Sinus Infections
Natural Remedies

Find Relief from Sinus Infections Naturally

The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Acupuncture
Posted by Wendy (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia) on 06/05/2013
★★★★★

Yes- acupuncture is VERY helpful. I'm a chronic sinus sufferer and to some extent just have to live with it. BUT when it gets really bad, I see my acupuncturist 2 or 3 times over a week and the problem is much alleviated. There are good and bad acupuncturists so get a recommendation....


Colloidal Silver, Ascorbic Acid, Black Elderberry Syrup
Posted by Linda (Blue River, Wi) on 12/08/2012
★★★★★

i had sinus infections that would last months & went thru month long treatments from the doctors with antibiotics, to no avail. I thought I was resigned to live with it the rest of my life.... My brother in law gave me a bottle of angstrom silver 600ppm (angstrom is like collidal, but smaller particles, with no fillers, etc. ), and a bottle of ascorbic acid & a bottle of black elderberry syrup. I treated myself with a spoonful of each, several times a day, for 2 days & by the 3rd day, I could breathe & quit coughing. Have been sinusitus free since. Now I just take a shot or two a day of the silver & feeling fine. Thanks brett!!


Massage
Posted by Traci (Mesa, Az) on 09/23/2012
★★★★★

A vibrator works wonders to drain sinuses! Lying comfortably with your head propped up a bit, use a small handheld vibrator on your nose (the type that comes with multiple tips, I. E. For scalp, etc. I use the bulbous tip, but you could experiment), using the highest or most deeply vibrating setting your nose can stand. I start on the boniest part of the nose first and soon move to the cartiledge underneath that, following the "most tickle. " In other words, move the vibrator around from place to place (a few millimeters at a time), until you find the most ticklish spot. I press a bit, as this seems to help me find the ticklish spot. The most ticklish spot will move as the vibrations cause the sinus fluid to drain from one cavity to another. You might start to hear strange whirring and clicking sounds coming from your sinus cavities. I always do. Keep finding the most ticklish spot. After about twenty minutes, I start sneezing and the fluid starts draining. Once this starts you are well on your way! Go online and find a diagram of the sinuses. Try holding the vibrator on those sinus cavities on your face at the sides of your nose too. I have had success there. I have not had success with the cavities above the eyebrows, but do try there too. It is a slow process. It usually takes me an hour to complete a session. Sneeze, snort, swallow... , sneeze, snort, swallow... Etc. After about 25 sneezes, my sinuses are drained. What a relief.


Betadine
Posted by Rob (Kentucky) on 11/02/2024

I forgot to add... you can substitute the Povidone Iodine (PVP-I) with H2O2 Hydrogen Peroxide 3% Brown bottle if you don't have or no access to PVP-I. 20 drops H2O2 3% into 1.5oz. = 1:12 dilution ratio (if my math is correct). This is very well tolerated by everyone.

Just remember, H2O2 has a weak bonded oxygen atom to the H2O. Sunlight will break this bond down easily "that's why is comes in a sunlight protected brown bottle". Protect the saline bottle from direct sunlight to get the most use out of it.


Multiple Remedies
Posted by 007 (Jacksonville, Fl) on 12/04/2011
★★★★★

Great info. So after an awful infection for 4 days I woke up with the worst pain and was about to go to Dr. to get antibiotics. Didn't want to take them so I decided to goggle home remedies and I had everything already (candida) so I drank some homemade water kefir, took a dose of OOO (Olive leaf oil/ oregano oil) straight with kefir to wash it down. And made a homemade salad dressing for my salad. I used virgin olive oil, _____ liquid amino, a lot of _____ ACV, one pack of stevia, cayenne pepper, salt, garlic powder, a garlic clove diced up and some dried oregano. I ate my salad with my homemade dressing and drank my kefir and within one hour I felt great. Headache gone, balance back, swollen sinus pressure gone, and it doesn't hurt to breathe. I didn't want to believe it would work so quickly but it did. So ACV, water Kefir, and OOO (Olive of oregano/olive leaf oil) gets three thumbs up. I will continue treatment for several days.


Multiple Remedies
Posted by Elizabeth (Nashville, Tn) on 09/11/2009
★☆☆☆☆

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!!!!

Multiple Remedies
Posted by Doris (Oc, Ca) on 07/16/2010

Mom-in-law had nose-sinus fix-alteration as young woman early-1960's. Ever since, she suffered migraines, spent most her children's formative yrs on the sofa in excruciating pain. No dr could 'find a fix'. Now nearly 50 yrs later, retired out-of-state (still suffering), went for routine ear exam, dr took a fast ear exam, said something's in there. He did an in-office extraction of a bone chip the first dr left in. She is totally different. No one can believe the change in her. Just a regular ear-light/magnifier exam. Dr said he saw it easy, just pulled it right out with a tweeze.


Grapefruit Seed Extract, Oil Pulling
Posted by Amy (Denver, CO) on 06/01/2009
★★★★★

I'd been suffering for a week from a sinus infection and was not interested in my doctor's advised treatment of 10 days on harsh antibiotics (which incidentally had never cured a sinus infection for me in the 3 times in the past that they'd prescribed it.) So, I google'd "holistic sinus infection cure" and found this site. After reading a few dozen posts on the "sinus infection" page, I found a couple of things to try; here are my results:

1. ACV: while I'd read that this works best at the first signs of a cold and I was already five days in, I tried it anyway. About 1-2 Tbs in hot water with a dash of lemon juice and some agave syrup to sweeten it and I drank it like a tea. Very pleasant with the agave and I started to feel some relief soon after drinking (I also inhaled the steam after mixing and felt some relief from that too.) Since it didn't provide as much instant relief as I was hoping for, and WAS providing some canker sores in my mouth, I limited this to just the first day or two and then stopped.

2. Oil Pulling: I started this at the same time as the other remedies so I'm not certain what the effect has been on curing my sinus infection, but I can attest that I feel better, my skin looks amazing, my breath has significantly improved and I no longer see a white film on the surface of my tongue. This is after just 3-4 days of use. I'm using 1 Tbs of organic sesame oil, swished around for 15-20 minutes every morning right upon waking, then spit out, of course.

3. Grapefruit Seed Extract: I think this was the magic bullet for me. I've been using 2-5 drops (teeny, tiny drops) in with my saline sinus irrigation twice a day for the last 4 days and I am almost 100% better. This (and the oil pulling) I've been doing consistently. While I didn't feel immediate relief after my first irrigation with the GSE, every time since then I feel the pressure release from behind my face and my cheekbones stop aching. Now my symptoms are almost completely gone; I cannot believe it. On the first couple of days I was using more drops (4-5) and now I'm down to 2 drops. It doesn't taste the best when it runs down your throat and there is a funny sensation that it creates that is kind of like burning but not painful, but all in all it's really easy; not much different than just plain saline.

I have to say I'm totally blown away at how much better I feel and without aid of antibiotics. I did continue to take ibuprofin in limited amounts (no more than once a day) when the pain was more than I could take), but other than that I've been cured by these holistic remedies. I'm so grateful for this website and all of the people who have posted their success stories on here! I never would have known to try these things had it not been for finding this resource. Thank you!!


Iodine
Posted by Bev (Long Beach, CA) on 04/26/2009
★★★★★

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.


Eucalyptus Oil
Posted by DG (Baltimore, MD) on 11/11/2008
★★★★☆

I have had some luck clearing my sinuses using Vick Vaporub as follows as described below (note it has some EUCALYPTUS OIL in it)

Caution: this mixture WILL bubble and splatter unless the Vicks is mixed in SLOWLY.

I heat a coffee cup of water to near boiling. Then slowly and carefully I dip a half teaspoon of Vicks into the cup just a little at a time while breathing the vapors into my nose. At first you have to go VERY SLOW or the mixing with bubble over and make a big mess. When I first did this there was some burning sensation, but it causes a lot of mucus to run and seems to open things up.

It has NOT been a cure all, but it is one thing I do and it might be a ready source of EUCALYPTUS OIL (at a low concentration) for those who want to try it without hunting around.


Carrots
Posted by Beverly (Texas) on 01/04/2022

Antioxidants help sinus infections.

Bright colored vegetables and fruits such as berries, kiwi, pumpkin, papaya, sweet potatoes, and pineapple are all rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Pineapple also contains enzymes that break down the buildup on the sinuses and reduce inflammation.


Betadine
Posted by Sabrina (Denver, CO) on 09/24/2007
★★★★★

Add 2 drops of Betadine (Povidone Iodine) to the NeilMed sinus rinse bottle along with the room temperature boiled water and salt packet. Betadine is an antiseptic. I tried this solution at the advice of a family physician, and it's the first thing that's ever worked. I did this rinse 4-6 times per day while I had the infection, and it got rid of it within one week. It's the first time I have kicked a sinus infection without antibiotics, and I usually get 4 sinus infections per year. I also added 1/4 tsp of hydrogen peroxide for good measure, but that's something I did, not the doctor's suggestion.


Goldenseal
Posted by Kim (Milwaukee)
★★★★☆

When I feel an attack coming on (due to allergies or weather change) I start taking Goldenseal tablets. If you catch the attack in the early stages, the goldenseal will stop an infection and clear up congestion. The mix of Echinacea and goldenseal didn't work for me. Once the infection has a foothold however, the goldenseal didn't help much.


Fennel, Flaxseed and Fenugreek
Posted by Alexandra (London)
★★★★★

Just commenting: no idea about the tomatoes for sinusitis but will pass it on. Always avoid dairy products when you have any sinus congestion of any kind. This helps--plus try a infusion of a mixture of these herbs, readily available fennel seeds, flaxseeds (aka linseeds) and fenugreek seeds. Allow it to steep for a few minutes, stir and drink copious amounts. Really does the trick for any congestion lung and sinus. Try it! Cheers!


Iodine
Posted by Rob (Kentucky) on 11/15/2024

I'm sure Lugols 2% (water based) will work. If it doesn't, switch back to Tincture of Iodine (yellow/red alcohol based). In my life time, I've always used Tincture of Iodine for Painting Lymph-nodes. It's just something I was taught by my Grandmother and have continued to do. She always had a little 1oz. bottle in her medicine cabinet.

Iodine kills 90 percent of bacteria on the skin within 90 seconds, its use as an antibiotic has been ignored. Iodine exhibits activity against bacteria, molds, yeasts, protozoa, and many viruses; indeed, of all antiseptic preparations suitable for direct use on humans and animals and upon tissues, only iodine is capable of killing all classes of pathogens: gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, mycobacteria, fungi, yeasts, viruses and protozoa. Most bacteria are killed within 15 to 30 seconds of contact.

Iodine is by far the best antibiotic, antiviral and antiseptic of all time – Dr. David Derry

Iodine has bactericidal activity:

  • 1% tincture will kill 90% of bacteria in 90 seconds
  • 5% tincture in 60 seconds
  • 7% tincture in 15 seconds

Gershenfeld, 1968

Iodine kills single celled organisms by combining with the amino acids tyrosine or histidine when they are exposed to the extra-cellular environment. All single cells showing tyrosine on their outer cell membranes are killed instantly by a simple chemical reaction with iodine that denatures proteins. Nature and evolution have given us an important mechanism to control pathogenic life forms and we should use it and trust it to protect us in ways that antibiotics can't.

Iodine kills bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, and even spores of bacteria and fungi, including anthrax spores. Iodine was used successfully against influenza, herpes, small pox, and chicken pox viruses. Kills parasites, bacteria, mold, yeast, protozoa, viruses--essentially all pathogens including malaria, E. coli, and Staphylococcus. When iodine was suspended in a solution, viral inactivation occurred at dilutions of 1/1,000,000. (Gershenfeld, L.: Iodine. In Disinfection, Sterilization, and Preservation. Edited by S. S. Block. Philadelphia, Les & Febiger, 1977, pp. 196-218.)


Iodine
Posted by Rob (Kentucky) on 01/11/2025

Compound Solution of Iodine — Lugol's Solution 1893 – Liquor Iodi Compositus

The U. S. formula is:

  • Iodine: 5 parts or ½ ounce av.
  • Iodide of Potassium: 10 parts or 1 ounce av.
  • Distilled Water (replace with Alcohol 95% if making tincture of iodine): 85 parts or 8 3/8 fl. ounces

Dissolve the Iodine and Iodide of Potassium in the Distilled Water, and keep the solution in well-stopped bottles.

The Br. P. under the heading Liquor Iodi or Solution of Iodine directs Iodine 10 parts, Iodide of Potassium 15 parts, Distilled Water 200 parts. The percentage of Iodine is the same as in the U. S. formula.

Uses – Lugol's Solution, as it is popularly known, is given internally in doses of 3 minims (4 drops) to 5 minims (6 drops) diluted with water, as an alterative and absorbent.


Vibration for Sinus Drainage
Posted by Morninglaurie (Michigan) on 03/01/2023

Actually, I went back to just saline in neti pot after noting some other contributors saying some of the other additions can slow down the action of the cilia…so 5 days later I am still feeling much better and still getting mucous out after doing the Heat/Vibration/Blow/Neti pot routine. Each day has become less “infected” and more clear.


Iodine
Posted by Rob (Kentucky) on 03/30/2025
★★★★★

IODINE TINCTURE NASAL SPRAY:

It's been 5 years since I originally posted about the use of Povidone-iodine 10% in a nasal sprayer. Since then I've read ALOT of old medical books 1850-1930 about the use of iodine in the sinus cavities. So I want to share what I've learned.

The above recipe Povidone-iodine nasal sprayer worked great during the covid plandemic.

During the 1880's, doctors were spraying “Tincture (Alcohol base) of Iodine” diluted into the patient sinus cavities either in liquid of powder form (called dusting) along with other treatments like neti-pot sinus wash.

EXAMPLE:

Coryza. (acute inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nose, with discharge of mucus; a head cold) — In chronic coryza, and especially in ozæna, we must recommend iodine. It is used in watery solution or tincture, applied within the nasal fossæ by a pencil or by injection or spray.

Dusting iodine powder into the nose is an excellent remedy for drying up an excess of mucus discharge, if this discharge originates in the nasal mucus membrane. Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, by F. B. BLACKMAR, M.D., May 1932.

Over 2 years ago, I started making nasal sprayer with lugol's water based iodine as an ingredient in my nasal sprays.

About 6 months ago, I made one with Tincture of Iodine (Humco Brand) and I could tell a big difference.

So, after a month of being a Guinea Pig, I am sold on using Tincture of Iodine 2% diluted in nasal sprays

Material needed:

  • 30 ml empty nasal spray bottle
  • Distilled water
  • Sea salt
  • Baking soda
  • 20+ drops Tincture of Iodine 2% (Humco Brand USA manufactured)
  • Eye dropper

Recipe:

1. Add 1 teaspoon sea salt and 1 teaspoon baking soda to empty “clean” water bottle.

2. Add distilled water to bottle, cap and shake til salt and baking soda have completely dissolved. This is your saline solution.

3. Add 20 drops Tincture Iodine to the empty nasal spray bottle. Top nasal spray bottle off with your saline solution q.s.. I only use 20 drops Iodine. You can try more to your tolerance.

4. Use this spray twice in each nostril as needed til it improves your condition.

Do NOT use if you are allergic to iodine


Multiple Remedies
Posted by Aj (Oregon) on 03/30/2020
★★★★★

I suffered from sinus infections my whole life. I was fully vaccinated and suffered both in health, and learning curves. Diet was low fat and convenience foods, like cold cereal, pbj sandwich, and starchy white rice or pasta, (enriched foods lol). I was always on antibiotics for secondary infections, always in the doctor's office. I suffered from GERD, headaches, constipation, viruses...Secondary infections ranged from ear infections, bronchitis, pneumonia, chronic cough caused by post nasal drip, and if I didn't have an accompanying fever, I at least had the body aches, and sore muscles that resulted from coughing. I became dependant on cough drops! I lived most of my life in Washington and Oregon, with a few years in Michigan, South Dakota, North Dakota, Texas, and Minnesota.

I can confirm that it doesn't matter the climate, or geology, if you have allergies, illnesses, damp air, dry air, warm weather, cold weather, you will suffer. My allergies are year round. Mold in the cold months, pollen in the warm months, dust all year, perfume, laundry detergent, wood smoke, cigarette smoke, traffic congestion, factory smells, dryer sheets, high or low humidity, indoors or outdoors, you must be diligent in treatment. You can't live in a bubble. You can't avoid them. I have used hepa-filters on vacuum cleaners, air filtration systems, dusted and cleaned until I made myself ragged! I still couldn't avoid the headaches, congestion, exhaustion, and a generally unwell feeling. Nearly 4 1/2 years ago, my family returned to Oregon to live.

We are on the coastal range, about 45 minutes from the beach, in a rural area. Regular trips to breathe sea air doesn't help, (when we lived in Washington, I was always near the Puget Sound, Seattle or Olympia), and when I lived in Oregon years ago, was in Portland and surrounding area, always in rural or suburban communities, with lots of evergreens and low air pollution.

So what does work? For starters, to avoid the effects of feeling unwell, it takes both internal and external care. Keep in mind that the biggest organ to the body is skin. Do not wash hair or body with chemically made soaps and shampoos. Do not wash or soften clothes with commercial products. What does that leave? Apple cider vinegar, baking soda, essential oils, and soap nuts! You can make your own.

Fun fact: the brain is a fatty organ, and relies on fat and omega 3 fatty acids! Learning and health are dependant on fats and whole foods. Drink plenty of filtered water and herbal teas for hydration. Use coconut oil, shea butter, and cocoa butter to moisturize skin. Contrary to popular belief, sun exposure is good for you! Sunscreens not only cause cancer, but prevent the body's natural ability to create vitamin D3, also known as the feel good hormone, which is imperative to health. Babies with jaundice are sent home with parents with instructions to get at least 45 minutes of sunlight every day! So why block what keeps us healthy? Its only when we are in excess of natural UV rays that we become at risk of sunburn, which does cause cancer.

What we eat directly impacts our health. Non-GMO produce in season, whole grains, nuts and seeds, wild game, and wild caught fish with scales should be our primary source of food, farm fresh eggs, and non-homogenized dairy products without the fat removed. Why? Because that is real, unaltered food! Stop listening to all the [experts], (I use that term loosely!) They want to keep us sick so they can make money on all our illnesses and diseases! Its a fact that vaccines are not safe and effective, and that they scare the masses into mandates to control them. (Its usually when they are lobbying bills that informed people wouldn't otherwise agree to, and during election years, that they attempt to dupe even the most intelligent people into giving up "We the People" power.

Did you know that vaccine ingredients are chock full of aborted babies and disease causing toxins? Don't take my word for it, read the vaccine inserts! When we get sick, it is our body's response, both to environment, and to our ability to fight what we are exposed to. We must be exposed to wild strains to both boost the immune system, and to keep from catching the illness again.

Vaccines, (what the medical community calls clinical immunity) do not last. Now we are dealing with COVID-19. People are under quarantine, (something China didn't mandate and the whole country is over it!) scientists racing for a cure or vaccine, (for a virus milder than the flu, overall causing far less deaths), the majority recover, (extremely low death rate per million), healthy people and children not experiencing symptoms, (or extremely mild ones). COVID-19, because it is a respiratory infection, can cause sinusitis, and people are quarantined and afraid to go to get medical treatment. The quickest way to get over any virus, is to have a well supplied body of nutrients, in conjunction with the following:

Not everyone has a netti-pot. I sure don't, and we don't vaccinate. We don't go to doctors anymore, which has made us healthier. We take probiotics daily. We use peroxide in the ears twice a day at onset, and on cotton swabs in the sinuses three times a day. We get enough sun or take D3 supplements, eat a holistic diet, consume various combinations of chilis, cayenne, onion, garlic, oregano, turmeric or curry, and other spices and vegetables in our dinner every day, with a whole grain. We don't add salt unless its pink Hemalayan salt, and only a little.

We use herbs and citrus juices, (lemon juice for example) to flavor our meals. Breakfast is oatmeal, cinnamon or nutmeg, raw honey, fruit, nuts or seeds, pure extracts, raw, unprocessed sugar cane, and kefir or butter. It holds us until dinner. If we snack, its on fruits and vegetables, Greek yoghurt, and homemade granola, popcorn with real butter.

We use essential oils to clean, to use as medicine, on our bodies and clothing. For sinusitis, I have had best results with both peroxide swabs during the day, and at bedtime I swab with tea tree oil, eucalyptus oil, lavender oil. We don't sniffle, we blow.

We dont use cough drops, but use raw honey and elderberry extract in herbal tea. We alternate our herbs in teas and foods, fruit, veggies, ect...we use coconut oil to fry meat and eggs. Most importantly, we don't get sick anymore, and don't go to doctors, because we don't need them! It is my hope that this comment blessed you with healthful and informative advice. Be well!


Quercetin, Bromelain
Posted by Maria L. (UK) on 01/19/2018
★★★★★

I agree, the Quercetin with Bromelain combo helped me with my sinus infection, it was not until I decided to take this combination that my sinus infection started to finally go away, I had a very nasty infection that was hurting my ears as well, my head felt like an Air Balloon and had dizzy spells, loud tinnitus and vertigo. I recommend this along with ACV and Honey (I would drink 2 tablespoons, lukewarm water and also would do some gargles as well) also add Oil of Oregano if you can which is anti viral and gives extra punch to the Quercetin. The Quercetin/Bromelain really reduced the inflammation, I used a formula which has both plus vitamin C and other stuff, it is a bit expensive like 18 bucks but worth it in my opinion. In less than 2 days I was basically cured.


Peppermint and Salt Solution
Posted by Willyfriar (Mary Esther, Florida) on 08/31/2017
★★★★★

For sinus infection one can try adding one (at most two) drops of peppermint oil to a salt solution with a squeeze bottle, not the neti pot. One drop of peppermint oil can be added to saline sprays also for ongoing maintenance.


Colloidal Silver, Oregano Oil
Posted by Kathryn4 (Maryland, Usa) on 09/18/2015
★★★★★

Got a really bad sinus infection - had not had one in 10 years. Took Colloidal silver 2tsp (20ppm), twice a day for 2 weeks and Oregano Oil 2 caps 3 times a day for 2 weeks. Had to followup with nystatin due to annoying throat clearing. All was resolved.



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