Homemade Treatments for Sinus Congestion

Whether you have a cold, the flu, allergies, or other sinus problems, dealing with sinus congestion and fighting to be able to breathe is a hassle. There are many over-the-counter remedies you can try to clear out your nose so you can breathe freely again. But many of these products have negative side effects, such as drowsiness, dizziness, a burning sensation in the nasal passages and throat, and lightheadedness. And, not all of these products work. The next time you suffer from a stuffy nose and head, try these homemade treatments for sinus congestion.

One of my favorite remedies is mint. Peppermint, Spearmint, Wintergreen- it doesn't matter. They all work well when sinus congestion interferes with your breathing normally. For light congestion, sucking on a strong mint can do wonders, believe it or not! To treat moderate sinus congestion, try drinking a piping hot cup of mint tea. To treat heavier congestion, place a few drops of mint oil in a large bowl half full of boiling water. (You can readily find mint oil at your local healthfood store.)Then, lean your head over the bowl and hang a towel over your head. Allow the vapors to work for a minute or so. Then try to breathe them in as your sinus congestion begins to clear out. Repeat the process two to three times a day as needed.

You can also place a couple drops of mint oil on a tissue or handkerchief. Hold it up to your nose and breathe in the fragrant aroma whenever you need relief from sinus congestion.

Another homemade treatment for clogged nasal passages is horseradish. You can use the root to make a vaporizer, the same as you use mint oil. You can also brew up a cup of horseradish tea. It's just not the tastiest drink you've ever had. So, you can always take the easy way out and use horseradish sauce or grate up some root and cook with it. Ingesting horseradish this way won't be near as effective, but it can work for you too. Eating garlic works well too in the battle against sinus congestion.