When the weather turns cool there seem to be more incidents of sinus problems. Blocked sinuses can be a pain to deal with, especially if you are a busy person. Before you drive to the nearest pharmacy, the answer to your situation may be in your kitchen.

We as a society have lost touch with the “old ways” of healing. Before there was modern medicine there were its precursors: herbs, plants and other medicinal tools. Many of them you have in your home right now.

Aren’t sure? Well here are some treatment options you can use at home to unblock those sinuses.

* Steam – When nasal passages become irritated they can swell, blocking the flow of air through them. Steam can shrink those passages, allowing for freer breathing. Traditionally, boiling water is placed in a bowl. You may add a few drops of essential oils like eucalyptus or peppermint, which are known to facilitate better breathing. Lean over the bowl and cover it and your head with a towel. Slowly breathe in the vapors for about twenty minutes. Repeat several times a day as needed.

* Neti pot – These have been around for a while but have only recently gained popularity. This small teapot-looking tool can be filled with salt water and flushed through the sinuses to reduce inflammation and swelling. It also helps to keep the passages from drying out and becoming even more irritated.

With warmed salt water inside, lean your head to one side. Slowly pour the water into one nostril. It will naturally flow through to and out the other side, flushing both sides of the nose and sinuses. If you lean back the fluid may flow down the back of your throat leading to coughing.

* Humidifier – Nasal passages that are already blocked and swollen don’t fare well when the air is dry. Turning on your heat when it gets cold will produce just that effect. Using a humidifier returns moisture to the air to relieve the pain and discomfort in those blocked sinuses and hasten your recovery. Try a cool mist humidifier.

* Water – Drink lots of it. One sign of sinusitis is thickened mucous secretions. Besides the swelling of blocked sinuses, the mucus is unbearable too. Staying hydrated can thin these secretions out, allowing them to drain more readily.

* Apple cider vinegar – This vinegar has been used for centuries because of its medicinal properties which include antibiotic. Drink a spoonful several times a day or mix it in with a glass of water. It may reduce congestion from blocked sinuses and also help secretions thin and pass easier.

Are you dealing with a case of blocked sinuses due to sinusitis? The simplest way to combat your condition is to treat the symptoms when they first appear, using everyday items in your kitchen.