system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
What specifically about ginger/menthol/wasabi causes one's sinuses to open?

Is there some chemical component that each plant shares, or do we just react this way to certain concentrated flavours?
gpt
It actually doesn’t open the sinuses, It gives the feeling that your sinuses are opening from a cooling effect. It’s a trick on the receptors in your nose even if you can’t smell. 
Actual nasal decongestants have active chemicals and can have added menthol but it’s not required.