How can a nasal rinse help treat sinusitis?

If you have a sinus infection, nasal rinses can bring you relief.

Dissolve 1⁄2 teaspoon (2.5 g) of salt in 1 cup (240 ml) of lukewarm water. Add a pinch of baking soda to make the solution gentler if it is irritating your nasal passages. You can even use plain lukewarm tap water without salt if you want to keep it simple. Inhale (snort) some of the solution about 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 7.6 cm) up into your nose, one nostril at a time. You can use a baby nose bulb or an eyedropper while lying down, or sniff the solution out of the palm of your hand while leaning over a sink. You can also use a neti pot to rinse your sinuses. You’ll find premixed sinus rinses at health food stores or online, with directions for use. When you’ve finished inhaling the solution, gently blow your nose, being careful not to hurt your ears.

Repeat the same process with the other nostril. Continue doing this, one nostril at a time, until your nose is clear. Rinse your nasal passages at least twice a day until the infection improves. Each time you rinse, it will wash away about 90 percent of the infection and make it much easier for your body to heal.

Do not use standard over-the-counter decongestant nasal sprays like Afrin for more than two or three days because they can cause nasal congestion and chronic sinusitis when used long term. The approach described here will often clear up your chronic sinusitis within six to twelve weeks. If you have a sore throat, gargling with saltwater, mixed as described above for the nasal rinse, will help.