Just wondering whether anybody has any tried and true recommendations for alleviating sinus pressure, which is causing pain/headache.    It is not food/avoid related - that I'm aware of - as I'm being very careful lately.  I can't use a neti pot atm, as there is too much congestion for the water to flow through.  Any teas or other recommendations?  Thanks very much in advance.

Just a saline spray until you can use a neti ? If yo can it will be a bit better soon I guess.  Be better soon !

try the protocol best suited.....

collisonia root has worked well for me.

http://www.4yourtype.com/prodinfo.asp?number=NP009

Thank you.

Exercise.  When my sinuses hurt, which they do quite often, I do 15 minutes of pushups or curls/flys with my dumbbells and the pain completely goes away.  Running is even better, but I don't always have the time.

I find that exercise relieves my aches and pains of any form better than any other type of "remedy," be it a supplement, specific technique such as a neti pot, meditation, etc...

Of course this could be an individual thing, but I see that like me, you are an O, so you may want to give it a try.

Is it caused by seasonal allergies? Nettle tea, or the whole "allergy protocol" may help.

In the past, when too congested to use a neti pot, I've used sudafed to clear my nasal passages. Once they're clear from the meds, I can use the neti pot to keep them clear, sometimes as often as 2-3 times a day when it's really bad. I've  gotten through 2 or 3 days of a really bad cold with only a single dose of sudafed by keeping up with the nasal irrigation. Sometimes even half a dose (1 pill) was enough to break the cycle. I also inhaled steam to help loosen up my nasal mucus and minimize the amount of drugs needed.

j232, I exercise, but only 3x week at the gym - ideally 3x week.  I take your point, though, and I do need daily exercise, not just my exhaustive gym workout.

Ruthie, I'm not sure whether or not it is seasonal stuff in the air causing this.  I used to suffer horribly from seasonal allergies, but once I'd been on BTD those symptoms went away, so then I assumed it was NOT allergies but food intolerances building up.  Now I'm not so sure anymore.

Chloe, thanks for the rec.  I'll check collisonia out.  If it's ok for me the HFS may have that.  Also the nettle tea.

I'll also check the allergy protocol to see if that is appropriate, although I'd rather not have to buy supplements right now.  I can't remember to use the stuff I already have that I paid $$$ for (not from NAP).  Also, I need relief right NOW!!  

Perhaps I'll just take a sudafed and see if I can use the neti pot afterward.  I haven't taken a pill in ages.  I suppose one won't kill me.

Thanks very much again.

I agree with Chloe that Collinsonia is great.  It's not real fast acting, but taken regularly will shrink all that puffiness inside and give you a new relationship with your sinuses!  

I've seen very fast-acting relief occur with steam inhalations when the steam is infused with the right combination of essential oils for that individual. Relief can also be had "on the go" by inhaling your mixture straight from its bottle, without the steam.

Eucalyptus (globulus or radiata), inula graveolens, rosemary verbenone, thyme, pines/spruces/firs, peppermint, myrtle, cajeput, niaouli, lavender, and spike lavender are good ones to work with.

Make sure you are using pure essential oils, often available at health food stores such as Whole Foods Market. You can sample each of the above (the ones the store has, anyway) with your nose, and buy the individual essences that open your sinuses/ feel right.

I get sinus headaches.  Steam is great, even very warm hand towel across the noise helps to loosen, Warm soup with hot stuff.  (pepper seeds?, chili pepper, jalapeno) all get the stuff running.

hot ginger tea also a good one.

Hi O in V1 I am so sorry you are having this pain. I do know exactly what you are going through! All the advice I read above is good and I have done it all!

The Neilmed sinus rinse(use am and pm) is better than Neti in my opinion...even if it cannot "get through" the mucus....believe me...I have had more of that than anyone, guaranteed!
The ginger and mint teas and steam work well for some quick relief but you should try an antihistamine.(zyrtec, allegra, claritin) My ENT said I needed one daily. They have worked better than mucinex.
I do agree that collinsonia takes time but well worth it for the long run I truly believe in collinsonia, quercetin and proberry on a daily basis! They are all from NAP.
You may feel silly but if something besides food is your trigger, a dental mask is great! I wear it by my fireplace just so I can enjoy the fire yet not experience the potential allergens. I wear it for housecleaning and gardening, too. Great barrier!

And - another aromamedical solution - some people like to instill an ointment in the nose. You can make a mild unguent using petroleum jelly (e.g., Vaseline) as the base. Into it, you mix well the essential oil or mixture thereof of your choice (by the DROP), keeping the concentration below irritation level, but where the oil will still reach the sinuses. A little eucalyptus and peppermint is a nice combination. Put a dab of ointment on your little finger and insert into each nostril, rubbing a little into the skin inside.

I do have some essential oils at home that would be good to use (lavender, peppermint, etc.).  I have one that is a mix called breathe easy that includes juniper and others.  I usually put a few drops on a damp washcloth and inhale that while I'm in a warm shower.  I haven't been to the HFS yet to look for herbs but I need to go today or tomorrow anyway.  I'm actually feeling better today.  I woke up this morning to a drizzly mist, and I think it cleaned the air outside enough that I don't feel as congested today.  The congestion is still there but I can actually breathe through my nostrils, one of them anyway, and there is no headache, thank goodness.  Which leads me to believe it is seasonal.  Everything is in gorgeous bloom here.  Today would be a good day to use the neti.  Thanks very much again for all the good recs.  

I've been amazingly pleased with this essential oil blend which I have been using for a few weeks.  It is to be massaged into the outer 1/2 inch of the inside of each nostril.

Contains Green myrtle, Inula graveolens, Rosemary verbenone, Eucalyptus dives, Peppermint and Spike lavender

http://store.sinussupport.com/products/Sinus-Rejuvenation-Oil.html

The type of sinus trouble that I've been dealing with most of my life is swollen and puffy tissues, not so much of a mucous problem.  That's why I like the Collinsonia so much - because it gradually shrinks the tissues.  This essential oil blend also seems to open up the sinus cavities so that I am able to use the Nasaline.

Yes, puffy tissues is what it has been for me lately.  Not a lot of mucous but a little bit, maybe what would otherwise be normal if the sinus passages weren't puffed up.  I am feeling better today, though, and I think the wet weather washed the air.

Quoted from Victoria

I've been amazingly pleased with this essential oil blend which I have been using for a few weeks.  It is to be massaged into the outer 1/2 inch of the inside of each nostril.

Contains Green myrtle, Inula graveolens, Rosemary verbenone, Eucalyptus dives, Peppermint and Spike lavender

http://store.sinussupport.com/products/Sinus-Rejuvenation-Oil.html

The type of sinus trouble that I've been dealing with most of my life is swollen and puffy tissues, not so much of a mucous problem.  That's why I like the Collinsonia so much - because it gradually shrinks the tissues.  This essential oil blend also seems to open up the sinus cavities so that I am able to use the Nasaline.

Looks great, Victoria!  
Saves mucho money, too, for those who'd have to buy each of those oils, some of which - top grade - are very, very pricy.
Note that all of the oils I recommended are in that product, the only "exception" being that the product uses a different (harder to find) variety of Eucalyptus.
And it works -- that's the important thing.

Note that Simplers Botanical Co. makes "Sinus Oil", containing therapeutic grade essential oils (all organic) of Inula graveolens, Rosemary cineol, and Eucalyptus globulus in a base of organic Jojoba, recommending it be used just inside and outside the nostrils, over the sinus area of face (avoiding eyes), and even rubbed on a congested chest.
http://www.simplers.com/Mercha.....;Product_Code=FASin5

Whole Foods San Francisco carries/carried it, but maybe that's because it's a local company? I like this company a lot.
Check it out. Retails for under $14. (5ml)

I might be thinking a bit too far out of the box right now...but something tells me if a product like
Collinsonia root works for two body parts which are located so far away from one another (hemorrhoids/veinous issues plus sinus problems) then it stands to reason that the gut might
be the common denominator.  I know how Lola and Andrea always keep saying "it's all about the gut".

Soooooo..

Take a look at the some of the symptoms a person would have if they have H Pylori....which is
pretty common in blood type O.

http://h-pylori-symptoms.com/h-pylori-symptoms/

O in VA....does any of this information resonate with you?

Just thought I'd share because often when I had sinus problems, I also felt I had digestive issues
going on at the same time.

And for H Pylori, mastic gum which is found in Gastro D complex is probably something that
makes sense to try. Intrinsa comes to mind or at least more ghee to get some butryic acid.  Every few months, I do a few preventative weeks of both supplements, especially when the seasons change.

Edited to add this:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12972933

My ND gave me a product called Super Nasya Oil ( Sidha Soma Supreme) almost 2 years ago. Its distributed by the Ayurvedic Inst. in Albuquerque and does help.
The ingredients are oils of eucalyptus, sesame, coconut, rose, sandalwood, basil, olive and lotus.

Quoted from cajun

My ND gave me a product called Super Nasya Oil ( Sidha Soma Supreme) almost 2 years ago. Its distributed by the Ayurvedic Inst. in Albuquerque and does help.
The ingredients are oils of eucalyptus, sesame, coconut, rose, sandalwood, basil, olive and lotus.

It's basically a Eucalyptus-delivery system, it seems.