Quick Sinus Relief: Natural Remedies for Congestion

Apple Cider Vinegar, Cayenne

Posted by Tina (Helena, AL) on 12/15/2006
★★★★★

Hi There.

I ran across this website the other night as I was searching the internet in search of a natural approach to cure a sore throat that was so advanced that my tonsils were red and looked blistery and I could hardly swallow. It was very painful. I ran across the recommendation for the Cayenne pepper gargle but then saw that if I added ACV to this that I could drink it and it would cure my sinuses also which I have had a problem with for years and had a discharge of muscous every morning that was almost a reddish-brown color and tons of pressure in my head and had been taken Advil cold and sinus for it. I began drinking it yesterday morning and still did the Cayenne pepper and water gargle last night. My throat is already cleared up and I believe my sinuses are beginning but I am not sure what is happening with my sinuses. It seems to me like I am coughing up alot of stuff that has probably been there for while and I noticed that my mucous is now a light yellow color.

My nose is also stuffy and I feel like I am literally coughing up stuff out of my chest that I didnt even know was there (lol). I am still drinking this little mixture today and will continue to as I believe that what is happening is that I am healing and that all of this that has been there is beginning to come out and I can tell because although my mucous is not clear yet and is very light yellowish, it is not brown/reddish which says something (lol). Despite all of this (The stuffy nose and coughing up mucous) I seem to feel great with a very high energy level and no pressure in the head causing it to ache. So I will let you know the final result and am very greatful for this remedy and this wonderful website and will be consulting it regularly for my health concerns and my clients.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Posted by Lori (Topeka, Kansas) on 09/08/2008
★★★★★

This really DID work!!! I was suffering for day's and then I tried pouring the hydrogen peroxide into both nostrils. I even mixed equal parts of HP and water. It seemed to take the sting out of bit. Thank GOD I found this site. I can sleep tonight!!!

Apples

Posted by Kera (Washington DC) on 04/18/2006
★★★★★

I have IBS and when I'm really stressed it flares up. So, lately I've been eating apples for regular fiber intake. In the last 4 days I've had...8 apples. After my second apple today I noticed that my sinuses were draining. In the 8 hours between my second and third apple the drainage diminished. But after eating apple #3 my sinuses began draining again and I had a sort of itchy feeling in the back of my mouth from the drainage. Is it possible that I've had a similar reaction to just eating apples rather than drinking the Apple Cider Vinegar?

Garlic

Posted by Haywood (Arlington, VA) on 03/16/2006
★★★★★

I cut up cloves like the size of pills, and took them with water. I did this treatment at night so I could go through the next day without being bothered with hay fever.

Eucalyptus Oil

Posted by Jessie (Tahlah)
★★★★★

I like to add a little eucalyptus with water in a bowl and microwave it for a few minutes and put a towel over my head and take in all the steam. It gets stuff out of your system so be prepared to clear up.

Smelling Black Pepper

Posted by Cindy (Illinois, USA) on 01/10/2021 563 posts
★★★★★

I used potato soup with lots of butter and lots and lots of black pepper to help finish off the sinus garbage. And I "sniffed" EVERYthing! The peppery soup, hydrogen peroxide, DMSO, ClO2 - basically just about everything I have. It was SOOOOO annoying and I just couldn't break it up. But the black pepper and soup seemed to do the trick.

Black pepper contains quite a bit of sulfur. As do potatoes - or, rather, they should but the soil is so depleted in the states that you have to amend the soil of your potato patch - if you grow your own.

Pumpkin Oil

Posted by Irina (New York, NY) on 01/14/2019
★★★★★

Pumpkin Oil for sinus congestion:

Pumpkin oil is working great for my sinuses, which have been clogged for years now - it is actually finally clearing up! I can't believe it & am so glad after all this time to find relief! Pumpkin oil is an antifungal, so it makes sense it would clear sinus issues.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by David (USA) on 11/11/2025
★★★★★

Incredible. I breathed the vapors through my nose until it was cool enough to add the honey and drink. My sinuses cleared before I finished the glass. Also added a pinch a cayenne and turmeric.

Cayenne

Posted by Amanda (Des Moines) on 09/08/2016
★★★★★

Cayenne for nasal congestion. This worked for me. I snorted a very small amount. I proceeded to use some saline spray afterwards. I am pregnant and tend to use nasal spray daily.

Multiple Remedies

Posted by Brenda (Columbus, Ohio) on 09/30/2015
★★★★★

Tried the 2 tbls coconut, vinegar (didn't have ACV) 2 tbls honey, dash of cayenne pepper, added quarter of raw onion and mug of hot H20 for sinus pain. Pain left quickly, w/in a few minutes. Woke up with sinus pain this AM. Not much mucus, pain was worrisome. Raw coconut Vinegar has 17 amino acids, minerals, vitamin C, broad spectrum B vitamins and has nearly neutral ph. It works faster for me for acidic stomach or indigestion. I use it with water for first morning beverage often. I get it at health food store.

Hydrogen Peroxide, Sea Salt

Posted by Dwight (S. Florida, US) on 12/19/2014
★★★★★

I mixed sea salt and hydrogen peroxide and squirted in each nostril to try to relieve my stuffy sinuses. The solution is very uncomfortable and it remains in my sinuses until I repeat the process about 3 times.Only then will it start to come back out the same nostril and if I keep it up some will eventually come out the opposing nostril. It just seems to get soaked up there.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Sarah (Us) on 05/29/2014
★★★★★

I get really bad allergies a couple of times a year and I'm usually just resigned to suffering through swollen sinuses and copious amounts of mucus, but it's really wearing thin. I just tried apple cider vinegar and much to my surprise, it actually helped. I'm still congested but the throbbing itchy feeling in my sinuses has finally subsided, and the congestion has lessened. Sitting here with eucalyptus oil in my burner now and hoping that will help with the remainder, but at least I have something I can take to make sleeping easier (that isn't a benadryl - that stuff really wrecks me). Thanks for sharing this.

Apple Cider Vinegar, Olive Oil, Baking Soda

Posted by Doddie (Georgia, Usa) on 03/14/2014
★★★★★

2T ACV, 2T Olive Oil, 1/4t baking soda in 8 oz warm water, was the only ingredients I did have. Been suffering from chest congestion and hacking up phlegm for 6 days. Relief from the coughing, congestion, within the hour! My nose drained and 2 hr later it is still working. Unbelievable! The worst thing I have ever had to drink down in my life (and I am good at drinking horrible tasting stuff for medicinal purposes) . I had use the last of my honey before I got sick. This really does work, and I did manage to drink it down. I will try the ACV, honey, baking soda, cayenne pepper, and lemon juice the next time. The coughing stopped almost immediately. I had to post because it worked so well!!

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Caroline (Norfolk, Uk) on 12/06/2016
★★★★★

Just tried this and within a minute a clear nose, hope it lasts and I can sleep tonight...I'm amazed as I was completely blocked up.

Kimchi

Posted by Samantha (New York, Ny) on 07/30/2013
★★★★★

Kimchi for sinus infections/congestion: I have just recently discovered after adding other fermented foods to my diet like fermented veggies & sauerkraut that KIMCHI works wonders at clearing up sinus congestion!! It's a must try!!

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Lori (Chicago Heights, Il) on 02/25/2013
★★★★★

I have been drinking the Apple Cider Vinegar tea for about 3 weeks 16oz a day. With that I have experienced loose stool and drainage from sinuses. Today I do not feel the greats but I am able to breath out of both nostrils and that feels great. I will continue to use ACV and the tea. Thank you

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Christine (Ma) on 06/04/2013
★★★★★

I was miserable and just tried this. It worked within minutes!!! Thank you! Could not breathe at all through my nose. Feel wonderful!

Camphor

Posted by Hippocrates (Odin, Missouri, U.s.a.) on 04/28/2012 10 posts
★★★★★

Hello all, I have suffered from sinus problems my whole life. This often leads to headaches caused by the sinuses being inflamed. I love to sleep with a fan for the sound, but this causes them often, so I must not. Drinking milk before bed does the same, so I must not. As does certain times of year, temperature too low in the house, humidity changes, smoke, etc, etc.

One thing I found helps lessen the pain is the "nose bullets" as I call them. Tubes you stick in your nose and inhale the vapors. They contain Camphor/Menthol. They do not "cure" a sinus headache, but lessen the pain. Heating up some "chest rub" in a jar does the same, but it is not as portable. Also, rubbing the "chest rub" onto your forehead helps soften the pain. I use Neti pots but add 1 teaspoon or less of Xylitol and several drops of hydrogen peroxide per each pot full to the standard salt/baking soda powder that is out there.

I post these not as medical advise, but something that has worked for me to make living with sinuses more bearable.

Tomato Tea

Posted by Holly (Fresno, Ca) on 04/15/2012
★★★★★

I honestly can't believe this WORKED! I have had a terrible cold with a sore throat and the worst sinus congestion for four days straight. Fearing a sinus infection, I was preparing to head to the Dr. in another day. I had tried everything I could think of, Sudafed, Dayquil, and even Nasal Spray (which only worked for a couple of hours, not 12 like the label promised). Desperate, I went online to try a "natural" remedy. I was willing to try just about anything. And what do you know? It WORKED. Within 20 minutes my congestion felt less "throbbing" and one more cup and 2 hours later - my sinuses are TOTALLY CLEAR! My throat is starting to feel better too! I am definately going to use this remedy again if I ever feel a cold coming on. One thing, I added a little honey and I crushed my garlic with a garlic press. It seems to have helped get the garlic to juice out a bit more. THANK YOU so much for this amazing recipe!