Quick Sinus Relief: Natural Remedies 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.

Oregano Oil

Posted by Denver (Dayton, Ohio) on 01/22/2008
★★★★★

have used oregano oil to clear up my stuffy head a few times. I know this sounds crazy to anyone that has taken it before but i put a drop on my wet fingers and then snuff it!! ouch!! but instantly i can breath and the burning stops in just a few minutes. Dont even know if this is a good idea but it works for me Denver

Honey and Cinnamon

Posted by Merle (Hillsboro, Oregon) on 12/23/2007
★★★★★

I have been struggling with a ongoing sinus congestion causing severe headaches on waking and thick drainage down the back of my throat for almost 3 months. I had been taking over the counter remedies but had resigned myself to a trip to the doctor for something stronger to knock out what I believed to be a low level sinus infection; it wasn't clearing up and today was worse than ever when I woke up. I remembered reading about honey and cinnamon remedy for "something" so thought I would look to see if there were something for sinus problems. On your site I found a remedy - 1/4t cinnamon with 1Tbl honey. Well, I tried it and within 15 minutes I could feel the pressure lightening, the drainage becoming thinner and less - I feel wonderful! I am not often moved to write a comment, but I just can't keep this one to myself - Thank you so much!

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.

Cayenne

Posted by Devon (USA) on 12/26/2006
★★★★★

Just a quick amendment to what I said earlier.

USE ONLY ONE TABLESPOON OF PEPPER IF NOT A LITTLE BIT LESS. One tablespoon per cup was pretty hot. And if you use that recipe it's a fairly big batch so you can save what you don't use and reheat the mixture in the microwave if you need it later. If you are using the stuff I used (the kind of red pepper sprinkled on pizza instead of whole peppers) I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND STRAINING and possibly even use a cheese cloth. If the stuff gets in the back of your throat it can really tickle.

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.

Smelling Black Pepper

Posted by Hossein (Iran) on 01/09/2021
★★★★★

Smelling black pepper helped my brother a lot for his sinusitis.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Endi (Tennessee ) on 07/26/2025

I would not heat it up in the microwave, but use a stovetop to boil some water then add the ACV. A microwave will kill the healthy bacteria in the ACV.

Elderflower Juice

Posted by Idot13 (Co. Dublin) on 07/15/2020
★★★★★

In reply to Christine on the acupressure page under myopia:

Posted by Christine (Virginia Beach, Virgnia) on 02/01/2009: "Modern day Chinese people have overcome myopia through the usage of acupressure massage techniques. Some of them are listed in the eBook you have mentioned. Today I started doing them. While it is too early to tell whether they will overcome myopia or not, I can tell you that my eyes already feel more relaxed, and my sinuses are draining better. Perhaps these exercises will help sinus trouble in addition to the myopia that plagues our nation."

For cure of sinuses the best cure is elderflower juice.

How to make:

Take one lemon and put into a pint of boiling water and let it get soft. Then put in about forty heads of elder flower and let it simmer for about twenty minutes.
Then let it cool or strain anď squeeze all juice out.
Put back into saucepan and heat up with half a bag of sugar and leave it heating until it melts the sugar.
Let it cool and bottle it.
Take about two teaspoons of juice every day.

You should be fine for winter plus summer, but it must be taken every day.

Enjoy yourself. May God bless.

Black Seed Oil

Posted by Myway (Wilmington, De) on 02/11/2015
★★★★★

Hey Karen, run down to the health food store at your location and purchase some black seed oil (nigella sativa). It comes in an 8 oz bottle. 1 tsp in am and 1 tsp in pm. It really does handle the sinus inflammation, congestion and mucous pretty fast. It is an ancient oil that also has anti-viral properties as well. I use it daily to keep my allergy/sinusitis/congestion at bay. I can honestly say this one oil truly affected my breathing significantly.

Black Seed Oil

Posted by Myway (Delaware) on 01/14/2015
★★★★★

Black Seed Oil (Nigella Sativa) - hands down has completely kept my nasal passages clear and mucous free for over a week. Since it reduces the histamine response, my asthma symptoms, allergies are almost completely gone. The cat's sleep next to my face - and I wake up with a clear nose. Overall, reduces systemic inflammation in the body with a natural oil! I will be taking this for life! 1 tsp in am, 1 tsp in pm. That's it. Sure, it is bitter but the benefits are wonderful.

Here is a youtubevideo from Dr. John Gray - I can't imagine him talking about his sinus condition - but this is what he uses. A simple, but complete explanation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mnMk9BZbxo

MyWay, :D

Wheatgrass

Posted by Audrina (Los Angeles, Ca) on 07/21/2014
★★★★★

Wheatgrass (the juice powder) works miraculously well for clearing out sinuses! I feel relief immediately when I drink it, and if I keep drinking it everyday I have discovered that I can even eat foods like wheat and dairy that formerly made me stuffy. Wheatgrass does not have wheat. Make sure you don't take too much too soon, though! When I first tried it I took too much - 1 tablespoon and got very stuffy. I guess it was detoxifying stuff. When I cut back and started with just 1/4 teaspoon, my sinuses immediately cleared up. Now I can take 1 tablespoon, no problem. If you have chronic sinusitis or allergies that affect your sinuses, wheatgrass could be your cure! As an added bonus of taking wheatgrass, my hair is stronger and fuller than ever and has a very smooth texture.

Eucalyptus Oil

Posted by Ahimsa33 (Tucson, Az) on 01/08/2014
★★★★☆

A few drops of eucalyptus oil in steaming water did wonders for my congestion. I am still stuffy but able to breathe through both nostrils now!!! Doing this steam therapy actually released a huge nasty glob of mucus from way back that I think was causing the blockage (which is so gross, sorry, I know, but felt so good!! ). I got one ounce of the essential oil for about $5.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Rosie (Artesia, New Mexico ) on 05/15/2013
★★★★★

I was having such a hard time breathing so I googled home remedies and came across this one using ACV. I heated 6oz of water, 2 tblsp ACV and 1 tblsp honey on the stove and drank it warm. It was actually not bad tasting and worked great. In a matter of minutes I could breath. I will definitely do it again.

Eliminate Bananas

Posted by Cherylee (Johannesburg, South Africa) on 03/14/2013
★★★★★

I have suffered with really bad sinus for over 2 years. It has been getting worse and worse to the point that I could not even smell or taste anything for over a year! I was in my local Dischem chemist looking for yet another cure when the sales assistant asked me if I ate BANANAS???? Bananas??? She said I should just try cutting them out for a month. Well, I had already cut out dairy, wheat, sugar all to no avail so it was worth a try.

Its been over 2 months now and no more sneezing, sinus and my taste and smell have returned!!!! JUST AMAZING!!!

Thank you Thank you Dischem lady!!!! <3