. See Linus Paulings research on this for further information

5. Candida Clear - I take as directed to clear the yeast / fungi from my system.

6. Probiotics (acidophilus etc.) - I always take probiotics at least 6 hours from taking the candida clear.

7. Liquid Oxygen - as directed in order to improve oxygenation.

8. Healthy anti-candida diet - I avoid starch and limit my intake of meat to 6-7 times a month.

9. Avoid antibiotics if possible.

10. Ground flax seeds or omega 3 fish oil - for inflammation

I don't have any intention to tell people what to do and I respect everyone's right to research and find what works for them. The main reason for writing this post is because I am a traditional medical student with a degree in biology and have always thought that through drugs and surgery I could beat this, but it was only by the treatments above that I now feel better than I have in the last 14 years. As a medical student I really shouldn't acknowledge any of the above but this cocktail worked for me and surgery, antibiotics and cortisone made things a lot worse. The only thing I would like to say regarding this the products mentioned above is that you have to stick with it for many months and I hope I am providing useful information for those who live with the nightmare of chronic sinusitis.