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 Tish (Granger) on 12/19/2005
★★★★★
Please, please, please add this recommendation: gargling with salt water and flushing your nose/sinuses out with salt water helps with sinus/allergy and headaches. Take 1/2 tsp salt and 8oz warm water. Gargle first then you can use a waterpic device from the drugstore, or get a little device like you use to suction out a babies nose. Fill with saltwater and shoot it up the nose. Don't inhale, just relax and let it go though the nasal cavity. This really relieved all my sinus/allergy problems (in addition to using acv.)
Saline Rinse
Posted by Barbara (USA) on 01/11/2006
★★★★★
I learned this from an Aunt who had been dealing with sinus infections for years. It works for me too. I put a little salt in the palm of my hand, mix with warm water, plug one nostril and sniff the water & salt solution up. Repeat for the other nostril. It works.
Saline Rinse
Posted by Iris (Syracuse, NY)
★★★★★
Over 6 years ago I stopped consuming all dairy products after I had struggled with chronic sinusitis On occasion there is dairy in my food without my knowing and to cure the sinus infection (even a full blown infection) I mix up a warm salt water and rinse out sinuses. It's gross, but by doing this three times a day I will have rid myself of the fever and infection all together in just a couple of days. It's brilliant and easy and cheap!
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 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 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 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 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.
Saline Rinse
Posted by Genine (Santa Clarita, CA)
★★★★★
I saw the remedy for a sinus infection which included a coffe cup of warm water and a pinch od salt. Then to breathe it up each nostril and blow. I also saw someone who included baking soda. So, I took a small cup of warm water, about 1/2 tsp of salt and baking soda, and took it up each nostril out of the palm of my hand. My left nostril was completely clogged and though a barely got some up it, it loosened what was there and I then repeated it until I could breathe from both nostrils. The pressure on my cheek bones is lessening already. Thank you so much for this website.
Saline Rinse
Posted by Heidi (Lake Stevens, WA) on 07/06/2006
★★★★★
I've tried many of the remedies on your site (though not the inhaled ACV). All helped with my sinusitis to some degree, esp. the neti pot. Except hydrogen peroxide made the infection WORSE ... I think acidifying the nose helps, but making it more alkaline might make it worse for some people. I gave up dairy too, because that decidedly made things worse. Anyway, I still ended up on major antibiotics and steroids, though not as often. But what has worked consistently for me these days is a saline solution (as in the other posts) plus 3 drops of iodine solution per bottle of spray. Iodine kills anything, and it sinks into the skin. It's also very portable, so I can take my iodine solution on the plane or whatever. I imagine it might kill viruses that land in your nose after you've been next to a bunch of coughing people, though maybe that's just wishful thinking on my part. Iodine seems to promote skin healing (if the skin is unbroken), so maybe it makes the nose healthier too. So far, there has been no downside to using it twice a day. I sleep with no postnasal drip these days. Nice website, BTW!
Saline Rinse
Posted by Renee (Lakewood) on 02/11/2006
★★★★★
I started using saline nasal spray multiple times throughout the day when my sinuses start acting up. I have severe problems with dryness and vertigo and the saline really helps!
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 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 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.
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.
