Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
Try this easy method for the prevention of sinus problems and infection using therapeutic probiotics before bed to maintain tissue health and flora balance in the nasal cavities.
When on vacation or traveling for work, many of us eat lower quality food and stay up later than we normally would at home. When your eating/sleeping schedule gets mangled due to travel plans, sinus problems can quickly crop up. The symptoms cause discomfort and misery especially if flying is part of the itinerary.
The next time you are planning to go out of town, try this easy way to prevent sinus problems to keep you breathing freely.
Doctor’s Tip on Preventing Sinus Problems
Most folks don’t realize that beneficial flora strains, also known as good bacteria, seek to dominate and protect every tissue of your body, not just your gut! There are plenty of beneficial bacteria in your mouth, throat, nasal passages, and ears too.
When you get a sinus infection, the balance of good bacteria to bad (pathogenic) bacteria – including candida – becomes imbalanced. This means that the pathogenic strains take over with lots of mucus and possibly even an infection the result.
To prevent this from happening, after brushing and flossing your teeth at night before you go to bed, empty a probiotic capsule into your mouth, swish it around in your mouth, and swallow.
It is very important to not drink anything – even water – after you do this.
Enough probiotic residue will be left in your mouth after swallowing. The good little critters will migrate while you sleep all through your nasal passages, guarding the roost and helping to make sure no pathogens have an opportunity to start plugging up the works.
This important tip is suggested by an MD based on the clinical experience of Dr. Natasha Campbell-Mcbride. She suggests it in her groundbreaking GAPS book. (1)
Therapeutic Grade Probiotics for Clear Sinuses
Be aware that not all probiotics are of the same quality and hence will not have equal effectiveness in preventing sinus problems. If a probiotic needs refrigeration, for example, don’t buy it. Probiotic cultures should be hardy enough to be shelf-stable with no refrigeration necessary. Think about it. If a probiotic can’t survive at room temperature, how in the world will it survive the digestive process to make it into the large intestine intact to help rebalance bacterial populations?
When choosing a probiotic, consider that a wide variety of strains should be present.
These brands of therapeutic strength probiotics are tested for quality. I have also personally vetted them.
Already Have an Infection?
If you already have a sinus infection and need help, consider this idea.
Use a ceramic neti pot (I like this one) plus your probiotic of choice to help heal a sinus infection fast with no antibiotics. It is important to always use filtered water in a neti-pot, by the way.
The key is harnessing beneficial microbes to beat back the pathogens (viruses, bacteria, fungi like C. Albicans) and re-establish balance in the sinus tissue as quickly as possible. Note that some strains of probiotics thrive better in the ear, nose, and throat tissues than others. As a result, it is best to use oral probiotics for this purpose, although any probiotic will certainly be helpful for healing.
This green juice recipe known as a “power shot” might be helpful to your recovery too.
Reference
(1) Gut and Psychology Syndrome: Natural Treatment for Autism, Dyspraxia, A.D.D., Dyslexia, A.D.H.D., Depression, Schizophrenia, by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride MD
I wish I knew these tips on how to prevent the sinus issues before I got one! I liked your trick with a probiotic very much, however, I had no idea that no water is a must in this case. I think I need to turn to a professional for help as breathing becomes more and more difficult for me, and after that, I will be sure to watch for my flora and take care of my good bacteria.
What is the difference between a ceramic neti pot and a plastic one? Why is distilled water recommended?
I just tried this tip of swishing the pro biotic. Horrible experience! I feel as though I am having problems swallowing. I took a benadryl thinking maybe it’s some allergic reaction and will be heading to the er shortly if I am not able to swallow better shortly. I suggest that you check with a medical professional you trust before trying this swishing method. This is very scary!
I’ve tried a very effective probiotic called probio5 lately. I used to have a lot of allergy symptoms, those are going away. Plus my stuffy sinuses are clearing up from being continually stuffed up. I’ll have to try this as I still have the occasional night problem.
I don’t know if this thread is still active, but is the article saying to add the probiotic to the neti pot and rinse the sinuses, or just the mouth?
I found that just dabbing or smearing the probiotic Lactobacillus sakei about 1/2 inch into the nostrils like a very messy eater works excellently. L. sakei was found by Abreu et al in 2012 to be missing in sinusitis sufferers and that it successfully treats sinusitis.
L. sakei is found in many brands of kimchi and also some starter cultures (for fermented sausages).
We cured long-standing chronic sinusitis using kimchi almost 2 years ago and have been off all antibiotics since then. It is fantastic! Others have reported similar success stories to me. For details and more see lactobacto.com
We found that eating foods with L. sakei did not have the desired effect. It’s probably good long-term for the body, but not in curing sinusitis at that moment.
Hi Sima,
I have a Neti Pot. Would a kimchi starter culture, in my Neti Pot work?
Can you use kombucha with the same result?
I’ve been doing this for about 8 months now, since I first found this tip while I was suffering from an awful infection. I typically have 1-4 sinus infections annually, but have not had one since beginning this procedure. My seasonal allergies haven’t been bothering me either. Sometimes I forget for a night or two, but wake up with a sore throat — which helps me to not forget again. I’m a believer. Thanks, Sarah.
Hi Sarah, I don’t know if you will read my comment and reply but is it harmful to teeth to leave probiotic residue on them overnight, as you say to do?
Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride MD recommends it and there is no sugar in these supplements.
Thank you so much for your reply! I have been having recurrent sinus infections and looking for safe and effective remedies to stop them or prevent them.
I will surely try this…thanks again!
Make warm salt water Gargle mixture in the usual way, MIXTURE IS: 1/4 tsp salt (NOT IODIZED, that burns) per 8 oz warm filtered water. & while the salt + filtered water mixture level is high to the top of the cup, first flush nose & sinuses several times, by drawing up warm salt water up nose (with no air as that tickles) til it flows through the nostrils washing out the sinuses & comes back down the back of the mouth, the throat & then spit it out the mouth. Then if necessary make some more mixture, to gargle by taking in the mouth & spitting out. I make 2 cups right off the bat to use as much as I need. You will be absolutely amazed at how successfully this flushes infection out of your sinuses. Use a saline spray, available at drug stores, OTC, house brand, (NOT medicated) to squeeze up into the nostrils to also flush the sinus cavities that are located high up over your eyes. Do this several times a day. May take several days, but it works every time. Do NOT stop until all symptoms have completely disappeared.
I bought some Bio Kult and put it in a neti pot for my daughter who is stuffy a lot , especially in the morning. Normally she uses a neti pot with no trouble, but she cried in pain with the Bio Kult in the pot. Should it be painful to use it in a neti pot? I tried adding more water but she said that made it worse. Is there something that can be added to reduce the pain? I add baking soda when I make my neti salt but I don’t want to do anything that would harm the bacteria in Bio Kult. Thanks! .