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.
Hemp Seeds
Posted by Amanda (New York) on 11/28/2010
★★★★★
Hemp Seeds (about 2 tablespoons 3X a day) have helped my sinus congestion/allergic sinusitis TREMENDOUSLY!! Within minutes of taking them, I actually feel them halting my allergies and my sinuses becoming clearer!
H2O2, GSE, Sea Salt Rinse
Posted by Llball (Belmont, Ma) on 02/13/2010
★★★★★
Remedy for Sinus Infection - WOW, FAST!
After reading through several pages of posts about remedies for sinus infection (which I have had for at least 10 days now...sinus/face pain, headaches, fatigue, achiness, etc) I decided to combine a few suggestions into a solution that was miraculous for me. I made the following mixture for my netti pot (which is actually a ceramic child's tea pot from my daughter's old tea set, sterilized of course :):
10oz of water
1 T. regular 3% Hydrogen Peroxide
5 drops grapefruit seed extract liquid concentrate
little less than 1/2 tspn. sea salt
I tried to run the solution through my nose, but it was too blocked, so I just poured some up in my nostril and then put my head down between knees to hold it in and let gravity work it up into my sinuses. Let is remain in there about 30 seconds or so...very slight burning/tingling. Then put my head over the sink and blew my nose, then repeated on the other side. Did this a couple of times each side, each time releasing a little more mucous. Then I waited a few hours. Within 2 hours, the right nostril ejected a large ball of mucous tinged with a little blood and pus (gross!..I know) and the right nostril was clear. The left side discharged a little more mucous but did not clear. I repeated the process focusing on the left side and on the second rinse, the left side also gave up a large blob of mucous also slightly tinged with a little blood and yellow pus. After then, my sinuses let go more mucous (no more blood and pus, just really thick mucous)than I have ever seen coming out of one person's nose. I could breathe clearly for the first time in over a week and the pressure and pain were greatly relieved. I can tell that I am not fully back to normal yet, but to have this much recovery in a matter of hours is WONDERFUL!! I feel so much better and wanted to pass this remedy along right away.
Steaming With Oregano
Posted by Michelle (Atlanta, Ga) on 10/28/2009
★★★★★
Sinus Infection Help: I am sure this is related to the use of oil of oregano, but after using my neti pot, I put two tablespoons of Italian seasoning into a pot or my veggie steamer, and then steam myself for 10-15 minutes. It works wonders for my sinus infections. I know the oil of thyme is used in things like mouthwash, so it might be as effective as the oregano, and the other herbs in it also have medicinal value. I use an organic herb mix.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Linda (Boston, Massachusetts) on 10/27/2017
Fungal nasal infection, I read that cayenne pepper kills fungal infection. Take a q tip and swab nasal area with cayenne pepper
Grapefruit Seed Extract, Sea Salt
Posted by Ken Shumaker (Oregon) on 01/26/2017
It's funny how we get these problems, and it seems like we're the only one that has it. Anyway I just went through an ordeal where I got hoarse and had a sore throat intermitantly, glands under my chin swollen and hurting down the sides of my neck. It scared the hell out of me. I did some research on the internet sounded like severe post nasal drip so I started trying different things. Nasal flush, 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.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Mary (Chesapeake, VA) on 02/15/2009
★★★★★
This has been the most effective cure for congestion and sinus infection I have found to date.
Use a saline wash (Neti Pot) with 1/4 teaspoom of non-idodized salt + 1/8 teaspoon of powdered grapefruit seed extract (found in vitamin/health store).
Chew two cloves of garlic twice daily. It helps to drain the sinuses. Garlic contains Allicin, a broad spectrum antibiotic. It's antiviral and antibacterial, as well as anti-microbial.
Drink mugs of steaming hot chicken soup. It's comforting and hydrating and helps to loosen mucous.
Take a teaspoonful of honey before bed to soothe sore throat and reduce coughing. This is amazing--something that tastes great and really works!
Eat two-three oranges or tangerines daily.
Keep up your circulation by walking lightly daily (20 minutes) at the tail end of your cold. Increased circulation boosts the immune system and stimulates the lymph nodes to produce the killer white blood cells.
Drink a healthful smoothie of pineapple juice, strawberries and blueberries to strengthen your immune system.
DO NOT eat anything fatty or fried foods that could plug up your digestive system. If you cramp up and get constipated you slow down your recovery from a cold or sinus infection.
Turmeric
Posted by Brooke (Eugene, Or) on 02/11/2009
★★★★★
Tumeric for Sinus Infection: I am a big fan of turmeric and take it daily for my Crohn's Disease. I've recently had a cold that turned into a sinus infection. I try really hard to stay away from antibiotics because it kills the good bacteria in the gut. I put 1-2 tsp of turmeric in a bowl and poured almost boiling water over in. I then set the bowl in my lap and put a towel over my head. Breath (over the bowl with the towel over my head) in through my nose and out through my mouth for 10-15 minutes 6 times during through out the day. The next morning I woke up blowing the infection out of my nose. It was super gross. I continued the same thing the following day. I also drank lots of fluids and got plenty of rest.
Neti Pot With Saline and Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Eric (Spring, Texas) on 01/01/2009
★★★★★
My son (7yrs old) had a really bad sinus infection that was causing a fever really bad snoring and over all discomfort. Had this 2 days. Over the counter meds would not work. He has had this before in the past and the doctor would prescribe anti bionics. Doctors have there place, but I'm sick and tired of the meds they push. We decided to take the natural route this time around. I searched the net, found this site. Ill keep this short, but I performed a sinus rinse on my son. I took a "Netti Pot" with a little over 8oz of warm distilled water. added 1 packet of the sodium stuff and 1 tbl spoon of Apple Cider Vinegar. His fever broke the same night and it appeared to knock his infection out. He sleeps much better now. I also have my son drink ACV...1 TBS with warm water and honey like a tea. Keep in mind, anytime you do a sinus rinse, use distilled water. If your child has sinus, allergy or asthma issues, I highly recommend a sinus rinse at least 3 days a week even if they are fine. Never use more that 1 tbl on a child for a rinse. Stings! I always test on myself before application for temp of water and sting factor of ACV. Add more water if you feel the sting is a bit much for your child.
After doing this, we were able to get globs of bacteria ridden snot out of my child's nose. I know most of you will have hell doing a rinse on a child. My son is an avid swimmer. He also accompanies me when I spearfish in the salt waters of Baja Mexico. He's use to salt water, in and out of his nose. But I encourage you to keep trying. It does work. It is truly amazing to see something so common and available work so quickly. I was so impressed with the results, I had to post hoping this remedy can help others. If you have never used a Netti Pot. please follow the instructions thoroughly. Try it on yourself first to get the technique own. Most pots can be brought at a local convience store with a pharmacy section.Pots come with packets of sodium that I used. I also added the ACV for more potency. Based on my observation, the ACV was the key factor in the rinse. The sodium alone didn't have as dramatic an effect.
Eucalyptus Oil
Posted by Steven (Saint Petersburg, Florida) on 12/04/2007
★★★★★
I am prone to sinus infection as well as bronchitis, the florida weather had gotten a little cooler and I felt a sinus infection coming on and then an onset of bronchitis. So I brewed a .50 oz of eucalyptus ( like you do coffee or tea in a coffee pot (12 cup) and then I put some sugar in, (optional) and drank that one time, and i felt the difference overnight, I then continued to drink a cup for the next couple of days to make sure that everything was cleared up.. I still make a pot of Eucalyptus tea. its great for cool nights and days, or refreshing on hot days.
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.
Horseradish
Posted by Laura (Westminster, Vermont) on 03/25/2007
★★★★★
I'm surprised that you have no mention of horseradish on your website. I used to take antibiotics at least once a year for sinus infections until 12 years ago when my naturopathic doctor recommended horseradish. Since then, I have had no problems if I eat a lot of horeradish (usually about a jar a day) at the first sign of infection. Until now, that is. I have developed a sinus infection and the horseradish I just brought home from the grocery store is not strong enough. So, I am going to try some of the other things listed here, at least until I can get my hands on some stronger horseradish.
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.
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.
Hydration
Posted by Charlene (Ontario, Canada)
★★★★★
I suffered for years with sinus infections. My last sinus infection lasted an entire year. I read a book called: "Your Body's Many Cries for Water" written by a doctor. I began drinking at least 2 liters of water a day, and have not had ANY form of a cold or sinus infection since. An added bonus, I have lost weight without even counting calories.
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 :)
Goldenseal
Posted by EC (Vail, CO) on 08/28/2023
Fascinating! Can you address why it needs to be alcohol vs glycerin based please?
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!
Buteyku Breathing Exercises
Posted by Nancy (Wisconsin) on 06/07/2017
I am glad you are feeling better but the notion of hyperventilation and oxygen starvation etc is non-sense and not physiologically sound. If you chronically "hyperventilated" you would pass out from low carbon dioxide levels. Think panic attack and breathing in a paper bag.
Buteyku Breathing Exercises
Posted by Kate (Florida) on 08/27/2020
Several years ago I was researching the anaerobic nature of cancer and breathing which led me to the concept that modern breathing is too frequent (too many breaths per minute) and I came across this valuable resource.
https://www.normalbreathing.com/respiratory-rate-volume-chart/
I had forgotten how much of Dr. Buteyku's work was referenced here and was grateful to be directed back to it by this conversation; so, thank you!
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...
