POST NASAL DRIP TREATMENT AT HOME

Post Nasal Drip

The mucus in your body usually helps in fighting infections and clearing the foreign particles inhaled. However, when more than the required amount of mucus is produced, it accumulates in the nasal passage and tends to drip back, leading to post-nasal drip syndrome.

Symptoms

The following are the most common symptoms experienced by people affected by post-nasal drip:
-The feeling of mucus dripping down your throat
-Needing to clear your throat more often
-Sore throat
-Additional spitting or swallowing of spit or mucus
-Bad breath
-Coughing
-Nausea
If you experience any of the following regarding your symptoms, visit your ENT specialist for treatment:
-Symptoms lasting more than a few days
-Off-colored mucus that does not clear up
-Fever or bad smelling mucus or spit

 

Causes

Some of the most common causes of post-nasal drips are as follows:
-A cold temperature

-Infections that cause cold and flu

-Infection of the sinus

-Allergies

-Climate changes

-Medications such as birth control pills and drugs for blood pressure

-Fumes from perfumes, chemicals, or smoke

-Pregnancy

-A deviated septum or a crooked nose bone

-Spicy foods

-This syndrome brings along its share of symptoms that can become quite bothersome and irritating.

 

Post Nasal Drip Treatment At Home

Who should avoid herbal medicines?

Taking a herbal medicine may not be suitable for:

-People taking other medicines

-People with serious health conditions, such as liver or kidney disease

-People who are going to have surgery

-Pregnant or breastfeeding women

-The elderly

-Children – as with all medicines, herbal medicines should be kept out of the sight and reach of children

-Speak to your doctor or pharmacist for advice before trying a herbal medicine if you fall into one of these groups

1- Bay Leaf Tea

Bay leaf tea is one of my favorite home remedies for post-nasal drip. About 1 hour after drinking this tea, the post-nasal drip and nasal discharge stops. Your nasal passages are opened and you breathe more easily. If you drink this tea 1 hour before bedtime, you get a good night's sleep.

Ingredients
-1 Cup of water
-1 teapot
-4 Bay leaves

Directions
-Pour 2 cup of water into the teapot and boil the water.
-Place 4 bay (daphne) leaves.
-Let your tea steep for 8-10 minutes. Then strain and drink. If you want you can add honey. (2 -3 cups per day, morning and evening)

It is recommended that patients with the following diseases be abstained from using bay leaves:

-Peptic ulcer and inflammatory bowel disease due to the ability of the agent to irritate the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract.

-Impaired functioning of the kidneys, liver, urinary system.

-Diabetes.

-Dysfunction of the cardiovascular system.

-Individual intolerance to the active components of bay leaves.

-Internal use of decoctions and infusions is contraindicated in women during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

2- St. John's Wort Tea And Oil

St. John's wort is a good germ killer and a good anti-inflammatory. 

St. John's Wort Tea:
Ingredients
-A Cup Water: 100ºC / 212ºF (boiling)
-Quantity: 2tsp of dried herb/cup (250ml)

Directions

-Put the kettle on with water for your tea and bring it to a boil.

-Place 2 teaspoons per cup of tea inside your teapot and pour the boiling water over the herbs.

-Let your tea steep for about 5 to 10 minutes. Then strain and on an empty stomach drink. (2 cups per day, morning and evening for 2 weeks.)

St. John's Wort Oil: 

If possible, use homemade St John's Wort oil. For your treatment, 140 mL of  St. John's wort oil will suffice.

Directions

-Drink a dessert spoon of St. John's wort oil, on an empty stomach two times daily.

-Do not eat anything for the next 60 minutes.

-Be patient and drink this oil everyday for 2 weeks.

Do not take St. John’s Wort

-If you are under 18 years.

-If you are allergic to any of the ingredients.

-If your skin is very sensitive to sunlight.

-If you are about to have an operation.

-If you have high blood pressure, absolutely do not use the St. John's wort. First treat your high blood pressure.  (Click for treatment of your high blood pressure)

-Those who will apply this prescription absolutely should not use doctor prescription or  herbal medicines.Do not take St. John's wort with any drugs. Because St. John’s Wort can reduce the effect of the drugs.

-Talk to your pharmacist or doctor before you buy this medicine to make sure it is suitable for you.

-They should stay away from smoking and alcohol during the treatment.

-Those who will use this prescription should have left antibiotics 3 days ago and cortisone medications 1 month ago.

-If you take St. John's wort in conjunction with other anti-depressants, your serotonin (i.e. brain chemical that anti-depressants target) levels may rise to an unsafe level. Symptoms of serotonin syndrome include tremor, diarrhea, muscle stiffness, decrease in body temperature, death, and extreme confusion.

 

3- Apple Cider Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar is widely used for its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, which can help reduce the inflammation in the nasal passage and combat post-nasal drip.

Ingredients
-1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
-1 glass of water
-Honey (optional)

Directions
-Add apple cider vinegar to a glass of water. Mix well.
-Consume this mixture 2-3 glass of water per day.
-You can also add honey for flavor.

4- Ginger Tea: Ginger contains a component called gingerol that exhibits antibacterial properties. Additionally, ginger is also anti-inflammatory and can act as a decongestant and is hence effective in treating post-nasal drip.

Ingredients
-1 to 2 inches of fresh ginger
-1 cup of hot water
-Honey (optional)
-1 teapot

Directions
-Pour 1 cup of water into the teapot and boil the water.
-Place 1 to 2 inches of fresh ginger.

-Let your tea steep for 8-10 minutes. Then strain and drink. If you want you can add honey. (2 -3 cups per day)

5- Peppermint Oil: Peppermint oil, scientifically referred to as Mentha piperita, is a natural expectorant that exhibits anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, which can help treat post-nasal drip and its symptoms.

Ingredients
-5 to 6 drops of peppermint oil
-1 bowl of hot water

Directions
-Add a few drops of peppermint essential oil to a bowl of water.
-Inhale the steam.
-Do this 1 to 2 times a day.

6- Sage (Salvia officinalis): Sage has astringent, antiseptic, and antibacterial qualities, and this herb has a long history of use for sore throats, coughs, and mouth inflammations. Fresh or dried sage makes an aromatic tea, which we’ve found to be quite soothing to sore throats.

Ingredients
-2 tablespoons of fresh or 1 tablespoon of dried sage leaves
-1 cup of hot water

Directions
To make sage tea, pour 1 cup of almost-boiling water over 2 tablespoons of fresh or 1 tablespoon of dried sage leaves. Cover and steep. Gargle with this tea 3-4 times per day.

7- Salt Water Gargle: The antimicrobial properties of salt and hot water can help in treating the underlying infection causing the post-nasal drip.

Ingredients
-1 teaspoon of salt
-1 glass of medium hot water

Directions
-Add salt to a glass of hot water.
-Use this water for gargling.
-Do this three to 3-4 times a day.