DIY Herbal Sinus Rinse

Whether you’re struggling with allergies, sickness, or a sinus infection, there’s nothing like waking up in the morning with a nose so stuffy you’ve turned into a mouth breather overnight!

For those moments when it feels like nothing could clear the gunk, or better yet—to keep things from getting to that point—an herbal sinus rinse paired with a neti pot can help keep things moving so you can breathe again!

If you’ve never tried flushing your sinuses, it might seem weird at first, but once people try it, many of us end up craving the clear air passageways it can create. And it’s easier than you might think. We have community members whose kids reach for the neti pot and herbal sinus rinse all on their own!

What You’ll Need

• 2 cups filtered water

• 1 tsp. elderflower

• 1 tsp. mullein

• 1/4 tsp. non-iodized fine-ground salt

• Neti pot

How to Make It

Step 1: Bring your filtered water to a boil.

Step 2: As your filtered water is coming to a boil, add the herbs and non-iodized salt to a mason jar.

Step 3: When your filtered water has reached a boil, add it to the mason jar, covering the herbs. Steep for at least 10 minutes.

Step 4: Strain the herbs through a cheesecloth or coffee filter, ensuring no plant residue is left in the liquid.

Step 5: Add the tea to the neti pot and use it as usual. If you’ve never used a neti pot, check out this Neti Pot Basics blog post for full usage instructions.

A Couple of Things to Note

• Fresh tea grows bacteria, so be sure to use it within 24 hours and discard all leftovers.

• It is extremely important to use filtered water and non-iodized fine ground salt to make sure no contaminants enter your sinuses.

Why It Works

Nasal rinsing with a neti pot is a simple practice that has been used for thousands of years to naturally support clear breathing. Vitamin C-rich elderflower helps by supporting our body’s natural mucus flow. And mullein has been used for centuries to support relaxed muscles in our respiratory tract and a healthy immune system.

If your sinuses are saying yes, please, check out our short How to Make an Herbal Sinus Rinse video for simple step-by-step guidance below!

Now, look—we know it can take a minute to wrap your brain around pouring water through your nose. So, if it’s not for you right now, no worries. Give it some thought and, in the meantime, if your sinuses could use some support, our Sinus Saver tincture can help keep things clear, even in the itchiest, sneeziest, stuffiest seasons.