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 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.
Saline Rinse
Posted by Terri (Bruner, Missouri) on 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.
Saline Rinse
Posted by Daisy (Jacksonville, Florida) on 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!
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.
Saline Rinse
Posted by Caterina55 (Warwick, Ri) on 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 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 AS (Boston) on 03/23/2006
★★★★★
I've had chronic sinus infections to the point where alot of antibiotics won't work any more for me. I remembered being a kid and any time I got a sore throat my dad would have me gargle w/salt and it always helped. So one day I was desperate the antibiotics weren't working (mind you I was being put on antibiotics at least 4 times a yr for sinus infections) so I broke down and got a large bowl (big enough i could fit my face into it) put in warm water and salt i then pulled the water/salt into my nose held it then blew it out into the sink I would do this until the water was gone or I was tired of doing it. I have had sinus infections in the last year and every time I did the salt mixture sometimes I'd have to do it once or twice a day for two or three days. It cleared up the infection and I didn't have to be put on antibiotics. Hope this might be of help to others as well!
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 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 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 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.
