Quick Sinus Relief: Natural Remedies for Congestion

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!

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Ted (Tx) on 06/12/2017
★★★★★

ACV sniff for sinus congestion.

It worked for me as well

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.

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 Acvworks! (Atlanta, Ga) on 08/10/2013
★★★★★

Wow... 4 days of being completely 100% stuffed up. I had been drinking tea with ACV and honey.. But obviously not ENOUGH. Measure it out... 2 TBS of ACV and 1-2 TBS of honey and 6 oz of water. Within a couple minutes BOTH nostrils completely clear... Ahhhhh! :) Now.. what to do for earaches that came from being stuffed for 4 days.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Suntater (Danville, In) on 05/26/2013
★★★★★

Apple Cider Vinegar for Sinus Congestion: Just a side note, my grandfather drank a glass of apple cider vinegar and honey every day as a daily preventative. I remember him staying home from work for only one day with a cold when I was a kid, and I even lived with him for awhile.

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 Priceless (Dayton, Ohio) on 01/18/2012
★★★★★

Ok I was @ my wits in... I had spend over $50 in over the counter medication. I had ended up over medicated myself @ this point due to now insurance already missing a week of work the only one working in the home... I found this remedy. I honestly went and bought the ACV and fixed my glass as soon as I walked in my home. Instantly I started feeling better. I did wake up around 3 am due to the pressure I guess. I took a tylenol so I could return to sleep. Took another class 8oz this morning..! Everyone @ work was like you look like you went to the SPA!! You look better!! ...

Most of all I thank GOD for healing. But I appreciate this website.. I told everyone @ work.... @ lunch one of my co-workers is running to get some ACV... I do hope this helps someone.. Because everyones remarks definitley helped me..

Thanks for all the responses!

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.