Thank-you all for the suggestions. Here is what I tried that offered relief:

1) Large bolus of water ingested frequently several hours before sleep cycle
2) glass of red wine 60 minutes prior to sleep cycle
3) 25 mg diphenhydramine hydrochloride (not 50 mg as then I feel the effect described by Thad E Ginathom)
4) oxymetazoline, several sprays

Now it could also be merely co-incidence, as this could be a 24 hr rhinovirus and recovery may have been in progress when the above was employed.

.

For temporary relief, copious amounts of wasabi works wonders. Do not apply to eye.
.

Do you snort it? 

Do you snort it? 

Many moons ago hanging out with the guys, we dared one guy known for stupid antics to snort wasabi... we all laughed at first, but uh, we stopped laughing very quickly. Please don't snort wasabi.

- Lots of water
- Extra zinc (can get fancy pants lozenges for simplicity)
- Lots of rest
- Benadryl or similar anti-histamine if needed, but usually I find this doesn't help as much as other meds
- Decongestants. Try psuedo. Stuff like Afrin will clear you right up, real quick, but A) don't use for more than 3 days and B) symptoms get worse as med effects wear off
- Long, hot, steamy showers
- Fart sniffing
- Saline rinse through nostrils may help. Could also try other "natural" decongestant sprays. Some have spicy crap in them that will clear you out.
- Antibiotics if you have an ear infection, but often it is viral and not bacterial...
- Something like Advil if the congestion is really bad and/or causing headaches
- Lots of soft tissues with lotion in them. Don't skimp out on this!

yeah and don't use tap water