Saline Rinse Method for Sinus Infections

I have chronic sinus problems. About a month ago, I developed a cold, which of course turned into a sinus infection. I did one round of antibiotics to no avail. Yesterday I started searching the internet for natural remedies and came across this site. First I tried the apple cider vinegar remedy (2 tablespoons in 8 oz. of water), which didn't seem to help. Throughout the day, I started feeling worse and worse -- achy all over with the chills, a bad headache, and of course, sinus pressure and a sore throat from the post nasal drip. Then I tried the saline rinse method. I didn't have a netti pot, so I mixed 1 cup of warm water with 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt, and added a few drops of hydrogen peroxide. I put this mixture into a plastic squirt bottle (the kind used for condiments -- with the pointy top). I tilted my head to the side, squirted the mixture up one nostril, rolled my head around, let it wash through my sinuses then tipped my head forward and let it run out the other nostril. I did this several times on both sides, and repeated it a few hours later before I went to bed. All day and all night I felt HORRIBLE -- chills and sweats alternately, achy, etc. When I woke up this morning, my head felt better, but my nose was stopped up. I went into the bathroom and blew my nose, and a GIANT wad of blood, mucous, and pus came out -- which was the first time I'd had something like that in a while -- previously I had been using Dayquil and Nyquil, and these kept me pretty dry, but it just left all that stuff up in there and hardened it, I guess, leading to pressure and headaches constantly. Well, the rinse cleaned ALL of that stuff out, and today is the first day I haven't had a headache in WEEKS. The chills and achiness are gone too. My throat is still a little sore (raw from the constant post nasal drip over the last few weeks), but I plan to continue using this remedy for the next few days... hopefully my throat will clear up too. I HIGHLY recommend this remedy.

BAKING SODA NASAL RINSE I used baking soda and warm water and have not had a sinus problems in two months also used cayenne pepper to lower my blood pressure

You have many comments about saline irrigation. However all saline is not the same. Many OTC prepared saline product contain Benzalkonium or other preservatives. These can impair normal nasal cilia movement. Best to use a powder or salt to make your own solution. One teapoon of salt or Breathe.ease XL to 500 cc (or one pint) of water makes isotonic saline. This is usually best, though some prefer hypertonic. To make hypertonic use less water. Hypotonic - less salt is harmful to nasal function. If you tried OTC saline and found that it burned, try making it yourself without the preservatives.

baking soda nasal rinse -- I mixed baking soda and warm water and did a nasal rinse and I have not taken any sinus meds in over a month and I use to use take them every day. After the rinse for about 1/2 hour you keep blowing stuff out your nose but then its like magic. THANK GOD.

About 1/2 way through a cold when I get stopped up and/or notice nasal secretions no longer clear, I know it is the start of sinus infection. Instead of ATB I have had much success with 1/2 to 1 cup warm tap or distilled water and 1 tsp salt (whatever dilution you feel you can tolerate). Using a clean baby nose syringe, I put head back and gently instill the saline water. It will drain through your sinuses and down throat. After everything loose I blow my nose and voila! No sinus infection brewing. And no ATB to mess up my belly. It is not the most pleasant thing but works terrific to avoid sinus infection. Hope you get the same success!

Salt water snizzzle is what its called. Boil water , add 1/2 tsp of salt to 1 cup water. Sniff it up your nose by using a teaspoon. Three times a day. It works wonders, you can also add a bit of baking soda if you like.

I had terrible sinus pain for two days, so bad it hurt my face, nose, and into my teeth. Nothing would touch it! After reading about salt water, I mixed some table salt with warm water in the palm of my hand and sniffed it. It didn't hurt, helped clear my sinuses, and by the next day I was pain free!!!!

Rod here again. Here is one that is really amazing! If you have a sinus irrigation system like the Grosann system, to 500 ml of saline solution, add 1 tsp of h202 to the mix and run in through your sinus. It is somewhat uncomfortable if you have a bad sinus infection, but the end results are incredible! I do this when I get a bad cold and it usually cuts 2 days off the duration off the cold.

Here's instructions I just got from my doctor today, and already I'm feeling much better!

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1 quart water

1 Tbsp sea salt (non-iodized)

Pinch of baking soda

Betadine to color like weak tea - when infected.

Use daily 4-5 times per day when infected.

Use once daily when not infected w/o betadine.

USE BLUE BULB SYRINGE TO IRRIGATE WITH.

I just want to let you know I had a sinus/cold infection for two weeks, I was in a similar situation a month ago and the doctor prescribed me antibiotic even though I had no fever/ headache,. I took it for 10 days. This time I was desperate I did not want to take antibiotics again so started reading earthclinic. I bought a NeilMed Sinus Rinse Kit and tried their formula but did not help(it was to light the salt content).I took One tsp of salt(no iodine) and rinsed using neti pot technique.In two days my mucous was back to regular color. I have paid 18$ for the kit,you don't have to buy it as long as you can find a plastic bottle will do it. Thanks earthclinic for making this site available.

I've been suffering with sinus infections since my thirties, (I'm 47 now)and the only remedy that works for me is saline solution spray often, daily.

At 54 and having broke my nose years ago I have battled sinus problems for years. being very active I hated how my bouts with sinus issues would completely wear me out. One year ago I was diagnosed with adult activity induced asthma. I have had to learn when i can and can't do long runs and then do more hikes. last year after being on 40 days of antibiotics really left me wore out. What has helped is using a nasal flush system with sea salt and warm water. I prefer a soft plastic bottle that allows for full gentle spray that flushes the sinus. Right now am at tail end of cold and through out was able to keep sinus open. did also use ACV and Hydrogen peroxide so far works great

I had a cold for about a week and a half. It finally developed into one of the worst sinus infections I have ever had---to top it off, I am 6 months pregnant. After 2 days of pure misery, I went to the doctor. He gave me an rx for an antibiotic. After 2 days of taking it and pseudo ephedrine round the clock, I was still miserable. My head pounded, my nose was totally clogged on both sides, and my head felt like it was going to explode. Desperate to try anything, I went to Walgreens and purchased "SinuCleanse"--a product complete with a neti pot and saline packets. I used it every 2 hours for the first day, along with drinking the ACV/water mixture 2x's/day, and by the second day, I had relief. I could breathe and could tell my head was starting to clear up! By far the best thing that I had tried! Thanks for your website! It has helped tremendously!

Sinus infections have plagued me for years. With the last two infections I got on it right away. I went to the natural foods store and bought a Neti Pot (a small pot made specifically to irrigate the sinuses). This pot uses regular table salt - NOT sea salt because it is too harsh - with water. I also used SilverBiotic. I am not sure which cured the infection but it lasted only two days. Usually it lasts several days. I was thrilled.

I feel extremely lucky to have had the opportunity to come across this post. I started looking recently, after my doctor told me that I did not have a sinus infection (confirmed by an X Ray). I have spent ten years battling with chronic sinus infections, congestion, and allergies. This really works!! I use the spoon with a 1/4 tsp of salt and then run to my bed and hang my head off the side. I did this 7 times today and the difference is remarkable. You can feel the salt pulling the fluid (congestion) and relasing. I sat up after about a minute each time and immediately blew my nose. I believe the concentration of the salt produced the results as I have described them because, I have been using the various sinus rinses, netti pot's, saline mist aerosol, gel, colloidal silver, nasonex and Fluticasone for years and none of which compare to this simple remedy. Thank you!!

I used to get frequent sinus infections, requiring high doses of antibiotics until about 1987, when my old aunt Ida told me to try sniffing warm salt water up my nostrils from a teaspoon. She said, "Just put some salt in the bottom of the spoon and cover it up with warm water. Stir it with your finger and sniff. Then hang your head over the bed and let it run into your sinus cavity"

The first time I tried this, I had way too much salt in the teaspoon: WOW did it HURT! Later I got it down to an art, about 1/4 a pinch of salt in the bottom of the spoon is usually plenty strong. I vary the dosage according to the symptoms. At first, sniffing water up my nose was very difficult to accomplish. The natural fear of drowning prevents this from being a pleasant experience. Now when I'm getting a sinus infection I place the spoon under my nose and sniff just about as hard as I can without hesitation. I've never had to use antibiotics again.

Thanks, Aunt Ida

I've tried many of the remedies on your site (though not the inhaled ACV). All helped with my sinusitis to some degree, esp. the neti pot. Except hydrogen peroxide made the infection WORSE ... I think acidifying the nose helps, but making it more alkaline might make it worse for some people. I gave up dairy too, because that decidedly made things worse. Anyway, I still ended up on major antibiotics and steroids, though not as often. But what has worked consistently for me these days is a saline solution (as in the other posts) plus 3 drops of iodine solution per bottle of spray. Iodine kills anything, and it sinks into the skin. It's also very portable, so I can take my iodine solution on the plane or whatever. I imagine it might kill viruses that land in your nose after you've been next to a bunch of coughing people, though maybe that's just wishful thinking on my part. Iodine seems to promote skin healing (if the skin is unbroken), so maybe it makes the nose healthier too. So far, there has been no downside to using it twice a day. I sleep with no postnasal drip these days. Nice website, BTW!