Have you tried Cayenne? A couple weeks ago my wife made me a little concoction of raw minced garlic, raw honey, and cayenne powder. It all helped to open up my sinuses and get me on the path to getting over my cold much quicker

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Haydn Ward, Gianina Hooper, Victoria Lewis, Stacy Mackey, Dr. Patrick Jones, Jacqueline Fowler

Diane,

This is a very worthy topic!  I, too can relate to your inquiry!  I have suffered through MANY years of struggling to breathe through my nose!  Greg offers a very good medicinal option but if you are like me, I am searching, praying and hoping for a long term medicinal herb solution! Thank you for your post!

I suffer from nasal congestion and have found relief using the neti pot with the saline solution. I think using a humidifier with the eucalyptus herb would help as well. In addition, I like drinking hot teas to support my immune system, I recently grew roselle hibiscus and dried it for a tea which I understand supports the immune system. I also think having an anti-inflammatory diet and taking anti-inflammatory herbs can help as well such as tumeric, garlic, cinnamon, clove, ginger, etc.

Angelica Root I just learned about may help symptoms of headache, nasal congestion as well.

Disclaimer: I am a student and came here to learn, so double-check with someone more knowledgeable.

is there a mechanical problem as well like a deviated septum or some such? The unilateral nature of it makes me wonder.

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Marshell Martin, Stacy Mackey, Michelle Koch

I recently discovered a saline spray with oregano essential oil.  It has provided great relief for me from an ongoing sinus issue.

I also suffer from chronic congestion most of the year. I  read about the benefits of Cayenne Pepper and put several drops in my coffee daily (its actually pretty good if you like spicy!).  I also started taking salt sole (filtered water concentrated with salt) every morning for about 1.5 months. My congestion has greatly improved in less than 2 months. I have tried every spray you can imagine and these methods have proved the best solution for me.

I had sinus issues and allergies for years and finally discovered that I am allergic to the whey in milk products. Gave up dairy and it all cleared up.

All these suggestions sound good. Sometimes it takes a multi-pronged approach. I found an OTC pill to help my allergies, but that was never enough. An air purifier in my room helps. I use a neti pot with salt and rosemary steeped in it. When using herbs, I research and then see what calls to me, like Doc Jones says. When things get really painful, a tented steam with a few drops of eucalyptus essential oil opens up those passages very nicely. (Keep a box of tissues within reach.)

Sinus problems are so painful. I hope you find solutions that work.

Years ago I was listening to an online summit about essential oils.  An ear, nose & throat MD was being interviewed and I came away with two useful tips.  First, it is safe to use 1-2 drops of tea tree essential oil in the buffered saline of a neti pot or sinus rinse bottle.  That’s my goto at first sign of a tickle.  I’ve since learned another option is to use 5 drops of Mesosilver solution.  I do this up to three times a day.  Usually it takes only one or two treatments.  My husband had chronic sinus infections that led to severe eye infections.  He ended up needing tear duct surgery to reopen a scarred duct.  Now he does a saline sinus rinse every time he showers.  No more sinus infections!

The second tip I learned from the ENT was to use diluted lavender EO in front of the ear (not in!) to prevent ear infections. I do this when I feel a sinus tickle or when my kids say their ears are plugging up.

One other thought is that it could be nasal polyps blocking your nose.  I’ve read that surgery isn’t effective as they grow back.  I wonder about iodine deficiency and if a little iodine could shrink them, but I’ve never tried.