Less daylight, cold weather and busy schedules often lead to colds and flu making the rounds. The discomfort (and even pain) associated with nasal congestion is one of the most common symptoms. (Not to mention that the inability to breath is just plain annoying.) I've gathered together several home remedies for congestion to relieve your stuffy nose and sinus pressure so you can breathe easy. I don't like the side effects of over the counter decongestants (they either make me jittery, knock me out or make my head feel like it's going to shrivel up like a raisin), so natural decongestants are my option of choice.
Home Remedy for Congestion #1 – Tomato Tea
From Earth Clinic, a great site for home remedies, the top choice for sinus congestion is a recipe called “Jean's Famous Tomato Tea“. This recipe has received rave reviews as a congestion remedy.
TOMATO TEA RECIPE
2 cups V8 Juice
2-3 cloves Garlic crushed (use more if you can)
2 T Lemon Juice
Hot Sauce (the more the better, so as much as you can handle)Mix and heat in a pan or in the microwave. Sip slowly and re-warm as needed to get the full effects of the fumes. Let it sit in the back of your throat to bathe it. Suck the fumes through your sinuses and also down into your lungs. Its all natural and healthy, so drink as much of it as you want or need until you are SURE the infection is gone. This is past the time when you “feel better.”
If you don't have the exact ingredients – improvise! Below are some substitutes that may not work as well or as fast, but will still help. I've listed them by their likely effectiveness:
Substitutes:
V8 Juice – tomato juice, vegetable juice, canned or fresh tomatoes crushed, tomato soup (if really desperate, try another kind of fruit juice, vegetable soup or even chicken soup. You're aiming for high Vit C content)
Garlic – garlic in olive oil, dehydrated garlic, garlic salt (aiming for the strong anti-bacterial/fungal effects)
Lemon Juice – Fresh lemons, bottled juice, limes, lime juice, oranges, frozen lemonade
Hot Sauce – ANY kind of hot sauce works, fresh hot peppers, cayenne pepper, dried pepper flakes (if really desperate, try horseradish, black pepper or even mustard. You're aiming for the highly anti-bacterial/fungal properties of capsaicin which is found in hot peppers, and its effectiveness at clearing out the sinuses.)
Home Remedy for Congestion #2 – Apple Cider Vinegar
Whether you drink it, inhale it, gargle it or squirt it up your nose, Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is another popular natural decongestant choice. For drinking, some folks take a shot of ACV straight up, others add lemon juice and cayenne, or mix it with water and honey. Popular proportions on Earth Clinic are:
- 6 ounces of water
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (you could also use thieves vinegar)
- 2 – 4 teaspoons honey
Consume this mix warm, every 6 to 8 hours.
To inhale ACV, boil some ACV on the stove and breathe the fumes, or mix a drop or two in your saline nose spray. (Make sure not to overdo it, and keep things clean.) Read more about ACV and sinus congestion at Earth Clinic.
Home Remedy for Congestion #3 – Steam – With or Without Herbs
A hot, steamy shower is a godsend when you’re stuffed up, but you can sneak in a little relief in a much smaller area by using a bowl of boiling water tented with a towel. Take a large bowl and add fresh or dried herbs such as eucalyptus, rosemary, peppermint or New England Aster. (Use a few drops of high quality essential oils if you prefer, or you can skip herbs altogether, but in my experience they do help.) Pour in boiling water. Lean over bowl and inhale as best you can, tenting your head with a towel to trap the vapors. you can also use a personal steamer.
Home Remedy for Congestion #4 – Hot Tea – Herbal or “Regular”
Hot tea with lemon and honey has been a congestion fighting favorite of mine for years. Momma always stocked Lipton tea bags, but now I buy my black, green and oolong in bulk, and sometimes enjoy some tulsi (holy basil) tea blends as well. Lemon is a great mucus clearer on it's own, and can provide extra vitamin C, and honey is naturally antibacterial, so do include them in your brew.
For extra “oomph”, try herbal tea such as mullein, sage, ginger, peppermint, chamomile, eucalyptus, wild thyme and blackberry. (Source – New York Sinus Center.)
To make an herbal tea, cover 2 teaspoons dried leaves or 1/4 cup fresh leaves with 1 cup boiling water, steep for five to ten minutes, then strain and enjoy. (For ginger root, use about a 1/2 inch piece of fresh root, or 1/2 tsp-1 tsp of dried root bits.) I like to steep in a tea pot or cover my tea mug to keep the vapors from escaping.
If you've really got a stubborn cough or cold, check out the recipes for Cough-Be-Gone and Sore Throat Syrup and Cold and Flu Tea.
Home Remedy for Congestion #5 – Choose Foods That Clear Congestion
Livestrong.com and personal experience suggests the following foods may help fight sinus congestion:
- Pineapple
- Omega 3 Fatty acids (found in cold water fish, nuts, eggs, fish oil, cod oil and flaxseed)
- Garlic
- Fluids (see hot tea)
- Spices and Herbs such as horseradish, hot mustard and cayenne pepper
- Vitamin C
- Apple Cider Vinegar
Back in college, a group of us went out to a Chinese restaurant. One of the guys had a bit of a head cold. Another guy dared him to sniff some Chinese Hot mustard. Being a young and foolish male, he tried it. After yelping in pain, he did find that his congestion was gone. I'd recommend simply adding spices to your food.
Home Remedy for Congestion #6 – Avoid Foods That May Make Congestion Worse
The Holistic Herbal suggests limiting the following foods to reduce mucus:
- Dairy products
- grains
- sugar
- potatoes and other starchy root vegetables
You can see why a paleo/primal diet may be helpful for those suffering with chronic congestion.
Home Remedy for Congestion #7 -DIY Vapor Rub
Simply take a small amount of coconut oil or palm shortening (about an ounce) and add a good quality essential oil (eucalyptus, mint or wintergreen) (7-10 drops or more if needed) to get the strength you want and mix well. Never use essential oil directly on your skin – always use a carrier oil. Spread on the chest area or dab under the nose.
Note: Eucalyptus and Rosemary essential oils should not be used for children under 10. Do not use mint essential oils for children under 6. Pine, spruce, fir and cypress are safer alternatives for children over 2, but with the younger set I prefer to utilize the other options on the list. (My thanks to a reader for noting that this section needed clarification. More info at Food Renegade.)
Home Remedy for Congestion #8 – Oil Pulling
Oil pulling also helps to loosen mild congestion. Simply take a spoonful of good quality oil, such as coconut or sesame, place it in your mouth, and squish for 10-15 minutes. This can be a little tricky if you're having difficulty breathing, so it's not my first choice for severe congestion, but it will help loosen mild congestion. See Oil Pulling – Fact Versus Fiction for more information.
Home Remedy for Congestion #9 – Warm Salt Water Gargle
Again, this is best for mild congestion. Warm salt water soothes throat tissue irritated by nasal drainage, and the heat, moisture and gargling action helps to move and shift booger build up.
Which Home Congestion Remedy Works Best for You?
Did I miss any DIY congestion remedies? Share what works for you.
Don't forget to check out the rest of our Home Remedies Series including:
- 12 Home Remedies for Coughs
- 12 Home Remedies for Earaches
- The Best Cold and Flu Fighters – summary of all our cold and flu related posts
Originally posted in 2012, updated in 2016.
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Shasta says
Bulk Herb Store has a good supply of herbs, tea supplies, salve making kits and supplies, etc.
CommonSenseIdea says
Yep. I have them on my affiliated list. They have better prices on some items, but less of a variety of items than MRH does.
Theresa says
This is great. Thank you for this list. I have many of these things on hand and my daughter is very congested.
CommonSenseIdea says
I hope your daughter makes a quick recovery.
irina says
hi, when i was a kid, i was told that native americans just use to eat milk weeds, so i decided to eat them raw, it was ok! milky but good, still bit on them today and really dont know what they help but i just see the plant and pick a live and chew away
Opal Wokaty says
Isn’t milk weed poisonous? I would check into this before eating milkweed.
Laurie Neverman says
Milkweed is not poisonous, at least, not common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca). See https://commonsensehome.com/weekly-weeder-10-common-milkweed/ for more information.
Claudia says
Tea tree is another great essential oil to add to steaming water for inhalation… a lot of sinus congestions and infections are due to a combination of viruses, bacteria and/or fungi, and tea tree covers it all. Great local remedy for chronic sinusitis as well. Thanks for all the great info, I really enjoy your blog and Facebook page.
Jennifer Dattilo says
For the record, if you use DoTerra oils, you can use almost all of their oils topically, as well as internally and aromatically.
Laurie Neverman says
I am a doTERRA EO user, but even with their oils I have found I need to be very careful to dilute them and use them minimally, as I am very chemically sensitive.
Bella Davida says
The hot sauce irritated my nasal passages. it opened them but they burned afterwards….and burned my esophagus. the apple cider worked.. I also did it with white vinegar too.
Going without milk, sugar definitely worked! Drinking salty chicken broth was a good.
Lisa in TX says
I am needing help with a special needs child with a feeding tube. My hubby brought home a head cold that is hitting my son hard. We have done the vapor rub, but we can’t exactly food liquids down his throat without him choking. I am going to make the vapor disks and try the steam shower. Poor baby is miserable.
Laurie Neverman says
Poor baby! I hope the steam helps.
Gabrielle says
Lots of different herbal teas have helped clear up my sinuses – Peppermint, Raspberry, Lemon Balm, Rooibos, Honeybush, are just a few. Take 2 tea bags in a cup or large glass and drink 3X a day. Let the tea bags sit in the water for about 20 minutes. You should be clear in no time! Keep in mind, at the beginning you could have a detox effect and feel worse before you get better while the tea brings stuff out.
Tina Tyler says
If you feel a cold brewing… another remedy that is good.. is high doses of vitamin c. .. get the solaray brand the 1,000 mg capsules…. if and adult. Or kids that are adult sized .. you want to take 10,000mg in the morning and the same. Before bed … the next day you will feel the difference if it clearing up… continue till the cold is gone… if its a child go with 5,000 mg same way.. if toddler or baby smaller amts….. vitamin c has powerful qualities. But you must get quality as well.. not cheap crap they sell..
crafty_cristy says
This is a great list. I would add that when my sinuses were very bad, bad enough that the doctor was talking about surgery, I tried a 1/4 teaspoon of goldenseal twice a day. It worked great! It tastes terrible, so some people mix it with honey, but I just took it straight. (And I didn’t have to have the surgery, thank God.)
cassie says
In what form?
Carol says
I have always suffered with sinus issues, (dad was a heavy smoker and for 18 years I was the second-hand smokee), until I began eating healthier and switching out cleaning supplies, cosmetics and OTC/Rx’s for homemade and organic.
I still have occasional problems, but have found what works for me:
I alternate between using a neti pot filled with as hot water as I can stand, about 1/2tsp himalayan salt for 2 cups water, three drops of silver shield* (other brands available, use what you want) about 1/4 tsp organic raw ACV, goldenseal also if you want…
and a salt/vinegar hot gargle.
I start with the gargle, and do it two times, using a vocal scale to get all the areas of the throat. Then use the neti pot on both sides, switch back to the gargle, and do this until all the neti pot solution is gone.
It works for me!
susan says
do you blow your nose in between gargle and neti pot
Carol says
Yes, I do. I also spit lots of gunk after gargling, as well. That is the whole point, to rid the body of all that mucous.
tolu says
Tanks for this piece,just tried it now and it was relieving.kudos
Ted says
The mullen in the photo got my attention. Disapointed it’s not mentioned since it’s a long used lung/congesion aid. :/
Laurie Neverman says
Actually, if you reread the post, you’ll see that mullein is listed as part of #4:
B. Bailey says
Question about mullein: Which mullein (botanical name would be helpful!( is best to harvest for making tea? there are many kinds. Do i use the leaves only flowers only, both leaves and flowers? Thank you in advance.
Laurie Neverman says
Generally when the term mullein is used by herbalists, it refers to great mullein (also known as common mullein) Verbascum thapsus. Any of the tall, yellow flowered mulleins can be used, as well as white mullein, Verbascum album.
Either leaves or flowers can be used, or both. If you use the leaves, make sure to strain the brew well to avoid drinking the fine hairs.
B. Bailey says
Thank you so much for answering my questions!
Laurie Neverman says
You’re welcome.
Deb says
I’m on day number three of an upper respiratory infection. Normally on this day I would be fighting bronchitis. Now I blew my own peppermint tea with rosemary thyme basil and Sage seat for 10 minutes and a tablespoon of raw honey. Also used Zicam honey lemon spray and a saline nasal spray. Chicken noodle soup for one meal, chow mein for another, abeucslyptus bath & I feel on the upswing. Still praying for complete recovery.
Laurie Neverman says
I hope you’re on the mend soon. Eat light and stay hydrated.
Steve says
Thanks for these tips 🙂 As a cheese fiend however I’m still in denial about avoiding dairy products :p
Laurie Neverman says
A live in Wisconsin, cheese capitol of the US. I feel your pain.
Elissa says
This is great! I’m in the military and getting colds really interferes with work, as it does for any job. However I can’t take sick days unless the military doc gives permission. LOL. So when I feel a cold/sickness of any kind I grab my ACV and start drinking it in every glass of water I have! I actually enjoy the taste and have found it tastes pretty good mixed with lemon sparkling water. I also found eating crystallized ginger helps me personally, but that could be my sweet tooth talking!
Laurie Neverman says
My eldest loves crystallized ginger, too.
Oscar Davidson says
Need ba ba mail recipe for getting rid of chest congestion.I lost my copy. It contained cinnamon bark and ginger with several other things.Can you help me? thank you.
Laurie Neverman says
I’m not sure what word was supposed to come up instead of “ba ba mail”, but I do have a cold and cough care recipe post on the site that uses those ingredients at https://commonsensehome.com/cold-and-cough-care/ .
Carla says
I will never forget these four teas, because the effect was so dramatic on my sinus congestion and face pain. This was 45 years ago! I steeped mullein, coltsfoot, horehound and eucalyptus teas in a pot. Put a towel over my head and breathed in the vapors. Then strained some of the tea and drank a cup ( tasted awful!!). Completely effective.
Laurie Neverman says
Thanks for sharing, Carla.
Lola says
Interesting article. I’ve had sinus issues for years, aggravated by home heating during the cold months. Every fall I make a super big batch of vegan chilli and freeze portions. Then I’ll add as much chilli powder to mine as I can handle. The heat from the spice does seem to help.
My other favorite is vegetarian sushi, with wasabi.
It really seems to clear my sinuses, at least temporarily.
Thomas blankinship says
Pine needle tea seems to help relieve my sinus problems as it hrlps thin the mucus. Also taking 3-4 drops of diluted oregano oil per day seems to help get over it faster.
Stephanie says
Thyme has been effective for me in two ways: put one or two tablespoons of ordinary kitchen thyme in a bowl that’s large enough to accommodate the lower half of your face and that won’t conduct heat (so you don’t get burned). Pour two cups or so of boiling water over the thyme, lower your face as close as you can stand the heat, and breathe as normally as you can. When the mixture cools to the point of not steaming, it can be strained and drunk as tea. It’s strong and bitter, so you may want to use some honey to make the medicine go down.
Laurie Neverman says
Thanks for sharing your experience, Stephanie.
Aparnadeepgupta says
Thanks I have my exms tomorrow. Having steam really worked. Now I can focus on my studies. Thanks again..)
Monica James says
This is a great list. I have done these things most of my life and I concur that they are effective. I will add Saline Nasal Rinses.
Thank you for sharing accurate and very useful information!
Laurie Neverman says
You’re welcome.
S.M.F. says
I also use acupressure to help my stuffy nose. It works if my nose isn’t runny and I just can’t breathe through it. It sounds weird, but I put my right thumb in my mouth and use my right index and middle finger to put pressure on my forehead. Fingers pressing the middle where my eyebrows begin while using my thumb to put pressure on the roof of my mouth. I also put pressure in the middle between my eyebrows alternating between there and the eyebrow spots. Do it for 15 seconds or more at a time for around 5 minutes. It should start to drain soon.
Amber says
Any note on what not to use if you are pregnant? I know some teas shouldn’t be used. I can’t take anything for decongestion OTC so I’m suffering through with saline nasal spray at the moment.
Laurie Neverman says
#1, 2, #3 with peppermint steam, #5, #6, #8, #9 should all be fine.
I’m a fan of peppermint as a stomach soother and nose clearer, and used it regularly during my pregnancies. I prefer herbs over essential oils, since the oils are so very concentrated. Peppermint is easy to find just about anywhere, and also easy to grow. Rosemary is best avoided in medicinal amounts, since it can be a uterine stimulant. (A little in food is not a problem.)
americanpregnancy.org lists the following herbs to avoid while pregnant:
Saw Palmetto – when used orally, has hormonal activity
Goldenseal – when used orally, may cross the placenta
Dong Quai – when used orally, due to uterine stimulant and relaxant effects
Ephedra – when used orally
Yohimbe – when used orally
Pay D’ Arco – when used orally in large doses; contraindicated
Passion Flower – when used orally
Black Cohosh – when used orally in pregnant women who are not at term
Blue Cohosh – when used orally; uterine stimulant and can induce labor
Roman Chamomile – when used orally in medicinal amounts
Pennyroyal – when used orally or topically
They list these as likely safe:
red raspberry leaf
peppermint leaf
ginger root
slippery elm bark
oat and oat straw
psyllium – blond and black
garlic
cayenne
They note that the following are commonly used and recommended, but have little medical data:
dandelion
German chamomile
nettles
They don’t recommend the following for oral use during pregnancy:
aloe
ginseng (American and Korean)
Evening Primrose
Feverfew
Kava Kava
Senna