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.
Anise
Posted by Shorty (Austin, Tx) on 11/07/2011
★★★★★
Another thing that works for congestion is a spice called "anise", you boil the seeds and drink it with honey & lemon. my mom swore by it when we were younger & I used it for my infant kids since it was hard for them to cough up the mucus.
I need to use it myself for I have been suffering from nasal congestion/mucus & acid indigestion. That combination makes it hard to breathe freely, and sleep.. I wish you a speedy recovery.
Cayenne
Posted by Nathan (Pittsburgh, Pa, Usa) on 10/30/2011
★★★★★
To relieve lingering sinus congestion due to allergies, I tried the method of snorting small rice sized amounts of cayenne powder.
Like Veejay25 said, there is about 30 seconds of fairly intense burning. For me, however, the burning continued for approximately 30 minutes after taking the powder. After the intense first few minutes, it gradually lessened. The pain is nothing that an average person could not tolerate. There was also about 6 to 7 minutes of intense sneezing, watering eyes, and nose blowing. If you plan to try this, make sure you have about 10 or 15 minutes to recover.
My sinuses cleared slightly, though not completely. I should stress that I did not have a severe sinus condition, so better results could probably be achieved during treatment of a worse condition.
One question to consider is the potential for cayenne to damage the nasal cavity if used chronically. Of course we should all realize it would never be recommended to use many (not all) of the remedies on this site for extended periods due to the lack of scientific research on long term side effects.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Kathy (Little Rock, Arkansas) on 10/24/2011
You don't inhale it and you don't steam it over your face/skin! Go to ACV.com or _____s.com and read the many uses for vinegar BUT YOU MUST USE IT CORRECTLY YOU CANNOT MISUSE IT AND SAY YOU DO NOT RECOMMEND IT! You could misuse anything and get bad results. Your post was ridiculous. Your own fault!
Exercise
Posted by Paterin (Pensacola, Florida, Usa) on 10/24/2011
★★★★★
Bret from Bean Station TN wrote that just getting up - moving around - walk, exercise -causes shrinkage of nasal passages. I must have missed that the first time around because I thought I discovered the following all by myself: Two nights ago, when it was obvious I could forget about sleeping, I stumbled into the room where I keep my small trampoline, and in the dark, I got aboard, hanging onto the window frame for support, and I jumped. Pure magic! The obvious explanation - what Bret said. So last night, I did my jumping just BEFORE bed -again pure magic. I know there are other problems of the nose, but what if this is all you ever needed to try?
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Crystal (Kennewick, Wa, Usa) on 10/07/2011
★★★★★
My left nostril had been completely swollen shut all afternoon from a cold or sinus infection I'm fighting off. I ignored it till bedtime when I realized that I wouldn't be able to sleep like that. So I turned to earthclinic to see what to do before going to get an otc decongestant. I saw that ACV has yet another use and I have it by the gallon so I tried it - 2 tbl in about 8 oz of water with ginger/honey drink mix (I'm out of my raw honey) After a few sips I did feel less irritation and a slight improvement but still couldn't breathe on the left side. I finished the drink and still not able to breathe I decided to go across the street to the store for the tomato tea ingredients. It took about 15 minutes and by the time I got home the left nostril was open and running. That was about 30 minutes ago and I'm still breathing freely thru my nose and I'm drinking the tomato tea just for good measure. I just wish I had done this earlier in the day!
Red Pepper, Ground Pepper
Posted by Red9979 (Miami, Fl) on 09/06/2011
★★★★★
cayenne pepper might work better, but I did not have any at hand, decided to take a facial vaporizer, that has the nose attatchment, to the water, I added crushed red pepper and ground black pepper, smelled it for about 15 minutes, at medium or high setting made me sneeze instantly, did not burn and cleared me but then again I do not have chronic sinus. I guess for chronic sinus or bad infections with headaches and sinus pain- the cayenne would be more powerful .
but if your desperate enough and do not have it at hand, try my method might work for you.
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!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Faye (Lakeland, Fl) on 08/15/2011
Are you steaming it and breathing the vapors? Or are you drinking the mixture. It's not clear.
Neti Pot Remedy
Posted by Maria (Newmarket, Ontario) on 08/14/2011
★★★★★
This remedy was told by my mom, and she was told by her gradndma, if you have a nasal congestion, press your right nostril by your hand and pull up the warm salt water from your left nostril, and then press your left nostril with your finger and pull up the water from the right nostril and breath inside, this will open the blockage in your nose, and its really very effective, this is the same idea when the infants get congested the doctors always prescribe saline water drops to put in the nose, I tried by myself and it really works wonderful and you should pull the water from glass from your nostril that the water should come in your throat.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Andrew (Charlottetown, Pei, Canada) on 07/08/2011
what was the revised dosage, could u explain please...thanks
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Kalki (Kerala, India) on 07/08/2011
★★★★★
I had a blocked nose non stop, December to March. No cold or leaks, just a solidly blocked nose. Poor sleep, dry mouth, heaviness of the head, low energy levels, etc. for 4 months. I tried the Earthclinc revised dosage of ACV and by the 3rd day my nose was completely clear. Amazing!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Ronnie (Oak Island, North Carolina) on 07/07/2011
★★★★★
Was suffering for three days with head congestion. Breathing through my nose was impossible. I mixed up two tblspns Apple Cider Vinedar and two tablspns honey. I heated it in microwave for 18 secomds to soften honey for smoother mixture. Within minutes (maybe 3 to 4) I felt my nose begining to run. After thirty minutes my nose was clear!
General Feedback
Posted by Debbie (Melbourne, Australia) on 06/11/2011
Larry you write: "My alternative physician suggested using betaine HCl instead of ACV to alleviate my nasal congestion, thereby not ingesting vinegar that fungus thrives on".
The above is NOT true. Vinegar does "not" thrive on fungus. I totally cured by toenail fungus by ingesting ACV (and doing nothing else). I had it for many years and even took tablets years ago to cure it but nothing worked until I drank the ACV.
General Feedback
Posted by Larry (Fairfax, Va/usa) on 06/11/2011
I've suffered from congested sinuses for years, so after reading on the site about ACV, I was quite enthusiastic about drinking ACV/honey/water to overcome my problem. But, just after twice drinking the suggested ACV mixture, my chronic systemic fungal infection flared-up, big time.
My alternative physician suggested using betaine HCl instead of ACV to alleviate my nasal congestion, thereby not ingesting vinegar that fungus thrives on..... Anyone have similar experiences with ACV increasing fungal growth and/or tried betain HCl for relieving sinus congestion?
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Mypeez (Varna, Il) on 06/05/2011
★★★★★
I have been suffering with severe sinus congestion for about a week. I have not been able to smell or taste. I had tried over the counter medication with no relief of symptoms. I came across this site and decided to give apple cider vinegar a try - what could it hurt. I mixed 2 Tbsp. Apple cider vinegar with 1 Tbsp. Honey in 6 ox. of water and warmed the mixture in the microwave. Within 1/2 hour I noticed improvement, by that evening I could taste again. I slept much better that night and feel much better today!
Salt Water
Posted by Muhammad (Abudhabi, Uae) on 05/16/2011
★★★★★
yes my dear friends it really works the cleaning of nose with salty water is very effective I tried and I am doing it on daily bases.. Thanksssss
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Hiria (Auckland, New Zealand) on 05/14/2011
★★★★★
Wow - 2 minutes ago I mixed up 6 oz water, 2TV ACV and 1 T of honey. I warmed it in the microwave to melt the honey and help it mix in and cover the taste of ACV. For the first time in nearly a week I can breathe freely through both nostrils. Amazing. I know vinegar - white and brown is useful for a thousand and one things around the home and for other health purposes so I tried this with a positive attitude and maybe it helped that I decided to believe it would work. Highly recommend.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Shar35 (Portland, Or, Usa) on 05/06/2011
★★★★★
I have been severely congested after having first the flu and then a bad cold.... Nothing was breaking it up: not neti pot, saline sprays, decongestant sprays (that makes it worse, eventually). In Oregon you must have a prescription for Sudafed, which has been the only remedy which works... "Phenylphrine" just doesn't do any good. So I tried the Apple Cider Vinegar potion with honey and hot water. I didn't think it would work, but less than 10 minutes I could breathe again!! Fantastic cure... I hope it lasts. Thank you!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Helz (Devon, United Kingdom) on 05/06/2011
★★★★★
Wow! This really worked. No idea how it works.. But it does, and that's good enough for me. Gonna make some or my husband now as his head is 'splitting', just like mine was yesterday (some nasty head-cold) so hopefully will go from grumpy to happy! I have. :) Thank you so much everyone!!!!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Cristina (La Coruna, Spain) on 04/25/2011
★★★★★
It sure does! Three days ago I took two tablespoons morning (with pinch of b. soda and a high glass of apple juice) and another two tablespoons at night.
The thing is, I had been suffering of sinusitis for a long time and taking anthibiotics. But a year ago I tried all sorts of natural remedies and homeopathy (which helped a lot). Until I read about ACV in your site a few weeks ago. I decided to give it a try.
Half an hour, more or less, after taking it the first time I noticed something in my nose.. And blew it. I won´t give the details of what came out... It was all the infection!! At night I woke up again and more of the infection was coming out. And so on until it stopped naturally.
Now I´m taking only two teaspoons morning and two at night but my sinus has cleared and I feel great!
I recommend you try it if you ´re having these problems.
Salsa, Cayenne, Garlic
Posted by User182 (Hattiesburg, Ms) on 04/21/2011
★★★★★
Ok.. So this salsa thing definitely works. Just makes sure you have a giant glass of water beside you when you get thru drinkin it. I drunk a greatly smaller amount than what it called for and it STILL helped me.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Janicecooks (Baltimore, Md) on 04/19/2011
★☆☆☆☆
In search of a natural cure for my week long severe sinus congestion I came here for advice. 5 days of antibiotics and mucinex have done nothing. I tried the ACV last night out of desperation. This horrendous tasting remedy did nothing for my sinuses but irritated my stomach and caused intestinal problems. The thought of drinking this potion again makes my skin crawl.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Nicole (Coquitlam, Bc Canada) on 04/14/2011
Kathy, I am suffering with the same thing. I was at the doctor yesterday and informed that after a nasty sinus infection, the sinuses can swell. No matter how much I blow my nose I still feel pressure up in the sinus area. This is due to the swelling. I was given a perscription for a nasal spray which will reduce inflamation, but am looking at other options to help with congestion. It has been about 8 weeks of sinus problems, I just want a break! I have just started the spray so we will see!
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Nv (Washington, D. C.) on 04/10/2011
Yes! Antibiotics can make you sicker. They indiscriminately kill off bacteria of all kinds, many of which are your body's first line of defense. Additionally, antibiotics are of no use if your sickness is caused by a fungus, a virus, or a resistant bacterial strain.
