Quick Sinus Relief: Natural Remedies for Congestion

Apple Cider Vinegar, Cayenne

Posted by Bob (Somerset, Ohio) on 12/27/2007
★★★★★

After suffering from sinus congestion and the associated pressure on the head behind the eyes for about three days I decided to google and came to this site. First was a quarter cup of ACV with cold water and down the hatch. Moments later I felt drippy, I kept reading on. I decided to put a few dashes of ground cayenne pepper in a steaming cup of water, stir in some more ACV and quickly sipped it all. As I type this, mucous and phlegm are breaking up and even if this is only temporary, it is still relief. Thanks to all the folks for their input and to the people who operate this site.

Oil Pulling

Posted by Valerie Wright (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) on 09/17/2007
★★★★★

Have been oil pulling for 12 days and taking coconut oil for 10. Am thrilled with the results. On the 2nd day of OP my sinuses started to drain (didn't know they were congested) and two days later my lungs started to expel mucuus. Also found that I was sleeping much better and had more energy.Of course, the mouth and teeth felt great. I am taking coconut oil about 3 times a day. It is all absolutely astounding. I just love your site. Aren't we lucky?

Oil Pulling

Posted by Sylvia (Laveen, Arizona) on 09/17/2007
★★★★★

I started OP two weeks ago. The results are amazing. My sinus problems have cleared up after much mucus building and spitting the first few days. Sinus med's are now a thing of the past. My teeth are brighter and my gums no longer bleed when I brush my teeth. My hair is thicker and shinier. I have adult acne that flairs up at times and the OP hasn't really done much for that. I will keep up on the OP daily in hopes that it will clear up my skin. This OP is amazing.

Apple Cider Vinegar Sniff

Posted by Kin (Auckland, New Zealand) on 07/31/2007
★★★★★

Hi all, just to tell you guys that I pour ACV on a paper towel and sniff it to clear block nose, this method helps me especially during night times woke up with a block nose. I started ACV for just couple of weeks, I will post again few months later on how I struggle with ill health and how this website helps me when my recovery is more concrete. Thanks for keeping this website free for everyone. (It meant so much to me). I am sure your good spirits will be rewarded.

Grapefruit Seed Extract

Posted by Sherry (Weatherford, TX) on 11/19/2006
★★★★★

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!

Sage Tea Nasal Rinse

Posted by Rob (Kentucky) on 03/25/2025
★★★★★

For secretion of the mucous membrane of the nose, Sage tea is sniffed up the nose. In otherwords, Sage tea used in a neti-pot.

From the Book: Health through God's Pharmacy Advice and Proven Cures with Medicinal Herbs by Maria Treben

Black Peppercorns, ACV + Cayenne

Posted by InnerGuidance (Arlington, VA) on 11/29/2021
★★★★★

This morning I woke up and was pretty congested in both nostrils. I first tried out the peppercorn chewing. I chewed 5 and the less clogged nostril opened up completely. So, I decided to chew 4 more peppercorns and my left nostril became a bit better, but was not really open to breathe through sufficiently enough while pinching the right one closed. I decided then to give the ACV, honey and hot water concoction a try and low and behold - there now is just a bit congestion in the left nostril left. Both remedies were easy and very successful within less than 5-10 minutes each for me.

Thank you earthclinic.com, Ted and all contributors for providing the world with such an extensive valuable website!

Peppermint Oil

Posted by Sabita (Orange City, Florida) on 04/25/2020
★★★★★

I just got instant relief from hardly being able to breathe by inhaling 100 percent Peppermint Essential Oil on each side of nostril. I held bottle up to right side, plugged left side and inhaled. I then repeated for the left side. 10 minutes later completely unclogged. It wasn't clogged by mucus so much as maybe swollen (Inflammation?!) Hope this helps!

Cayenne

Posted by Suzanne (Colorado Springs, Colorado ) on 02/21/2016
★★★★★

I dipped the 2 end of q-tips in cayanne pepper and sniffed it into my nose.. I could feel my nose fast became swollen and the burning sensation; however, I was draining from nose I blew my nose several times. I put Vaseline on the edge of my nose then after 20 minute I took a hot steamy shower and I felt a huge relief. I could breathe and smell better. The next day I did once more time and then it was gone. I've suffered from allergies and congestion for a long while but mostly Spring season. I have tried sudefed, mucinex and others but didn't help at all only made it worse.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Chloespeaks (Nyc) on 11/08/2015
★★★★★

I came home last night with a serious bout of sneezes after walking the dog through windy fall leafy weather. Immediate massive congestion accompanied by runny nose. I neti'ed immediately which helped the sneezing but everything else still present. I even took a Zyrtec, which again, helped but still massively congested after 3 hours.

Drank a warm glass of 8oz water, 2 Tablespoons honey, 2 Tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar and it immediately cleared one nostril. Felt like 50% better but my sense of smell was still gone for about one hour. Then I took another, milder dose, 1 Tablespoon each of honey/ACV. I got less noticeable relief but went to bed and slept soundly (snoring though which only happens with congestion). Woke this morning with one side still congested, but now 2 hours later completely 90% clear with sense of smell back.

Garlic

Posted by Kikay (Los Angeles, Ca) on 07/13/2014
★★★★★

Been to the doctor so many times and doctor told me to take claritin to release the pressure in my ears and nose. I had MRI due to pain under my right jaw when nose is clogged and I had it for the last 2 years and cured after eating garlic with honey for 7 days. I minced the garlic and downed with organic honey and water. I also made some garlic nasal rinse and do it when taking a shower so I can wash the garlic smell off on me. It did help a lot and I am so thrilled that now before going to bed and waking up in the morning my nose is not clogged anymore, what a relief! Not taking the claritin anymore and I will replace it by eating garlic at least one clove a day for the rest of my life. Thanks for all the tips and post that everyone had shared here.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Big Joe (Chicago, Il) on 10/23/2012
★★★★★

I read about heating ACV and breathing the fumes. I bought a spray bottle of saline solution and I squeezed some of it out into a little dish. Then I put one drop of organic ACV into the squeezed out saline and then squeezed it to suck all back in the bottle. The result is a very low concentration of ACV that you can spray into you nose at any time. Works great! You need to really breathe it in deeply to get it all the way inside your nose. It stops congestion right away

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Newnerdmom (Salt Lake City, Ut) on 09/25/2012
★★★★★

I'm sitting here breathing and amazed! Truly did not expect this to work. I have had severe sinus congestion for days along with a horrible cough. I have heart arrhythmias so can't take most decongestants and antihistamines weren't working. Neti pot - helped for a few minutes. Steam - worked while steaming. Saline nasal spray - didn't get through the goo. I am a wife, mother, full-time student, voice teacher, and have two part-time jobs (no, there are not enough hours in a day) and don't have time to be sick one second longer. I tried 6 oz. Water, 2 Tbs. Vinegar, 1 Tbs. Honey and heated. Drank it down - gagging numerous times. Within minutes I could breathe through both nostrils. WOW!

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Linn (Maine, Usa) on 05/21/2012
★★★★★

Best remedy ever! I was skeptical. I have been sick with severe sinus congestion/infections since January, it is now almost June. Over the counter sinus sprays helped temporarily, then not at all. Tried Steam, and neti pots, flushes, etc. Doctors prescribed antibiotics, steroids, allergy medication. All temporary or no response. Out of desperation I tried 6 oz of water, two teaspoons Apple Cider Vinegar, and approx two teaspoons of honey. Heated in the microwave. Within a minute I could blow my nose, within ten minutes I released all the pressure in my head. I still have tons to get rid of, this is the first thing I have tried that actually got rid of the congestion. I am thankful. Thank you so much for sharing!

Pink Himalayan Salt

Posted by Shana (Los Angeles, California) on 03/09/2012
★★★★★

I have tried forever to use salt to irrigate my sinuses, and I never could because I found the salt to be extremely irritating, and it actually made me more stuffy afterwards! That is, until I tried using Himalayan Pink Salt in a squeeze bottle (i have found a squeeze bottle to be much more effective than a neti pot bc it really gets the solution up into the sinus cavities). If you, too, find salt too irritating, try using Himaayan Pink salt - I don't have to use baking soda or anything else with it - it's soothing & makes a world of difference!

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Kerich (Nakuru, Kenya) on 12/17/2013
★★★★★

What a wonderful moments! Hey it works barely a day men GOD IS GREAT! Over the past my nostrils have been a mess. I used my mouth to breathe. I took it as instructed ooh my GOD. Thank you so much. i had suffered for years that I frequently went for HIV test though I was 100% I had never misbehaved anywhere.Once again thank you earth clinic for sharing this information so crucial .sinus distracted my undergraduate that at one time I nearly opted to defer. Cheers men!

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Beckie (Windham Maine) on 04/05/2015
★★★★★

Holy heck! Been sitting in bed stuffed up so bad and found this remedy.. Figured I had nothing to lose and had the ingredients.. I am not kidding you.. Four sips and I am breathing out of my nose!! It tastes like hell but id rather breathe so I am finishing it.. Anyone know how long the effects last?? I will find out!