Drain Those Darn Sinuses!

Here are some tips for draining the sinuses easily, though, of course, these are only temporary solutions.

1. Give yourself a mini steam bath. Heat a pot of water on the stove, then put menthol, eucalyptus oil, or a small dollop of Vick's Vapor Rub in the water. Take the pot off the stove and hold your face over the steaming water, with a towel draped over your head and the pot. This will help clear your nose and sinuses quickly.

2. Drinking herbal teas, such as Breathe Easy Tea, or any other that you like.

3. Medical professionals advocate nasal irrigation with a mild salt water solution. Some say a neti pot is an easier or more gentle method than a bulb syringe or nasal spray, such as Ocean Spray.

4. When in the shower, either in conjunction with inhaling eucalyptus oil or not, massage the sides of your nose from the bridge downward and out slightly, and pinch/squeeze the eyebrow from the bridge of the nose outward. You may do this a few times before noticing a difference, but it will help expel the mucous. Depending upon where you are most congested, this may be uncomfortable, but it will relive pressure and congestion.

5. Place a few drops of eucalyptus oil on a cotton ball and place in ears for a couple minutes, until you feel it beginning to tingle. You can then rub the cotton ball on you neck, chest, wrists, and the vapor will help keep your sinuses and nasal passages (more) clear.

6. Grandma's and Mom's standby: Vick's Vapor Rub on your chest (and a bit under your nose, if you wish) before going to bed. You may cover your chest with a paper towel or a cloth to assist the warming effect. Vick's in a vaporizer may help, too, but be sure to keep the vaporizer clean.

7. A pain reliever (NSAID-Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug) such as ibuprofen may help relieve sinus pain or headache, too, especially when you need to sleep and can't get comfortable. An effective remedy, if you'd rather take pills: one decongestant (I use the store brand that compares to Mucinex) and two NSAIDs help relieve the pressure and congestion.

8. A tip some naturopathic doctors and their patients insist drains effectively, overnight. The Wet Sock Treatment: Before bed, soak a pair of cotton socks in cold water. Soak your feet in warm water and dry them. Put on the wet cotton socks, and a dry pair of wool socks over them. Go to sleep wearing both pairs of socks. Supposedly, the cotton socks and your feet will be dry in the morning and your nasal passages and sinus will be clear. How does it work? A rudimentary explanation, but here goes: in attempt to warm your feet, the fluid filling your sinuses moves out of your head to your feet.

Learn more about this author, Marina Amici.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about Tips for relieving sinus pressure?
We want to hear your view. Write now!