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.
Cayenne
Posted by 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.
Cayenne
Posted by 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!!
Cayenne
Posted by Katherine (Springfield, OHIO) on 04/08/2009
★★★★★
Sniffing CAYENNE PEPPER WORKS! It takes a few to get over the initial shock of the burn but just try to stay calm, use ice pack for your nose and pray no one video tapes you. LOL its crazy but it works!
Cayenne
Posted by Karen (South Africa) on 02/22/2015
Cayenne
Posted by J (Mn ) on 04/24/2019
★★★★★
Wow. So grateful for these reviews. I did it, and feel 1000x better than I have in days. Nasty sinus infection and a lot of blockage and pain. Cayenne cleared it out almost instantly. I'm a believer.
Cayenne
Posted by Marlow (La Ca) on 12/31/2016
★★★★★
Omg I am very pleased I'm happy. I Google information it works fast
Cayenne
Posted by Dretke (Bucks County) on 11/22/2017
Francis,
Cayenne is an herb and it therefore has MANY uses besides as a food ingredient.
Cayenne
Posted by 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!
Cayenne
Posted by 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.
Cayenne
Posted by Katie (Edwardsville, Il, USA) on 09/16/2009
★★★☆☆WORKED TEMPORARILY
Wow! What a rush! I woke up with sinus pain today, and came looking for remedies. After reading all the reviews on snorting cayenne pepper, I tentatively decided to give it a try. I sprinkled a pinch in my palm and used my pinky finger to scoop a TINY amount under my fingernail, and I inhaled it with my slightly clearer nostril. The burning got pretty intense within a few seconds, but within 30 seconds something shifted and I felt the pressure drop away. After a couple of minutes, I used it in the completely blocked nostril and it cleared almost immediately! Yes, the burning was INTENSE, but it was never unbearable. Honestly, it was a relief to feel something other than my sinus pressure and pain. I've heard of pharmaceutical companies using the chemical in pepper to find new ways to block pain- my experience shows that, at least temporarily, IT WORKS!
Unfortunately, the pressure is already coming back. So, it works in the short term, but no lasting relief. I will try reapplying. If I find different results, I'll post them.
Cayenne
Posted by Gary (Altamont, TN, USA) on 01/07/2009
★★★★★
Cayenne: I just found your site and am responding to a message from 2006 about cayenne for the sinus. I have chronic sinus problems, it got so bad once that I was desperate. I usually put 1/2 teaspoon of salt in a large glass of warm water and snuff it up my nose. Well, I added a pinch of cayenne to the saline. I snuffed it up my nose, and it burned for about two seconds, then the burning quickly subsided. Yes, it stopped what I suppose was a sinus infection. Any way I felt better for a long time. Gary
Cayenne
Posted by Angie (New Bern, NC) on 12/27/2008
★★★★★
Well I was hesitant to try pepper. I am now a believer in this natural remedy. i just tried it and I am not in pain anymore. It does burn and I sneezed alot and my eyes watered, but it was worth it to not feel the pressure anymore.WOWWWWW!
Cayenne
Posted by Tanya (Northglenn, Colorado) on 02/13/2008
★★★★★
Alright Ive got a funny yet true story...my sister and I cought a cold. (And shes the type thats pron to sinus infections) So I was tryin to find any kind of remedies for her(cuz she doesnt have med.insurance). N I came across this page and read what Greg from TN did for his sinus infection. Sniffing CAYENNE PEPPER...So with my sister yellin about how she do anything to get the elephant off her head(sinus pressure), I started cutting the Cayenne Pepper into lines. After cutting 2 lines(one for each side) I watched and by far it was the most entertainingly/hilarious thing Ive ever seen! She jumped around and kept saying "it burns, it burns". Secs after snorting up those 2 lines, the pressure was gone! Greg, your right...IT WORKS!
Cayenne
Posted by Rebecca (Wichita, Ks) on 12/21/2009
since i awakened this morning, i suspected i had a sinus infection. determined NOT to see a doc nor be prescribed antibiotics, i turned to natural remedies. i started with an airborne mixed with apple cider vinegar. then moved on to snorting cayenne. and have had another airborne with acv. i also used a neti which felt weird! i am going to rinse with my neti again before bed and will add cayenne to the rinse. it is true, the cayenne is powerful. the neti rinse too, is SO soothing. i hope by xmas eve, i will feel better.
Cayenne
Posted by Deb B. (Costa Rica) on 09/26/2023
★★★★★
Cayenne for Sinus Infections
I was dubious, but miserable enough to try cayenne based upon the positive ratings. I'm SO glad I did!
Cayenne
Posted by 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.
Cayenne
Posted by 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)
Cayenne
Posted by Susan (Garrettsville, Ohio) on 04/20/2012
★★★★★
Well I just had my first experience of snorting Cayenne pepper. I have had a bad sinus infection for almost 2 days and nothing was working. It has been 7 minutes since I snorted the Cayenne pepper and I can actually breath out of both nostrils, and my sore throat is better. Make no mistake, it will BURN, but the after results are WORTH IT!!!
Cayenne
Posted by Spiritgirl78 (East Islip, NY, USA) on 01/22/2012
★★★★☆
After being sick with a cold, left ear infection, sinus infection, and upper respiratory infection for 3 weeks, which then turned into borinchitis, I decided to try something more drastic, lol.
First, I made a mixture of 2 tbsp of ACV mixed with 8oz of cranberry juice, and it did not taste so bad- I dran it through a straw to reduce enamel damage. And my sinus pressure became relieved. THEN, I decided to also snort Cayenne Pepper- 3/4th of an inch in each nostril. I believe I did more than what was advised- 1/8th.. lol.
I did each nostril back to back, and let me tell you: the burning was immense, but it helped with doing a breathing exercise- inhale through your nose SHARPLY and exhale through your mouth SHARPLY. This helped with the exhaling because the urning sensation is BAD. lol.
After 5 minutes the burning started to dissipate and well, my sinuses started draining alot and its been 30 minutes, and my sinuses are not clogged. Bottom line: only snort cayenne if you are desperate, lol. BUT IT DOES HELP.
Cayenne
Posted by Francis (British Columbia) on 06/27/2016
★☆☆☆☆
This is one of the stupidest things I have fallen for. Snorting cayenne did nothing but make me sneeze and inflamed my sinuses to the point where I lost all sense of smell and taste. I've also tried apple cider vinegar, garlic, colloidal silver, none have worked to even relieve my sinuses. Keep cayenne where it belongs: in food.
Cayenne
Posted by Barbi (St Paul, Mn) on 02/29/2016
★★★★★
For many years I have used this remedy . Equal parts Golden Seal and Bayberry Bark Powder, and as much Cayenne Powder as you take, over time you will get braver and add more Cayenne. Do salt solution first than take as much powder as you can handle.
Cayenne
Posted by Mahrie (Bc Canada) on 03/10/2015
Y'know, diluting sea salt (the most potent natural antibiotic known to man) in water (preferably distilled), at the rate of one quarter teaspoon to a 30 ml nasal spray bottle (buy some Rhinaris and dump it, if you have to) will keep your sinuses clean, clear, and free of infection.
I used to suffer horribly with sinusitis until I gave this a try about three decades ago. I haven't had a sinus infection since and now recommend this therapy to all my patients (and friends). :)
Cayenne is wonderful for many applications, but it's a little harsh to be applying to your nasal membranes, especially if you plan to use it as a long-term therapy.
All Good Things, Mahrie.
Cayenne
Posted by Michele (Austin, US) on 10/18/2014
★★★★★
Cayenne works. Just remember to remove your contacts before trying it!
