# Spearmint gum and sinus problems

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spearmint-gum-and-sinus-problems/744254>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [January 26, 2016, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spearmint-gum-and-sinus-problems/744254 "2016-01-26T12:18:05Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\
**Post date:** [January 26, 2016, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spearmint-gum-and-sinus-problems/744254/1 "2016-01-26T12:18:05Z")

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Twice in two days, I’ve had sinus pressure and congestion seemingly disappear while chewing spearmint gum. Coincidence? Chewing did it? Mint did it? What do you think?

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**Author:** ![Lsura](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@Lsura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lsura)\
**Post date:** [January 26, 2016, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spearmint-gum-and-sinus-problems/744254/2 "2016-01-26T14:05:06Z")

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I know the chewing motion can help mine, but I’ve never noticed a difference with mint. That said, I wonder if the vending machine downstairs has any spearmint gum that I can try.

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**Author:** ![Jennshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Jennshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jennshark)\
**Post date:** [January 26, 2016, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spearmint-gum-and-sinus-problems/744254/3 "2016-01-26T20:58:14Z")

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Oddly enough, spearmint gum _gives_ me sinus headaches!

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**Author:** ![DinoR](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dinor/32/2821_2.png) [@DinoR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DinoR)\
**Post date:** [January 26, 2016, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spearmint-gum-and-sinus-problems/744254/4 "2016-01-26T22:57:10Z")

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Hmmm I’m allergic to dust, and ignoring it is much easier than being super clean, so some congestion is a daily issue. I can’t say I’ve ever seen a difference with gum although if given a choice i prefer cinnamon. I also don’t pay really pay that much attention unless things are worse than the norm so I might be missing an effect if there is one.

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**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\
**Post date:** [January 26, 2016, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spearmint-gum-and-sinus-problems/744254/5 "2016-01-26T23:03:06Z")

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Chewing helps my sinuses. Sometimes minor irritants loosen up the mucous membranes so maybe that’s a factor too.