cold remedy -> salt water up your nose
I wish I had heard this on NPR or looked online for this solution 3 or 4 weeks ago. I had a bad cold that turned into a sinus infection that lasted for three weeks and all I needed to do was snort saltwater. I’ll have to remember this for next time.
More info…
“Rinse with saline sprays. Saltwater rinses — or saline sprays — thin your mucus and get rid of irritants. Use an over-the-counter nasal saline spray, or flush your nostrils with warm salt water. The ratio of salt to water is approximately 1/8 teaspoon salt to 1 cup of water. Use a suction bulb or put some of the warm salt water in the cup of your hand to sniff it up one nostril at a time.”
I love this remedy. I use it all the time for sinus infections. I use a bendy straw! Make the salt water mixture, and place the straw in a bout 1 inch. Put your finger on the other end and remove the straw from the water with the inch of salt water. Bend the straw so that the water sits in the “elbow”. Then sniff away. Yup it hurts, but it sure kills bacteria.
Comment by jo schmo — October 23, 2005 @ 10:54 pm
To all of you, my mother in law instructed me in this remedy, but she told me to hold a glass of warm salt water in my hand, bend over and place my nose in the upright glass of water until my nostrils were submerged, close my mouthand inhale. This places the water in the upper nasal cavities, where they need to be. It is hard to do, but believe me it works.
I have since used this method, altho standing upright, to clear out my nose when it starts dripping.
Comment by Jill Cool — November 27, 2005 @ 2:49 pm
I took an old spent Afrin bottle with the mist sprayer and filled it with 1/2 teaspoon of salt with hot water to create a very high concentrate salt solution. I then used this over the course of two days and my sinus, or whatever, infection went away (essentially, it is nearly gone). I’d never tried this before and have always had these stinkers linger for weeks at a time without antibiotics. I figured that if a salt water gargle can solve sore throats most of the time this might help my nasal area as well!
I’m very happy to have found a more natural solution such as this as Affrin always seems to cause bronchial infections for me as drainage goes down into my lungs at night.
Comment by ylon — June 3, 2006 @ 11:10 am
Glad to have found your irrigation solutions. I have the worst cold in my life (the last “worst cold” was 20 tears ago, I quit smoking then). I’ve been fighting a terrible head cold when doing research on the net I came across snorting water with sea salt in it. My sinuses cleared up immediatly. Thanks
Comment by Michael Hays — March 30, 2007 @ 9:03 pm
This remedy will absolutely clear you up….but be prepared for it to hurt like H***. My goodness, what a burn!
Comment by tiffany — September 17, 2007 @ 2:01 pm
My mom bought a thing called a nose buddy from a yoga store its a small plastic container with a spout, bit like a teapot…..its for the saltwater and makes the whole process a little easier. you just tilt your head and pour it up your nose
Comment by Ellen — September 21, 2007 @ 12:54 am
this remedy (salty water) is better than any medicine u think of , it burns and yeah it burns , u will immediately shed some tears, eyes show reaction immediatly , but beleive me all the heavyness and infectious irritation will disappear in a matter of 5 min , u ll feel much lighter and healtier ,
just lay down , squirt it gently into yr nose and keep yr nose up so the water gets every where is needed and will wash up every thing is not suppose to be there.
cheers
Comment by rossy — September 29, 2007 @ 7:40 pm
I have been suffering with a dry stuffed nose, blowing did not help, nothing much came out. I just read about sniffing salt water, put 1/4 tsp. in a cup warm water and put it in a shallow bowl. I sniffed the solution several times and after finally being able to blow my nose, I can now breath better than for the last week. I will finally be able to sleep.
Comment by Lisa — October 16, 2007 @ 12:00 am
How often do you do this perday?
I have been suffering with a sinus infection for 3 weeks and I started antibiotics 4 days ago. I still have so much pressure and honestly nothing has come out of my nose in 3 weeks. I am desperate!!!
I tried this once this morning and it burnt and a bit of stuff came out of my nose, but not much…
Comment by Lindsay — December 30, 2007 @ 12:02 pm
According to my doctor, this is a very effective method of treating a sinus infection. Here is the procedure: fill a glass with 2 cups of warm water, and mix in 1/4 tbsp of salt. Submerge a wash cloth, press wash cloth against the nostrils, and snort while bringing the head back. Repeat 2-3 times a day while infected. From my own experience, it helps to do this while taking a shower or right after a shower. Of course, this should not be done in place of seeing a doctor (you’ll probably be prescribed antibiotics).
Comment by Tyler — January 11, 2008 @ 6:55 pm
antibiotics lower your ammune system… this is the safe way to live life without side affects..
thankx for the info everyone this really works
Comment by Natt — May 21, 2008 @ 3:37 pm
i had this method told to me by my pt instructor. he told me to take an old nasal spray bottle and rinse it out real well and the take a cup of warm water ans a teaspoon of salt mix it up . then pour it into the nasal spray bottle. then lay on the couch and snort it up till you feel it burn right under your eye your there . and repeat this step on the other side, and tilt your head back for about a min and a half. then let it sit up there for about 15 min and then blow.
and you’ll be surprised what will come out he said. Boy was he right, i had been fighting this off and on for about a month and when i did this. snot that was like rubber came out on both sides of my nose and it cleared right up. this works better than any meds out there right now and it’s better than nasal sprays because they cause more problems in the long run because most use steroids to fix it
Comment by ryan — June 8, 2008 @ 5:21 pm
I came down with a viral sinus infection several days ago… and have a big college meeting tomorrow. I need to feel well for it, so I went to the doc yesterday and he told me to do this and take guiafin (snot thinner drug). I just did this using a turkey baster… 1tbsp salt to 1 cup water, it was incredibly painful but I’m feeling better and hoping it works for good…
Comment by Rob — August 3, 2008 @ 9:55 am
I did this, but with more salt than necessary I think.
And it back fired. There was lots of burn in the nose along with the tears. It took 30 minutes to come back to normalcy. Now, this happened a month ago. Since then, every day after I get up, I sneeze incessantly and have a running-nose for an hour. May be its time to consult a physician. Did this happen to anyone here.. ?
Comment by Kiran Kumar — August 7, 2008 @ 11:55 pm
i’ve had a 2 month stuffy nose with only a few days of relief. 2 boxes of claritin later i’m about ready to try this method. we’ll see…
but yes, i wake up with sneezing and a stuffy nose just about everyday :(
Comment by dustin — September 1, 2008 @ 6:52 am
Mixing an equal proportion of baking soda with salt will reduce the harsh, raw feeling. An even better solution that I stumbled upon is a mix called Alkalol. It’s saline based, but adds menthol, camphor and some other related herbs…the whole thing is not only antiseptic, but very soothing, which I think helps tamp down your histamines when your allergies or sinuses are acting up. It helped me get over a month-long bacterial infection that the antibiotics couldn’t.
The ultimate solution – which I now own – is to get a WaterPik-type device and an add-on nasal tip (chk out retailer called National Allergy) and use that to gently power-irrigate your sinuses with salt water or Alkalol.
Comment by Eric — September 2, 2008 @ 9:57 am
My aunt used to do this to my sis and I when we were sick growing up… I dont think I have tried it since but now I might!
Comment by Kara — September 2, 2008 @ 7:21 pm
I learned of this method back when I was in college. I had a book of natural remedies and I may have learned it there. Thanks to majic I am reminded of it today, the day my sinuses have gone wild. So, as soon as work allows, its off to the condiments cabinet.
Comment by John McNulty — September 5, 2008 @ 1:28 pm
i just looked at this website and tried this. i prolly went overboard with the salt due to desperate measures. not that i care. it wasn’t that bad. i did like 2 tsp per cup and just shoved my nose in the cup and breathed in as hard as i could.. 2 minutes of pain cured a day long sinus headache.. woohoo!
Comment by tk — October 3, 2008 @ 10:14 pm
Yahoo! I’ve had clogged ears for more than a month. Taking Flonase and Mucinex D and anything else my doctor thinks “might” work. I’ve used more “medicine” in the last five weeks than ever in my life. I am not a doctor person, but… I couldn’t hear! Thank you so much for this suggestion. I used my baster and warm salt/baking soda water, blew my ears and hallelujah!
Comment by Andrea — November 8, 2008 @ 6:57 pm
I just tried this method ive had a sinus infection for about 3-4 days and I am going to aruba tomorrow. this really helped, hopefully with this method and the warm weather my infection will be wiped out. thanks so much
Comment by Mike — December 25, 2008 @ 10:32 pm
HOOOOOOO DOGGY. MY FRIEND AND I ARE BOTH SICK. WE’RE GOING TO DO THIS.
Comment by JOSH — January 6, 2009 @ 5:04 pm
YES IT DOES! My E.N.T. DR. gave me this 10 years ago and I live by it. My wife thought I was crazy. She said it burns too bad but it DOES do the trick, and FAST.
Comment by racefanfoster — January 15, 2009 @ 9:00 pm
This remedy works for me. I am tired to taking medication. Salt water UP YOUR NOSE. No side effects and does the trick. My mother showed me this. I have chronic sinus infection. Antibotics only help temporatily. Try it
Comment by Yolanda — February 6, 2009 @ 3:38 am
this does work, i actually do this in my bath, filling the bath water with much salt and going under many times, lots of fun hey. I also take garlic supplement, one tablet every 2-3 days, helps heaps, perhaps try it out.thanx.
Comment by nick — February 9, 2009 @ 9:42 am
Tryed it today , kinda of gross to do but it worked for me , i can breath again , keep in mind tho it does not cure a cold but takes away that cloghed up stuff head withing minutes , warm water in a cup 1/4 teaspoon of salt , straw in the nose & snort away you will clear out within minutes , Thanks everyone !
Comment by RALPH — February 25, 2009 @ 8:18 am
I tried this with great success, cleared sinuses, probably fended off infection. I have to say I’m not sure what people are saying about the pain, I did not experience any at all. I wonder if they are using iodized salt rather than uniodized sea salt?? Would that cause the pain? sort of like putting iodine on an open wound?
I put this solution into an old Dristan spray bottle and it works great, the one thing I noticed is that if there is any excess that makes it to the back of your throat, it is just salty water, not that horrible taste that you get from over the counter nose sprays. I did find that I had to repeat several times over the day, and it helped considerably doing it before bed.
Comment by ratsquith — May 18, 2009 @ 7:36 pm
does the salt/water nasal wash help with the chronic bad breath also?
Comment by anneth — May 22, 2009 @ 4:49 am
for bad breath try therabreath, both the toothpaste and the rinse
http://www.therabreath.com/
Comment by rebron — May 22, 2009 @ 8:24 am
Had a cold for about a week and just starting to get over it. Problem is now my something in my nose smells like a$$ so i’m thinking I’m getting a sinus infection. Just tried putting some saltwater in my nose with a syringe. Didn’t feel to bad but I blew some nasty stuff out!! Feel like a million bucks… will keep doing it for a couple days and see if the smell disappears! Thanks people!
Comment by Erik — June 15, 2009 @ 10:14 pm
You have to be some kind of baby, if you think this hurts. The pain is the same as when you dive into a pool. Getting water up your nose can be irritating, wether your a child, or an adult. The thing is, that mild rush goes away in seconds. My question to everyone would be, is common household salt a bad thing to use ?
Comment by TheForceQ — June 25, 2009 @ 12:22 pm
This is a very old remedy and it works
please don’t use ordinary table salt it will burn it has added chemicals (free flowing agents etc)
best is Celtic sea salt or a cheaper natural unbleached rock sea salt
If your uncomfortable sniffing the water use a Netti pot which is like a tea pot smaller spout or an old tea pot will do.
No more than 1|4 tea spoon to 3/4 cup warm water and just pour it up 1 nostril and it will flow through other one.
Comment by linda — July 4, 2009 @ 12:08 pm
After over a year of nasal and sinus trouble, incl. bilateral sinus surgery, I may have become an expert on washing sinuses.
I advise most firmly against the usage of ordinary kitchen salt. Road works salt is an option, though (it is absolutely untreated and does not contain any iodine) but it has to be carefully measured, viz 2.5 grammes to a cup of lukewarm water, with a view to obtaining the right osmosis. This quantity will ensure a tearlike rinse.
In my case, the above did improve the symptoms but did not really cure them. I have been using pre-packaged Neti-pot salt for five weeks now: my nasal passages and sinuses have felt normal for the fifth week only. So if you ask me, opt for certainty and go to the chemist. I am so happy I did. After all, “about 1/2 tablespoon to 3/4 cup” can hardly be called a very precise medicinal recipe.
As for those terrible pains so many of you complain about: I have had numerous washes a day for over a year but never experienced any kind of pain. On the contrary, a nose rinse with lukewarm water is an extremely pleasant experience to me. Could it be that some people ought to learn how to swim before trying out any nose rinses? ;-))
Comment by lies — August 22, 2009 @ 2:12 am
i just did this saltwater remedy and my nose is still stopped up. is there any suggestions please?
Comment by cedies — September 2, 2009 @ 4:07 pm
Hi everyone im a 24 year old female. ive been sick for over 2 months now with my nose being stopped up i keep getting hot flashes and i fell stuffed. i tried the salt and water remedy and i still feel the same,im also taking antibiotic and its not working and i have one pill left and still feel the same.i also tried the nasal spray but it say only use it for 3 days. should i try this saltwater remedy again or what should i do? somebody please help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by cedies — September 2, 2009 @ 4:21 pm
Hi Cedies
What your are describing reminds me of what I had in March this year. I did the same thing and even continued using the forbidden nasap spray after three days. Don’t do it! Go to your ENT at once and stop using the spray, which only makes matters worse and is addictive on top of that. Your sinuses are probably blocked and filled with tough mucus, which has to be removed asap; a painless but absolutely necessary procedure. After removal of the mucus, you will be helped with the salt water rinses. Godd luck!
Comment by lies — September 6, 2009 @ 3:38 am
I tired Walgreens brand Saline Nasal Spray as well as Simply Saline. Simply Saline was a nice experience but the Walgreens brand burned like satan’s toenails were stuck up your nose!!!! PAINFUL!! But in about 3-5 mins I could smell into next year! WOW! and it was cheap! When I used it, I heard the infection scream in my head. Never use this in a crowded room or you’ll scare the hell out of them.
Comment by Kirkendhall — September 18, 2009 @ 12:22 pm
Hi, salt is for sissies, try a mixture of equal parts ground pepper and balsamic vinaigrette. studies have shown this is 72% more effective than mere saline.
Comment by Smokey — September 22, 2009 @ 12:18 pm
I tried this… used a tbsp of salt per cup of warm water. WOAH!!! What a result! My sinuses are clearing up a lot now!
S’not funny,… but it’s EFFECTIVE!
Ah, Than-kew!
Comment by Yukadoo — October 5, 2009 @ 3:39 pm
I had flu for almost three months I tried some medicines but nthng worked.but salt thing its great.thanks alot
Comment by mike — October 14, 2009 @ 9:35 am
Just tried this and it wasn’t painful at all! I wonder if maybe I’m doing it wrong? It sounds funny to say but I’m worried that if it’s not painful then I’m not doing it right!
Comment by jesse — October 16, 2009 @ 2:45 am
Using the Neti pot will not be painful if you position your head correctly. Too much of an angle will cause a burning sensation. If you have the correct angle, the water will flow into one nostral and out the other with no ill effect. It’s pretty amazing.
Comment by Karen Ferrero — October 17, 2009 @ 3:06 am
I’m using this now as i’m reading, i’ve boiled some water and put in quite a lot of salt. I have had a blocked up nose since yesterday and I REALLY HOPE THIS WORKS – it’s my birthday in a week and i don’t want to show up to my party with snot coming from my nose! How many times should i snort this and do i have to do it daily? thankyouuu!!!
Comment by Lauren — October 22, 2009 @ 4:08 am
I tried the salt treatment with a pharmacy saline solution and I have been suffering ever since. Am I allergic to the salt? It has acted as an irritant and for 24 hours I have been blowing my nose nonstop and also have a sore throat from the irritation.
What can I do NOW to get rid of the salt’s effect? It is making me feel like I have a terrible cold. I was NOT sick when I did the ‘sinus rinse’ but I now I can’t stop the ‘symptoms.’ Any suggestions are appreciated.
Comment by Cathy — November 23, 2009 @ 8:59 pm
A doctor told me about this method over a decade ago when I was Snowboard bumming in Telluride. Yep it works great, I try to tell people about it but most just look at me like I’m crazy. Too bad for them, when I get sick I run salt water down my nozzle, clears ya right up and I think it helps me get better a little faster.
Comment by Sam — December 14, 2009 @ 9:24 pm
April of 2010 will mark 15 years that I have been snorting hot salt water on a daily basis. I used to get sinus infections regularly. It seemed like I was always taking antibiotics. I tried this home remedy. Three days after doing this in the morning and at night, my congestion and discolored phlem was clear. I use about 3/4 teaspoon of Mortons iodized table salt with 16 oz. of tap water that is hot. I lean over the sink, pour the water in my left hand and snort it up the left nostril. Then pour in into my right hand and snort it up my right nostril. I repeat this 5 or 6 times every day. I HAVE NOT TAKEN AN ANTIBIOTIC IN 15 YEARS!!! Remember, the iodized salt means the salt contains iodide not iodine. Read up on iodide you will be surprised. Donspf@hotmail.com
Comment by Don Messinese — December 19, 2009 @ 12:26 pm
I heard about this last year and my luck i just got this junk yesterday. What sux is new years eve is tomorrow, so im taking everyone’s advice and snorting salt water from a neti! hope it works happy new years!
Comment by Heather — December 31, 2009 @ 12:16 am
I used sea salt in my neti pot. One day, then the next. It worked really well, but after the second day, I have stinging in my sinus cavity from my gums up to my eye. After 3 or 4 days, I now have what looks like a burn on my skin from my lips up to my eye. It’s in patches. It hurts to touch it and it’s stinging “inside”. Anybody have any ideas? Solutions? It’s the weekend and Monday is a holiday, so no Doctor help is available. Thank you.
Comment by Esther — February 13, 2010 @ 9:18 pm
Well I have had severe sinus congestion for years and even went so far as to have sinus surgery to reduce my turbinates and that didn’t help at all. Have tried antibiotics, nasal sprays and pretty much anything else you can think of. Tested for allergies and I am allergic to absolutely nothing. I tried this today but a little different since my stuffiness is in the top of my nose. I mixed up regular table salt and hot water, got a straw, closed one nostril and sniffed it up the other one. Then I pinched my nose closed and bent all the way forward putting my head toward the floor and stayed there for a minute then straightened up slowly and let it run back out into the sink. I did this 4 times alternating nostrils and for the 1st time in almost forever I can breathe. I’m going to try it 3 times a day to see if it will keep me clear. Maybe even fix my terrible snoring problem.
Comment by Sandy Stepp — March 17, 2010 @ 8:15 am
I’ve been sick for over a week. I heard about this years ago.
I just tired it and OMG what a miracle. You can taste the salt n its a little bit raw like but the results r amazing.
Comment by Lydia Cruz — March 17, 2010 @ 10:28 am
My Grandmother was a doctor and swore by this method. She prescribed it for colds, congestion and also bad breath, and had 100% positive results from her patients. She used to try to convince me, but the idea was so horrible I never went there. However I’m currently living in Italy where it’s ridiculously difficult (and expensive) for a foreigner to see a doctor, I’ve had a cold for 13 days now and I’m sure I have a sinus infection. I decided it was time to gove this method a go. I mixed up my salt water, took half a teaspoon and snorted it up each nostril, then spat it out my mouth (as my Grandmother suggested). All this rubbery yellow stuff came out, and the pressure in my head released immediately!
I strongly recommend everyone to try this before going for antibiotics or over the counter nasal sprays.
Comment by Melissa Bates — March 23, 2010 @ 4:45 am
Hi,
I have this runny nose since have come to Bangalore in 2005. It runs all the time as a result of which I have cuts around my nose. My aunty wanted me to do tjis salt water thingy but whenever i did it, I wasn’t able to drain the water out through my mouth. My head also feels heavy after that and so I’m scared to follow this. I am tired of medicines ans nasal sprays. Please help!!!
Comment by Dyu — May 22, 2010 @ 2:46 am
to add to this ad, you can also add about a teaspoon of baking soda to your water and salt, it helps clear out any bacteria, i have been doing this for years and i used to suffer from sinus infections and i started to do the baking soda, read that its an old remedy and it WORKS amazingly well:) hope this helps
Comment by clayton — August 3, 2010 @ 5:59 pm