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Saline Rinse Method for Sinus Infections

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.
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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!!

Saline Rinse
Posted by Abraham (Atlanta, GA) on 10/13/2007
 ★★★★★

IT REALLY WORKS!
Upside down Sinus Flooding treatments have cured my Sinus infection problems.
My chronic Sinus infection ( sinusitis ) problems were cured by flooding my nasal passages with peroxide, baking soda and kosher salt after first using antibiotics to get rid of my Sinus infection. I don't believe that flooding is effective against established infection, but it is effective against the germs that cause infections.
Mixture:
*'3% Hydrogen peroxide: One part.
* Baking soda: One or two pinches.
* Kosher salt or sea salt: One pinch.
I buy a cheap, salt and pepper set. I use a drill to widen the holes in the tops, and I use them to add the baking soda and kosher salt to the mixture.
* Filtered water: Ten to forty times as much water as peroxide.

The Sinus Flooding process:

* I place a towel and a tissue nearby.
* I stand over my sink and point my forehead down into my sink.
* I forcefully spray the mixture into each nostril to force the antiseptic mixture around any swollen turbinates or polyps.

After my Nasal Passages fill up, additional spraying may cause the mixture to come out the other nostril.

I make sure that the container tip is firmly implanted in my nose so that it's difficult for the liquid to come back out of that nostril.

* If it stings, I wait for the stinging to subside and then repeat the forceful spraying, into each nostril, until the sprayer is empty.
* I keep my head down for a few minutes to let the mixture seep into all areas.
A lot of the mixture can foam out of my nostrils, down my forehead, and into the sink. A little messy. I keep my eyes closed so that it doesn't drain into my eyes.
* I lift and tilt my head upwards, while it's over the sink, and let my nose drain.
The discharge can look pretty bloody, foamy and nasty. Since my nasal membranes have healed, there is much less foam and NO blood.
* I then stand up and use the tissue to clean my forehead of foam and discharge.
* I don't blow my nose for a few minutes.

This allows the mixture a little longer to do its job with my head in an upright position..

Saline Rinse
Posted by Li (Wooster, OH) on 03/18/2007
 ★★★★★

About 1/2 way through a cold when I get stopped up and/or notice nasal secretions no longer clear, I know it is the start of sinus infection. Instead of ATB I have had much success with 1/2 to 1 cup warm tap or distilled water and 1 tsp salt (whatever dilution you feel you can tolerate). Using a clean baby nose syringe, I put head back and gently instill the saline water. It will drain through your sinuses and down throat. After everything loose I blow my nose and voila! No sinus infection brewing. And no ATB to mess up my belly. It is not the most pleasant thing but works terrific to avoid sinus infection. Hope you get the same success!

Saline Rinse
Posted by Kate (Port McNeill, Canada) on 03/18/2007
 ★★★★★

Salt water snizzzle is what its called. Boil water , add 1/2 tsp of salt to 1 cup water. Sniff it up your nose by using a teaspoon. Three times a day. It works wonders, you can also add a bit of baking soda if you like.

Saline Rinse
Posted by Jen (Somersville, CT) on 03/16/2007
 ★★★★★

I had terrible sinus pain for two days, so bad it hurt my face, nose, and into my teeth. Nothing would touch it! After reading about salt water, I mixed some table salt with warm water in the palm of my hand and sniffed it. It didn't hurt, helped clear my sinuses, and by the next day I was pain free!!!!

Saline Rinse
Posted by Rodney J (Kaysville, Utah) on 03/12/2007
 ★★★★★

Rod here again. Here is one that is really amazing! If you have a sinus irrigation system like the Grosann system, to 500 ml of saline solution, add 1 tsp of h202 to the mix and run in through your sinus. It is somewhat uncomfortable if you have a bad sinus infection, but the end results are incredible! I do this when I get a bad cold and it usually cuts 2 days off the duration off the cold.

Replied by Terri
(Bruner, Missouri)
04/18/2011

Here's instructions I just got from my doctor today, and already I'm feeling much better!

------------------------------

1 quart water

1 Tbsp sea salt (non-iodized)

Pinch of baking soda

Betadine to color like weak tea - when infected.

Use daily 4-5 times per day when infected.

Use once daily when not infected w/o betadine.

USE BLUE BULB SYRINGE TO IRRIGATE WITH.

Replied by Daisy
(Jacksonville, Florida)
03/28/2012
8 posts

I actually responded more fully in a related thread -- Betadine and Hydrogen Peroxide Sinus Rinse -- but this worked amazingly well for me, after years of doing the regular salt/baking soda rinse with good but not remarkable results. Adding the few drops of betadine made an incredible difference!

Only thing is that if someone is going to try this, they need to make sure it's *povidone* iodine (Betadine Solution or its generic eqivalent) and not some other form of iodine, or even a different betadine product, because it's not the same thing. I've tried tincture of iodine and Lugol's (at different times, not together) in my saline rinses, and they stung like nothing else, maybe even increasing the irritation and swelling. This doesn't!

Saline Rinse
Posted by Aghper (Montreal, Canada) on 03/07/2007
 ★★★★★

I just want to let you know I had a sinus/cold infection for two weeks, I was in a similar situation a month ago and the doctor prescribed me antibiotic even though I had no fever/ headache,. I took it for 10 days. This time I was desperate I did not want to take antibiotics again so started reading earthclinic. I bought a NeilMed Sinus Rinse Kit and tried their formula but did not help(it was to light the salt content).I took One tsp of salt(no iodine) and rinsed using neti pot technique.In two days my mucous was back to regular color. I have paid 18$ for the kit,you don't have to buy it as long as you can find a plastic bottle will do it. Thanks earthclinic for making this site available.

Saline Rinse
Posted by Deb (Mesa, Idaho) on 02/24/2007
 ★★★★★

I've been suffering with sinus infections since my thirties, (I'm 47 now)and the only remedy that works for me is saline solution spray often, daily.

Saline Rinse
Posted by Chuck (Seattle, WA) on 02/14/2007
 ★★★★★

At 54 and having broke my nose years ago I have battled sinus problems for years. being very active I hated how my bouts with sinus issues would completely wear me out. One year ago I was diagnosed with adult activity induced asthma. I have had to learn when i can and can't do long runs and then do more hikes. last year after being on 40 days of antibiotics really left me wore out. What has helped is using a nasal flush system with sea salt and warm water. I prefer a soft plastic bottle that allows for full gentle spray that flushes the sinus. Right now am at tail end of cold and through out was able to keep sinus open. did also use ACV and Hydrogen peroxide so far works great

Saline Rinse
Posted by A.C (Atlanta, GA) on 01/07/2007
 ★★★★★

I had a cold for about a week and a half. It finally developed into one of the worst sinus infections I have ever had---to top it off, I am 6 months pregnant. After 2 days of pure misery, I went to the doctor. He gave me an rx for an antibiotic. After 2 days of taking it and pseudo ephedrine round the clock, I was still miserable. My head pounded, my nose was totally clogged on both sides, and my head felt like it was going to explode. Desperate to try anything, I went to Walgreens and purchased "SinuCleanse"--a product complete with a neti pot and saline packets. I used it every 2 hours for the first day, along with drinking the ACV/water mixture 2x's/day, and by the second day, I had relief. I could breathe and could tell my head was starting to clear up! By far the best thing that I had tried! Thanks for your website! It has helped tremendously!

Replied by Sinupetsa
(Johannesburg, South Africa)
12/14/2012
★★★★★

Saline rinse has worked for many people so far and would recommend it only if it will be done properly. By this, I mean that sterile water will be used.

Saline Rinse
Posted by Elizabeth (Sioux Falls, SD) on 01/02/2007
 ★★★★★

Sinus infections have plagued me for years. With the last two infections I got on it right away. I went to the natural foods store and bought a Neti Pot (a small pot made specifically to irrigate the sinuses). This pot uses regular table salt - NOT sea salt because it is too harsh - with water. I also used SilverBiotic. I am not sure which cured the infection but it lasted only two days. Usually it lasts several days. I was thrilled.

Replied by Caterina55
(Warwick, Ri)
12/08/2012

I feel extremely lucky to have had the opportunity to come across this post. I started looking recently, after my doctor told me that I did not have a sinus infection (confirmed by an X Ray). I have spent ten years battling with chronic sinus infections, congestion, and allergies. This really works!! I use the spoon with a 1/4 tsp of salt and then run to my bed and hang my head off the side. I did this 7 times today and the difference is remarkable. You can feel the salt pulling the fluid (congestion) and relasing. I sat up after about a minute each time and immediately blew my nose. I believe the concentration of the salt produced the results as I have described them because, I have been using the various sinus rinses, netti pot's, saline mist aerosol, gel, colloidal silver, nasonex and Fluticasone for years and none of which compare to this simple remedy. Thank you!!

Saline Rinse
Posted by Aunt Ida (Tahlequah, OK) on 10/05/2006
 ★★★★★

I used to get frequent sinus infections, requiring high doses of antibiotics until about 1987, when my old aunt Ida told me to try sniffing warm salt water up my nostrils from a teaspoon. She said, "Just put some salt in the bottom of the spoon and cover it up with warm water. Stir it with your finger and sniff. Then hang your head over the bed and let it run into your sinus cavity"

The first time I tried this, I had way too much salt in the teaspoon: WOW did it HURT! Later I got it down to an art, about 1/4 a pinch of salt in the bottom of the spoon is usually plenty strong. I vary the dosage according to the symptoms. At first, sniffing water up my nose was very difficult to accomplish. The natural fear of drowning prevents this from being a pleasant experience. Now when I'm getting a sinus infection I place the spoon under my nose and sniff just about as hard as I can without hesitation. I've never had to use antibiotics again.

Thanks, Aunt Ida

Saline Rinse
Posted by Erin (San Diego, CA) on 09/15/2006
 ★★★★★

My 12 yr old son just did this when he woke up this morning. He has chronic allergies and sinus troubles from Sept-May and a nurse friend suggested this to me many years ago. It has worked wonders for my kids anytime allergies or congestion kick in. He went from not being able to breathe at all this morning, to breathing comfortably.

Saline Rinse
Posted by Carol (Belcamp, MD) on 08/04/2006
 ★★★★★

MIX 1 TSP SALT AND 1 TSP BAKING SODA WITH 1 QT WATER AND AND DUESCH YOUR NOSE. WILL GET RID OF A SINUS INFECTION, TAKES A COUPLE OF TIMES. WAS GIVEN THIS CURE BY A DR AT WORK IN THE 60'S.


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