Natural ways to clear sinus congestion?

Question

I'm under medical care but would also like natural solutions to help open clogged sinuses. Maybe peppers or spices. Any ideas?

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

Do not try peppers or spices since they harm nasal tissues. They are really very harmful to the nose – not only to tissues, but also to olfactory function. You may lose your sense of smell over time if you regularly use such a method to decongest your nose.

Yes, it’s true that these methods may open the nasal passages very effectively, but this fact doesn’t make them your friends. They open the nose because they irritate the tissues in the nose so much that those tissues (especially the turbinates) shrink to minimize their surface area in contact with the irritating fume or liquid. This shrinkage brings about an open nose through which you can breathe freely. This relief may even last for a few hours if you have tortured your nose enough. But, all these benefits are in exchange for damage to your nasal tissues. Damaged tissues make you more prone to sicknesses and inflammation, which require a regular need for decongestants. If you continue using any of these hazardous decongesting techniques, you’ll find yourself in a vicious cycle, which – if unbroken – will leave you with totally disabled cilia.
Don't let desperation lead you to try things just because someone advises you to do so and never consider peppers and spices as means to decongest your nose.
http://www.howtogetridofsinusitis.com/da…

Source(s):

http://www.howtogetridofsinusitis.com/da…
http://ehealthforum.com/health/treating-…

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Asker's Comment:

great advice!

Answer 2

1. Drink hot liquids. One of the best ways to unclog sinuses is to drink hot tea -- black, green, herbal or decaffeinated, it doesn't matter -- or hot chicken soup throughout the day. Drink enough so that your urine turns light in color. These hot liquids help moisturize your mucous membranes, speeding up the movement of your cilia and thus washing mucus out of your sinuses more quickly. Sorry, java lovers, but hot coffee isn't nearly as effective.

Note to travelers: The dry air on jet liners is particularly rough on the sinuses -- so when flying, carry tea bags with you and ask the flight attendant for hot water to make tea.

2. Apply warm compresses to your face. Do this three times a day for five minutes. A small towel soaked in warm water, then placed over your face below and between the eyes, will help increase the circulation in your sinuses, which will also help speed up the movement of your cilia.

3. Irrigate your sinuses. For 3,000 years, yoga practitioners have kept their sinuses healthy through the practice of sniffing a saltwater solution rapidly in and out of their nose at low pressure.

Source(s):

http://www.pharmacy-solutions.com/bottom…

Answer 3

you can use a solution of Saline nasal sprays. Over-the-counter saline nasal sprays combat stuffiness and congestion. Unlike nasal decongestants, saline sprays don't lead to a rebound effect — a worsening of symptoms when the medication is discontinued — and most are safe and nonirritating, even for children.

Source(s):

cold remedies

Answer 4

Try spicy peppers or wasabi LOL

Answer 5

Vicks vapor rub

just inhale it through yur nose..