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.
Saline Rinse
Posted by Pete (Springfield, Mo) on 01/18/2010
★★★★★
Sinus Infection Remedy
I have been dealing with a sinus infection for over a week now and found the saline rinse suggestion this evening on earthclinic and could not wait to give it a try. After mixing the solution I realized that I was having a very difficult time getting the rinse into my sinuses, during the process however I had an epiphany of how it reminded me of scuba diving. In scuba diving when water gets into your mask you tilt your head back and blow out out your nose to fill the mask with air and push water out the bottom, inevitably rookie divers often pour water up their nose at the beginning of the process, myself being no exception. I got out my scuba mask, poured some saline rinse into it, pressed it to my face and simply tilted my head back and sure enough it worked like a charm. As long as the mask seals well there is little mess and it is a very controlled way to pour the rinse into your sinuses. I felt relief within minutes, the rinse really does work. I plan to buy a spray bottle, but have doubts about its ability to really flood the sinuses, when at home I think I'll keep using my scuba mask.
Saline Rinse
Posted by Alex (Hawthorne, California) on 10/31/2009
★★★★★
This is how i cured my sinus illness. I read it in a comment from Mexico city. Boil water add salt, not the fine salt, but the grain one add some amount of hydrogen peroxide. drain your noses with a pump you get in the stores called sinus rinse. I suffered from sinus for 5 years. and to the point that i lost the sense of smell.
the next day i woke up spilling blood and mucus from my front forehead literally felt it where it was coming from. after three days of blowing my nose with ugly looking mucus, staring feeling the smell of chicken on a BBQ grill. I almost cried because i could feel the sense of smell.BELIEVE ME IT WORKS!!!!! Any questions email @ [email protected]
Saline Rinse
Posted by Darren (Dunstable, Bedfordshire England UK) on 07/24/2009
★★★★★
Hello..just wanted to say a big thank you to Earth Clinic,I have been suffering from sinusitis for approx 2 months now following a cold & bronchitis. I,ve never had sinus problems before, that i was aware of, after reading about the salt water sinus rinse i gave it a try last night aronnd 6pm and again before bed at 11pm. the result was amazing and almost instant! I made up a solution of a tea mug of warm pre boiled water, 1 teaspoon of ordinary table salt and 1/4 teaspoon of baking powder. the 1st session was just with salt & after reading more added the baking powder later. I had a good sleep for the first night in ages and this morning woke to a virtually clear nose and head and feel great!! The method i used was simply to pour the solution into a handy small plastic bottle, and while over the sink tipped my head back and poured it up my nose until it came out my mouth and spat into sink/ while there blowing residue out my nose, result is instant. I have been on 2 courses of anti biotics recently to no effect. also my chesty cough has almost gone too, maybe due to no post nasal drip im guessing. Really hope this helps someoone else.. many thanks.
Saline Rinse
Posted by Sheena (Glasgow, Scotland) on 06/11/2009
★★★★★
I wasn't sure whether I had a cold or it was seasonal allergies, but I've had a sore throat & congested nose for a few days and then my ears became blocked. Without a Neti Pot I tried a saline rinse using a straw and it did produce a lot of snot and with it some relief. I bought a small water bottle with a spout small enough to fit up your nose, performed a proper saline rinse (same method as with the Neti Pot) and voila - I can hear again. This works - it may be a little icky but worth it. I used 500mls warm water and roughly a tsp of ____ Salt. Thanks folks.
Saline Rinse
Posted by Adina (Detroit, MI) on 02/13/2009
★★★★★
it's simple but not every one can stand it...in your nasal saline rinse, just add one tbs of ACV and rinse your nostrils as you would normaly and do about 3 rinses a day for 2-3 days...it's miraculas how this works... but again not every one can stand the acidity of vinegar...if your tired enough as i was you will try anything...
Saline Rinse
Posted by Cindy (Alb, NM) on 01/04/2009
★★★★★
Wow!!! After 8 weeks of pain from a sinus infection, 3 doctor visits, 4 prescriptions of antibiotics and 2 bottles of narcotics, I found something that finally worked! I was up in the middle of the night desperate to find something to curb the most excruciating pain I've ever felt. This was the website that did it for me. I went to the pharmacy and purchased saline water. Bought the seasalt in pressured can but I'm sure any would work. I immediately felt relief and by the next morning was beginning to truly feel better. Used the spray 4 times a day for 4 days and am now using it night and day. No more meds flowing through my body! I am so grateful for this website. I have already spread the word!! Thank you for all the info!
Saline Rinse
Posted by Betty (Saskatoon, Sask., Canada) on 12/10/2008
★★★★★
How to use nasal irrigation:
I have had problems with sinus infections for many years mostly because of a deviated septum. Antibiotics greatly disturb my digestive system so I avoid them. I use the salt/baking soda solution rinse regularly, but the infection I have now is more resistant to the nasal rinse. I am going to try adding Hydrogen Peroxide to the rinse.
If you don't own a rinsing kit, use a small ladle. Mix your solution,( I use 1/2 tsp. salt and soda each to 1 cup warm water), fill ladle, dip nose in ladle while holding one nostril closed and inhale until you taste it in the back of mouth. DO NOT swallow. Hold solution in nose as long as possible. Let drain. Repeat with other nostril, then blow. You may want to use a paper towel. Repeat at least twice a day. Avoid use rinse less than 1 hour bed going to bed to avoid swallowing salty solution. Works well, and won't damage sensitive nasal tissues like a forceful spray may do.
Saline Rinse
Posted by Betty (Saskatoon, Sask., Canada) on 12/10/2008
★☆☆☆☆WARNING!
I have no medical training. However, I would strongly recommend NOT using these remedies for young children. They would likely swallow the solution. The sodium content is too high for anyone to swallow. Also there is the likelihood and danger of children choking, or inhaling the solution into their lungs causing further infections. Use a nasal spray to gently draw the mucus out instead.
Saline Rinse
Posted by Bob (Melbourne, Florida) on 07/06/2008
★★★★★
Salt rinse cures my sinus flare ups: I never had problems with sinus until recently when I was diagnosed with allergies from all outdoor things. I was taking shots but, had no luck. I moved and they wanted to start the damn shots over again from the weakest dosage. What a scam!!! So, I decided to do as I was always told. Spray the nose pathage with salt water. I first bought the solution from the drugstore and now, make my own and place in the bottle I bought. I spray up my nostrils in the shower, pinch my nose, shake and blow the crap out. Boy, the next few days I felt great. Now, I only use it as a monthly or so routine. If I sense I have an allergic affect or sinus flare up then, a spray or two a few days or a week or so will solve the problem. I've been sinus ache free and medicine free for a four years now. Darn glad I found your site to tell others and to learn how to take care of myself without a prescription (otherwise known as a low dosage poison). Thanks for the time, Bob!!!
Saline Rinse
Posted by Carlisa (Studio City, CA) on 06/13/2008
★★★★★
I have has a stuffy head for 3 years. Due to lack of exercise and working indoors in air conditioning and pollution. I have even become VERY allergic to cigarette smoke and I used to SMOKE!I Live in Los Angeles but was visiting Miami and got a horrible sinus infection BACTERIAL with green boogers and sore throat etc. I used this mixture and felt relief in 20 minutes and have used it for 2 days and am draining everything and have lost all pain from the infection:
buy saline nasal spray- $2 usually. I pulled the top off and added one cap full if HYDROGEN peroxide (store brand) and 4 drops of oil of oregano and 2 drops of baby shampoo. 2 squirts per nostril. leave it in there then blow out your nose. Use this throughout the day. I also oil pulled because of this infection and had a very messed up scratchy throat- that helped my voice sound more normal- and then before bed drank a hot cup of water with a whole clove of garlic cut in half with cayenne pepper. Its nasty if I could taste it! But by morning my coughs were effective and mucus is coming out! I am feeling much better. Don't forget your ACV and Vitamin C -- I get chewables I feel it also helps my sinuses pretty immediately.
Hope this help you all with SINUS issues and SINUS Infections. I also do Hydrogen inhalation and love it. THANK YOU EARTHCLINIC.
Saline Rinse
Posted by Joanne (Victoria, Bc, Canada) on 05/14/2012
I would not advise using baby shampoo in a nasal spray. The main ingredient is a skin irritant and it's loaded with synthetic chemicals. It's better to keep it natural especially for a baby...
Saline Rinse
Posted by Beth (Greeneville, TN) on 03/05/2008
★★★★★
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.
Saline Rinse
Posted by George (Naples, Florida) on 01/28/2008
★★★★★
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
Saline Rinse
Posted by Murray (Los Angeles, California) on 01/24/2008
★★★★★
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.
Saline Rinse
Posted by George (Naples, Florida) on 01/08/2008
★★★★★
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.
Saline Rinse
Posted by Steve (Santa Cruz, CA) on 01/06/2008
★★★★★
I have been suffering from a hefty nasal infection and found your website. I tried a variation of the neti pot alternative that was mentioned here on this forum. I emptied a nasal spray bottle and filled it with the warm salt water combo and sprayed all i could into the nasal passages. I was surprised how much gunk came out. Another nice surprise was that I am now feeling sooo much better!! The salt works it's magic fast - I had instant relief from the burning and the constant nasal drip. Next time I come across a neti pot, I think I'll pick it up! Hope you find relief from this remedy!!
