decongestant drugs - #17328

Every year when allergy season hits, I go through the same cycle—constant sneezing, nasal congestion, and a blocked nose that won’t clear up no matter what I do. At first, I try home remedies like steam inhalation or drinking warm herbal tea, but when the congestion gets unbearable, I end up reaching for decongestant drugs like nasal sprays or antihistamines. They help for a while, but I’ve noticed that as soon as the effect wears off, my congestion actually feels worse than before. I recently read that using decongestant drugs too often can lead to something called "rebound congestion," where the nasal passages become dependent on them. That really worries me because I don’t want to get stuck in a cycle of needing stronger medications just to breathe normally. I’ve also noticed that after taking decongestant drugs, I sometimes feel jittery or get a dry throat, which makes me wonder if there are any long-term side effects of using them regularly. That’s why I started looking into Ayurveda. Does Ayurveda offer any natural alternatives to decongestant drugs that work just as effectively without causing dependence? I’ve read about Ayurvedic remedies like using eucalyptus oil, steam therapy with herbs, and even Nasya therapy, where medicated oils are applied to the nostrils. Do these actually help open up nasal passages, or are they just temporary fixes? Also, could diet be making my congestion worse? I’ve noticed that after eating dairy or cold foods, my nasal passages seem to get even more blocked. Are there certain foods that increase mucus production that I should avoid? What foods help reduce congestion naturally? I really want to stop relying on decongestant drugs every allergy season. Has anyone here tried Ayurvedic treatments for sinus congestion or chronic allergies? What remedies actually worked for you in the long run?