Several herbs can help relieve the swelling and stuffiness that make sinusitis, the common cold, or other respiratory complaints so uncomfortable. Most of these herbs work by opening up clogged nasal passages to ease breathing.

Ephedra Free Decongestant
In response to concerns regarding the safety of ephedra-containing dietary supplements, manufacturers have marketed "ephedra-free" products. Many of these contain synephrine, a sympathomimetic amine from the plant Citrus aurantium. Synephrine is structurally similar to ephedrine and has vasoconstrictor properties.
     Immature bitter orange fruit and its extracts have been introduced into the market as an alternative to Ephedra in weight loss products. However, the safety of the immature bitter orange fruit and its extracts is a debated argument due to the presence of synephrine, a constituent known as a sympathomimetic agent.

Pseudoephedrine as a Decongestant
Pseudoephedrine controls nasal allergy symptoms just as well as the more expensive prescription drug Singulair, also known by its generic name, montelukast. In fact, as a nasal decongestant, pseudoephedrine may provide better relief. While pseudoephedrine is known to be an effective treatment for nasal congestion caused by allergies, it is not thought to be particular useful against other symptoms. Moreover, some people who take pseudoephedrine experience side effects such as insomnia and nervousness. The study, which appears in the February 2006 issue of the Archives of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, involved 58 adults allergic to ragweed who were randomized to receive a once-daily morning dose of pseudoephedrine or montelukast for 2 weeks. Treatment with either agent provided similar and significant improvements in all aspects of quality of life. The tolerability of the agents was similar with no increase in insomnia or nervousness seen with pseudoephedrine. The researchers chalk this up to pseudoephedrine being given as one higher dose in the morning, rather than as two or more lower doses given throughout the day as is often done.

Nasal Congestion and Time of Day
Nasal congestion, which has been shown to cause sleep-disordered breathing, is thought to be primarily responsible for rhinitis-related sleep disorders. The severity of nasal congestion follows a circadian rhythm, being worst at night and in the early morning. Chronotherapy is the study of the effects of administration time on the safety and efficacy of drug therapy based on circadian influences on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of medications. Chronotherapy studies in allergic rhinitis suggest there are benefits to nighttime dosing of antiallergy medications. For example, the antihistamine mequitazine has shown improved efficacy when administered in the evening compared with morning dosing. More study is needed to determine whether this is a class effect. Leukotriene receptor antagonists are indicated for evening administration; these drugs significantly improve nighttime rhinitis symptoms. Intranasal corticosteroids administered in the morning have demonstrated efficacy in improving nighttime symptoms.

Decongestant questions
Q.  i recently bought a book called 'The complete guide tp vitamins herbs and suppkements' by winifred conkling w/ david  y. wong, m.d. consulting editor. In it concerning impotence it said some over-the counter antihistamines and decongestants can cause temporary impotence, but can they also cause testosterone levels to drop ,if so can the effects of long term use of these be reversed ?.
     A. It is true that in some people decongestants and antihistamines can cause impotence, but it is unlikely that it is due to testosterone. Many people find sexual enhancement with herbs and supplements that can reverse this condition.