Kimchi for Sinus Health: How to Recolonize Your Nose Naturally with Lactobacillus sakei
Kimchi for Sinus Health: Recolonize Your Nose, Naturally
A helpful guide for parents & patients
Why Is My Nose Always Stuffy?
Recurring sinus infections. Persistent nasal congestion. Mouth breathing. Trouble sleeping. Sound familiar?
Many people don't realize that chronic nasal congestion can stem from a disrupted nasal microbiome - the community of helpful bacteria that lives in your nose. When the good bugs get wiped out (from antibiotics, steroids, or infections), bad bacteria can overgrow, leading to inflammation, swelling, and recurring symptoms
Meet Lactobacillus sakei: Your Sinus Ally
This beneficial bacteria is:
- - Naturally present in healthy sinuses
- - Shown to be missing in people with chronic sinus issues
- - Found in traditionally fermented kimchi
Lactobacillus sakei helps calm inflammation and crowd out pathogens. But it doesn't come in typical probiotic capsules-you can find it naturally in the brine of unpasteurized kimchi.
Why Kimchi?
Kimchi is a traditional Korean fermented dish made with cabbage, garlic, green onion, and fish sauce. It naturally grows sinus-supporting microbes like L. sakei during early fermentation.
Choose wisely:
- - Unpasteurized (in the refrigerated section)
- - Made with garlic & fish sauce
- - 2-8 weeks fermented
- - Mild or non-spicy versions are best for this use
How to Use It (Our Kimchi Protocol)
Step 1: Rinse the Nose First
- - Use a neti pot or saline rinse to flush allergens, mucus, and debris
Step 2: Recolonize With Kimchi
- - Wash hands
- - Scoop out a little kimchi brine (just the liquid)
- - Dab inside each nostril using a clean finger or cotton swab (about 1/4 to 1/2 inch in)
- - Don't blow your nose for 10-15 minutes
Alternative: Rub kimchi on your fingertips and gently pick your nose (no shame-this is smart medicine!)
Repeat 1-2 times daily for 3-5 days at the start of symptoms
Is This Safe for Kids?
Yes-under adult supervision and with non-spicy kimchi. It's gentle, natural, and often far more effective than nasal steroids, which can be absorbed systemically. This can help reduce the need for medications and support your child's inherent immunity.
Why It Works
- - Resets the nasal microbiome
- - Rebuilds natural defenses
- - Reduces the need for medications
- - Supports sleep, breathing, and immune function
Want Help?
If you or your child struggles with ongoing nasal congestion, come see us at Still Waters Osteopathy. We combine traditional and modern medicine to help your body heal itself.
stillwatersosteopathy.com - Call/Text (248) 690-7070
References
Abreu, N. A., Nagalingam, N. A., Song, Y., Roediger, F. C., Pletcher, S. D., Goldberg, A. N., & Lynch, S. V. (2012). Sinus microbiome diversity depletion and Corynebacterium tuberculostearicum dominance in chronic rhinosinusitis. Science Translational Medicine, 4(151), 151ra124. https://doi.org/10.1126/scitranslmed.3003783
Kim, D. H., Kim, S. H., Jeong, D., & Park, H. J. (2005). Identification and characterization of Lactobacillus sakei isolated from kimchi. Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, 15(2), 267-273.
Lee, H. J., Kim, J. H., & Chung, D. K. (2011). Probiotic properties of Lactobacillus strains isolated from kimchi. Korean Journal for Food Science of Animal Resources, 31(3), 354-360. https://doi.org/10.5851/kosfa.2011.31.3.354
Chalermchokcharoenkit, A., Assanasen, P., & Bunnag, C. (2022). Nasal microbiome and allergic rhinitis: A new frontier. American Journal of Rhinology & Allergy, 36(2), 216-222. https://doi.org/10.1177/19458924211033198
Still Waters Osteopathy Lake Orion
2800 S Lapeer Rd, Suite A
Lake Orion, MI 48360