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 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 Daisy (Jacksonville, Florida, U.s.a) on 01/04/2012 8 posts
★★★★★
I'm trying to nip a wannabe sinus infection in the bud before it goes from bad to worse, and I just tried this about a half hour ago to help open my sinuses. I only did one side because if it went nuclear I figured half pain was better than all pain. So I took the tiniest bit of powdered cayenne on the end of a teaspoon -- just the amount that would fit under my pinky nail as others have described, but on a spoon -- and sniffed.
Oh. Words do not describe. Whoever said this is not for the faint of heart was being extraordinarily gentle. It's like TNT for the nose. But the thing is, it worked, and it really wasn't that bad. When I first sniffed it up, it didn't go all that far up, so I kept sniffing to keep it moving up and back, which is when it went down the back of my throat, and also when I started to feel The Burn. That was less than pleasant, but the sneezing and nose blowing that ensued soon took it down a few notches. The burn was pretty intense, and tapered off over a few minutes, but was strangely good. I had a little bit of rebound congestion because the cayenne is an irritant (duh! ) but that was more than offset by the sinuses opening up, and it's almost entirely gone now.
Since I only did it on one side, I can tell the difference very clearly, and the cayenne side feels great! I had forgotten that cayenne has painkilling properties, but sure enough that nostril and the sinus passages on that side are numb, which is very welcome.
I wasn't nearly as badly stuffed up as some of the folks here have been describing, so I did not get 30 second relief, but I can totally see how you would get instant results if you were just completely closed up: the effect is nothing short of explosive. Seriously. Like C4 for your nose.
So basically, as soon as I recover my courage, I'm going to do the other side. :)
Cayenne
Posted by Rory (Houston, Tx) on 11/22/2011
★★★★★
This hurts, a lot. Do not use a lot! A little goes a LONG way. You do blow your knose a lot after, so that clears you up. Also, this pepper is a pain killer of sorts so it will make you feel better for a bit. But the initial pain was pretty amazing for me. Scale of 1 to 10 I'm thinking at least 7. It tappers off quickly, within a few minutes I'm down to a 5 or so. My nose feels like it's on fire. It seems to have helped. I used about 1/20th of a teaspoon, a very small amount. Then immediately blew my nose and most of it came out. I can now feel the pepper running down the back of my throat. Awesome.
My situation is I had a cold then got a sinus infection. I have had this for about 3 days or so.
I only did this 10 mins ago (etc) so I'm unsure of the long term effects but in the short term it does seem to have some beneficial effects.
Cayenne
Posted by Nikkilu (Houston, Tx ) on 11/15/2011
★★★★★
I came on Earth Clinic last night to find a natural remedy for this horrid sinus infections that I've had for about three months. I hate taking meds. Furthermore the antibotics did absolutely nothing when I did decide to take them. UGH!
After getting over my fear of having burning nostrils I snorted the Caynne Pepper!!!!! And in minutes I could breath out of both nostrils. SERIOUSLY, and I slept like a baby... I was so happy to breath out of my nostrils. I'm currently at work so now I'm going to try the Hot Organic Apple Cider in some tea!! Lets see if this will work for me!!
YEEEAAA!! I'm on a natural remedy roll!
Cayenne
Posted by Candice (Vancouver, Wa) on 05/04/2011
★★★★★
Up until earlier tonight I'd been feeling miserable from a sinus infection since last weekend, so a couple of nights ago I started researching home remedies. I decided to try an unconventional method that I was pretty skeptical of to (hopefully) cure my sinus infection. Snorting cayenne pepper. Sounded completly backward and awful to me! I avoid the doctor like the plague though... And I was getting tempted to quit toughing it out and just go to the clinic.. So I needed to do something drastic. I spent so much time researching just because.. Well.. My Mother taught me not to put things up my nose.
Well, I was a little too wussy to actually snort it so I put a dash in my neti-pot. Much to my amazement- it's working wonders! I took a four hour long nap and a bunch of mucus has drained out of my face. It did sting a bit but wasn't nearly as uncomfortable as not being able to breathe through my nose, just a relief to feel some shift in the pressure in my head. Anyway... Yay! If you've been feeling like you have a sinus infection, and you don't want to take antibiotics, what do you have to lose? (I'm super prone to these so I usually I can feel them coming on and know when I have one before I get diagnosed. ) Anyhow, I wish I hadn't been so skeptical, I could have been out of my misery much sooner.
Cayenne
Posted by Daren (Trenton, Mi, Us) on 02/21/2010
★★★★★
Dear EC, I too have used organic Cayenne pepper in my neti pot. My kind is actually the kind you squeeze not tilt your head and pour. My sinuses have been acting up like always. Along with my sinus cleanse saline solution (sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride (the little packets you can buy)) I added approximately 1/32 of a TEASPOON NOT TABLESPOON (1/8 of a 1/4 teaspoon). It was actually 1 dash of cayenne. But the holes on my container are a little bigger than typical so I did a light dash. I experienced great results! It cleared me up right away. It is intense for the first time so beginners may want to use EVEN LESS for their first try.
These ingredients were mixed with 8oz or 1 CUP of room temperature water. I have done it twice now in the past 18 hours and I am hacking out green stuff so I know it's working. I would advise not doing it more than 2 or 3 times in 24 hours and not more than a few days a week in time of need. But that is just my opinion.
I am curious if turmeric would be helpful in this application also has anyone tried it?
Thank you, and love you FOREVER EC!!!!!!
Cayenne
Posted by Ray (Cranbury, Nj) on 02/04/2010
★★★★★
Snorting Cayenne Pepper - Absolutely Amazing
Reading the other posts I figured I'ld give it a try. My temperature was around 102 and my head and sinus areas killing me. Lots of yellow discharge. Lots of pain. I was not doing well. So, rather hastily and unscientifically I put a couple of shakes of organic Cayenne Pepper into about a Tablespoon of water in a teacup. I used a Q-tip to put it each nostril a couple times each and snorted it up. I then bent over and kept snorting. I followed with a Q-tip dipped in water to get more movement and snorted some more. My mixture may have been a bit intense. It burned alright, my eyes teared as if I was bawling like a baby and I had a few sneezing fits. I hung on for a few minutes and then blew my nose. Put some more water in there and snorted a bit more. Ten minutes later there was a definite change. My head still hurt and my nose was on fire! Then after about another 15-20 minutes most of the pressure in my head left and when I tried blowing my nose, no colored discharge! My temperature went down to 99 and I no longer had the chills. It worked! It worked! One of God's amazing wonders! Thank you everyone for sharing.
Cayenne
Posted by Olodus (Victoria, Bc, Canada) on 11/28/2009
★★★★★
I've been battling a cold / flu / strep, not sure but its been suppressed after a healthy dose of cayenne and ACV, but the sinus thing has been lingering and i am prone to infection on the left side so i figured i'd give this snort a shot.
This is not for the faint of heart.
I didn't measure out anything particular just a tiny pinch for each nostril and bam. In the past week i've probally consumed roughly an eighth of the bottle of cayenne and nothing could have prepared me for this experience.
Everything is drained, and my ear is feeling better already, my face is glowing and sinuses have been armed with napalm. This one is definately for the books.
Cayenne
Posted by Rachelle88 (Ellenwood, Georgia) on 08/04/2009
★★★★★
i used the cayenne pepper and that may have been the scariest thing i have ever done..it really worked. i knew that i might burn so i was a little apprehensive..i used about 1/8 teaspoon and snorted it. OMG!!!! i tried to calm my nerves, but i was no use..i ran around the house sneezing..i had to blow my nose alot..once i calmed down, i was so exhausted that i went to sleep..but when i woke up, i was fine..i would reccomend it. i keep it in my medicie cabinet now
Cayenne
Posted by Rob (Anchorage, Alaska) on 05/23/2009
★★★★★
I use cayenne in a neti pot. I use the point of of a knife to measure the pepper, add warm water and use half a pot on each side. I use a very small amount, none the less it can produce rapid results that last the day.
Cayenne
Posted by Diane (Clovis, NM) on 04/08/2009
★★★★★
I tried cayenne pepper for sinus pressure in my head, when every time I coughed I had excruciating pain. I put about 1/8 of an inch under my pinkie finger nail and snorted in each nostril. Wow! what a rush. I didn't cough or sneeze, it just burned for about 30 seconds, but the headache and pressure were gone. I hope it lasts longer than everything else I've tried. It works, for now at least.
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 Amy (Ocala, FL) on 02/03/2009
★★★★★
This has now become my favorite natural remedy for sinus infections!! My sinus infections are always so terribly painful that my teeth hurt...I woke up and knew I'd have to get on antibiotics if I didn't do something drastic so I snorted (as best as you can with both nasal passages clogged) cayenne pepper - not a huge amount, less than 1/8 teaspoon on the tip of my pinkie...it burns, yes, but I noticed almost immediate relief with breathing and pressure. Ten min. later and the burning sensation has dissipated (now it has a menthol type feeling) but the pressure/pain is completely gone. WORTH IT!!!!!
Cayenne
Posted by Ray (Tampa , Florida) on 01/29/2009
★★★★★
For a few years I was getting sinusitis which was dripping into my chest and causing further havoc. It would last several weeks usually and leave me miserable with a low grade fever the whole time.
I had used Cayenne Pepper before but sporadically. I was told (don't remember where) that Cayenne Pepper in liquid form mixed with Fizzy Vitamin C would help clear it up. I purchased some CP and mixed it 20-25 drops into one or two packs of Emergen C and poured approx. 10 ounces of lemonade into the mix and drank it down. The effervessence of the Fizzy C seems to help deliver the cayenne pepper more actively to the mucus membranes. The CP must also kill some of the bacteria that is forming in the sinus cavity and mucus lining.
I usually drink it slowy over a minute or two. It doesn't take long but I begin to expell mucus that seems to be loosened up. During the beginning of a cold or sinus condition I start this immediately and have never had a full or even annoying recurrence in almost 10 years. You can do the same thing with a nasal wash but be careful to use only a partial drop of cayenne with some dead sea salt and water to clear stubborn nasal passages if necessary. I have only had to do it once or twice but it is effective. My wife even used a mild cayenne wash for her eyes when we first met and it helped clear up a stubborn infection. I hope this helps someone as it has helped me many times over the years.
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
