A couple of years ago, when I had a particularly bad sinus infection, that I couldn’t seem to kick despite two rounds of antibiotics, my doctor told me about using grapefruit seed extract for sinus infections, which she uses herself.
Hands down, I prefer natural solutions whenever possible so I was more than happy to try her suggestion. More importantly, though, did the grapefruit seed extract work on my sinus infection?
Grapefruit Seed Extract for Sinus Infections, Does It Really Work?
If you don’t know what a Neti Pot is, it’s not as weird as it sounds. It’s slightly weird but not that out there. Simply put, it washes your nose out with a saline solution and helps to loosen and get rid of congestion and junk. It’s not magic and won’t instantly fix you, but it can help. You can buy a Neti Pot from Amazon
, Walmart, drugstores, and health food stores all over.
Grapefruit Seed Extract is an incredible natural option. I’ve used this powerful stuff many times and it’s amazing. You can find Grapefruit Seed Extract online at Amazon
, Swanson Vitamin, and health food stores.
How I Used Grapefruit Seed Extract for Sinus Infections
I add 1-3 drops of Grapefruit Seed Extract to a Neti pot saline solution, shake it up, and use it as normal. I try to do this 2-3 times a day for a week to 10 days. The results are amazing for me.
For those of you who are familiar with Grapefruit Seed Extract and know how potent it can be: the 1-3 drops mixed in the 8 ounces of the saline solution have never bothered me, even with very sensitive sinuses.
The last time I had a sinus infection was several years ago and within 2 days of using this grapefruit seed extract trick, I was much better. It’s amazing stuff!
Gail Bedson says
“1-3 drops mixed in the 8 ounces of saline solution” – What is saline solution please..??
Gail xx
Erika says
The instructions come with the neti pot. It contains little “solution” packets that you mix with 1 cup of lukewarm distilled water. It’s specially formulated to be gentle on the sinuses and not cause irritation. You can get refills anywhere. Here’s a link: http://www.amazon.com/NeilMeds-Sinus-Pre-Mixed-Packets-100-Count/dp/B001G7QMYE/ref=sr_1_1?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1332853137&sr=1-1
Nicole says
nice blog Erika! i will try this at home. anyways where did you get this idea?aren’t they have side effects or something?
Erika says
My doctor recommended this! I’ve never heard of any side effects. Neti pots have been used for years, as have grapefruit seed extract. The only side effect I could think of is you are allergic to grapefruit. But again, like I said, if you’re not sure, ask your doctor.
Nicole (Mama to 4 Blessings) says
I recently heard on the news of someone dying using one of these, apparently there was bacteria in the Nettle Pot and the person used it causing the bacteria into their body? I have never personally used one but I have heard good things about them other than that.
Erika says
That was only because those people used water with bacteria in it. Always a bad idea!
If you use distilled water as recommended, there’s no problem. Google it – doctors everywhere recommended neti pots.
Julie M. says
I have heard of the neti pot, but like Nicole above, I have heard some bad things! Some people don’t know how t use them and may end up injured. I would probably pass because I don’t like putting anything in my nose,,,lol
Erika says
It’s not putting anything up your nose, just running clean water through. A nasal spray goes up further into your nose than a neti pot. And like I said to Nicole, the only reason those people died were because they used water with bacteria in it. If you used sterilized water (usually distilled – as directed) there is no problem.
Neti pots are nothing new – they’ve been trusted & used successfully for years. I have friends who use them and never get sick with a cold.
April says
Hi,
The NetiPot is awesome and it really does help.
April
Erika says
Yes it does! Thanks April!
Kecia says
I think I am going to try a neti pot the next time I have sinus issues. I have heard very good things about them. Thanks for the tip!
Erika says
You’re welcome! Thanks for commenting!
Danielle says
I will get a sinus infection maybe once a year. I will try this. I have it pinned to save it.
Erika says
Thanks for pinning, Danielle!
Renee says
we love our neti pot 🙂 thanks for sharing!
Erika says
Thanks for the comment, Renee!
Linda G. says
Thank you for this post! I found you through Pinterest and by typing “curing sinus infection” and I was so thinking to put some GSE into my sinus rinse container earlier this evening before finding you but hesitated. I am happy to know this was doctor recommended and others are doing what I was considering. I am sure I have a sinus infection and I really don’t want the hassle of going to visit my doctor with two small sick kids in tow.
md kennedy says
I agree – I am a relatively recent sinus sufferer, and although the OTC medications relieved the pain a bit, I don’t like taking meds. A friend of mine who has had sinus problems fo years suggested saline rinses and – voila! Daily rinsing has kept the “flare ups” to a minimum and not one has been as intense as before.
Maria Iemma says
I just saw a nettie pot in CVS and was going to buy it but was hoping it would go on sale. I’ve heard of the saline solution before and i am going to try it. Do I need a nettie pot or can I use a dropper…just wondering.
Kristen says
The neti pot sends the saline solution through one nostril through the whole sinus area and out the other nostril. You can’t get anything that thorough using a dropper. That being said, getting some saline up the nose is better than none, so even wetting a finger and sticking it up there will accomplish something. Good luck!
Maria says
Well, I have tried many natural remedies to rid myself of sinus infection and the only effective remedy was eucalyptus and lemon balm. I have not used the remedy you recommend but will definitely give it a try. Thanks for sharing, Erika!
LeikiliHaley says
Aloha just double checking, I use the neilmed sinus rinse with purified water already and your saying its alright to ADD the GSE to my saline rinse? OR do I need to only use GSE with the purified water as a rinse? Mahalo for your help cause right now I have a sinus infection and am so Uncomfortable.
Erika says
Good question! You add the GSE to the saline rinse water. That keeps the pH at the right level so it doesn’t irritate your sinuses. Be sure to shake it up first and you’re good to go. Good luck! I hope you feel better.
Deb Butte says
Where do I find the grapefruit seed extract?
Erika says
Hi Deb! You can find it at health food stores or online, at Amazon: http://amzn.to/1XVdt8D
Christina says
Your description of a neti pot is an accurate one. While it may seem a bit weird, some doctor’s do suggest it for temporary relief, as you experienced.
Susan Myers says
The author has suggested a great solution for sinus infection. I know whenever I have infection, I had to take time off from the work, means losing money. Also there is always a risk to transfer the virus to kids. Based on the suggestion of the author I will try grapefruit supplement https://www.herbalbless.com/products/childlife-aller-care-4-oz hope it will work.
I will certainly remember this little home remedy to get rid of a sinus infection as the author suggested.
iSOBEL says
My children are grown up now. And both of their grown up houses have grapefruit seed extract in the fridge ready to go at all times. It saved all of us from so many extreme winter maladies. And it is btw a very good fruit and veggie wash as well ( a few drops in a bowl of water to soak the food). Am so glad that as a young Mama I was led to this remedy.
35 years of use and counting………
Moedertje says
Thank you for sharing this recipe. I just read on Dr. Axe to add GSE to your nettipot, so I googled a recipe, and yours popped up! I’m staring today, and hope to kick this nasty post nasal drip!
Erika says
I hope it helps too and you feel better quickly!
Cc says
Hi my name is CC and I suffer from sinus infections all the time I just invested in navarge and in love it can’t wait to try the grape seed in it thank you for your suggestions
Jennifer Hart says
I have been battling a sinus infection for 3 months now! It would get better for a few days then worse for a few days. I’ve spent so much money on OTC medicines, and exhausted my bag of home remedy tricks. And then I remembered GSE! After 2 days of sinus cleansing with GSE, MY EARS CAN HEAR! This is huge for me as the hardest part of this resilient infection is my ears being clogged and constantly popping. I run a home day care and it’s very important to hear my children! I hope this helps someone else!
Anthony A Valdez says
Hi. I get sinus infections once to three times a year. I have tried everything, including a neti pot – but never saline with this extract. I will have to give it a try for my next ANNOYING sinus infection. Lol. Question: you talk of two different methods – drinking an extract and using an extract solution in a neti pot. I would rather drink a solution. Both methods work, though, correct?
Anthony A Valdez says
Never mind my email! I missed it the first time I read it. Drinking the extract solution would be good for a urinary tract infection. I will try it in the neti pot for my next sinus infection. Thank you!