Sinus infections can be nasty and hard to beat, even with antibiotics. They can just go on and on and on while you’re desperately trying to function, but you feel horrible. Who wants to deal with that?
A couple years ago, when I had a particularly bad sinus infection, that I couldn’t seem to kick despite two rounds of antibiotics, my doctor told me about a little tip that she uses herself. Add 1-3 drops of Grapefruit Seed Extract to a neti pot saline solution, shake it up, and use as normal. Do this 2-3 times a day for a week to 10 days. The results are amazing.
If you don’t know what a Neti Pot is, it’s not as weird as it sounds. It’s slightly weird but not that out there. Simply put, it washes your nose out with a saline solution and helps to loosen and get rid of congestion and junk. It’s not magic and won’t instantly cure you, but it can make a big difference in how long you’re sick or even help prevent illness. It’s good for all sorts of nasal ailments – allergies, congestion, colds, sinus infections, even pregnancy-induced “stuffiness.” You can buy a Neti Pot from Amazon
Grapefruit Seed Extract is an incredible “natural antibiotic.” It helps fight bacteria naturally without any of the side effects of regular antibiotics. I’ve used this powerful stuff many times and it’s amazing. It’s great for getting rid of urinary tract infections too. (You add 10 drops into water and drink it 3 times a day for 10 days.) You can find Grapefruit Seed Extract online at Amazon
For those of you who are familiar with Grapefruit Seed Extract and know how potent it can be: the 1-3 drops mixed in the 8 ounces of saline solution for your Neti Pot will not hurt as long as you follow directions. My sinuses are very sensitive and it has never bothered me the many times I’ve done this.
I was sick a few weeks ago and I just couldn’t kick it. I tried many remedies and nothing was working. I finally got so desperate that I was ready to go ahead with the antibiotics my doctor had offered to prescribe. (I only do antibiotics as a very last resort because they kill my immune system.) Then my doctor suggested I try this Neti Pot/Grapefruit Seed Extract trick for a few days. I didn’t think I actually had a sinus infection (which is why I didn’t do in the first place) but I knew it wouldn’t hurt, so I went ahead. Within 2 days, I was much better. It’s amazing stuff!
So the next time you feel a sinus infection coming on, or if you unfortunately develop one, remember this little home remedy for how to get rid of a sinus infection. It might just be the difference between a long illness or quickly getting over it and moving on.
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Trying to get rid of that nasty sinus infection? Try this easy #Natural Remedy tip! It works! t.co/qOxzdDwf via @erika105 #health
— Erika (@Erika105) March 26, 2012
About Erika
Twitter: RamblerGail
says:
“1-3 drops mixed in the 8 ounces of saline solution” – What is saline solution please..??
Gail xx
Twitter: MusingsSAHM
says:
The instructions come with the neti pot. It contains little “solution” packets that you mix with 1 cup of lukewarm distilled water. It’s specially formulated to be gentle on the sinuses and not cause irritation. You can get refills anywhere. Here’s a link: http://www.amazon.com/NeilMeds-Sinus-Pre-Mixed-Packets-100-Count/dp/B001G7QMYE/ref=sr_1_1?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1332853137&sr=1-1
nice blog Erika! i will try this at home. anyways where did you get this idea?aren’t they have side effects or something?
Twitter: MusingsSAHM
says:
My doctor recommended this! I’ve never heard of any side effects. Neti pots have been used for years, as have grapefruit seed extract. The only side effect I could think of is you are allergic to grapefruit. But again, like I said, if you’re not sure, ask your doctor.
Erika recently posted..Wordless Wednesday Linky – Sunset
Twitter: mamato3blessing
says:
I recently heard on the news of someone dying using one of these, apparently there was bacteria in the Nettle Pot and the person used it causing the bacteria into their body? I have never personally used one but I have heard good things about them other than that.
Nicole (Mama to 4 Blessings) recently posted..WHAT A VIEW — WORDLESS WEDNESDAY WITH LINKY
Twitter: MusingsSAHM
says:
That was only because those people used water with bacteria in it. Always a bad idea!
If you use distilled water as recommended, there’s no problem. Google it – doctors everywhere recommended neti pots.
Erika recently posted..Wordless Wednesday Linky – Sunset
Twitter: MyCDStash
says:
I have heard of the neti pot, but like Nicole above, I have heard some bad things! Some people don’t know how t use them and may end up injured. I would probably pass because I don’t like putting anything in my nose,,,lol
Julie M. recently posted..Wordless Wednesday – Hitting the Books Early!
Twitter: MusingsSAHM
says:
It’s not putting anything up your nose, just running clean water through. A nasal spray goes up further into your nose than a neti pot. And like I said to Nicole, the only reason those people died were because they used water with bacteria in it. If you used sterilized water (usually distilled – as directed) there is no problem.
Neti pots are nothing new – they’ve been trusted & used successfully for years. I have friends who use them and never get sick with a cold.
Erika recently posted..Wordless Wednesday Linky – Sunset
Twitter: OurHopeIsInLord
says:
Hi,
The NetiPot is awesome and it really does help.
April
April recently posted..Shading Art Class!!!
Twitter: MusingsSAHM
says:
Yes it does! Thanks April!
Erika recently posted..Wordless Wednesday Linky – Sunset
Twitter: KeciaHambrick
says:
I think I am going to try a neti pot the next time I have sinus issues. I have heard very good things about them. Thanks for the tip!
Kecia recently posted..Rockin’ 30th Birthday Bash Sponsor Spotlight: Invisible Shoes
Twitter: MusingsSAHM
says:
You’re welcome! Thanks for commenting!
Erika recently posted..Children’s Advil® Fever Management Tips
Twitter: Royalegacy
says:
I will get a sinus infection maybe once a year. I will try this. I have it pinned to save it.
Danielle recently posted..Wordless Wednesday – Baby Elephant Seals with Linky #WW
Twitter: MusingsSAHM
says:
Thanks for pinning, Danielle!
Erika recently posted..Children’s Advil® Fever Management Tips
Twitter: ReneeAChapman
says:
we love our neti pot
thanks for sharing!
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Twitter: MusingsSAHM
says:
Thanks for the comment, Renee!
Erika recently posted..Children’s Advil® Fever Management Tips
Thank you for this post! I found you through Pinterest and by typing “curing sinus infection” and I was so thinking to put some GSE into my sinus rinse container earlier this evening before finding you but hesitated. I am happy to know this was doctor recommended and others are doing what I was considering. I am sure I have a sinus infection and I really don’t want the hassle of going to visit my doctor with two small sick kids in tow.
I agree – I am a relatively recent sinus sufferer, and although the OTC medications relieved the pain a bit, I don’t like taking meds. A friend of mine who has had sinus problems fo years suggested saline rinses and – voila! Daily rinsing has kept the “flare ups” to a minimum and not one has been as intense as before.
I just saw a nettie pot in CVS and was going to buy it but was hoping it would go on sale. I’ve heard of the saline solution before and i am going to try it. Do I need a nettie pot or can I use a dropper…just wondering.
The neti pot sends the saline solution through one nostril through the whole sinus area and out the other nostril. You can’t get anything that thorough using a dropper. That being said, getting some saline up the nose is better than none, so even wetting a finger and sticking it up there will accomplish something. Good luck!