Salt Water Irrigation

• 1). Mix a teaspoon of salt into one cup of hot water, stirring until the salt is dissolved.
  
  
• 2). Scoop up one teaspoon or eyedropper of salt water.
  
  
• 3). Lean back or lie down so your head is upside down.
  
  
• 4). Pour or drip the warm salt water into your nose. Let it trickle into your sinus cavities for as long as you can stand it.
  
  
• 5). Sit up an blow your nose on the paper towels. Between the salt water and the loosened mucous, tissues will not be up to the job.
  
  
• 6). Repeat twice more immediately. Wait at least an hour before trying again.
  
  

Eat Spicy Foods

• 1). Start a can of soup cooking on the stove.
  
  
• 2). Add chili powder, canned chilis or salsa--any hot spice will do.
  
  
• 3). Lean over the cooking pot and inhale the vapor. The spicy water vapor will decongest the mucous in your sinuses.
  
  
• 4). For better results, drape a towel over your head and the cooking pot, trapping the vapor.
  
  
• 5). Eat the soup. Hold the liquid in your mouth for a few seconds before swallowing. This will allow the spicy vapor to waft up into your sinuses.
  
  

Medication

• 1). Apply some menthol rub to your upper lip, breathing through your nose.
  
  
• 2). If your congestion is caused by allergies, consider taking an over the counter antihistamine.
  
  
• 3). If your congestion is caused by cold or flu symptoms, consider taking an over the counter decongestant.