The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Colleen (Greenwich, Ny) on 02/12/2011
★★★★☆WORKED TEMPORARILY
I've been suffering with severe head congestion for almost two weeks now. Ironically enough, after I gave in and got antibiotics my congestion and ear infection started to get a lot worse. Can antibiotics make me sicker? Has anybody else had this happen or was I already so sick that coincidentally enough the day I started them I got worse?
Thanks so much for your sight!! Love it!! And PS. Hydrogen peroxide in a netti pot worked WONDERS for my congestion. It just doesn't last.
Wearing a Warm Cap
Posted by Freqman (Bayshore, Ny) on 01/18/2015
★★★★★
I agree with the hat trick. It has cut down episodes.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by David (Grand Rapids, Mi) on 01/28/2011
★★★★★
My elderly father in law has been struggling with sinus congestion for more than a year. Unable to take decongestants because of heart medication, he has been suffering to the point of panic attacks and sleepless nights. Long story short, tried the acv/honey mix and almost immediately his congestion disappeared and finally is able to breath easily. My sinuses (sinusii?) began to clear from across the room. Thank you for this post.
Garlic, Salt Water
Posted by Alex (Toronto, On. Canada) on 12/01/2010
★★★★★
Hello, I have had so much success over the last few years with many of the remedies here on Earthclinic and I finally feel like I need to add my comments. I was coming down with a cold and sore throat so I started taking ACV and honey , gargling with cayenne pepper and took Vit C. I thought I had licked it in a couple of days so I stopped taking everything - big mistake - my sinuses and chest started getting very congested so back I came to the site and I tried the garlic up the nose trick. 1 clove of garlic, minced finely with about 40 drops of salt water. I dropped about 2-3 drops in each nostril and it was very painful for a minute or so but I have continued to do this a couple of times per day. My sinus pain is completely gone and they are almost clear. Now all that is left is a cough which I will try and get rid of quickly next. Thank you to all of you for your contributions to this site and my health!!
Garlic, Salt Water
Posted by Anon (City, State) on 12/17/2010
For chronic cough and congestion try this. Take a laxative for a few days, eat nothing heavy or with gluten or casein in it, and consume ginger/cayene/honey tea, and fresh grated horseradish. Cat's claw might help, too. Plain oatmeal with only unrefined coconut oil, fresh lemon juice, dandelion root tea, plain vegetable and fruit salads, hot thin soups and unsweetened teas are also good. Valerian root tea, raspberry leaf tea, chamomile, ginseng, blackstrap molasses are also good.
Oregano Oil
Posted by Demetrius (Austell, Ga, Usa) on 08/10/2010
★★★★☆
I have been suffering from post nasal discharge from one nostril for more than 15 years I had surgery 3 times but the problem persists to the point that has made my life miserable and quite embarassing since I have to deal with clearing the back of my throat from thick mucous that gets stuck there and requires a lot of coughing and effort to be cleared. I was reading some of the entries about certain remedies and I got interested in the remedy with the oregano. I went to my local herb shop to buy the liquid oregano but I found a nose spray which contains the essential oils of oregano, bay leaf, sage and clove in a sea water base. I tried it out and has made a big difference my problem did not go away but the phlegm is less thicker easier to clear and plus my problem sinus side feels less obstructed than before. It has to be the oregano.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Arsieiuni (Arley, Al, United States Of America) on 11/02/2010
★★★★★
I drank the suggested 2TBS ACV in 8OZ water last night because I really didn't want my sinus to remain congested today. I slept incredibly well and did not wake all night with stuffy head like the day before. This morning, the congestion is markedly less. I still have some congestion in my sinus and some has gone into my throat around the voice box region. Yesterday I did Oil Pulling, Cayenne gargling and ACV and it has turned my horrible sore throat, severely stuff sinus and headache (no fever) into a mild congestion in my nose and throat. I love this site! Thank you, and another YEA! For ACV please!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Heather (Venice, Ca) on 03/05/2010
★★★★★
I'm amazed. I have a wicked cold. I tried over the counters all day to no success. Sat in the shower and tub with steam for tiny respite. Tonight my nose was so congested i thought my face might pop off. So i googled home cold remedies and found this. My husbands out getting the goods for the tomato tonic but in the meantime i put 2tbs apple cider vinegar in a warm glass of water and 10 minutes later i can close my mouth to breath and my ears have opened up. Thank you apple cider vinegar. Oh and I'm 37.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Kayla (Orlando, Fl) on 03/19/2010
★★★★★
I tried using generic cold flu medicine for a couple days, which made my cough go away but then I developed horrible congestion. I tried acv, lemon juice, garlic and salt heated with water and the congestion started to go away the second I inhaled the mixture. Relief was immediate.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Badri (Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia) on 07/28/2012
Apple Cider is good for many other things, not just sinus. It is good for lowering your colesterol level, cleanse your body in terms of detoxification process. Even washing your food, ie vegie, fruits, meat, chicken with ACV helps to take out some of the poisonous materials from your food, it purifies the poisonous material used during plantation/spraying. By dipping bread with just ACV is purely a healthy food already. It may not be delicious, but it is healthy. Regular ACV is a continuous health process and it is a source of natural immunization for the body against deseases. There are so many goodness in ACV, just continue taking it warm honey. After taking it (first timer), you will experience a bad smell in your urine, a sign that it is working/cleaning your body.... Oh another thing, it is good for your kidney too. As for honey, you already know. So, Honey ACV=natural goodness and solution for your entire health problem. Take it warm in the morning, and one before you go to sleep... But avoid heating it in your microwave oven... It will give less effect by doing this way. Natural heating for natural food will give a much better result to your body.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Julieann110 (Alexandria, Va, USA) on 12/03/2009
★★★★★
I have had severe head congestion for nearly a week now and the over the counter stuff isn't working much. I just tried two swigs of ACV and wow! The relief is instant. Much like eating spicy foods. I suspect the amount of relief one gets is directly related to how diluted (or not diluted) the ACV really is.
Neti Pot Remedy
Posted by Jennifer (Dallas, Tx) on 11/16/2009
★★★★★
Nasal Irrigation/Neti Pot for Sinus Congestion
I developed a terrible cold over the weekend. Sore throat, drainage, etc. As the cold cleared up I developed a terrible sinus headache due to congestions behind my left eye. I am very prone to these type of headaches. I was already doing cayenne & ACV for the sore throat, but my head was still killing. My mom has used a neti pot in the past and suggested that I try that. Not having a neti pot on hand, I tried nasal irrigation using a bulb syringe. My headache was gone immediately. Will definitely be doing this every time I feel a sinus headache coming on.
I used a mixture of 1/4 ts salt in 2 c luke warm water. Fill the syringe as completely as you can. Lean slightly forward, insert the tip of the syringe approx. 1 in into nostril, and angle tip towards outside of eye. Squeeze syringe to flush saline mixture. Allow the saline mixture to drain back out (may drain through other nostril or back of throat). Repeat twice on each side.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Lady T (Tallahassee, FL) on 05/27/2009
★★★★☆
Awakened with nasal/sinus congestion on right side and irrigated with spray. It is now the end of the day, and the congestion has spread to the right ear with throbbing and pressure. I have a job interview tomorrow and HAVE to be alert and healthy. Decided to "google" sinus congestion remedies and found this amazing site. I found an unopened bottle of ACV, and I mixed about 2.25 TBS with a tall glass of room temperature water. Within the first couple of swallows, my sinuses began to drain, and my ear pressure was reduced. The taste is horrible, but I am encouraged already by the results. Will update my post in the A.M.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Amine (New York, Ny) on 02/24/2011
★★★★★
I finally can breath!!!! thank god it worked... and thank you guys for sharing this with everybody ...i was in bed for three days.. I was feeling better.. Nd flu was going away.. Yet, nasal congestion was killing me.. it`s only now that I could breath .woof!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Hoss (Galloway, OH) on 04/20/2009
★★★★★
Belinda, your posting could have been me. I've been to the doc twice with 2 different prescriptions for antibiotics and then when my congestion got so bad that I couldn't breathe out of either nostril then I went to the pharmacy to buy over the counter drugs. I, even, talked with the pharmacist as what I should take. Nothing seemed to help and I was down to just one day of antibiotics left - I thought I should probably go see my doc again. Then for the heck of it I went online and typed in 'severe nasal congestion' and found this website. I had some apple cider vinegar in the basement so I got it out and mixed 2.5 tablespoons with an 8 oz. glass of ice water. I wasn't sure if I could drink it, but it wasn't too bad - a little bitter like lemon or limes. It was amazing within an hour both my nostrils were open and I could breathe. I fixed another glass to sit by my beside during the night and if I got up to go to the bathroom or simply started coughing, I'd take a little sip. I slept the best last night that I have in over a week and I didn't elevate my head to help me breathe. I'm not sure how drinking this gets up to my sinuses, but it surely seems to work - - and I was a big skeptic. Thank you!
Horseradish
Posted by Natasha (Denver, CO) on 03/25/2009
★★★★★
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.
Emma's Hot Pepper Steam
Posted by Emma (Houston, Texas, USA) on 03/23/2009
★★★★★
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.
Apple Cider Vinegar, Oregano Oil
Posted by Jennifer (Vancouver, Canada) on 02/07/2009
★★★★★
Oil of Oregano and Apple Cider Vinegar cured my sinus congestion in minutes.
The idea popped into my head after trying various other remedies with minimum results. I took roughly 5 drops of Oil of Oregano and 2 tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar, and my sinus congestion cleared in about 5 minutes. I now have my taste back!! :) I take my OoO by taking a large sip of water in my mouth, then dropping it in on top. As for the ACV, I take it straight with cold water. It shocked me how quickly and efficiently it worked!
Dosage: 5 drops Oil of Oregano
2 tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple Cider Vinegar, Oregano Oil
Posted by Jennifer (Vancouver, Canada) on 02/07/2009
Hello, I forgot to add in my post that I used a Neti Pot before taking the Oil of Oregano and Apple Cider Vinegar for my sinus congestion. The Neti Pot alone didn't leave my sinuses clear; but the combination of the Neti Pot, followed by 5 drops of OoO, and 2 tablespoons of ACV kept my sinuses clear for half the day. I also had my sense of taste back.
I've used this combination a second time now, and it is just as effective as the first time. This one's a keeper!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Greg (Walla Walla, Wa) on 12/05/2008
★★★★★
Hello, after suffering the last few months with constant congestion both in my sinus's and my upper chest I checked myself into a hospital. After being poked and monitored for 3 days they discharged me after filling me with the same off the shelf Mucinex you can buy yourself. Of course after a day I started feeling bad again as the drug wore off. Out of desperation I turned to the Internet as I felt I was suffocating from the congestion. I found this website with all the testimonials on the wonders of using ACV. I went to the local market during lunch and bought a bottle of Heinz Apple Cider Vinegar...for $3 I'd take a chance...why not? That evening (four days ago) I started taking a tablespoon of ACV in a coffee mug I filled with water. In an hour my sinus's started feeling clearer. I had forgotten I could breath through my left nostril. I started drinking my "tea" in the morning and evening. Well, now its been 4 days and my chest is starting to clear also. Just yesterday I was still having the chest constrictions but today I feel great. I'm anxious to try the natural unfiltered ACV when and where I can find it. Also interested in adding local hometown honey if I can find it as I have read about the benefits here also. Now, I need to say that I'm an old crouch, 57 years old, and set in my ways. But I have to admit to you all that this has helped me. No voodoo magic stuff for me. Try it. I did and I'm happy. And the wife is happy too! She says I haven't snored in the three nights I've tried this. Of course I didn't think I ever snored!!
Apple Cider Vinegar, Tomato Tea
Posted by Diane (St. Paul, Minnesota, U.S.A.) on 11/26/2008
★★★★★
Yesterday I went to the internet in search of a natural remedy for my terrible sinus congestion. Usually irrigating my sinuses with the neti pot (warm water, salt, baking soda) does the trick, but this virus seemed to be getting the upper hand. I tried the apple cider remedy (hot water--about a cup--2 T natural honey, 2 T organic apple cider vinegar) and the tomato tea. I had two cups of both. Within a half hour my sinuses started to clear. I could breath through my nose all night long and here I am--next morning--breathing easily. I don't know which did the trick--maybe both. No matter. I'm very happy. Thank you!
EC: Receipe for tomato tea is here.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Karen (Hicksville, NY) on 10/18/2008
★☆☆☆☆
Had nose congestion after a cold. Tried apple cider vinegar in very warm water with a little honey...for at least 2 days and, sorry, it did nothing! Perhaps it was the quality of the vinegar? Perhaps I should've tried capsule form? I was so encouraged by all of the positive stories but alas, mine didn't work out that way:(
Neti Pot Remedy
Posted by Jennie (Stony Brook, New York) on 06/14/2008
★★★★★
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!
Oil Pulling
Posted by Yaz (London, UK) on 02/10/2015
I did oil pulling, I use sunflower seed oil to cure my tooth ache which was really bad. I find sesame seed oil is better than coconut oil although both cleaned my teeth brightly and also made my gums healthy looking. I just put a bit of sesame seed oil in both nostrils although way upto the top of each nostril and within 5 minutes found that my sinuses are a lot clearer.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Lei (Atlanta, Ga) on 11/14/2007
★★★★★
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!
Apple Cider Vinegar Sniff
Posted by Franklin B. (Summerville, South Carolina) on 03/08/2013
★★★★★
Poured a little on a paper towel, sniffed it a a dozen or so times and my sinuses started clearing up quickly. This is the first time I've done it, so I'll keep my fingers crossed!
Neti Pot Remedy
Posted by Carla (Syracuse, NY) on 05/19/2007
★★★★★
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!!
