what is the best natural remedy for sinus congestion?
536861
STEAM INHALATION\nIf you can get your self a humidifyer or steamer from a chemist youll never look back. You can leave it on all night and youll sleep like a log. You know how much good a hot shower does you when you wake up sick? Well imagine that all night. It also prevents anything settling in the mucous over night - a perfect breeding ground for pathogens. Most steamers have a section where you can add a little eucalyptus oil or any essential oils that will vaporise with the steam and can help with colds or sleeping.
970255
Yes! The cold will dry your sinuses out terribly.\nEspecially if the wind is blowing. \nTry covering your nose and mouth with a scarf or something when you're outside. The humidity from your breath will keep your sinuses in their naturally moist working order!
305323
You may want to try using an allergy medicine that contains sudafed (pseudophedrine), like Alavert D. sudafed is a decongestant, so it should help drain all the mucus from your nose and head. if this isn't working and you aren't finding anything else that will, you should see a doctor as you may have a sinus infection. but no worries, they can fix it :)
796438
I go along with the steam treatment to loosen up the stuffy head.  It won't give you long term relief, but sometimes a short reprieve is better than none!  Simply laying down with a hot wash cloth over your face will bring some relief.\n\nDo you have anything mentholated?  Maybe a joint cream like Flexall?  They will work to temporarily clear sinuses.
51367
I've had some success with Alka Seltzer Plus and the liquid gel caps that are for sinus problems. Of course, I don't have year 'round sinus problems like you do. I've also tried the steam and all the other stuff you tried and they don't work for me. What does help me sleep at night is getting a dust mask (the kind you use when working in a dusty environment), put some Vicks on the inside, and wear it to bed. It helps you breathe better through the night, so you don't wake up with drool all over your pillow! Also, some companies have come up with those steamless vaporizers that you put eucalyptus oil or Vicks in and it warms the product to the point where it leaves the odor in the air...quite effective if you don't need steam in your house. <*)))><
947756
There are a few things you can do that you probably already have on hand.  I have difficulty with my sinuses at times as well and no one thing works ALL the time, but I have found that alternating them usually does the trick.  For starters, use a heating pad or a hot pack on your forehead, eyes and nose, (if you use a heating pad, use the LOWEST setting and place a towel over it so as not to burn the face).  Something else you can do is place a bowl of water in the microwave and cook just until boiling, add a tablespoon of Vicks vapo-rub to the water and hang your head over the bowl with a towel draped over your head so as to breathe in all the vapors.  Stand near a hot shower and breathe in the steam for a few minutes.  Hot tea with honey, any flavor will do, but peppermint seems to work best for me.  Try to blow your nose often, never sniffle.  These are just some of the things I do.  Hope that helps.
133959
I suffered from sinus for many years and I am much better now. To fight it:\n\n(1) Sudefed (but just in case)\n\n(2) Exercise regularly especially swimming\n\n(3) Keep yourself warm (warmer) all the time\n\n(4) Go to the park, go to the country side\n\nFor head cold, it is a symptom, 'chinese alcohol with medicine' to drink and to put on every night before bed helps.
234509
One of the most effective treatments for chronic sinus problem is the use of a "netty pot".  They are availble in many drug stores and Wal-Marts.  They are a small container with a spout used with saline to wash your sinuses out.  Studies have found them to be as effective as medical treatments in releaving chronic sinus troubles in many cases. Please have your problems checked out  by a doctor or other medical professional.  While this is a great option for many people only after a thorough exam and history can your properly diagnosed and the best treatment option be determined.
47723
Plenty of water, and vitamin C. If this don't help much, you can also rub vicks vapor rub on your chest at night, it will open your sinuses. Also, Tylenol cold and flu makes you feel much better if you have to resort to OTC medications.
968950
Try getting a Nettypot and flushing out your nasal cavaties once a day or so.\n\nThat helped me alot!\n\nYou can find more information here: http://www.sinucleanse.com/why_product_netipot.htm?link_id=1
834492
Psuedoephedrine is the best OTC decongestant available, although honestly the nasal sprays like Afrin do tend to work faster, and are safe for people with high blood pressure. Be sure to not use afrin for more than 3 days or you will end up more congested than you were in the first place.\nKeep in mind that decongestants CAUSE a runny nose, because it loosens up all the gunk that was in your sinuses. If you want the pressure to go away in your sinuses, use a decongestant. An antihistimine like Benadryl will stop the drippy nose.\nYou might also try something with guaifenesin in it to help make the gunk in your sinuses less viscous, and easier to blow out.
260125
You can try taking large amounts of Vitamin C, A and E.  If you own a juicer, try a carrot/apple juice combination.\n\nRealistically, however the only thing I've found to work is Zicam.  It is an over-the-counter zinc nasal spray that is proven to shorten colds.
56718
I have chronic sinus problems and the only thing that helps me is to do as saline rinse a minimum of once a day.  (OTC and prescriptions tend to dry me out so much I get really bad bloody noses…so I avoid them.)\n\nIf you are having a lot of problems, there's a product called Alkalol.  Here’s what it looks like:  http://www.westburyonline.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=19299&HS=1\n\nIf you go to a Target pharmacy (or even some of the larger grocery stores) they sell it.  Many times they keep it behind the counter so you just have to ask the pharmacist for it.\n\nI use this only occasionally because it does pack a wallop.  Nothing painful but it certainly does clear you out!!
51026
I have chronic sinunitis. It never goes away.  My nose gives me problems and I use Ocean.  It helps me a lot.  Most drug stores carry it. (on the west coast) I also take Aleve sinus and headache caplets.  1 caplet will last 12 hours and do really well for me.  \n\nBest wishes!
1116653
hot tea with honey or sugar.\n\nchloreseptic losenges.\n\nsinus pills - if they knock you out take them at night - also try allergy pills to dry out sinuses - the post nasel drip may be causing it\n\nzinc losenges (only 1-2 a day or they upset the tummy)\n\ncheck with your dr if it gets worse.
286755
Probably you need antibiotics, but if you refuse to do that try the following:\n\n(Your goal is to allow your body to wash out the infection naturally.)\n\n1. Drink lots of water.  If not water, herbal tea.  Camomille with a little honey and ginger.\n\n2. Chicken soup or other high sodium soup helps with water absorbtion.\n\n3. Consume something spicy (jalepenos) to loosen up your sinuses.\n\n4. Consume vitamin C either in tablet or natural form (fruit, not juice).\n\n5. Breathe intentionally, closing off one nostril, then the other (yoga technique).\n\n6. Use warm water (shower or bath or damp cloth) to loosen sinues.\n\n7. (Drastic measure?) mix warm salt water and snort it in and out (do not - yech - swallow it).\n\n8. Get plenty of bed rest, but make sure that - particularly if you have dust allergies like I do - your bedding is washed.\n\n9. Use antibiotic ointment in your nose in v. small quantities
859941
I've read the answers so far, and most are either over the counter meds or old fashioned treatments.  All help to a degree.  But they are not true alternative medicine.  There are sinus washes that will flush out fungus infestations.  Also, oil of oregano capsules will help eliminate fungus, an almost always cause of sinus problems.  A very good book on healthy living in general and healing various human illnesses is:\nFoundations for Healing by Richard L. Becker, D.O. ~ Available at www.bioinnovations.net or call 1-888-442-6161.  Dr. Becker has a great one hour TV program at 12 noon central time.  Channel 321-WHT-on my DirectTV.\nOne of the most important things you can do for your health is to eliminate or cut way back on sugar because it feeds fungus and yeast in the body.\nWarm compresses, dry or moist will help ease sinus pain.  I find that when I put a piece of cloth over my eyes and forehead as I go to sleep at night it holds the warmth in and reduces cold causing pain.\nSalt water rinses are OK, but will dry out the membranes if used too often.  A drop or two of olive oil added to the rinses would ease that condition.  There are numerous remedies, but I hesitate to give them as I am not a doctor, I'm merely an avid student of alternative remedies.\nShould you wish to have more references to good books on the matter, post a note to my site (if that is possible or permissible) and I'll do my best to help.