Table of Contents
Sinus Congestion Remedies
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DISCLAIMER
Our readers offer information and opinions on Earth Clinic, not as a substitute for professional medical prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your physician, pharmacist, or health care provider before taking any home remedies or supplements or following any treatment suggested by anyone on this site. Only your health care provider, personal physician, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your unique needs or diagnose your particular medical history.
3 YEA
[YEA] 12/26/2006: Devon writes: "Just a quick amendment to what I said earlier.
USE ONLY ONE TABLESPOON OF PEPPER IF NOT A LITTLE BIT LESS. One tablespoon per cup was pretty hot. And if you use that recipe it's a fairly big batch so you can save what you don't use and reheat the mixture in the microwave if you need it later. If you are using the stuff I used (the kind of red pepper sprinkled on pizza instead of whole peppers) I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND STRAINING and possibly even use a cheese cloth. If the stuff gets in the back of your throat it can really tickle."
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[YEA] 10/04/2006: Jen from Toronto, Ontario writes: "I drank a mixture of lemon water cayenne pepper and syrup within a few hours not only was my sinus clear but so was my chest and I could breath much better."
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1 YEA
[YEA] 12/09/2007: L. T. from Wilkesboro, N. C writes: "Chamomile is a very good antihistimine. I use the essential oil on each side of my nose whenever I begin to feel sinus pressure, congestion, burning, etc. Works immediately. Added bonus, very healthy for skin and complexion."
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1 YEA
[YEA] 06/26/2008: Bob from Tazewell, Virginia writes: "Natural decongestant: Chinese hot mustard works very well to drain sinus congestion. It helps to do a nasal irrigation afterward."
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1 YEA
[YEA] 01/11/2008: Brigitte from Houston, Texas writes: "Each year I have sinus drainage which results in throat problems. I read somewhere that cinnamon oil is a natural antibiotic so I thought I would try it to treat my sore throat and sinusitus. Sincerely it works to assuage the complications that occur when these things are allowed to run their course without a series of antibiotics. Note that if you do not catch the problem in its early stages and you begin to develop an ear infection this will burn like crazy when it hits the eustration tube of your inner ear. It will cause no harm but it literally feels like your inner ear is on fire. It works to open sinus drainage if you use a dropper and place two or three drops on the back of your mouth's roof top. Larger doses cause minor stomach irritation. Pregnant women should avoid all forms of cinnamon like the plague; as cinnamon can cause premature labor"
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1 YEA
[YEA] 03/23/2009: Emma from Houston, Texas, USA writes: "Remedy for sinus/chest congestion
This remedy will unfortunately make you miserable before it makes you better! You will need: cayenne pepper or chili powder (either works), garlic pepper, black pepper and red pepper. In a medium saucepan, add 3-4 tablespoons of each (enough to where you can really smell the pepper - it might make you start to sneeze, that's good). Bring the water to a simmer - not a boil, that will make it too hot. Put your face over the pot - not too close - and breathe in the steam through your nose and mouth. Make sure you have plenty of tissues handy, since you will start sneezing and coughing up all the gunk that is in your sinuses and your chest! Once you are done with this treatment your sinuses/lungs will feel much better, though.
Optional ingredients: mint leaves, ginger."
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2 YEA
[YEA] 12/09/2008: Rosy from Orlando, Fl writes: "I had the worst allergies when I was a kid. I would be given Nyquil so I could sleep, and other OTC cold medicine to deal with the congestion. After so long the OTC products didn't work anymore and I suffered for a couple of years without any relief. I then thought of the ingredients in a lot of the OTC products and saw that Eucalyptus was in a good portion of them, so I went to the herb store and bought a bottle of it. I then went home and added a few drops, about 10, to a small sauce pan and heated it to a biol. I then breathed in the steam with a towel over my head, and for the first time in years the pressure went away. After a week I had no more symptoms, and my allergies are much better. I never get sinuses that are quite as swollen any more. This is fantastic. I add about 10 drops to a cup of unscented bath salts and take a bath in it if I feel sick. If I am having a cold I add Menthol oil to it as well and it clears up any congestion that I have and makes my body feel less yucky. I love this stuff. I wanted to share it with every one, as I hadn't seen it on here. I recommend this over anything else for congestion."
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[YEA] Jessie from Tahlah writes: "I like to add a little eucalyptus with water in a bowl and microwave it for a few minutes and put a towel over my head and take in all the steam. It gets stuff out of your system so be prepared to clear up."
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4 YEA
[YEA] 01/31/2009: Cay from Perth, Australia writes: "For a sinus remedy try Ginger tablets (travel sickness tablets) or chewing on raw ginger. Crystalised doesn't work."
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[YEA] 01/16/2008: Shira from Green Cove Springs, FL writes: "I want to shout this from the roof tops!
My husband has had terrible sinus congestion for months! Because it felt as though he had some sort of barrier in his left nostril, even his CPAP machine wasn't allowing him to breathe. Sleepless night... tons of money on meds... countless nosebleeds because of all of the nasal sprays... he was miserable and feeling a little desperate.
Then, as the last resort, I searched and came across your ginger root remedy. $2.00 for a huge ginger root that I peeled, cut into chunks and steeped for 4 hours in a pot of water with 2 green tea bags. Dan sipped on the surprisingly yummy tea all evening, and for the first time in MONTHS, he's completely clear! There wasn't a dramatic loss of mucus, but for whatever reason, I believe it shrunk the swollen nasal passages, and for the last 3 nights in a row, he's slept ALL night, clear as a bell! He didn't even snore! I can't even begin to tell you what a HUGE blessing this remendy is for us.
I work with a Japanese woman who told me that ginger root also helps digestive issues and menstral cramps. We've decided to make ginger root tea part of our daily routine. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!"
[YEA] 10/17/2009: Mrs. E from Santa Rosa, Ca replies: "I don't have fresh ginger root, I have ____ ____ ginger in a tube. I figured, I'll try it with the ginger that I have. I put in about 1 very large tablespoon or more of ginger into a 6 or 8 oz glass, then boiled up 1 cup of water. I added some ____ honey from ____. I wasn't expecting this to work. It worked almost immediately! I would say it's not quite what you would get from Ibuprofen, or sudafed, but very very close, and it will take the pain away, and it's natural! I am sick of taking ibuprofen for my sinus headaches. They WORK, but, if this method works for me I would rather go this route. I have had sinus headaches for years. The pain is unbearable. It's been 20 mins since I tried it. I will keep this window open and continue to monitor if it's working or not. Ok it has been an hour. I definitely DO feel better. I would say it's worth it to do."
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[YEA] 01/11/2008: Tara from Springfield, Illinois writes: "Sinus Cure I had really bad sinus congestion about a month.After trying all kinds of over the counter products I decided to try a natural remedy using fresh ginger root.I cut about 2-3 onces off the ginger root, peeled it.Then I placed it inside a tea cup of water and put it in the micro wave for 3 minutes and allowed it to cool a little before sipping.I did not notice the results until three days later, I went to blow my nose and lots of brown mucus came out of my nose.I drank a few more cups after that and now I feel clear and more better."
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1 YEA
[YEA] 03/16/2006: Haywood from Arlington, VA writes: "I cut up cloves like the size of pills, and took them with water. I did this treatment at night so I could go through the next day without being bothered with hay fever."
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GARLIC, ONION, RED PEPPER, THYME
[YEA] 06/05/2007: Pattie from Gonzales, louisiana writes: "i tried the tomato juice tea. it did not cure my sinus congestion, but it was a nice temporary fix. I also use one of my own. I take one white or yellow onion and chop it, 10 cloves fresh chopped garlic,1 tsp. red pepper, 2 tsp. thyme. Put in a pot with 8 cups of chicken broth. bring to a boil ,then let simmer for 45 min. or until onions are transparent. when it is ready add 1/4 cup apple cider vinager to it/ sip or eat like soup. salt and pepper optional. really opens the sinus"
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1 YEA
[YEA] 11/19/2006: Sherry from Weatherford, TX writes: "I suffered for years from chronic sinusitis that would last for months at a time with little or no relief. I was taking Cipro until my Dr. voiced his concern for my future. He told me that because I am allergic to Penicillin and I was taking the strongest prescription of Cipro available with little effect, if I got a bad infection, there would be nothing that they could do for me. This made me look for an alternative natural cure. I found out about GSE online and immediately bought it. I had been suffering at that time with an episode of sinusitis that had lasted for over 2 months straight with facial/head pain. I was desperate! I mixed it with water and a little salt and sniffed it as instructed, and within 30 minutes I felt and actually heard crackling in my sinuses. I started feeling relief, and by the next day I felt better than I had in years! It totally subsided within about 3 days. I have not had sinusitis since that day. Anytime I feel any sinus pressure or a cold coming on, I reach for the GSE. I bought the bottle 4 years ago for $18 and I am still using the same bottle. What a great and inexpensive cure!"
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1 YEA
1 WORKED TEMPORARILY
[YEA] 12/23/2007: Merle from Hillsboro, Oregon writes: "I have been struggling with a ongoing sinus congestion causing severe headaches on waking and thick drainage down the back of my throat for almost 3 months. I had been taking over the counter remedies but had resigned myself to a trip to the doctor for something stronger to knock out what I believed to be a low level sinus infection; it wasn't clearing up and today was worse than ever when I woke up. I remembered reading about honey and cinnamon remedy for "something" so thought I would look to see if there were something for sinus problems. On your site I found a remedy - 1/4t cinnamon with 1Tbl honey. Well, I tried it and within 15 minutes I could feel the pressure lightening, the drainage becoming thinner and less - I feel wonderful! I am not often moved to write a comment, but I just can't keep this one to myself - Thank you so much!"
[WORKED TEMPORARILY] 12/18/2008: Tina from Malvern, Pennsylvania replies: "I tried the tablespoon of honey with a teaspoon of cinnamon to try to cure my sinus infection. It helped initially, but only for a few minutes. I don't believe this actually works."
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1 YEA
[YEA] 03/25/2009: Natasha from Denver, CO writes: "If you are suffering from cold and can not breathe- eat a bite of bread with a quarter of a tea spoon of horseradish. It works in seconds! But for a short time. So you will have to eat another bite in half an hour or so. But you will appretiate the life."
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3 YEA
[YEA] 06/28/2006: Anonymous writes: "Tilt your head back and spray into nostrils with a 50/50 mixture of h202 and distilled water. This is great for colds and plugged sinuses. The peroxide will bubble and help to kill the bacteria. Hold for a few minutes then blow your nose into tissue. Warning -- it may sting for a minute or two!"
[YEA] 09/08/2008: Lori from Topeka, Kansas replies: "This really DID work!!! I was suffering for day's and then I tried pouring the hydrogen peroxide into both nostrils. I even mixed equal parts of HP and water. It seemed to take the sting out of bit. Thank GOD I found this site. I can sleep tonight!!!"
[YEA] 11/20/2008: Ty from Columbus, Ohio replies: "WORKED WELL, MADE ME SNEEZE A BUNCH. AND HURT LIKE HELL TOO"
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2 YEA
08/18/2009: Rosie from Glendale, Az writes: "TERRIFYING CONGESTION
I USED THE ACV DRINK (I USE IT FOR NAUSEA ALL THE TIME - ICE COLD, SIPPING IT...IT WORKS GREAT! ALSO, MY FATHER LOST 20 POUNDS WITHIN TWO MONTHS JUST DRINKING IT ABOUT FIVE OR SIX TIMES A DAY - BUT HE OVERDID EVERYTHING...)
IT GAVE "SOME" RELIEF, BUT i WAS IN A PANIC ATTACK FROM NOT BEING ABLE TO BREATHE. THEN I USED THE TOMATO TEA....SHIVER!!! BUT I DRANK MOST OF IT AND IT ALSO HELPED...BUT WHEN I WENT TO LIE DOWN, I WAS STUFFED UP AGAIN WITHIN A FEW MINUTES!
THEN I USED THE COMBINATIN OF BAKING SODA, SALT AND WARM WATER IN A NETI POT (SMALL TEA POTS WORK, TOO)
AND NOW I FINALLY CAN BREATHE. BUT IT HAS BEEN ONLY ABOUT FIFTEEN MINUTES. LONGEST YET. ALSO, I USED THE ENTIRE CUP OF WARM WATER....
I HAVE ALL OF THE RECIPES COPIED, EACH ON A POST-IT SHEET, LINED UP ACROSS THE EDGE OF MY STOVE VENT-TOP....IF THIS ONE LETS ME DOWN, I AM ON TO THE NEXT ONE.
AT LEAST I HAVE SOMETHING TO KEEP MY PANIC ATTACKS BACK. I REALLY BEGIN TO PANIC BECAUSE I ALREADY HAVE ASTHMA AND A HEART CONDITION...SO WHEN I PANIC, IT STARTS IT ALL UP... AND I GET VERY FRIGHTENED. SO IF I HAVE TO GO DOWN THE LINE, I WILL. I AM WILLING TO STAY UP ALL NIGHT AND 'REMEDY' MYSELF.
IF THIS ONE IS THE 'WINNER' I WILL CERTAINLY RETURN WITH MY VERDICT.
I THANK GOD FOR THIS SITE. HE CAN GIVE ME RELIEF DIRECTLY, BUT HE ALSO USES PEOPLE....AND I THINK HE DID JUST THAT THIS TIME.
THANK YOU!
ROSIE IN PHOENIX"
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[YEA] 11/14/2007: Lei from Atlanta, Ga writes: "re: sinus infection/sinus pressure --
hot shower, breathe the steam
-hot packs placed on your fore head and back of neck
-vicks vapor steamer! this thing rocks! just add water and pinch of salt!
-inhale and exhale up each nostril salt water, it dries your nostrils
-antibiotics, just eat lots of yogurt after to replace the good cells
i suffer from chronic sinus issues all year long and these are some of my remedies. hope it helps you!"
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[YEA] Ange from Houston writes: "Having suffered with persistent sinus congestion and allergies, here's what has helped me tremendously.
1) Stopped eating dairy.
2) Take at least 2000 mg Omega 3 oil daily.
3) Take turmeric supplements daily (amount varies.)
4) Strong multi-vitamin and mineral daily.
5) Chinese medicine: Jade Screen and Xanthium during my worst allergy season (spring)
6) Acupuncture: 2 times weekly during spring, once every two weeks the rest of the year.
7) Homeopathic tablets for times when I have brief allergic symptoms: Allium cepa for runny nose, Euphrasia officinalis for itchy eyes. I use all the above and it has eliminated my allergies except for one or two bad days in the spring. As a side benefit, stopping dairy also cleared up the joint pain I was having in my fingers."
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1 BETTER BUT NOT CURED
[BETTER BUT NOT CURED] 01/23/2009: Robert from Manhattan, New York writes: "I occasionally take NAC, (n-acetylcysteine) which is an amino acid that helps flush out mucus by turning it into fluid. I take 500 mgs once a day, on & off and noticed my sense of smell is a little better with the ability to breath through my nose which is usually stuffed."
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6 YEA
[YEA] 06/14/2008: Jennie from Stony Brook, New York writes: "I have had a terrible cold with sinus congestion, and couldn't get any sleep last night. I had always found the idea of nasal irrigation a little "icky," but out of desperation I decided to try it. I mixed 1 teaspoon of salt in a large coffee mug (sorry I don't know the ounces!). I don't have a neti pot, so I used a drinking straw to pick up the solution and drop it in my nostrils. It took me a couple tries to figure out how to get it to come out my other nostril instead of going down my throat (spit it out when this happens), but I got it. The result is amazing! I can breathe clearly, and I just wish I had tried this last night when I couldn't sleep!"
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[YEA] 03/25/2008: Linda from Studio City, CA writes: "Try using the Neti pot with warm salt water. It flushes out your sinuses like nobodies business and it's safe and effective. You can use it everyday. Whole Foods sells them or you can get them off the internet. This and the Cayanne pepper drink saved me last night. My sore throat went away and now my PND is getting better. You guys are great."
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[YEA] 02/15/2008: Shellie Cohagan from Quilcene, wa writes: "I had a stuffy nose and I am going out to dinner tonight and didnt want to be sniffy all night. I wanted to try the neti pot rememdy but didnt have one so I used a teapot with 1/4 tsp Sea sat, 1 tsp baking soda and 1 C warm water. I am sitting here breathing throu my nose, still amzed how much it worked."
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[YEA] 05/19/2007: Carla from Syracuse, NY writes: "My ears were plugged solid due to a head cold. I happened to watch 'Oprah' that day and saw a Dr using a 'sinus wash' to clear out sinus. He used a 'nose biday (sp?)' with warm salt water. I found in my house a sippy cup with a straw attatched. Stand over the sing. Tip your head sideways and pour the warm mixture in & up that nostril...until it starts coming out the other nostril. I found it helpful to push the back of my tongue up against the back of my throat so it wouldn't come down my throat. When the mixture starts coming out of the opposite nostil, stop. Do the other side. The blow the hell out of your nose. IT WORKS! OMG I was so happy to HEAR again after a week!!"
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