Nasal Sinus Wash

From: Abby Girl

On Oct 8, 2008

I had friends visiting from back east and we did a road trip up into the interior of our province. It is semi-desert up there and I find that my nose gets painfully dry when I go into such climates. I had never done a "flush" before and although it was messy, it works like a charm!!! I used this once and I already feel the difference. For easier convience, I plan to triple the recipe and store it in a glass jar. I used room temperature water and it worked fine for me, so you don't need to microwave it. Another suggestion is to have some lightly scented oil (Grapeseed,Jojoba, Emu) in a small container and lubricate the nose several times during the day! My nose thanks you very much for the flush!

From: Renegade Chef

On May 20, 2008

I use a similar recipe that uses 1 cup distilled water, 1/2 t salt and 1/2 t baking soda and I use a plastic bottle. They sell sinus irrigation bottles in most drug stores for about $5 (or you can get a kit that also includes saline solution packets for around $10) and I've found it to be much easier to use than neti pots or cups. You want the water to be lukewarm, and I've found that 30 seconds in the microwave will make room temperature water just right for irrigation. The trick is to do it daily regardless of how your sinuses feel--don't slack off! If you make it part of your daily routine you will see huge improvements.

From: Roosie

On Mar 24, 2004

Very nice. I have a horrible cold and am getting very tired of all the coughing, sniffling and nose-blowing. I was taking a warm bath, hoping the steam would help clear up my sinuses, but that was just not doing the trick. I recalled seeing this on 'Zaar, so I hopped out of the bath, grabbed a towel, jumped on the computer to check the 'recipe' and whipped up a batch (minus the glycerine, as I don't have any on-hand and needed this NOW). It worked great. I actually have done this twice already- once just in the bath on the edge of the tub and once over the sink. The sink method was a little messy, but it was easy and kind of fun in the bath. I was really surprised that it didn't hurt or feel funny at all to inhale the wash- it felt completely natural and kind of cool. I think using very warm water is important. I didn't use a bulb syringe, either- I just made this in a bowl and sucked it right up and let it run back out into a cup. Gross- but just use your imagination and pretend your a 6-year-old boy and it will be a blast! The second time I did it, I had trouble as one of my nostrils is clogged up to the point of no inhilation whatsoever (ah, the joys of a cold) but it still feels great and you can actually see all that gross phlegm leaving your throat. My boyfriend has mild allergies and is getting my cold so I'm trying to convince him to try this. It's gross- but fun! And boy, does it work! Thanks for posting this- it'll be the first thing I turn to next time I have "gunk" in my throat. Oh, and apologies for any excessive graphicness of my review- it's all true though!

From: Alesha

On Aug 6, 2005

I must admit that I was a little nervous about doing this as I absolutely hate getting water up my nose, but I was amazed to find that it didnt hurt at all! I have suffered from mild sinus problems and congestion for most of my life and I usually take otc sinus pills at least once a week, but this is amazing and yes, messy! (I may have to work on my technique) I don't have a syringe, just filled a small bowl with the liquid and sucked it up one nostril at a time. I omitted the glycerine as I don't have any in the house plus I used warm water. It cleared my congestion away immediately so from now on this is going to be my first line of defence against sinus headaches. Thankyou so much for posting this.