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 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 Mmsg (Somewhere, Europe) on 08/08/2013
Maxwell, try oil pulling.
Saline Rinse
Posted by Dave (Fountain Inn, Sc) on 08/25/2013
Fungal infection or viral infection is likely cause of the odd odor and may be due to the debris peutrefying as the infection decays. Sinus cleanse needs to be with colloidal silver vigoriously squirted into nose, left and right and allow to drain back into throat. Gargle with it also. Use ear syringe to irrigate ears. Using syringe to squirt into ears and into sinus will get colloidal silver into the eustacian tube also. Colloidal Silver will kill fungus, virus as well as bacteria. Do this twice a day for a week.
Saline Rinse
Posted by Sunny (Ca) on 11/04/2013
Do not use table salt!! Many salts contain added ingridients. Like iodine and anticaking ingredients, check label!! Can use pure sea salt, make sure it disolves! Can disolve in hot water, use drinking water! As sink water contains fluride and chlorine!! PTE free plastics!!
Saline Rinse
Posted by Karen (Randolph, New Jersey Usa) on 11/05/2013
Saline Rinse
Posted by Jqueen (Atlanta, Ga, 30309) on 06/20/2011
★★★★★
I went through a whole year not realizing I had a sinus infection & allergies. I took antiobotics and they did NOTHING! Doing regular warm sinus rinses cured the problem. OH! And eating something spicy! That helps a lot too. Make sure to drink vitamins if you're not getting enough from your foods. I recommend it in liquid form. What a difference!
Saline Rinse
Posted by Laura (Ashland, Wi) on 11/12/2010
A coworker friend of mine told me about this almost 10 years ago and I haven't been on antibiotics for a sinus infection since. She called it a "Chinese remedy" and instructed to use a nasal aspirator like used on babies. You fill the aspirator with salt water and, tipping your head sideways over a bathtub, push the water up your nose. It feels like you jumped off a diving board and forgot to plug you nose. You just gently blow it back out again, and what comes out with the water is what causes your infection. My friend told the first time there were scabs and dirt etc.
My dad was against homeopathic for years; until when, he complained about an especially bad infection to me, I insisted he try it. Now, he tells me about like he's instructing me and that he's eternally grateful to me and it's the only thing that has been able to dent his infections that have lasted weeks. I'm still wondering about using this for an ear infection with blocked Eustachian tubes, which I have right now. I tried it in the bath and it took about 1/3 of the pressure away. I'm not sure it was the best for that.
Saline Rinse
Posted by Linda M (Mckinney, Tx) on 12/12/2010
Laura, can you tell me what ratio of salt to water you used? Also, did you boil the water first? When I was growing up, my mother always used a saline solution as "nose drops" on us to clear out congestion. I just can't remember the proportions. Thanks.
Saline Rinse
Posted by Wyked1 (Newark, Ohio, Usa) on 04/12/2011
I am not familiar with the nasal irrigation but after irrigating my ears several times, my ear Dr. (who must be 80 and has been my ear Dr. Since I was 5) recommended the over the counter oral irrigation but in lieu of that said I could use the bulb syringe. It works well but you have to use good force and have the water as warm as possible without burning yourself.
If you have never had your ears irrigated it feels amazing when it is finished however, it will make you dizzy so if you are doing it yourself, have someone nearby.
Since I have sinus trouble also I am thinking I should invest in the oral system so I can irrigate both.
Saline Rinse
Posted by Carissa (Flagstaff, Az) on 02/20/2010
★★★★★
Fantastic, fantastic, fantastic! I have been suffering for a little over two weeks now from cold turned into ugly sinus infection. I work with toddlers and I thought that it would take me forever to feel 100% again, which is very important when working with young, energetic ones! Dreading the money it would cost to visit a Dr. (as I do not have health care) I decided to try something natural first. Thank goodness for this website! I mixed just a little over 1/4 teaspoon of salt, a pinch of baking soda and a tiny cap-full of hydrogen peroxide in 1 cup of warm water. I used a baby ear/nose bulb and rinsed like there was no tomorrow. A whole mess of green/yellow mucus came right out of my nose and continued to after the treatment every time I blew my nose. Immediately after the all of the gunk came out I could breathe again, pressure was gone and I was happy! I am very grateful for this amazing website!
Saline Rinse
Posted by Sheila (Coats, Nc) on 01/06/2011
★★★★★
Thank you so much for the saline rinse with the baby bulb post! I have suffered from sinus infections for years. I was skeptical of the rinse at first, but decided to try it and wish I had known about this years ago! I couldn't believe what came out! I can finally smell threw my nose again.
Saline Rinse
Posted by Javier (Lebanon, Pa) on 11/02/2009
How much of each stuff do you mix? Thank you
Saline Rinse
Posted by Lisa (Spokane, Wa) on 06/05/2010
You may have pressure in your ears from blowing your nose too hard after rinsing with the saline wash. I did the same thing and was told that I pushed some of the water from my nose into my ears. Try blowing your nose very lightly without closing either nostril after using the saline rinse. Hopefully that will eliminate pressure from forming in your ear(s). It worked for me.
Saline Rinse
Posted by Cynthia (Clarksburg, MD, US) on 11/07/2008
★★★★★
Sniffing warm salt water helped my sinus infection. I gargle with it for a sore throat but never thought about my sinuses. I suffer from large sinus cavities, so large that every dentist/hygienist I see remarks about them on my x-rays and always warn that I would have major pain when I get a sinus infection. I had just used an anti-biotic to cure one infection about 3 months ago and did not want to get any more. Found this site after the pain got so bad and the fastest fix was to try sniffing warm salt water. Tried it first last night, then again this morning. The pain is less and the swelling is going down. Tonight I will try the Apple Cider Vinegar steam therapy and see what happens.
Thanks soooo much to everyone who contributes to this website!!!
Saline Rinse
Posted by Sharon (Milton, USA) on 09/25/2008
★★★★★
Saline water has long been a remedy from doctors, but I have improved upon the method of SNUFFING! I bought the cheap generic brand of saline and quickly used it then refilled it with a new solution of water and a pinch of salt. USE it frequently and liberally. Plus, an ice pack applied to the forehead helps. Don't let it stay too long but move it around. NO FROST BITE, PLEASE!
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 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 Joyce (Lansdowne, Pa) on 09/16/2011
I have had chronic sinus infections caused from allergies for many years. I was taking Singulair and Veramyst and sometimes Advair. I do not like to take medication and looked at many natural supplements and herbs to take. I discovered the Sinus Rinse last spring and tried it. I have not taken any medications since. At first I used it twice per day for a few days and it cleared my sinuses and my allergies. I will not do without this again.
Saline Rinse
Posted by Amber (San Bernardino, California) on 03/20/2012
I'm commenting on the salt/ baking soda// peroxide/ warm water mix; I was wondering if it was safe for small children and babies? Thank you for any replies.
Saline Rinse
Posted by Mb (Littleton, Co) on 01/15/2010
I still use a nasal rinse "recipe" given to me by an Ear Nose and Throat specialist which is: 1/4 tsp. salt, pinch of baking soda and 2 capfuls of Alkolol with about 1 cup of water. The Alkolol is especially great if you have irritation in your nose. I use a baby bulb syringe and use 1/2 of the mix in each side 1-2 times per day. Super easy if you do it in the shower too!
