Find Relief from Sinus Infections Naturally

Dental Care

Posted by Michelle (Roseville, CA) on 10/05/2007
★★★★★

I had a raging infection in one of my top molar teeth. Around the same time I got the worst sinus infection I have EVER had. The pain in my tooth went away, so I didn't get it checked out. For the next year, every time I got sick, even a minor cold, I got this same major sinus infection. Finally after the year was up, I consulted a nutrionist about the causes of sinus infections. The first thing she mensioned was a bad tooth. I had forgotten about the tooth infection I had. Thank God, that same week, the tooth pain returned. I was determined to rid myself of thesr horrible sinus infections, so I went to the dentist and got my tooth pulled. That sinus infection lingered and lingered even after I got the tooth pulled, but that was the last one I ever had, and it has been almost a year now! I am so grateful something FINALLY worked for GOOD!!!

Onion and Carrot Juice

Posted by Shirley (Inverness, Scotland) on 04/28/2007
★★★★★

I have has the worst sinus infection since january, had antibiotics 4 times, tried every cure under the sun, i had read about onion juice and another said carrot juice so thought, well i will give them both a try together. i cannot believe within an hour of drinking them the pressure had gone, the onion juice i got by boiling a heap of onions until soft mash them then sieve them, i bought carrot juice but now juice my own, am still drinking it and i think i will have at least one cup of this a day for ever , it actually tasted quite nice which surprised me, i also add tomato juice just for a bit of flavour, and sometimes when boiling the onions i put in a couple of cloves of garlic, next stop for me was the hospital, but what i believe is, there are a lot of cures and only one will work for you, but which one?

Unpetroleum Jelly

Posted by Charles (Fostoria, OH) on 04/04/2007
★★★★★

I got rid of a very long and aggravating sinus infection (w/blood specks etc.) by using a product called UNPETROLEUM JELLY...blow and clean your nose, then apply a small amount to a cotton swab and insert gently into the nostril and rotate around the inside so the entire inside is coated, as high as you can go(be very gentle); repeat for the other nostril. Apply morning and bedtime. It took about a week but I've been infection free ever since and I now do this daily.

Light Bulb Therapy

Posted by Josh (Orlando, FL) on 03/17/2007
★★★★★

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.

Olbas Oil

Posted by Bess (Calgary, Alberta, Canada) on 04/23/2013

Hi Valeria - Since that was an old post (2007), the person may not respond. Olbas actually has an inhalant that you can get at any health food store that sells Olbas oil. It's very similar in style to the Vicks inhalant (it's a little tube with an opening that you put up one nostril and breathe deeply) - except Olbas has a different blend of oils (more natural). If you can't find it, you can also put a couple of drops of Olbas oil on a piece of tissue, cup it around your nose and breathe deeply (I do this sometimes when I fly to avoid congestion). Good luck! Bess

Eucalyptus Oil

Posted by Marie (New Providence, NJ) on 11/27/2006
★★★★★

I used to get a sinus infection with every cold I got. then I would take an antibiotic and it would go away. for the last 3 years, I have taken 2 drops of essential oil of eucalyptus directly on my tongue at the first sign of a cold. As a result, I have not had the sore throat and stuffy nose that usually came with my colds AND they have not turned into an infection. I haven't had any antibiotics in 3 years. I recommended this to my sister in law who suffered from the same ailments and she swears by it too.

Iodine

Posted by Madelyn (Idaho ) on 11/15/2024

love it, Rob!

Do you think Lugols iodine painted on would work just as well as an alcohol tincture? Was yours the yellow or clear version?

I've used 2% Lugols iodine painted on kids' throats and it's gotten rid of sore throats within a day or so. I wasn't sure if it was actually working at the time, or just placebo :)

Iodine

Posted by Leanna (Minnesota ) on 01/11/2025

Great info! Thank you for sharing in great detail.

Could you please tell us how to make the tincture your grandma taught you?! I've just been painting with lugols but as a holistic practitioner myself, I always want to learn new methods of available.

thank you for your time!

Goldenseal

Posted by EC (Vail, CO) on 08/28/2023

Fascinating! Can you address why it needs to be alcohol vs glycerin based please?

Goldenseal

Posted by Michael (Trinity Fl) on 05/04/2024

Hi Rob, pretty cool stuff with goldenseal nasal rinse. Would it be ok to prewash with Burt's bees natural baby shampoo? I've been reading studies on facts it is very useful to gently break through biofilms.. opening up defenses then use tincture right afterwards? Mine is a 1.5ml squeeze bulb. Would this enhance kill. I breathed in aspergillus fungus and been suffering with clogged Eustachian tubes for a year now gone systemic, which I've since (thanks to EC) been doing A lot Better without Drs crazy ineffective costly treatments . I just don't have enough knowledge and nerve. Any help and direction will be so very much appreciated! Mike

Povidone Iodine

Posted by Beverly (Texas) on 01/05/2022

Rob..you are a wealth of knowledge. Thanks for the info.

Vitamins C and B

Posted by Psja (Mission, Tx) on 01/14/2018
★★★★☆

Sinus infection

Yes, I have a burning nose problem too. I have been taking 3 Vitamin C pills and 3 Vitamin B100 pills daily. I always remember Jack LaLane, and he was surely right about advocating exercise and vitamins. Now I am experimenting with nasal lavage, and I found that cold solutions introduced into the nasal cavity can cause a bad reaction. I put my nose squirter in hot water to warm up the solution, and it seemed like it worked better, and less burning too!

Borax Solution in Neti Pot

Posted by Brenda (Hillsdale, Michigan) on 01/24/2025

Did the sinus infection stay gone? Has anyone else tried this borax solution with success?

Sea Salt and Honey Solution

Posted by Katherine (Mobile, Al) on 09/13/2016
★★★★★

I should be getting my hydrogen peroxide delivered today... but I use sea salt and Raw unfiltered honey in distilled water in a nasal mister I bought on Amazon ... was very very ill last week when I took my doctor recommended OTC Delsym (never again) all day in bed.... in the evening I mixed my Raw Honey and sea salt and started using it and my sinuses started draining all the gunk out next morning I felt much better... and by that evening incredibly better. My sinuses are still draining junk as I continue to use my sprayer.. going to give the HP a shot today...

Surgery

Posted by Mama To Many (Tennessee, Usa) on 07/17/2015
★★★★★

In my early 20's I had chronic sinus infections. I took antibiotics a number of times over the years. The ENT said I had a deviated septum. I had surgery to correct it and the chronic sinus infections stopped. I have perhaps had one per decade since!

Unfortunately, it doesn't work for everyone.

My brother has been unable to breathe through his nose for decades. He had surgery to correct a deviated septum. He was about to breathe for about 24 hours and then his sinuses clogged back up. Apparently the deviated septum was only one of the causes of chronic sinus infections for him.

~Mama to Many~

Tomato Tea

Posted by Jennifer (Sunrise, Fl, Usa) on 05/07/2012
★★★★★

I had the great results with Tomato Tea. Kicked my nasty sinus infection in record time! However, it's important to continue to take it when symptoms return to prevent your sinus congestion from coming back. I had to make about 4 or 5 over a course of 3 days (and I took the ACV too over a course of 5 days) before I was fully cured. Hope this helps! Jennifer

Humidify

Posted by Susan (Charlotte, Nc) on 06/19/2011
★★★★★

Yes, I would agree that climate (and also smog) can affect sinus issues. I had nonstop sinus issues and allergies starting about a year after I moved to Southern California. After years of suffering from this, we moved to the humid South and I haven't had a sinus infection or serious allergy attack since then. Half of my friends who live in dry and polluted environments have terrible sinus issues.

Nasal Spray With Salt, Oregano Oil and ACV

Posted by Dianna (Las Vegas, Nv) on 04/07/2010
★★★★★

Thank you so much for this web site. I found a great treatment for recurrent sinus infection. I emptied a little nasal spray bottle to put my own concoction. I filled it about 1/3 of the way with water-added about 1/8 tsp. salt, one drop of oil of oregano, and one drop of Apple Cider Vinegar. I spray this up my nose several times a day. In two days, my sinuses and cleared up!

White Grape Vinegar

Posted by Eric (Zurich, Switzerland) on 03/01/2010
★★★★☆

Okay this all started about 2 years ago. I had a very painful sinus infection that eventually dried up and left pressure in my sinuses but after a while I hardly noticed it. Then After almost 2 years of being pain free it started again but this time it was different. It started & the pressure that was there went away but my sinuses won't stop draining. it's horrible. however, I found relief using white grape Vinegar. I put it in a sauce pan and boiled it (smell is awful)and then I inhale it through my nostrils. work's almost instantly. Burns a little but its re-leaving at the same time. Do it twice a day for the first 3 days and once a day aftawards and you should be okay.

I just don't like doing it after day 2 but I think If I keep at it I could be looking at a total cure if I could just stick to the regiment.

Also: swallowing a shallow capfull instantly relieves any throat pains.

I think the biggest problem for me is inhaling when my nose for the most part is clear by day 3 since this stuff smells so bad. But I must say after day 2 I had no sinus problems until day 3 late at night. then i did it again and the next day I was cured for two days.

now its back but nothing like before. I think if I sniff this disgusting smelling stuff maybe 4 more times in a row (once in the morning and again at night before bed for the next two days) I could be looking at a cure.

H2O2, GSE, Sea Salt Rinse

Posted by Latanya (California) on 12/11/2015
★★★★★

I really appreciate all of the wonderful posts and options put before my eyes. I tried two of the remedies and they both worked. I used a tumbler with detachable straw to run the solutions thru my nostril and it is working. The post nasal has subsided.

Grapefruit Seed Extract, Sea Salt

Posted by P (Calif) on 05/29/2017

Your post above which is good but concerning the 3% hydrogen peroxide it would be a great idea when you post something you would put the amount of the 3% hydrogen peroxide as well if you add water to it and how much water (no tap of course )

I'm doing a nasal flush with about 3% hydrogen peroxide and drinking a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and I feel much better looks like I'm finally on to something. I love being able to find help and reading about other people having similar issues to help each other. and drinking a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and I feel much better looks like I'm finally on to something. I love being able to find help and reading about other people having similar issues to help each other.

Grapefruit Seed Extract, Sea Salt

Posted by Kelly (Sherwood, Or) on 07/21/2017

Yes, I can relate! I've had a terrible sinus infection for seven weeks and the main symptom has been laryngitis. I initially had total laryngitis for two weeks at the onset of the sinus infection. It has still not completely cleared up. I'm on my fourth round of antibiotics and steroids, and I so want my voice back! My dr had a CT scan ordered which revealed near complete opacification of my right sphenoid sinus; the Dr.is recommending surgery. I'm still not willing to go that route til I've tried everything...my sister recommended nasal irrigation with organic grapefruit seed extract. Praying this works!!!

Grapefruit Seed Extract, Sea Salt

Posted by Janie (Hood River, Oregon) on 11/10/2017

Yes, I have also had laryngitis with my sinus infection. In fact, like you, my voice completely left me two weeks ago and has yet to return completely- thus the reason for visiting this site. I am a music teacher and this is disastrous. I added 1 tsp. of Apple Cider Vinegar to my saline solution (1 tsp Kosher salt/baking soda), tonight, and am anxious to see if my voice improves. I have had 3 courses of antibiotics (Amoxicillin, Azithromycin, and Doxycycline- the latter accompanied by Prednisone), and know there has to be a better, more effective way! This site is awesome!!

Multiple Remedies

Posted by M (Oz, KS, US) on 01/24/2009

You might want to read about WILD OREGANO OIL, found at v____cost.com it's antiviral, antibacterial, anti-fungal.

This book may be helpful: The Cure Is in the Cupboard: How to Use Wild Oregano for Better Health by Cass Ingram

WISHING YOU WELL!

Neti Pot With Saline and Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Laurelp52 (Tampa, Fl) on 07/28/2015
★★★★★

If you read the label on those "sodium"packs, it is actually baking soda and salt. Since we use "salt sense" genuine salt, but powdered (you will use less on food) combining this powdered salt with an equal amount of baking soda, duplicates the packets that come with Netty Pots.

I wondered about adding Apple Cider Vinegar or white vinegar to the netty pot solution, and you have confirmed for me that it is a good answer to a sinus infection.

Thank you.

Sniff Warm Water

Posted by Beverly (Texas) on 01/05/2022

same with working jigsaw puzzles..............it is amazing how dusty they are and cause me congestion.

Multiple Remedies

Posted by D. (Atl, GA) on 07/19/2008
★★★★★

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.

Multiple Remedies

Posted by D. (Atl, GA) on 07/21/2008

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.

Measure Your pH

Posted by John (Fishers, IN) on 04/02/2008
★★★★★

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.

Spleen Connection to Sinus Infections

Posted by Greta (Hillsboro, Oregon) on 10/25/2007
★★★★★

Yes, ice cream, cheese, milk and even unsweetened yogurt all cause me to have sinus infections--even raw goat milk. The raw goats milk was the least innocuous. There are times when none of these bothers me. At one time, about four years ago, if I drank milk (yes, even raw) I would choke on a huge volume of white mucus. I discovered that if your spleen isn't working properly milk can cause a huge mucus buildup. I went to work on my spleen and, lo and behold, I could drink milk once more without any ill effects. I also learned that allergies and sensitivities to foods are related to how much of that substance is stored in our bodies, and certain deficiencies (vitamin, mineral or enzyme) deficiencies we may have. Some allergies may be overcome within seconds of taking the substance you are lacking. For instance 'swimmer's ear' can be 'cured' by taking the EFA'S that person is lacking. Swimmer's ear usually occurs on a hot sunny day when one has been out too long in the sun and gotten a burn, effectively burning up precious EFA's. So, I think this may help people understand why they may be sensitive to a substance at one moment, and not another, or why two people may eat the same food, but only one becomes sick

Humidify

Posted by Robert (Alpine, TX) on 02/09/2007
★★★★★

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!