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.
From: UnknownChef86
On May 24, 2007
5/22/07 ORIGINAL: I think I've probably been your hardest sell. I've waffled over using this recipe for quite awhile, and finally broke down tonight and did it out of desperation. I have to be honest and tell you that I really struggled with the star rating. I can't say that I agree with the folks that said it wasn't at all uncomfortable...I hated it. Part of me wanted to rate it a one star. However, that said, it wasn't as unpleasant as I thought it was going to be. Perhaps a three? However, while I'm still a bit stuffy, I was much worse before I started. So I settled on a four. I'll do it again in the next day or so and if it clears up as well as I think it might, I may well be back to rate it a five. Because as long as I'm being honest, I need to admit that I almost drowned in salt water when I was about 14...I'm sure that has something to do with my darn-near phobia of performing this procedure.
In the hopes of minimizing some of the trauma, I bought a Neti Pot (used specifically for flushing the sinuses...check your local health food store), as snorting this stuff simply wasn't an option for me. Too many red-flags. The Neti Pot definitely helped. Also, a few tips to pass on from the Neti Pot pamplet: 1)Tilt your head to the side; 2)Breathe through your mouth during the procedure; 3)Exhale gently several times upon completion (do not plug/block nostril); 4)Reverse and do other nostril. So, all of that said, I find that my sinuses feel...different. In a good way. Breathing a little deeper into my sinuses. I can also see where the glycerin would be beneficial. I didn't use it and my nose is a bit dry. 'Course, I've also been blowing it a lot. Might be worth investing in the glycerin, either way. As cynical and grumpy as this review may sound...I don't mean it that way. I came into this procedure very jaded, with a chip on my shoulder. I hatehateHATE getting water up my nose...again, probably due to almost drowning. But so far (just in writing the review) my sinuses are feeling better. Not BEST yet...but better. Thanks for posting the recipe, and thanks for putting up with my rambling review. I'll be back in a few days to let you know how it turned out.
5/24/07 UPDATE: Okay, I promised I'd be back. After using the solution the second time(evening, then the next morning) I noticed some huge differences. My sinuses weren't nearly as stuffed up, I could breathe and smell better than I have in a long time and my allergy shiners (dark "bags" under my eyes, caused by allergies/congestion) were starting to disappear. Then last night and this morning I didn't do it. Honestly...didn't want to. Was hoping I was over the worst of it. Noticed through the day today that my shiners are back in full bloom, I'm congested again, and the sense of taste/smell are going again. :? Honestly, I gotta tell you, I still don't like the process, but considering the positive results I saw, it's going to be worth the trouble. Also...it's not the fault of the recipe...it has more to do with my own concerns. The recipe did exactly what it was supposed to do. For those considering doing this more than once, I'd seriously recommend getting a Neti Pot. It makes the whole process a lot simpler. Thanks again, Elissa. Ya' done good! :D PS: You even managed to convince ME! That's no small feat! :D
From: Jane*in*RI
On Jan 30, 2004
NOTHING like this for sinus health. I use tap water, very warm but not hot. Anyone who has sinus problems should be using this.
From: Crabzilla
On Mar 21, 2005
This is just superb. We have always used this but not with the glycerin. It is so much better with it, adds a soothing element, thanks for sharing! It really does work, and it is amazing how much your sinuses can hold. We always used this in the shower because it IS messy, but oh so worth it! Very refreshing, particularly when you're congested.
From: evewitch
On May 15, 2006
I thought this worked really well - much better than the pills I used to take (which used to give me a sinus infection once a year). I finally found some glycerine (I didn't know its most common use - hint: look near the FiberCon). It did seem to help with the irritation. I will be showing my daughter how to use this, too.
From: Lydia Belleweather
On Apr 15, 2006
If you visit a natural food/ health store, you can buy yourself a neti pot or go to a kitchen supply store and get a small gravy separator to pour the sinus wash in one nostril and out the other. We just use warm tap water. Be sure to use plain salt. The stuff they add like iodine and the non clumping agent can irritate your nose. The neti pot save my DH from surgery. Feel better! Lydia
From: Skeeter
On Dec 13, 2003
When my ENT first gave this to me, it included Vodka (which sterlized). Later, another ENT told me that the Vodka wasn't necessary, but I still use it at times. I have alway done it, just holding my head down over the toilet and flushing my sinuses, using a bulb syringe. I've found out that warm water helps dislodge the "gunk" easier that cool water.
From: Peacemaking Rebel
On Jan 13, 2006
Found this "recipe" when I was bored and sick with nothing else to do. Can't tell you how happy I am to have stumbled upon it as I prefer to avoid antibiotics if not indicated. As others have mentioned, I too was surprised it wasn’t uncomfortable and relief was pretty immediate. My ears which had been plugged for 7-8 days are now almost clear and I'm hoping after using this remedy a few more times my other symptoms will disappear as well. Thanks for posting this ~Elissa~ I really appreciate it.
From: karen in tbay
On Mar 25, 2004
Tis the season - sinus, chest colds...I had read a thread in the talk forums and it peaked my interest in how the heck to get this stuff up the nose, down the throat and all over the place. I forgot to add the baking soda and didn't have glycerine so just warm water and salt - gives new meaning for drinking through your nose but it was quite simple - just bring the cup up to the nostril, pinch one side and breathe in. Hint - keep a box of kleenex right beside you because it sure is messy. Will give it another try tonite with the baking soda.
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