Patricia (Roseburg, Oregon) on 08/31/2014:
Years ago I read the book, Curing With Cayenne, by Sam Biser. Our family uses cayenne for many things, but particularly for the nose and sinuses. We make cayenne tincture from Biser's recipe. At the first sign of a cold, or any nose irritation, we put a few drops into cold water and use a Q-tip to swab it all around, way up into the nose. It helps a great deal to prevent colds and flu. I believe that when the germs first get into the nose and begin to grow, that is the best time to clean them out and prevent th
If you don't have cayenne tincture, the powder works fine to just put some in water and let it set a bit, then use the q-tips. For an established infection, snorting it or using it in a neti pot might be needed.
Also, after cleaning out the nose, add a bit of water and then drink the rest, gargling at the end. This helps the throat and body to fight the infection. Cayenne also eases the pain associated with the virus. Or any pain, for that matter.
I used to get a lot of colds and sinus infections. I haven't had one now for along time. And the last few times I did get colds, they went away quickly and didn't turn into sinus infections.
I believe that it is true that if there is one herb we master, it should be cayenne. Another herb equally important is garlic. If you had no other medicine but those two things, you could probably stay healthy.
Stephen (Ny, Ny) on 03/30/2014:
I tried snorting cayenne after reading about it here for my sinus infection. Like the other readers say, it hurts like nobody's business for a few minutes, but definitely helped ease the sinus pressure and pain. Thumbs up but I am going to keep looking for a less intense fix.
Renee (Bergen Co., Nj) on 11/20/2013:
Cayenne in a nasal rinse did not work well for me. Immediately after irrigating my sinuses with a small pinch of cayenne in the normal saline solution, my sinuses felt better and a lot of yellow mucus came out. But a little later I experienced rebound inflammation resulting from the irritation of the cayenne. I ended up staying up most of the night because every time I laid down and started falling asleep, I would wake up with a gasp for breath. It was scary. I had to force my breathing to get enough oxygen. Perhaps it was the irritation in my throat but I could not bear to breath through my mouth and seemed to experience the same gasping when I tried. Sitting straight up or standing helped me to breath better, but if I fell asleep and my head tilted in any direction, I would wake up with the gasp for air. Scary! ...I've had rebound inflammation from other sinus rinses here too: ACV, H2O2 come to mind. And I've used Sinus Buster many times, until I realized that it was causing rebound inflammation. But this was the worst case ever! I ended up eating and taking an Advil in the middle of the night trying to reduce the inflammation. It was better this morning, but because my sinuses were swollen shut all night, my sinus infection was even worse by today. Trying betadine & baby shampoo sinus rinse now. (so far, no rebound inflammation after one rinse)
Lauren (St. Petersburg Fl) on 05/22/2013:
I put a shake of grounded cayenne pepper in warm water. Used a qtip to stir it and put the tip up my nose. Like way up there. I did start coughing but it was all that nasty flem... It was so gross. But so worth it. I also just put a dry tip and put that all in my nose.... Again as far up as possible. I cryed like a baby and it did hurt but you know what I can breathe and the pressure is gone I feel awesome. This is now my sinus relief remedy!!!! I love it!
Keyock (Evansville, Wy) on 05/10/2013:
Looking through all the other comments, I was skeptical, especially since I know how much of a wuss I am when it comes to hot stuff, but wow!
I was desperate: I couldn't breathe, and nothing was coming out and no medicine was really helping. If I was sitting or standing I was fine, but laying down was miserable, let alone trying to sleep.
I decided to swab some cayenne pepper in my nose; why not, nothing else is working. At first, I didn't get it high enough and thought, "Wow, this doesn't hurt at all, but it's not helping either."
Then, I tried again. It hurt, but not near as much as I thought it would. I waited for 5-10 minutes and decided to blow my nose- and actually got stuff out! Wow! Now I'm clear as a bell and can actually breathe. Thanks SO VERY MUCH. I thought I'd regret it; I only regret waiting so long to try it.
Michael (Portland, Oregon) on 03/19/2013:
I just tried cayenne snorting, one bump in each nostril, and it hurts pretty bad for a few minutes. But my nose is now clear and I can breath, which I couldn't do 3 minutes ago.
Momma.hambone (Detroit, Mi) on 03/12/2013:
I highly recommend snorting cayenne pepper! After reading reviews on Earth Clinic and being completely sick of being sick I finally decided to take the plunge. I am so happy I did. I did a small "bump" in each nostril from the end of a knife and immedietly could feel the pepper at work. It burned like something else for about 10 minutes but then, to my utter delight, I could BREATHE from my nose again! It has been 3 days; I can sleep at night, I can taste food again, I can breathe, I can talk to people without sounding like a weirdo. I still have some mucus, but its completely clear and nothing like it was before. Next time I even think I'm coming down with an infection I'm doing this straight away. Thank you all, and remember: your body is a healing machine. Be blessed in oneness!!
