Homemade Saline Nasal Spray for Amazing Sinus Relief
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Struggling with sinus issues? This Homemade Saline Nasal Spray is just what you need. Neti Pots and Saline Nasal Sprays are a great way to treat them, but buying those pre-made salt packets will break the bank.
Here's how to feel better fast and save money while you're doing it. Plus I've added in a recipe for a Homemade Xylitol Nasal Spray too–similar to Xlear.
Sinus issues are the worst.
I have somewhat narrow sinus passages, so whenever I get any kind of sickness that involved my nose, I get plugged up badly.
Now, you can use nose sprays for things like that, but they often can create a rebound issue where you get MORE plugged up after stopping.
No thanks!
Many years ago, I heard about using saline for sinus relief.
I'm sure most of you have seen or heard of net-pots, saline nose sprays, or those spray bottles that spray saline wash into your nostrils.
In my opinion, homemade saline solution in a nasal spray bottle is a lifesaver. Really.
Today I'm going to show you how you can easily make these sprays yourself to save a ton of money and hopefully stay well.
Why I Started Using Saline
When I was younger, I saw saline spray bottles in the store. My grandmother recommended that I try Ocean® Brand, which she said helped her immensely.
I personally never saw benefits from that kind of thing after trying it once or twice, but that all changed years later.
I was working at a small insurance agency. My boss was from Russia and we at times enjoyed talking about health issues.
At one point, I got quite sick with a cold, and my nose, in typical fashion, got very stuffed up (I have very narrow nasal passages, so I get pretty miserable pretty quickly from colds and such).
Anyhow, one day at work we started talking about sinus issues and my boss bought up saline washes. I told him that they never worked for me, and he proceeded to tell me how they used to do it in Russia.
This is what they would do.
“Russian” Basic DIY Saline Method
- put some warm water in your hand
- dump some salt in the water
- breathe the mixture in
- inhale further ensuring that the saline mixture goes back to fill the sinus cavities
- hold the saline for about 10 seconds
- blow the saline out
I was intrigued and tried it.
And it worked amazingly well, though the salt stung pretty bad sometimes.
Anyhow, I figured if I could apply that technique to a saline bottle, then I would have something very helpful, and more user-friendly than a hand full of saltwater!
So —
I went to the store, bought a starter kit for a saline wash, and was on my way.
And I have to say, this has made my narrow-sinus issues at least a little more bearable.
Anyway, as the years went on, I started using different forms of saline washes and found that they work great!
Why Make Your Own
One of the things that bug me is that when you go into your local drug, grocery, or health food store, and buy a neti-pot or saline spray wash, they give you little packets of pre-made saline mix to get you started.
However, then you feel the need to come back and buy more of their little packets.
Well, if you've looked at those packets, really the only thing that is in them is….
—salt and maybe baking soda.
Pretty simple, eh?
So I decided to figure out how much of each I needed to use in order to avoid the highway robbery of buying those little packets (not to mention all the extra garbage they generate. Sigh.)
The benefits of all of this?
1. Save a TON of money.
2. Reduce waste from those little packets of saline mix.
3. Control how much of everything you add easily.
Important Notes
Water: Use only purified water (see How to Make Your Tap Water Safe). Here is really icky documentation of folks who got brain-eating amoebas from using tap water. Yuck!
Salt: Use only pure salt like sea salt or my favorite, Real Salt. Table salt has lots of other things like anti-caking agents, silicon dioxide and even sugar sometimes. I don't want those in my nose, thank you.
Bottle Type: I like this brand, but I think they are all good. Personally, I don't think that the net-pots work as well since the spraying action seems to get the saline rinse in my sinuses better than the force of gravity.
Not for Daily Use: Some advise against continual use of saline washes. I found this article to be quite interesting. Do keep in mind that it might not be a good idea to use this on a daily basis.
Water Temperature: I prefer my water a little warmer than just lukewarm as it seems to help the salt dissolve better, but please take care to not overheat the water.
More Benefits: added sinus-cleansing action, after putting the saline solution into your nose, inhale a bit and hold some of it in your nose for about 10 seconds, and then blow out. I found this technique on my saline bottle's insert and it supposedly helps the saline solution get into all the nasal cavities.
If you find yourself in a real pinch and don't have a saline rinse container, you can mix this up in your hand the “Russian” way. Just make sure your hand is really clean.
Bonus Tip
In addition to the above “added sinus-cleaning action”, one of the best methods for getting this to address your whole sinus area is to use the wash and then tilt your head back over the edge of your bed. The saline mix will go all the way back into your sinuses. Hold it there for 2 minutes, and then blow out.
I've used this method with amazing success for stubborn sinus issues.
When to Use
- When you have a cold
- To clean out sinuses to support your body so are less likely to have a cold take root
- As a natural allergy help
- To moisten sinus passages in dry weather
Why Is Baking Soda Added to Saline?
Good question. There are two reasons for this.
Baking soda helps to open the sinus passages. Studies have shown that this mixture of concentrated saltwater and baking soda (bicarbonate) helps the nose work better and moves mucus out of the nose faster than saline solutions alone.
Also, baking soda acts as butter in the saline solution, so that it is less irritating.
Storage
You can store this mixture for up to 3 days, but not for longer.
Though salt is a natural preservative, water naturally grows bacteria easily. There are store-bought saline sprays that can be stored longer but they are made from sterile solutions and I believe that they are in airtight containers so that's a different situation.
Optional Additions
At one point I had a very stubborn sinus issue. I thought it was allergies, but it turned out to be a doozy of a sinus infection.
Since I was pretty desperate, I added a bunch of different things to my saline bottle to aid in my healing. Here are the possible additives for the nasal rinse that I read about and tried (I tried all except the honey).
– Apple Cider Vinegar: (just a drop or two. Don't make the mistake I did by adding about 1 tablespoon. Ouch!)
– Colloidal Silver: (I only used about one drop.)
– Grapefruit seed extract (GSE): This is supposed to be a great anti-viral agent. Just add one drop if you try this since it's really really strong!
– Xylitol – Some say it aids in making the solution non-stinging. It is also supposed to be helpful against bacteria and viruses. In fact, there are Xylitol Nose Sprays on the market now. (Source)
– Manuka Honey: I didn't try this but I have read that it is a natural way to kill germs, etc.
More DIY Wellness Supports
If you like this formula for a saline wash, you'll love these DIY products too!
– DIY Decongestant (like Vicks Vapo-Rub) – skip the toxins and save money with this simple formula
– Herbal Steam – a total game-changer for respiratory issues and it's great for your skin and hair too.
– DIY Thieves Oil – so much cheaper and it works great.
Ingredients
Homemade Saline Nasal Spray
- 1 cup (8 ounce) water
- 1 teaspoon natural salt (you can add more for more "punch" but it does sting. I use Real Salt)
- 1/8 teaspoon (pinch) baking soda
Homemade Xylitol Nasal Spray Version
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon xylitol
- 1/8-1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 drop grapefruit seed extract optional
Instructions
- Warm the water to a temperature that is as warm as you can tolerate (of course, this is a subjective term. The water should not be so hot as to damage your nasal passages. See notes below.)
- Add salt and baking soda to your saline container (neti-pot or saline spray bottle).
- Add water and mix / shake to combine.
- Follow directions for using your saline wash container.
- Make sure to rinse out your container after use and leave it open to air dry.
How about you? Have you used saline sprays before?
Good to know about the distilled water. I’ve read this recipe before and I got a free neti pot but now I’ll be using distilled water lol!
Thanks for the tips and recipes Adrienne. I use the store bought ones often. I have a lot of health problems I have allergies and have sinus infections often.
I found you on Sundae Scoop. I plan on coming back to read more of your articles.
Hi Adrienne,
I will have to look into the GSE – did not know about the processing issues. Here is what I use:
https://www.mynaturalmarket.com/Grapefruit-Seed-Extract-Liquid-Concentrate.html?gclid=CILOjorq17MCFSXZQgodah8Avg
I’m so sorry to hear you’re not well. It sounds like you’re pretty sick lady!! Sending healing vibes your way.
And as far as the capsules…I purchased mine so long ago (at my local Natural Foods Coop), so I don’t even remember the brand. They came in a plastic bag with a white label (I do remember that). I transferred them into a glass jar after purchasing. They have lasted forever. If I come across the brand I will let you know…but like the GSE, I did not know there was an issues with processing. Something else for me to research.
Get better!
Hugs,
–Amber
This is what someone told me about capsules: “100% Kosher Bovine capsules — you don’t want the veggies because of the toxins.” So maybe we could both try to find these at a good price :-).
Hey sista…I am right there with you! Suffering from a killer cold and sinus infection on this end for the last 3 days. A little better today. Oh boy, I was a hot mess yesterday.
So just a few comments/thoughts
So I used to get sinus infections 7 or 8 times a year (usually brought on by terrible allergies that I suffered from years long). It all started when I turned 20 and moved a few hours away here in California (a few hours south I should say) to the Central Valley. Now, if any of your readers are from Northern California, they KNOW the horrific allergies that can come with this region. It was the combination of agriculture, smog, other pollutants, and pollen that put my body into a tail spin (until 6 years later after I was diagnosed with Crohns). Anyway, I was put on antiobiotics each time I got a sinus infection. I didn’t know any better. I think back and cringe.
After my Crohns diagnoses I stopped eating dairy and gluten (and soy, cane-sugar, etc). And my allergies vastly improved!
I still get allergies but only twice a year: during the spring and for some reason during this time (the fall) – probably Candida related. I now let these things run their course and do just about everything you mentioned above (I used to take colloidal silver and I still do a little of the oregano oil..but that stuff is so nasty it’s hard to ingest as an oil, they have caps, but they all contain soy, so I started making my own caps of oregano oil and cinnamon oil). 🙂
I like my Neti pot, but only use it 1x per day when I have an infection. Once I overused it and it made things worse. I’ve been thinking about putting some GSE in my Neti, so your post was a good reminder to try!
I actually drink 15 drops of grapefruit seed extract with 5 ounces of water 3x each day with an infection and it helps zap it (it killed my strep throat last month within 4 days)!
I also do ACV and eucalyptus is a must at night. As you know I heal my kiddos at home when they are ill, and never take them in for a cold or flu. They will just leave with some useless antibiotic. Many of these simple techniques can really ease the discomfort of a cold/sinus infection. Many teas are so helpful such as chamomile! And I have to say, eucalyptus works wonders at night opening the nasal passages!
Other things I do for me when ill with cold/sinus infections:
1. Sleep in a sitting position. I know this sounds crazy, but I sleep on the couch literally sitting up. This helps move the phlegm away from my head/face.
2. Drink a lot of water
3. Stop ingesting most forms of sugar (all sweeteners, and most high fructose fruits), some grains are okay, but the point it so keep the sugar away from the bacteria!
4. I take double vitamin C (I use a buffered variety that is gentle on my stomach).
5. No caffeine – even in teas! I drink 1 or 2 cups of gentle teas such as Red Raspberry Leaf and Rooibos.
6. I also take probiotics
7. Rest, rest, and rest the first few days, then gentle walking and increased movement to get the blood moving and phlegm out!
8. Thyme oil caps are FANTASTIC! Just be sure to read warnings- herbs are powerful. 🙂
Okay, wow, this was a long comment. Just had to chime in as I’m also feeling under the weather.
Have a great rest of your weekend, Adrienne…and I hope that YOU are feeling well (better).
Hugs,
–Amber
Thank you, Amber! The GSE comment is very interesting. I used to use that for candida, but then I heard about some processing issues. Not sure what to think. I have been almost allergy free but it seems this was a bad infection or something brewing. Very disconcerting, honestly. I feel so weak to have succumbed like this.
Can I ask where you are buying your capsules? I was told to get bovine ones to avoid processing issues there as well.
Thanks!! I am off to check out your hot cocoa post now :-).
After suffering terrible allergies growing up, I’ve made and used my own saline wash for years. The one I make does not include baking soda (although I may try that!), but does include a few drops of essentials oils, such as eucalyptus, menthol, tea tree oil and lavender. And boy – does it work! I haven’t had a sinus infection or cold in about 3 years and although I can still “feel” the allergies, they just don’t seem as bad. Thanks for sharing –
Thanks! I am still fighting this so I am going to try the tea tree. 🙂
What is your exact mix of essential oils and what kind do you use if you don’t mind me asking? Do you use just regular tea tree oil or should it be a fancy essential oil? Thanks! I have had horrible sinus problems for 11 years now.
Hi there. Sorry – I’ve been swamped with an icky personal issue and now my son got really sick. I used 2-4 drops eucalyptus and 2 drops rosemary and 1 frankincense. But occasionally I used tea tree as well. I don’t know what you mean about “fancy essential oil” but I am careful to buy quality. Now that I have done my research. There’s a lot of monkey business going on in the industry.
Wonderful photos. Found you from Frugal Friday! Thanks for sharing. I try to get my kids to use nose drops and it varies by season. I just bought new bottles (which do not spray up, so not happy.) I should have kept the old ones and refilled them. I think I’m going to wash and sanitize the old ones that work and then try your recipe. Thanks again for sharing some insight on staying healthy this winter!
One of my friends recently told me her 6 year old is still antibiotic free. I think that’s awesome, especially when so many doctors shove them at you.
I’ve been making my own rinse for years, too. I always add the baking soda for proper pH balance–otherwise I find it really stings. And I’ve only used up to 1/2 tsp per cup of water, but otherwise exactly the same. I’ve taken to boiling my water (even if filtered) since reading about those amoebas, though!!
Gross, eh? I use RO water so I think I’m safe :).
Your additions are a real eye opener for me, thanks. Any tips on getting little ones to use it, by chance??? I used to buy the kids version in the can with the nozzle that “power” shoots. We used to make a game out if it. Both thought it was really funny until they were about 2 or so, then no more.
Hmmm… My allergist had a funny little saline thing that was a fishy attached to a syringe. I can’t find it on the internet so I don’t know where to get it.
Any readers have any ideas? My youngest was asking to use it this time b/c he saw me and my oldest needing it. Funny, huh? A kid begging for a saline wash? I know I have had to be really careful to be gentle so I don’t hurt their ears w/ too much pressure – and also to be excited when the “junk” comes out :-).
What an amazing photo at the top of your post!