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I have had the awfullest sinus infection of all time these last couple of days! I get them with unfortunate frequency due to my allergies.
I have a bit of optimism on that front, I’m hoping I’ll get some relief (any relief) when we move out of town. San Antonio is notorious for allergens!
This time it was probably the worst sinus pain I have ever had. Pain that made me hit my fist onto the table top! Pain that made me moan! Pain that made me wonder if a person can actually die from pain!
I never have had much faith in what a medical doctor can do for a sinus infection. I’ve had enough experiences where I take the meds they give me, suffer the side effects and get no relief from the infection. Makes me so much less likely to sign up for that kind of treatment any more.
What usually does me a world of good is my neti pot. I love my neti pot. It’s the best thing for folks with allergies. It usually wipes out my problem within a day or two.
Well, this time the thing came on so fast and furious and hurt me so badly that I was just not willing to give it a day or two. I needed some right-away relief.
My friend Faith said to sniff an onion. Very wise advice. Onions are powerful anti-bacterial agents. That helped a little.
Then she told me about the apple cider vinegar treatment. So I had Hank fix me a tall glass of warm water w/1T of acv and 1 T of honey. Tasted rather weird, not horrible, but it got my nose running a bit. (That’s what you came here to read about, right?)
Anyway, the pain was just overwhelming. So, I read up a bit, to refresh the info that was coming to mind. Then I did the weirdest thing I have ever done for my sinuses.
I poured a cup of warm water to which I added 1/8 tsp garlic powder, 1/8 tsp ginger powder, and 1/8 tsp powdered cayenne pepper! Then I poured that into my neti pot and proceeded to pour it up my nose!
Y’all! That was some hot stuff! I could only tolerate one tiny blast of that fire-water in each nostril, but let me tell ya! The pain was gone! Right away!
I felt so much better, right away! I was able to lay down and take a good nap, which I richly deserved, since I hadn’t gotten any sleep due to the “sledge hammer in my sinus” sensation the whole night before.
I did decide that, should any subsequent “torture sessions” be required, I would use significantly less of the cayenne.
I have done this twice more. Once yesterday evening, and once this morning. Both times I used a pinch of cayenne, instead of the 1/8 tsp. Lots easier to take. Not easy, mind you. But I can go for about a count of 15 on each side. The relief was just as complete and quick as when using too much cayenne.
The relief is immediate and the benefit is long-lasting! Yay!
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You’re description of what you put up your nose certainly made me laugh. I would have never thought that combination of stuff would help clear up a sinus infection. I may have to suggest a neti pot to my dad. He gets horrible infections also.
I love my neti pot and recommend nasal irrigation all the time! No, it’s not exactly killer party conversation but good habits w/ the sinuses can go a long way toward good health.
I am a huge believer in natural cures, and in not jumping to meds or surgery too quickly. However I must say that if things get to the “chronic” stage don’t mess around. See your doctor and then if you get a ct scan make sure you know all your options (it used to be that sinus surgery was the only option. but now there are less invasive choices like balloon sinuplasty).
That’s my two cents. Take care everybody and keep those nasal passages clean!
–Erin G
Ritsumei,
It certainly can’t hurt to give it a try. They sell them at Walgreen’s.
MOST interesting. I’ve heard a couple of people recommend those Neti Pots, and I may have to see if I can talk my husband into doing it: he’s got the most awful chronic sinus junk of anyone I know! The man NEVER breathes through his nose. Maybe a Neti Pot will fix that for him.
If you do have to go in for anti-biotics, make sure they give you at least a 10 day course. I had a sinus infection for literally 4 months (bacterial) and could not shake it. Finally gave in and it was gone after the 10 days. The doc said medicine has a hard time getting to the sinus cavity so she does the longer course.
Wow, that’s awesome! I should tell my husband about that as he gets the most hideous sinus infections.
Ouch! That does sound painful! I also get seasonal sinus infections…I’m finally getting toward the end of my usual fall one. I’ve never tried a neti pot…may have to give it a try.
I’ve tried the vinegar/honey/water thing and it’s does work pretty well. I’ve also put vinegar and cayenne in boiling water and put a towel over my head and breathed the steam…that works good as well. (but keep your eyes closed!) After doing that, I my face around my sinuses and that sort of helps break it all down as well. Also love a hot bath with a bit of Eucylptus and lavender EO.