Stuffy nose or nasal congestion occurs when there is a swelling in the nasal cavity which results in the buildup of mucous and blocks respiratory passages. This causes difficulty to breathe normally.
It is caused due to cold, flu, allergies, sinus infection, inflamed blood vessels and other abnormalities in your nose structure. Sneezing, sinus pain and pressure, blocked nose, swelling of nasal tissues, etc. are some of the symptoms of a congested nose.
However, the usage of over the counter nasal sprays will provide quick relief from nasal congestion but they can be addicting, which makes you to depend completely on the sprays to breathe. Don’t panic, there are many natural ways which will safely relieve your nasal congestion.
Home Remedies using Stuffy Nose:
Listed below are the best natural cures that provide relief from pain and pressure of stuffy nose along with removing mucus.
Remedy – 1: (Garlic)
Garlic has antiviral, antimicrobial and antiseptic properties that fight against the infections causing congestion in the upper respiratory system. It helps to thin the mucus and clears your nasal congestion.
Steps to be followed…
- Add 2 – 3 chopped garlic cloves in 1 cup of boiling water.
- Then add 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder in it.
- Stir and bring it a boil.
- Turn off heat and strain the mix to drink it.
- Daily intake will help you to get rid of congestion and thereby stuffy nose.
Note: Consume few fresh garlic cloves daily or include it in your daily diet to relieve congestion and stuffiness.
Remedy – 2: (Apple Cider Vinegar)
Apple cider vinegar (ACV) thins the mucus and strengthens the immune system with its rich content of several nutrients, enzymes, and acids to clear the congestion.
It has potassium that thins the mucus, acetic acid prevents the growth of bacteria or microbes causing respiratory infections.
Steps to be followed…
- Add 1 teaspoon of honey and 2 tablespoons of raw and unfiltered ACV in 1 cup of warm water.
- Stir well and drink it to get loosen the mucus from the sinusitis and nasal passage.
- Drink it for 2 – 3 times daily till you get relief from congestion, sinus drainage and stuffy nose.
Remedy – 3: (Steam Inhalation)
Steam is a most popular old folk remedy used to give instant relief from stuffy nose. It works as a natural expectorant that clears congestion. It thins the mucus and lubricates the irritants in the respiratory tract to remove it effectively.
Steps to be followed…
- Add 1 tablespoon of crushed carom seeds to boiling water.
- Stir well and inhale the steam by placing your head near the bowl with that water.
- For best results cover yourself along with the bowl with a towel to prevent the escape of vapors. Also, add few drops of peppermint essential oil in water before inhalation.
- Do this process for 2 – 4 times a day (particularly once before bedtime) will help to get rid of congestion.
Note:
- Or add 3 teaspoons of antiseptic herbs (like dried thyme and dried peppermint) in a large bowl filled with hot water. Inhale the steam vapors for few minutes till you ease breathing.
- Or simply pour few drops of peppermint oil or eucalyptus oil in hot water and inhale the steam to get rid of stuffy nose.
- Steam inhalation is not recommended for pregnant women, young children and people having high blood pressure, central nervous system disorders or heart problems.
Remedy – 4: (Ginger)
Ginger has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that thin the mucus and clears stuffy nose problem.
Steps to be followed…
- Slice a 3 – inch piece of ginger root and place it in a saucepan.
- Pour 2 cups of water and boil it for few minutes.
- Cover it and simmer on low heat for 20 minutes.
- Then soak a clean washcloth in this water and wring it to remove excess water.
- Place it on the face by lying down on the bed with your head elevated.
- Repeat the same process for 2 – 3 times daily until you cleared the sinusitis.
Note: Alternatively, chew few small ginger pieces or drink hot ginger tea by adding some honey and lemon juice or include ginger in your daily diet to clear congestion.
Remedy – 5: (Hot Herbal Teas)
Hot tea helps to thin the mucus the clogs your nasal passage. The herbal tea helps to flush out the toxins from the body to prevent congestion.
Steps to be followed…
- Herbal teas like peppermint tea have menthol which thins the mucus and opens up the nasal passage.
- Drink 1 cup of hot peppermint tea for few times daily till your congestion clears.
Note: Alternatively, have hot chicken soups or other hot soups, other herbal teas like ginger, chamomile, cayenne pepper tea, etc. to get relief from stuffy nose.
Remedy – 6: (Cayenne Pepper)
Cayenne pepper has a compound called capsaicin that helps to dry out the mucus in the nasal passage, thus makes you easier to breathe. It has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that reduce pain, pressure of stuff nose.
Steps to be followed…
- Add some fresh ginger, few drops of lemon juice and cayenne pepper in 1 cup of water.
- Stir well and drink this mucus eliminating tea to get relief from congestion.
- Regular usage of this pepper will help you to get relief from stuffy nose.
Note:
- Alternatively, use black pepper to unclog the sinuses and congestion. Add few drops of sesame oil in a little black pepper powder. Stir well with your finger and apply it under the nose. Breathe this strong aroma which causes you to sneeze and clear mucus.
- Or mix 2 teaspoons of lemon juice, some pepper powder and a pinch of salt and apply it around the nasal area.
- Also, include spicy and hot foods in your daily diet to loosen the mucus and drain it out easily from your nasal passage.
Remedy – 7: (Neti Pots)
Neti pots have become a popular remedy used for treating upper respiratory problems like cold, flu, nasal and sinus congestion, etc. make sure that there should be some practice of using this neti pot or else it worsens your conditions.
Steps to be followed…
- Fill the neti pot with saline solution (prepared by mixing salt in warm water).
- Then insert the spout in one nostril and tilt your head to the other side.
- Do it in the sink and allow the solution to flow up into that nasal passage.
- Then the solution will come out from the other nostril by washing the mucous and irritants from the nasal passage.
- Repeat the same for the other nostril to clear away all the mucous causing congestion.
- Continue doing the same process regularly until you cleared the nasal congestion and sinusitis.
Note:
- Using saline nasal sprays (prepared by mixing 2 – 3 teaspoons of non – iodized salt in 1 pint of distilled water) works well by thinning the mucus and soothes the nasal inflammation. Regular usage will clear the pollen or bacteria irritating the airways.
- For babies suffering from nasal congestion, use either saline solution or a bulb syringe to gently remove the mucous.
Remedy – 8: (Tomato)
Tomato is rich in vitamin C and other nutrients that boost up the immune system and works well to open up the sinuses. It helps to remove the mucous and inflammation in the blood vessels to prevent congestion.
Steps to be followed…
- Add 1 tablespoon each of chopped garlic and fresh lemon juice, 1/2 tablespoon of hot sauce and a little of celery salt in 1 cup of tomato juice.
- Place it on heat and bring it to a boil for few minutes.
- Turn off the heat and drink this hot tomato spicy juice for twice daily to prevent blockage of your nasal passage.
Note: Alternatively, soak few fenugreek seeds in 1 ½ cup of water. Boil it for few minutes and strain it to drink warm fenugreek tea. Repeat it regularly.
Tips and Precautions:
- Drinking plenty of fluids will help to break your congestion and thus makes your throat moist. Drink water, fruit or vegetable juices, ginger ale, soups or buttermilk to get rid of dehydration.
- Run a humidifier in your bedroom to break the congestion by adding moisture to the air which helps to get rid of sinus inflammation, loosening the mucus in sinusitis and clears stuffy nose.
- Gently blow your nose regularly to clear your mucous but be sure that not to blow hardly as it causes an earache.
- Gargling with salt mixed with warm water will help you to get relief from congestion. Also, drink hot liquids like hot herbal teas to soothe the inflamed lining of the nose and throat.
- Menthol, eucalyptus and camphor help to open up the breathing passages due to its mild numbing property. Just rub a little oil on the base of the nose to relieve pain.
- Placing hot packs on the sinuses help to open up the congested nose. Just heat a damp cloth in a microwave for 30 seconds and place it on the sinusitis.
- Sleeping with an extra pillow under your head will help to give relieve from congestion and clears mucous. For best results, pour few drops of eucalyptus oil on the pillow which helps to open up your blocked nose.
- Consult your doctor if you didn’t get any relief from this viral infection within 7 – 10 days (or) experiencing certain symptoms like high fever, wheezing, tooth pain, one sided nose bleeds, shortness of breath, etc. to get diagnose and treatment.
- Consume horseradish, apply pressure on the sinusitis, massage outer part of the nose along with base, rub the chest and nose with vapor rub, eat more spicy foods, include vitamin c, zinc and onion family in your diet, etc. has to be included in your life.
- Have some steamy or hot shower to thin the mucous and to relieve swelling in the blood vessels.
- Avoid sugary products, cool drinks and other carbonated beverages, wheat and other whole grains, milk and other dairy products, etc. which will increase your problem.
Finally, don’t rely on those addictive nasal sprays, just follow these natural home remedies to open up your airways and to get rid of stuffy nose. Know more remedies for stuffy nose, then share with us.
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