Eucalyptus, an herb from Australia, is great at easing congestion. You will find it as an ingredient in many over-the-counter medications such as VapoRubs, nasal decongestants, cough suppressants, etc. Eucalyptus contains the chemical eucalyptol which contains both decongestant and antiseptic powers. However, one should never ingest eucalyptus oil! Note that teas and internal uses such as cough suppressants that contain eucalyptus use the leaves which are very safe.
I love soup any day of the year. In fact, I could probably live quite happily on soup alone. But one of my favorite times to enjoy a steaming bowl of soup is on a cold, dreary day. There's nothing like a bowl of soup to warm you from the inside out. But soup is more than just a tasty way to warm up. Soup can actually ease cold symptoms such as congestion and a runny nose. Studies have proven that a hot bowl of soup can reduce inflammation and clear away mucous to ease the symptoms of upper respiratory infections. There's a reason soup is sometimes called "Grandma's penicillin".
When I was growing up in Southern Indiana this was the recipe for whatever ailed you! We still use it in our house. It has helped me through many sinus headaches.
