I never recommend Big Pharma's over-the-counter decongestants to my patients. First of all, there's enough evidence out there to tell you they can make you even more congested than you were to begin with — and for longer.

They also come with a slew of nasty side effects, including raised blood pressure, nosebleeds, agitation and insomnia.i,ii

And decongestant nasal sprays can interfere with some blood pressure medications.

If you already have high blood pressure — or if you have diabetes, enlarged prostate, ischemic heart problems, thyroid disorders, glaucoma or suffer from seizures — my advice is to avoid using nasal decongestants altogether.

But another major problem with over-the-counter congestion meds is that while they can ease your symptoms in the short-term, they actually make your congestion worse — especially if you're using a nasal decongestant for three days or more.

For safer, more reliable relief from congestion, I recommend the leaf of a special vine. I was taught this powerful natural remedy while I was in Bali last year researching my new book — and in many ways, it works wonders.

I'm talking about Piper betel Linn, which grows wild all over Bali.

Often referred to as "green gold," the leaves of the Piper betel plant trace their medicinal use back thousands of years and are even mentioned in the ancient Vedic literature of India. Betel leaf is commonly chewed in India and is even consumed as a condiment in Africa and Asia.

Among its many therapeutic benefits, Piper betel is widely known among traditional healers because it relieves respiratory congestion naturally and safely.