Quick Sinus Relief: Natural Remedies for Congestion

Steaming

Posted by Lauren (Austin, Texas) on 02/17/2011
★★★★★

To relieve sinus pressure temporarily I heat up a large bowl of water for about 2 minutes on high in the microwave then add a 4 drops of lavender oil and place my head over it with a towel draped over my head. Blow your nose when needed to get rid of some of the excess mucus. Repeat multiple times a day. I was sceptical at first but the lavender truly makes a huge difference.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Dee (Los Angeles, Ca) on 12/27/2010
★★★★★

WOW-- unbelievably quick relief! I have had a sinus infection for the past 5 days-- unable to breathe through either nostril, with ears popping, impaired hearing, and sore throat nightly after breathing through my mouth constantly. I tried everything-- at least six over-the-counter nasal sprays (both traditional and herbal remedies) as well as a neti pot/saline solution. Nothing seemed to do the trick and I was at wit's end. I just came across this site, immediately mixed up some ACV and water, and downed it. Less than 15 minutes later I am breathing clearly for the first time in almost a week! I would never have believed it was so good for this chronic problem-- I will keep this trick up my sleeve for future use! Many thanks for the tip...

Apple Cider Vinegar, Cayenne

Posted by Rae (Norwich, Norfolk, England, Uk) on 10/23/2009
★★★★★

ACV and cayenne pepper in hot water cured sinus congestion.

This simple remedy really works! My head was stuffed up for a few days and getting worse. Yesterday afternoon I took 1 tablespoon raw ACV in a mug of hot water with a big pinch of cayenne pepper. My nasal passages started to clear even as I was sipping and within an hour my head felt a lot clearer. I did this 3 times altogether, taking the last mug before bed and woke up this morning with a clear head!

I've used this remedy on two occasions now and with almost immediate results. I think it helps if you breathe in the vapours also.

Thankyou, Earthclinic! Love this site.

Apple Cider Vinegar, Cayenne

Posted by Nicole (Tempe, Az) on 03/01/2011
★★★★★

Hello there! I want to thank you for this recipe my nose is instantly draining. My eyes were watering. Sweating a little bit. I added a little cinnamon to I guess cut the heat:). Thanks much. Idk if the cinnamon helped but for some reason I always have to modify things. LOL Thanks again!

Eucalyptus Oil

Posted by Rosy (Orlando, Fl) on 12/09/2008
★★★★★

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 boil. 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.

Neti Pot Remedy

Posted by Shellie Cohagan (Quilcene, wa) on 02/15/2008
★★★★★

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.

Fresh Ginger Root

Posted by Tara (Springfield, Illinois) on 01/11/2008
★★★★★

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.

Oil Pulling

Posted by Antoinette (Raleigh, NC) on 01/05/2008
★★★★★

WOW! I was just reading about the oil pulling. I have severe sinus problems, as well as a host of other ailments, which I will relate at another time. I woke up this morning severely congested, with thick green mucuous. I searched the computer under sinus treatments and found this website. I decided to try it although I was scared. I didnt have sesame or sunflower oil, I only had extra virgin olive oil, so I tried it. I just tried right now for the first time. Within 2 minutes....yes!! 2 minutes! my nose opened up, and I could breathe!!! I started feeling more alert in my mind, and I was so shocked. I just spit out the solution a few minutes ago...... and I brushed my teeth, and Im going to drink the 2 to 3 glasses of water. I will post again soon. I will do it again tonight. Thanks!!!

Steaming

Posted by Rosa (Orlando , FL) on 07/28/2007
★★★★★

I was miserable last thursday night, I could not breath through my nose, my throat was so irritated and swallen I could hardly breath, I tried the nasal sprays and did nothing at all. without sleep and desperate for an immediate solution, I jumped on the internet and here I found the perfect remedy, I drank the ACV and it felt like burning at first but it sure cleared up my throat. I heated some water in the microwave with at a bit more than a third of ACV and very carefully inhaled the vapors, I felt such relief right away, This is the best remedy ever!

Cayenne

Posted by Devon (Scottsdale, AZ) on 12/26/2006
★★★★★

This is a very good temporary solution. Some people claim that it helps with sore throats but I'm still testing this theory. I found these steps to be particularly effective.

1. Heat about one cup of water to steaming and add about 1 tablespoons of red (cayenne) peppers. Stir for approximately one minute and press the peppers with a spoon as you would a teabag for added heat. (Easy Tip: The peppers do not have to be fresh and I actually used the bottled kind that people sprinkle on pizza)

2. Strain. (You may chose not to do this if you like chunky water.... EWWW!)

3. Try not to burn your mouth! Blow on the mixture for a little bit (just like you would tea!) and gargle for at least 20 seconds at least three or four times. (It helps to swallow a bit of the mixture)

4. Blow your nose until it's ALL outta there and you're not getting the post-nasal drip! (THIS IS KEY) Repeat every 15 minutes as necessary. My personal experience may differ from yours. Today I was diagnosed with a sinus infection and I commonly have these (about every 3 months) so I figured why not try something new.

I would also recommend a saline nasal spray to bathe the sinuses morning and night. This has a similar effect and disinfects your nose. It works! I find that the more you use these methods the more effective they are.

Steaming

Posted by Millie (New York, NY) on 11/25/2006
★★★★★

i have been suffering from a cold/sinus infection this entire week. it put a damper on my 4-day thanksgiving weekend. i cannot take over the counter cold remedies because they make my heart race, so i've been overdosing on vitamin c and echinacea, but to no avail. finally today, after not being able to breathe and having a bowling ball headache for four days, i went online to seek out a natural remedy and found your site and talk about acv. i had forgotten about it and actually pulled out a book i have from years ago and started reading. i was feeling so awful today that i had no intentions of walking out the door, still in my pajamas and looking sick, so i called my local health food store and begged them to deliver me a bottle of acv. i drank an acv/water mixture and also tried boiling a mixture in a pot and breathing in the stream. i can't believe that i've been breathing now for over an hour (i sure hope it lasts). i had to write because this is really terrific. thanks for reminding me of the benefits of acv. now that i dusted off the book, it's staying out where i can keep on reading.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Posted by Anonymous (USA) on 06/28/2006
★★★★★

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!

Steaming

Posted by Hana (Bayonne) on 07/25/2005
★★★★★

Remedy #2: Steaming Hot Towels: IS A BLESSING! THANKS TO WHO EVER WROTE THAT!

Steaming

Posted by Rosa (Monterey, Ca) on 08/25/2011
★★★★☆

After reading this, I took a long, hot shower and I can already feel the difference. I am a Soldier so NOT going to work is NOT an option. I've been trying for 3 days to find relief from this severe congestion. Thanks!

Electrical Vibration

Posted by Rob (Kentucky) on 02/10/2025
★★★★★

Electrical Vibration for Sinus Issues (CONGESTION) –

The Significance of Vibration in Therapy

Guinea Pig Rob here...

Low vibration around the ears and over the sinus-plexes may help people who suffer from tinnitus, sinus congestion and other ear and sinus issues. I theorize the reason why it works is, the vibration loosen's-up any blockage that maybe in all the plumbing inside the ears and sinus (eustachian tube, ear canal, semi-circular canals vestibule, sinus membranes, etc…).

I took my GF personal vibrator (it has various speed setting) cleaned it (for obvious reasons lol) and applied it over the sinus-plexes, cheek bones, eye browes, around the ear's. I did this for 20 minutes. After I completed the treatment, my sinuses started to run and flow. I felt a little dizzy but better.

There is a vibration device sold on Amazon called “Eardoc Ear Massager for Natural Relief of Clogged Ears” but THEY WANT $60! My GF personal re-chargable battery operated masager cost $5 (google search: Small Personal Massager for Women).

I'm not saying this technique will cure your sinus congestion but it will get things flowing again for sure...

Tea Tree Oil

Posted by Rob (Kentucky) on 02/02/2025
★★★★★

I am a big supporter of inhaling hot steam through your sinuses for congestion. However, you can't be home 24/7 to do it. This is where this homemade Tea tree oil nasal spray comes in.

Materials needed:

– Nasal Saline Spray 1.5 oz. (found at any Dollarstore)

– Tea Tree Oil

– Needle nose pliers

– Paper towel

Directions:

– Remove cap from nasal spray.

– Wrap paper towel around nasal tip. Use pliers to carefully wiggle tip off of bottle. The paper towel protects the soft plastic tip from damage by using the pliers.

– Once removed, add two drops tea tree oil to the 1.5 oz. saline solution in bottle.

– Re-install tip on bottle. Re-cap bottle. It is now ready to use.

How to use: Shake bottle before each use so the oil mixes with the saline solution. Mist/Spray each nostril with solution several times daily. Do this til symptoms improve.

Why it works:

Saline nasal spray clears out mucus and crusts in your nasal passages that are causing you to feel stuffed up. Using saline nasal spray or irrigation also helps cleanse your nasal passages, washing away pollen and other things that cause allergy symptoms. Saline sprays can reduce thick mucus secretions in the sinuses and nose.

Tea tree oil can help relieve sinus congestion by reducing inflammation. Tea tree oil is known for its antiviral and antimicrobial properties. Its expectorant properties can loosen mucus.

Cayenne

Posted by Clew (Stephenville, Texas) on 09/30/2022
★★★★★

So I tried the cayenne pepper on a qtip with nasal solution and sprinkled cayenne onto the tip and then put in into my nostril and sniffed it. Yes it burned but that did not last too long and within 5 minutes my nose started to run and I felt drainage in the back if my throat. I will do this more often until I feel clear!!!! Thanks earth clinic and everyone here!!!