According to WebMD, 37 million Americans suffer from at least one episode of sinusitis each year. Sinus troubles leave many struggling for weeks and months on end. Stuffy and congested nose, pain between the eyes or in the forehead and upper teeth ache, are just some of the irritating and painful symptoms of a sinus infection. But there is a natural cure for sinus infection: grapefruit seed extract (GSE) is an extremely potent natural remedy that can effectively fight sinus infections.
From my own personal experience, I know that sinus infections can be truly debilitating and I’ve written a number of articles on how to beat sinus infection: the best home remedies for sinus infection and how to use horseradish to treat sinus infection. I believe that if you want to beat a sinus infection, it’s best to combine different types of treatments. In this article I want to describe how I virtually solved my chronic sinus infection using grape fruit seed extract (GSE).
Grapefruit seed extract (GSE), which is made from the pulp and the seeds of the grapefruit, acts as a natural antibiotic. It has antioxidant, antibacterial and antiviral properties and is a very versatile natural remedy. The grapefruit’s high vitamin C content and other healing nutrients help the body defeat infection and relieve congestion. GSE is considered to be an effective way to deal with sinusitis and has long lasting results.
I’ve used grapefruit seed extract when I had sinus infection that lasted a few weeks and I had great results. Within days I’ve noticed an amazing improvement: the pressure that I had in my sinuses has disappeared and I was able to breath properly through my nose. I found out that many other people had great experience when using GSE to treat their sinus infection.
What Can You Expect From GSE?
It’s antibacterial and antiviral but it doesn’t harm beneficial intestinal flora in the intestines.
It’s natural and safe and doesn’t contain any potentially harmful chemicals.
Unlike some other treatments, it doesn’t dry and dehydrate the body.
It stabilizes the body’s pH, which has an overall positive effect on the body and aids disease prevention.
It works as a natural antiseptic.
It’s easy to use.
It provides the body with some additional nutrients that support health and well-being.
How to Use Grapefruit Seed Extract to Treat Sinus Infections
You can take GSE in different forms: you can irrigate the nasal passages, take it in a capsule or tablet form or drink it mixed with water (or other fluid).
Based on my own experience, the most effective way to use GSE for sinus infection is to irrigate your sinuses using saline water mixed with a few drops of GSE. You should always mix the GSE with water as it’s extremely concentrated and it may burn and irritate your sinuses if it’s too concentrated.
How to Irrigate Your Sinuses With GSE
Mix a few drops of GSE with ¼ teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water (240ml / 8 fl oz). You should NEVER use tap water for your sinus irrigation – use bottled water that has been distilled or sterilized, or previously boiled and cooled down water to make sure it is free from bacteria. Use the mixture to irrigate the nasal cavities – this is best done by using a sinus rinse bottle or a neti pot.
For those unfamiliar with a neti pot, this is a ceramic or plastic pot that has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine. It acts as a container and is designed to rinse debris or mucus from your nasal cavity. The other option is to use a squeeze bottle (this is what I’ve used) and I found it very easy to use. You can find more information about the type of bottle I’ve used (including an image) in my post about the best home remedies for sinus infection.
When using GSE for the first time, start with only one drop to see how your body reacts to the GSE and this would also allow you to get used to the smell and taste of GSE as it’s quite bitter. You can gradually increase the number of GSE drops you mix with your saline water. I’ve used 6 drops and I believe that this is the maximum that you should use. I’ve experimented with more than 6 drops but I found out that it started to irritate my sinuses.
I’ve washed my sinuses 3 times per day for a period of one week. It shouldn’t irritate your sinuses and it shouldn’t burn but it does have a certain bitter taste and smell. But don’t worry, you get used to the taste and smell quickly and after a few washes you don’t notice the taste or the smell.
Drink GSE Mixed With Water
Another option is to use GSE mixed with water – I’ve mixed 20 drops of GSE with half a glass of water and drank it 3 time a day. You should always start with just a few drops to see how your body reacts and then gradually increase the number of GSE drops you put in the water. Your GSE may be more concentrated than mine so you may need to put a smaller number of drops and you should have the instructions on your GSE bottle.
Allergic Reactions To GSE
In rare cases, there have been reports of an allergy to GSE. The allergic reaction will usually present with rash, facial swelling, lightheadedness or a drop in blood pressure. If you experience such symptoms, you need to contact a doctor immediately.
Most people, however, report excellent results with no side effects, and the benefits of GSE can usually be observed very soon after taking the extract.
I am curious to know if you’ve used GSE in the past and what was your experience – please leave your message in the comments below.
You can also refer to my other posts on how to treat sinus infections:
The Best Home Remedies For Sinus Infection
How To Use Horseradish For Sinus Infections, UTI, Cold, Flu And Bronchitis
Jenny Hills
Resources:
http://www.webmd.com/allergies/sinusitis-and-sinus-infection
http://www.earthclinic.com/sinus-infection/grapefruit-seed-extract.html
http://www.webmd.com/allergies/sinus-pain-pressure-11/neti-pots
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