When one has infections in the sinuses due to bacteria, virus or fungus, clogging of sinuses is likely due to the inflammation reaction of the body. In the skull, there are spaces that are filled with air called sinuses. Lining the sinus are mucous membranes. Normally, air circulates within this space and mucous membrane naturally drains the mucous. There are instances when the sinus is blocked and the mucous fill up the spaces. Although this is sometimes normal, especially during cold weather, what becomes abnormal is when there is growth of microorganism within the space. As a result, the body reacts through the inflammation process as a way of defending itself from the invasion of microorganism. This will result to clogging of the sinus, or sinusitis. Sinusitis has several types and several symptoms. The symptoms include pain or pressure around the face, nasal stuffiness, nasal discharges, and inability to smell, fever, fatigue and bad breath. While some sinusitis will go away after the minimum of seven days, everybody would agree that even a day of clogged sinus is unbearable. Below are some of the remedies that can help in alleviating the symptoms brought about by clogged sinus or can help relieve clogged sinusitis itself:

1. Eat Horseradish

   Considered an ancient plant with unknown origin, horseradish is believed to be a good remedy for sinus infections. Horseradish, or Armoracia rusticana, is from the Brassicaceae family and a relative of cabbage, wasabi, mustard and broccoli. Several folk medicine practices make use of horseradish, especially its roots, in clearing one’s nose or nasal passage. There are several ways to use horseradish. For some, a grated teaspoonful of horseradish is mixed with honey and taken by mouth can help in alleviating the congestion in few minutes. Some suggest holding the grated root in the mouth until the taste disappears. But not only does horseradish loosens the mucus from the sinus, it is also a good antibacterial remedy. Horseradish contains high amount of sulfur and this is implicated in the antibiotic effects of horseradish.

2. Add a Dash of Cayenne

   Cayenne pepper is one of the members of the Capsicum family. Cayenne is commonly called as chili pepper. But in spite of its being hot and spicy, cayenne has excellent benefits especially in relieving inflammation and clearing nasal congestion. Contained in cayenne pepper is the substance capsaicin, or 8-methyul-N-vanillyl-6-nonenamide, which is an inhibitor of substance P. Substance P is actually a neuropeptide linked in the process of inflammation. Taking foods that are high in capsaicin, such as cayenne, can decrease the inflammation process. Since the symptoms of inflammation are pain and swelling, cayenne therefore can relieve sinusitis and the clogging of the sinus due to swelling. Additionally, because of the heat that is induced when eating foods that are high in capsaicin, the mucous membranes of the sinus is stimulated to produce more secretions. As a result, mucus is cleared from the congested sinus, relieving one of the unclog sinus.

3. Choose Hot Tea

   Doctors have been recommending increasing fluid intake to relive congested sinus. One of those fluids is hot tea. But there is more. According to Dr. Murray Grossan of Cedars Sinai Hospital Medical Towers, to promote health of the sinus, one should drink lots of cups of teas because the warmth brought about by tea can help in loosening the thick mucus that causes the clogging. It is like the melting of butter in the frying pan. Another reason is on the type of tea, if one takes green tea, the immune system is boosted and there is reduction in the microorganisms that causes the inflammation of the sinus.

4. Drink Enough Water

   One of the top recommendations by health care providers when a patient complains of clogged sinus is to increase fluid intake, such as water. Water is actually helpful in thinning the consistency of mucus that caused the blocking of sinus. When mucus is thin, it is easy for it to be drained down the throat, and therefore easy for sinus to be relieved of the causes of the clogging. Increasing fluid intake means drinking not just four to eight glasses of water per day, but you can also add fruits, soups, juice, milk, tea, and even ice cream. Since it is difficult to smell when one has clogged sinus, eating ice cream or any similar to this may help in increasing appetite that can help in increasing fluid intake.

5. Increase Milk Intake

   There are several people reporting that after they drink milk, the amount of phlegm is increased. Several studies are being made to prove this, and there are varied results regarding the relationship of milk and sinusitis or clogged sinus. While several people believe that milk increase phlegm due to the consistency of the mucus which is similar to milk, studies have shown that milk can actually help in relieving clogged sinus because of its linoleic acid that can help in boosting the immune system of the body. Especially during infections, increasing the capability of the immune system is necessary, and the ingredients of milk and other dairy products can be of assistance. Additionally, since milk is fluid, increasing fluid intake helps in thinning the consistency of mucus, thereby decreasing congestion.

6. Breathe in Steam

   Steam inhalation is one of the traditional remedy that can help clogged sinus. Although, nowadays, steam inhalation is not anymore being recommended by the medical practitioners as an intervention for clogged sinus because of increasing reports of burns, others who are still using this method insist they are always relieved. To inhale steam, simply place a bowl of hot water on the table. Take a large towel to drape over the head, and then breathe in the steam. Some people would add essential oil to make it more effective. Recommended essential oils are juniper, pine, rosemary, rose and of course, the favorite, eucalyptus.

7. Sleep Well

   Perhaps sleeping is one of the most ignored remedy for clogged sinus, especially since it is difficult to sleep when one is unable to breathe well. But one should realize that sleeping has several benefits. One of which is its ability to recharge the body, especially when one is sick. If the sinus congestion is due to infection, sleeping will hasten the healing process since most of your body’s energies are concentrated in restoring the body’s defences. To sleep with clogged sinus, try propping pillows to elevate your head.

Sources
sinus-wellness.com
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
herballegacy.com
livestrong.com
livestrong.com