Do you have a chronic sinus infection? When you blow your nose, is the mucus yellow or green in color? If so, then there’s an infection up there.
Unfortunately, Flowing Zen doesn’t always provide completely relief for chronic sinus infections. That’s because it can be hard to get the energy up into the sinus cavity where the infection is hiding. Luckily, there’s another solution.
I learned this method in acupuncture college. It’s not Qigong or Tai Chi, but it works. Basically, you’re going to wash out your sinuses with a garlic-infused saline solution.
Garlic has several medicinal properties. It is anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal. Because of the garlic infusion, this method works wonders even for those who have suffered from sinus problems for years. But don’t take my word for it. Try the method for yourself and find out how well it works!
If you don’t follow these instructions to the letter, it’s going to hurt. A lot. So please read the instructions thoroughly, and follow them carefully.
Things You Will Need
- A neti pot.
- Non-iodized salt.
- Purified water (and a way to boil it).
- A clove of fresh garlic.
- A strainer.
You can buy the neti pot online, or at the local drug store. Sometimes it is called a “nasal irrigation cup”. To simplify your life, I recommend that you buy one of the combo packs that have the salt pre-measured. This way, you don’t have to experiment, and you’ll know exactly how it feels when you measure the saline solution correctly.
Mastering the Neti Pot
Use the neti pot normally for a few days. Instructions should come with the pot. Follow them carefully. Basically, you’re going to dissolve the correct amount of salt into lukewarm water, and then pour the solution through one nostril while tilting your head. When done correctly, the water will flow up into the sinuses, and then down and out the other nostril.
Yes, it’s weird. But when you do it right, it feels great, and it works, so stop being a baby.
Do not use tap water for this. Or if you must, then filter it and boil it. There have been a few cases of a strange amoeba getting lodged in the sinus cavity. This amoeba is only found in tap water. To be safe, I always boil my water thoroughly, even if it’s filtered.
Make sure that you don’t blow your nose like normal after using the neti pot. If you hold one nostril and blow, you run the risk of driving water up into the sinuses. It’s not fun, so don’t do it. Instead, you should blow gently through both nostrils.
The Garlic Infusion Method
Now that you’re a neti pot master, it’s time to add the garlic infusion. This will supercharge the effectiveness of the neti pot. On its own, the neti pot can be very effective, but it doesn’t always solve stubborn sinus issues. Adding the garlic infusion will do the trick.
- Finely chop the clove of garlic. Let it sit for about an hour.
- Place the garlic in a strainer. Make sure that NONE of the garlic pieces can fit through the holes in the strainer. Trust me, you don’t want bits of garlic in your sinuses.
- Pour filtered boiling water over the garlic (through the strainer) and into a cup. This is called an infusion.
- Let the infusion cool until it is lukewarm. If it’s too hot, it will hurt when you pour it through your sinuses.
- Pour the lukewarm infusion into your neti pot.
- Add salt as usual (make sure to use the correct amount), and follow the standard method for using a neti pot. The only difference is that the water has been infused with garlic.
- There should be little to no pain if you do this correctly. If there is pain, it is caused either by an incorrect amount of salt, or by pieces of garlic that got through the strainer.
- Repeat this process once in the morning and again at night until the sinus issue disappears.
Once you’ve solved your sinus problem, I recommend that you continue to use the neti pot once daily, but without the garlic infusion. If you like, you can add the garlic infusion once in a while, just to keep things extra clean. If you keep up the neti pot habit, you’ll be amazed at how free and clear your sinuses feel! You’ll also get a huge boost to your Flowing Zen practice because your breathing will improve tremendously.
If you have questions, comments, or a success story, please post them below! Best regards, Sifu Anthony 
I’m Anthony Korahais, and I used qigong to heal from clinical depression, low back pain, anxiety, and chronic fatigue. I’ve already taught thousands of people from all over the world how to use qigong for their own stubborn health challenges. As the director of Flowing Zen and a board member for the National Qigong Association, I'm fully committed to helping people with these arts. In addition to my blog, I also teach online courses and offer in-person retreats and workshops.
It’s important that new users make sure the water for the infusion is clean. I use purified water or boiled tap water. Not all tap water is free of pathogens.
Thanks Mary. I updated the post with that helpful tip.
I can never get on with the neti pot. The rinser is far better.
Whatever works for you, Samantha! Out of curiosity, what’s the “rinser”?
I cannot believe this remedy is not more “out there” I was hospitalised 3x for sinus surgery, on antibiotics for 6 months, and my sinus infection raged on. Finding a reference on the Earthclinic.com website about garlic, out of desperation I tried adding strained crushed fresh garlic to my daily saline sinus rinse (not a neti pot, but a bottle which you squeeze to push the saline solution up one nostril and out the other). Within 4 days my sinuses where clear for the first time in three years. that was 18 months ago, last month I developed a head cold and my sinuses went off again. I had continued doing the daily saline washes, but added the garlic and within 3 days my sinuses were clear again. My ENT disparagingly asks me if I am still shoving “salad” up my nose!
Thanks for the input, Lonnie. I totally agree. I’ve seen cases similar to yours that cleared up within a week or two of using the garlic rinse. Why aren’t powerful remedies like this more widely prescribed?
Tell your ENT that rather than damage your gut good fluora using antibiotics that don’t descriminate and can lower a human’s gaurd againt MRSA, that you prefer one of nature’s best antibiotics.
We used to use the neti pot but switched over to the Nasopur system. We like it better, seem to get more of a good flush/rinse.
http://www.nasopure.com/
Sometimes the best cure is right in our pantry or back yard. But then there’s not much money – certainly not in the billions of dollars like some “cures” – to be made so it won’t be advertised as much as the medications at your local drug store.
Thanks so much for this post sifu. Power to the people.
I am a woodworker and use a neti pot to clear sawdust from my nose. That has worked well, eliminating sore throats I used to get regularly. Never tried garlic, but will soon.
I have found this interesting and will try it. I have awful sinus issues, throbbing in my head, jaw ache, face ache, headache and I can feel the congestion accutely. 10 years of sheer agony and now facing surgery. I will revisit with an update when I have given it a go.
I hope it works for you, Tracy. Please do report back.
Thanks for sharing! This week I am suffering with sinus congestion and so I am trying your ‘garlic infusion’ method. Does the garlic infusion kill bacteria in the sinus cavities? I did not know that garlic is a powerful healing agent. Do you know about a homeopathic Boiron product called Sinusalia? Both your method and the homeopathic remedy seem to be helpng to clear my sinus headaches.
More specifically it’s allicin within the garlic that is the source of it’s antibacterial, noninflammatory properties. To get garlic to produce allicin it needs to be peeled, crushed, then allowed to sit out (on counter top) for 15 to 45 minutes. Crushing it and allowing air to break down the garlic produces allicin.
My name is lamesha I live in bpt ct I had really bad breath for 10yrs and the first time I used this I felt so much better you saved me so much I am so happy to find this I wish this was out more but I will be trying to go on health boards and other thing to info people thank you so much
I’m glad it helped, Lamesha!
It worked over the weekend and then nasty green mucus came back I think my ears are clogged
You’ll probably need to do it twice a day to get rid of the infection. And make sure not to blow hard, which could cause the ears to feel clogged.
But that can affect my sinuses for not draining
Hi, I’ve been having a chronically congested nose for 4 years already,
I’m going to try your method.
Do you recommend using the Nelimed sinus rinse inside the cup all the time?
Where can I get a small strainer for the garlic? How is it called?
I really hope this will work since this is ruining my life. Thanks and all the best,
Itai
I’m not familiar with the Nelimed sinus rinse, so I can’t really comment.
You can use any small strainer for the garlic. I have a metal one with a handle on it.
Let us know how it works!
Thank you for this post. I have had a sinus issues for years. I have done the garlic flush without the saline 2x today. I used one clove, let it rest, then poured the boiling water over the garlic. I let it cool til just warm. When flushing it burns up in the top of my head. Is this ok?
I had the same burning sensation, I’m thinking it’s just referred pain that’s coming from your nose and sinuses. I had tried eating garlic before but I like this more direct approach much better. Will update with results.
Tony, it shouldn’t burn from the garlic if you follow the instructions. Is it uncomfortable?
It’s not extremely painful or anything but I did feel a slight ‘burning’ sensation. It was definitely different from using the normal saline solution. I’m excited to try it again.
Hi…very interesting. I would like to try but have heard that the garlic in nasal flush can be pretty painful. You mention that it will not be if the correct amount of salt is used but I can’t find the right amount of salt to use in the nedi pot. Thanks! Robert
If you follow the instructions, then there will be zero pain. It’s roughly ½ to 1 teaspoon of salt for each 16 ounces of warm water. This applies with or without the garlic infusion.
Perfect…thank you very much!
Hi Kim. It would be better if you follow the instructions, using the saline solution, chopping the garlic, etc.
I used a coffee filter to strain lol
Good idea. Did it work?
Greetings, Will it help if i have nasal polyps? i am actually suffering from Nasal Polyps for past couple of years and especially pollen season gets really bad. Please let me know.
Thank you so much
My email address : ankushdhir7@gmail.com
Unfortunately, I don’t have much experience with nasal polyps. I would recommend that you show my article to your physician and get their opinion.
“Finely chop the clove of garlic. Let it sit for about an hour.” – Why it needs to sit for an hour?
Hi Igor. I don’t know why it needs to sit. That’s how I learned it. I suppose maybe to make the garlic less aromatic? I’ve gotten away with letting it sit for less than an hour. Try it if you’re brave!
You let the garlic sit because that’s how the antibacterial, fungal and viral properties come out. You should always crush the garlic and let it sit for at least 15 minutes before doing anything with it, even using it for cooking. Another thing for sinus issues is mixing a small amount of organic coconut oil into the saline mix as this is also all of the above but is not a “natural antibiotic” so much as garlic is
Chop and rest any garlic onions etc for at least 10 min before cooking/eating to allow the natural healing compound allicin to develop.
I have had a sore throat for over 10 years. It is congested with phlegm and i have to spit all the time.I am always sneezing. What can I do and most especially for the throat?
I just tried garlic salt in bottled water with a hole poked in the top of it. Hope it works. The molar pain subsided at least
Glad it worked for your molar pain. But can’t you find some fresh garlic? And a neti pot really does get the solution into the sinuses better than anything else.
Hi Sifu, will it helped with years (on and off) odor in the right nose? Thanks
Hi Avin. I’m not sure that I understand your question. Can you please rephrase it?
I think Avin is saying he experiences a strange smell from his nasal cavity (infection I guess). I get this when sniffing hard or blowing my nose sometimes. I have chronic sinusitis all year round and had surgery for polyps in the cheek sinuses last year. Whatever is causing it also gives me problems clearing my ears (Eustacian tube dysfunction), ringing (tinnitus) etc. I have tried all sorts, including snorting squeezed lime juice… an interesting bravery test but unfortunately no success. I will try garlic in my netipot and report back.
Thanks, Phil. You might be right about Alvin’s comment. I’m still waiting to hear back from him.
As for snorting lime juice — wow. You are braver than I.
Try the garlic infusion. It won’t hurt nearly as much, and it’s likely to help a lot!
Hi Dear Sifu Anthony and Phil,
Thanks for the message responses, sorry its a late reply 🙂 somehow I just received email notification few days ago.
My problem is a bad odor in the right nose, its been on and off for about 10 years. Sometimes its very little smell so that I almost can’t sense it, but sometimes it can be a quite strong odor. Medical examination like CT Scan, shown a normal sinus. So I dont know really what is the cause.
Like Phil, I also tried nasal rinse with neti pot, and currently using a kind of irrigator (something like waterpik). After some internet research, what I do now is experimenting with several kind of mix in the nasal rinse. Like eucalyptus oil, cajuput oil, himalayan salt, xylitol, and baby shampoo. The mix currently l use is the combination of three (himalayan salt, xylitol, and baby shampoo). It has been about two weeks and shown a good progress also less symptoms, but I still hope that it is can completely cure the problem.
As for garlic, I was tried just few time only yet, will see the future progress.
Again thanks for give some response, and this website is a very nice and helpful forum for sharing…
Btw sorry for my english (non native here 🙂 ).
Warm Regards,
Avin, Indonesia
Hello. Thank you for the advice. I’m a frequent user of the NeilMed Sinus Rinse and I was thinking of adding garlic to it as well. I currently use the Kyolic garlic drops that I consume orally. How many drops would you recommend to put into the sinus rinse?
Hello Sifu,
A few months back i came down with a nasty cold. I believe it started with the dry cold air outside and the forced hot air from out HVAC.
I have been trying to attack this without meds, because a couple of months back my Dr prescribed me an antibiotic (which i regret taking).
During this whole battle with my sinuses i noticed several different stages which i never experienced before.
At one point my sense of smell was through the roof and super sensitive. I couldn’t even take my wifes purfume, or strong smells in stores. Can you explain this?
Now its not as strong, and my nose seems to be a little bit clearer
Unfortunately, i can still tell things are a bit off, especially since there is pressure and pain in the maxillary sinus area upper molar region of my teeth.
Is this something that can happen from sinuses, because this is all new symptoms for me.
I have delt with this way too long and it has affected my everyday life, family, kids, work etc.
Hope you can enlighten me.
Frank
I’m not sure that I can explain the super-sensitivity. That’s something my wife could get to the bottom of. If you are truly fed up and want someone to get to the bottom of your issue, then consider doing a Skype consult with my wife. She’s a master at getting to the bottom of complex health problems: http://www.doctorakemi.com/
Have you tried the neti pot? Did that have any effect on your situation?
Hi Sifu, So the hot water is just poured over the garlic into a cup and not steeped. Is this correct? Thanks
You can steep it too. It depends on how strong you want it. Just make sure that the garlic bits don’t get into the infusion!
Thank you Sifu. I appreciate your fast reply.
PS: For some reason or another I did not get the email notification on your reply yesterday.
My Dr has me prepare 4 cups of water with 1 tsp salt and 1 tsp of baking soda boil for 5 minutes, and use a new preparation twice a day in a neti pot. In the making of a garlic infusion, would I use 1 garlic clove for each cup of water?
I’ve looked online for some information about how allicin reacts to heat. It appears that allicin is very unstable and is destroyed by heat, yet an internet search shows several sources which advise to steep in boiling water. Why?
Used this the other day and had yeast colonies coming out my nose! Wow!
Have had major sinus issuessince childhood. At 31 I have finally found relief from chronic bad breath and congestion. Even had my sinuses drilled years ago. Wonder if they give refunds for unnecessary procedures. XD
Thank you for sharing this willnuse religiously!
It has been 2 years since I’ve been able to smell. Was 17 when I had an abnormally large abscess rupture inside my gums above my front teeth. I have not been able to smell since, headaches every day for 2 years, kind of been avoiding antibiotics during this struggle. I have blood specks in my mucus, and it is green all the time. I am just wondering if it is possible to get my smell back, my energy back, and my headaches gone. How often should I do this to see results ??
Hi Aaron. I’m sorry to hear about your struggles. This technique works great for sinuses that are clogged or infected. If the mucus is coming from an infection, then it may help.
However, I don’t think that this technique alone is enough to help you get your sense of smell back. That sounds like a more complex issue. I recommend a combination of qigong and acupuncture.
You can start with this free qigong exercise here: https://flowingzen.mykajabi.com/p/learn-the-best-qigong-exercise-ever
Thank you. I’ll look into it, this infection is what caused the smell problem, so do you think that makes it a better chance? I do have another question.. I have a cold press juicer. Can I dilute garlic juice with water and salt in the neti pot? My juicer crushes, it doesn’t blend. Or is the allicin only in the clove? And can I use organic sea salt? So many questions I’m sorry!
I know nothing about cold press juicing. Why not just follow the method?
Hi Aaron,
I understand how you feel. I had a loss of sense of smell and taste for 2 weeks last October when I had a major flu in Philippines.
I suffered from numerous nasal polyps that blocked my left nose and maxillary gland completely in 2006 and went for my 1st surgery in Singapore my home country.
2nd surgery followed in 2013 with recurrence of a large “inverted papilloma” tumor and due to removal of one nerve & 2 bones during the surgery, this resulted in full permanent numbness and loss of feeling on the left side of my whole face.
3rd surgery done again in 2014 because the 2013 surgery had not cleared the tumor fully.
Since I started to learn swimming last October, i would get sinus pressure on left side of my head, daily nasal discharges and even frequent nosebleeds.
I came from Singapore and here in Philppines to plant a church since last May 2017.
It could be my swimming lessons and getting thrown into the sea on New Year’s Day from a Banana boat aggravated the problem.
Back then before 2015, Singapore hospitals had prescribed everything from Irrigation Packs with saline solution (didn’t work but instead caused intense pain in my left ear when using or immediately after using, so I had to stop using). Plus steroid-type of Nasal Spray caused me all the side effects indicated in the contraindications.
Now I am still praying for miraculous healing from God.
I have just started taking raw garlic clove with turmeric today. Pray that it will work.
Bro Aaron, your loss of smell is due to either one or combination of these 3 …
1. Viral infections – colds or flu.
2. Diseases affecting the sinuses, such as various forms of sinusitis (including where nasal polyps form), and structural abnormalities.
3. Allergies that affect your nose, such as hay fever.
So you need to clear the mucous buildup inside your body to claim back your sense of smell.
I will pray for both of us and the other sinus sufferers too.
Thank you Sifu Anthony for your guidance to these poor sinus patients.
With blessings to all, Julie
👍👏😊🙏😇