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3 Effective Ways to Elminate Sinus Infections

www.mypicshares.com

Two years ago I wrote a post about how I defeated a raging sinus infection I had been battling for nearly 8 weeks. I used every natural method I could think of and had no success.  I was so desperate for relief, I almost broke down and agreed to take antibiotics. I am so glad I didn’t relent and tried this natural remedy instead.

It’s very frustrating to hear from people that they have tried natural remedies or “cures”, had no success, and so they decided to go with drugs. Usually the reason why a natural remedy doesn’t work is because it is not properly employed – not because as a whole natural remedies aren’t effective. I know because many times I’ve used remedies incorrectly, and later learned the right way to do them and had success. And sometimes when things are more serious, different remedies work better than others.

These sinus remedies really work, I’ve heard dozens of people tell me since I first used this that it has been effective for them as well.

1. Probiotics in your neti pot

I was using the neti pot for weeks while I had my infection, which usually works wonders on its own. But this time it wasn’t doing the trick.  My neighbor gave me the idea to use probiotics in my neti pot.  When I did this, I felt a terrible burning in my sinuses and the back of my throat for a few minutes, and then the pain I had been feeling for weeks and weeks completely disappeared. I continued with the probiotic neti-pot rinse for several days, at least twice daily and I was cured.

Directions:

  1. Using a clean neti-pot or nasal-spray bottle (great for kids), empty the contents of a therapeutic, high-bacteria count probiotic capsule into it. Good brands include Biotics Research or Bio-Kult.
  2. Add warm filtered water to the neti-pot or spray-bottle. I use my tea kettle and don’t let it go to boiling, then add in cold filtered water to make sure the temperature is just right for my sinuses. You definitely want to make sure the water is just tepid so that you preserve the beneficial bacteria in the probiotics. You can also use 1/8 teaspoon of home-made yogurt or kefir from raw milk.  Do not use commercial yogurt or kefir as the bacteria count won’t be high enough or diverse enough to eliminate your infection.
  3. If desired, add a bit of sea salt and baking soda. You won’t need much (I don’t measure, but I don’t use more than an 1/8 teaspoon), When you are finished with the probiotic rinse, you can also do another rinse with just sea salt and baking soda an hour or so later.
  4. Stir the water/probiotics in the neti-pot with a spoon or shake bottle after tightly screwing on the lid (nasal spray bottle).  If using a neti-pot: while standing over a sink, insert the nozzle of the neti-pot into one nostril, and make sure there is a good seal between the nozzle and your nostril. Lean forward, close the back of your throat and breathe through your mouth. Then, allow the contents of the neti pot to enter one nasal opening and rinse through to exit out the other nasal opening. This may take up to two or three minutes if your nasal passages are congested. Repeat on the other side. Try to avoid swallowing the water that goes into the nostrils, and blow your nose when finished. If using a spray bottle: insert the nozzle of the spray bottle into one nostril while covering the other. While compressing the pump on the nasal spray bottle, inhale deeply. Repeat several times on both sides. Be prepared to spit out anything left after inhaling the mist into the sink.
  5. When finished, wash out your neti-pot or spray bottle with warm water and soap and allow to dry before using again.

2. Enemas

Sometimes we need to go deeper to eliminate the problem at hand. Since discovering the probiotic remedy for sinus problems, I have found enemas to be another very effective method to eliminate sinus infections.  Because most issues that cause sinus infections begin in our natural detoxification centers such as the colon, enemas are a highly useful tool to reduce toxicity in that area, which lowers the chance of getting infections throughout the body.

The sinus cavity is a particularly discrete area, and thus is a place where dangerous bacteria can hide.  When we eat processed foods and are continually exposed to environmental toxins, our bodies become overwhelmed. There is only so much we can filter out.  The last time I felt a sinus problem coming on, I used the neti-pot with probiotics.  But even after I did this, I could tell things weren’t moving out as they should. I was planning to do an enema that day anyway. Afterward, the sinus problem I felt coming on completely went away.

If toxins build up in your body at a faster rate than you can eliminate them, the result is disease and illness. Infections such as sinus and other respiratory ailments have been strongly linked to colon and also liver toxicity, and these types of issues are discussed at length in Dr. Norman W. Walker’s book Colon Health: The Key to A Vibrant Life.  I highly recommend using enemas for any health condition, but they are definitely effective for sinus issues. If you have a severe sinus issue, an enema just may do the trick.

Many people are squeamish about enemas because of the part of the body it involves. I admit that when I first entertained the idea of using enemas, it seemed unpleasant and wrong. But once I discovered the tremendous benefits of using them, I was able to get over my reluctance to do them. If you do them a few times, you can become well-practiced and the procedure won’t seem so intimidating or overwhelming.

There are several types of enemas to use. Some people simply use water as a means to move matter out of the body. You can also use probiotics in your enema, and coffee enemas. Coffee enemas are highly effective because they prompt your liver to dump toxins. You should only use organic coffee in your enema.

Rather than go through the entire procedure here, I’m providing a link to Dr. Wilson’s web site which has very thorough directions as well as an explanation about the importance of detoxification in the body. Dr. Wilson has worked extensively treating cancer patients for many years and is an advocate of the work of Dr. William Donald Kelley, a pioneer in cancer treatment and research.  Remember that cancer is an advanced expression in the body of toxins and its inability to properly filter them out to maintain good health.

Colonics are also beneficial.  I’ve had over 20 of them. To be effective, they should be used on an ongoing basis, particularly with chronic health problems.  Because of this, colonics are out of many people’s budgets. Enemas are a good alternative and are much cheaper.

The reason colonics and enemas are so effective is because most people have spent their lives consuming processed foods and being exposed to chemicals.  Both of these procedures encourage your body to eliminate toxins that have built up in your body, and may be embedded as a result of years and years of poor lifestyle.

3. Dietary support

What you eat affects your body. If you eat a lot of junk, processed, and commercial foods, you can expect to have chronic health issues. These foods are nutritionally-empty and also devoid of enzymes and probiotics which your body needs to maintain health. They contribute to free-radical development, aging, and disease in the body.  

Avoid the following foods:

  • Refined sugar and carbohydrates
  • Pasteurized dairy products
  • Wheat and other grains
  • Nuts that are processed and contain undesirable ingredients
  • Soy
  • Other processed foods
  • Artificial sweeteners
  • Industrially-produced fats such as margarine, shortening, vegetable oils (which are trans fats) like canola, cottonseed oil, soybean oil, and fake butter or butter substitutes

If you eat sustainable foods grown or produced without pesticides, chemicals, hormones, antibiotics, additives, preservatives, and genetically-modified ingredients, you will have better health. I’m not promising that you’ll never be sick or that you’ll have perfect health, but you will notice a big difference. Your body needs nutrients, living enzymes, and beneficial bacteria to stay healthy, all of which are available in these foods.

Foods to include in your diet:

  • Grass-fed meats and poultry
  • Game meats
  • Eggs from hens on pasture
  • Healthy fats like butter, olive oil, coconut oil, tallow and lard from healthy animals on pasture, and fermented cod liver oil
  • Safe-source seafood
  • Raw milk and other dairy products from healthy cows on pasture; also cultured dairy foods made at home from fresh, raw milk
  • Sustainable, fresh produce
  • Whole grains that are properly prepared through soaking, sprouting, and fermenting
  • Cultured vegetables and home-made vegetable juices
  • Organ meats from healthy animals and birds
  • Home-made stocks, soups, and broth from the bones of animals and birds on pasture

Note: it is a good idea to avoid grains and especially gluten altogether if you experience chronic health issues and infections, even the properly prepared kind that are sprouted, soaked, soured or fermented. Once you get your health issues under control, you can add these back in as your body can tolerate them. Keep in mind that some people’s bodies do not tolerate grains at all.

More information:

Dietary changes & supplements for removal of candida overgrowth, part I

Dietary changes & supplements for removal of candida overgrowth, part II

My liver and gallbladder miracle cleanse experience

My home medicine cabinet – what I use to remedy ailments

 

 

 

17 replies on “3 Effective Ways to Elminate Sinus Infections”

You need to make sure that the water in your pot isn’t hot, but more like baby’s bath water when adding it to the probiotic. Hot water will kill the good bacteria before it gets to the tissues that it can help!

Peggy – you are absolutely right, and I did forget to mention that, but that is why I said for the water to not be boiling and to temper it with cold filtered water. Thanks!

I’m all for natural cures and I haven’t taken any antibiotics for years, but I have to take exception with this comment:

“It’s very frustrating to hear from people that they have tried natural remedies or “cures”, had no success, and so they decided to go with drugs.”

It’s not bad to take antibiotics or other drugs WHEN NECESSARY. There was a time when people used to get a flu and die. Once upon a time, if a cut got infected you could die. I know all the problems with antibiotics and I certainly don’t think it’s a great idea to take them for every little problem, but let’s keep some healthy respect for what they can do. They can literally be lifesavers.

Ruth – thanks for your comments. It’s certainly true that sometimes drugs are needed. But the problem is that the majority of people do not trust in natural remedies and immediately go with drugs, or receive the wrong information about how a natural remedy works (not their fault, of course), and then drugs are either the first line of defense or they are used after not much effort. This is the type of mentality I’m trying to change, because as consumers and patients, we get little to no support for natural treatments in the conventional world of medicine, and we are told by many practitioners that at best, these treatments are not terribly effective and will interfere with the drug being prescribed.

I had one of the worst sinus infections of my life two years ago in the summer of 2009, and I did not die, nor was I anywhere near death. Honestly, I get weary of the “death” card being pulled as a reason for taking antibiotics. I had my infection for nearly two months, but the probiotics in the neti pot did the trick as soon as I heard about it, and it was gone. Just like that. If I had given in and taken antibiotics, I’m sure the infection would have come back. But I was persistent and found the right remedy. As a child, I had repeated sinus infections, and I always took antibiotics. Since I discovered the neti pot with probiotics remedy, I’ve only had one infection. I think that’s very telling.

It’s certainly a personal choice, but natural treatments boost the immune system naturally, whereas antibiotics only weaken the immune system. The only result is making your body more susceptible to another infection. Because of this clear difference, that’s why I wrote this post.

I am new to your site. Awesome! 🙂
Question about enema’s. I would like to start doing them but was told from a friend that the regular ones are not good because of the yucky chemicals in the plastic going into your body ect. She said stainless steel but they are quite more expensive. Can you elaborate on this at all? Is it more a benefit to do it than not, I assume so.
Also which do you use and where may I ask?

Thanks!

Wendi – the coffee enemas I’m talking about doing are not store-bought, they are done at home with an enema kit, which can be purchased at some health food stores and most drug stores. It would consist of a hot water bottle, a tube and clamp, and at least two different types of nozzles (one is for the rectum and the other is likely for douching purposes). They are usually about $15 – 20 in cost. You won’t buy anything else for the enema except for filtered water and organic coffee. Please see this link which I provided above for more information about the enema and also the type of coffee to use:

http://www.drlwilson.com/detox_protocols.htm

Order organic coffee (depending on where you live, you’ll want to select your region and it will take you to the right ordering area):

http://www.sawilsons.com/gate.htm

You may also want to do a second round of enema after the coffee enema with just water and a therapeutic probiotic to use in the enema to replenish any good bacteria lost during the detoxing of the liver with the coffee enema. Brands like GUTPro, Biotics Research, Prescript-Assist, or BioKult are recommended for both oral and rectal use.

http://gapsdiet.com/Bio-Kult_Probiotic.html

http://organic3.com/gutpro/

http://www.magneticclay.com/store/prescript-assist-probiotic.aspx

http://www.bioticsresearch.com/node/1547

Store enemas such as Fleet and other similar brands do not provide the same benefit as a coffee enema, and can actually make things worse since they contain chemicals which may be harmful. If you are having chronic sinus issues, this should alleviate your symptoms pretty quickly as well as aid your body in detoxing to prevent future issues. Toxicity in the colon is usually a major reason for secondary problems like sinus issues, as well as other inflammatory conditions in the body such as flu, cold, sore throat, and even pneumonia and bronchitis.

I have had a sinus thing going on for over 2 years now, I went to the doctor, they gave me an antibiotic, it didn’t do anything to alleviate it. I don’t know if what I have is an actual infection, my head throbs whenever I bend over, laugh, cough, or God forbid if I sneeze, it feels like my head is going to explode. One or both of my nostrils are stuffed up all the time. I have tried a neti-pot, but I just don’t understand how that can possibly work on my issues, I take several over the counter sinus pills with Advil or Tylenol for my headaches which go along with the sinus thing. I’m wondering if your cure would work for me, did you have any of the same symptoms that I have? Also I have always had chronic constipation, so its really weird that I have these two problems and I read in your article that its related. Thankyou in advance, for any imput you have for me!

Monica – a neti pot on its own might not do anything, I’ve certainly tried that before and got no results. But using a probiotic and the neti pot together is very effective. Using the coffee enemas would be even more effective. But don’t just do these activities once, as any amount of these things you can do will be beneficial for your body, and extremely detoxifying.

Also, I’d recommend following a GAPS-type diet (that’s what I’m on now) that includes plenty of bone broths, cultured/fermented (juices and cultured vegetables done at home, and later when you can tolerate, yogurt, kefir, and sour cream from raw milk made at home), and well-cooked foods like soups and stews every day. Buy Dr. Natasha Campbell McBride’s book Gut and Psychology Syndrome for information on the GAPS diet.

Besides changing my diet to traditional foods some years ago, this plus things like probiotics in my neti pot and coffee enemas have been some of the most powerful things I’ve ever done for my health. Of course, if you have something chronic that’s been going on for years, a few of these sessions probably won’t do much. It will have to be a regimen that you commit to and stick to. The neti pot sessions can be done daily, or twice a day to see how your sinuses respond. Coffee enemas should be done on a schedule similar to what Dr. Wilson recommends if you are going to do them regularly – check out the link I provided above to see what his suggestions are. I’d love to hear about your progress and results. I hope this has been helpful to you!

Wow, thanks for the recco of putting probiotics in the neti pot. I feel so much better after doing it just once. It did sting, like you said, and then afterwards I feel much relief. I look forward to clearing this sinus infection up quicker than the previous ones I’ve had.

At the recommendation of a natural health practitioner I bought some Bio Kult and put it in a neti pot for my 11YO daughter, who is stuffy a lot, especially in the morning. She said it should reduce the biofilm that is plugging up her sinuses. Normally she uses a neti pot with no trouble, but she cried in pain with the Bio Kult in the pot. I’m glad to see she’s not the only one who felt this pain, but does it lessen with subsequent treatments? I’m not sure I’ll be able to convince her to do it again unless I find out that the pain subsides substantially. Thanks!

If she is feeling pain while using the Neti Pot, it may be due to two reasons: either the solution is too strong or it is not isotonic. Use less of the probiotic in the dilution and add some salt (about 1/4 tsp, the tepid water should taste like tears). Reduce the amount of probiotic in the solution until it feels comfortable when flushing. It should never hurt.

Hey Raine, thank you so much for all this wonderful helpful advice. I have been using the probiotic technique for two days now. However when I put the probiotics in my nose with the neti pot there is not the initial pain that you are talking about, only a slight pain that lasts a few seconds. I am using ‘Quest’ Acidophilus Plus 2 billion lactobacilli bacteria pro biotics, would you recommend this?

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Could you list the bacterial strands that your probiotic had in its formula? Maybe that could help us all out a bit…..

Im actually going to try adding dairy kefir to my sinus irrigator. I’ve read many articles and claims from people doing this for centuries. If they’re doing alright by it, then I will try it. I also read a lot of people simply dab a qtip in it and just run it around the inside. One more thing, kimchi juice has the one bacteria in it that is found in ALL healthy sinuses but is non existent on ALL sinusitis sufferers called L Sakei. The past week I have bought organic kimchi from my health food store and did the qtip trick and my sinus pain is pretty much gone and now im just left with post nasal drip. So I will continue the kimchi juice and will add kefir to the qtip regiment and see if that will finally kick this crap that I’ve been dealing with for the last year.

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