I've lived with this for as long as I can remember. The only thing that works consistently for me is using hot pepper, onion, ginger, and garlic in my food. All of those are recommended in herbal guides as remedies for congestion and sinus trouble.

If you look at the ingredients in herbal remedies for sinus, you will see "Capsicum". That's the genus of hot peppers.

The decongestants they feature on the drugstore shelves don't do a thing for me.

Taking a hot shower and breathing all the steam will sometimes break the congestion free. I used to go to the beach for a swim, the salt water helped clear my sinuses. But the local waters aren't so clean anymore, sometimes they close the beaches to swimming due to contamination. I started getting infections from the water, so I gave up swimming.

Going off of Richie's idea of salt water - a neti pot really worked for me the first couple of years I was sick & the sinus congestion was really really bad. For me, when I get it in my ears, it's usaully a sign candida is up in my gut. Healthfood stores or co-ops usually carry the neti pots. They come with instructions.

PS - Use only water that has been boiled in the neti pot so you won't be introducing any new pathogens to the sinuses.

Sorry guys, but I've tried all that stuff for years with no luck. I've actually gotten worse over all. Thanks though.

Sorry. Have you tried Nux Vomica - the homeopathic remedy? Indicated for stuffy cold. I had some head/ear congestion this morning. Nux helped.

Good luck - hope you find something that helps!

I always gargle after brushing teeth and after coming in from outside.