Home Remedies For Stuffy Nose

Many people think a stuffy nose is the result of too much mucus in the nasal passages. However, a clogged nose is actually caused by inflamed blood vessels in the sinuses. These irritated vessels are usually triggered by a cold, the flu, allergies, or a sinus infection.

Nasal Congestion Symptoms

-A stuffy or runny nose

-Sinus pain

-Swollen nasal tissue

-Mucus buildup in the nasal passage

-Sounding like a cartoon version of yourself

Nasal Congestion Causes

-The common cold

-The flu

-Sinus infections

-Allergies

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

Since milk has an effect that increases mucus production, It is recommended that those who experience nasal congestion should stay away from milk during this period.

1- Bay Leaf (Daphne) Tea

Bay leaf tea is one of my favorite home remedies for common cold and nasal congestion. 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)

2- Steam With Thyme And Peppermint

Place 3 teaspoons of dried thyme and 3 teaspoons dried peppermint (or three peppermint tea bags) in a small heatproof bowl and add boiling water. Lean over the bowl, covering your head and the bowl with a thick towel, and inhale for 10 minutes, keeping your face and nose eight to 10 inches above the water. Repeat two to three times a day, as needed, until you don’t feel as stuffy. Thyme is antibacterial and the menthol in mint is a natural decongestant that eases breathing.

3- Steam With Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus essential oil is scientifically proven as a home remedy to kill several of the strains of bacteria that cause respiratory problems responsible for congestion like sinus infections. To help a stuffy nose, stir 5 drops of pure eucalyptus essential oil into 1 quart of boiling water in a heatproof bowl. Lean over the bowl, covering your head and the bowl with a thick towel, and inhale the steam for 10-15 minutes. Repeat three to four times a day while you’re fighting the infection.

4- Nasal Irrigation With Salt And Baking Soda

Nasal irrigation is very effective for relieving nasal congestion and irritation. This will soothe your sinuses and flush away bacteria, irritants, allergens. Also Nasal irrigation can help to moisten the mucous membranes.

Ingredients

-1 squirt bottle

-1 cup of sterilized water

-3 tsp of non-iodized salt

-1 tsp of baking soda

Directions

This is a recipe of The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI):

Sterilize water, by boiling tap water for three to five minutes, then cooling it until it is lukewarm.

Mix 3 teaspoons of non-iodized salt (iodide may irritate your nasal lining) and 1 teaspoons of baking soda with 1 cup of sterilized water.

There are several ways to get the water into the passages behind your nose. You can use a squirt bottle, a pump designed for this purpose, or a vessel with a long spout called a neti pot.

You simply fill the device with the solution, then lean over your sink (or, even easier, do it standing in the shower). Tilt your head sideways with your forehead and chin roughly level. Breathing through your mouth, place the container into your upper nostril and allow the water to drain out naturally.

5- Eat Cayenne Pepper

The capsaicin in cayenne pepper dries up mucus in the nasal passages, making it easier to breathe. It is also an anti-inflammatory spice and can decrease puffy, stuffy feelings in the nose. Sprinkle cayenne pepper on your favourite meals, or sip a spicy tea by adding 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper powder to a cup of boiling water.

6- Stay Hydrated

Drinking plenty of fluids and staying well hydrated thins mucus in the nasal passages, making it easier for congested sinuses to drain and relieve the pressure from a stuffy nose. Warm liquids help quickly open up congested sinuses, so sip on steamy cups of tea as well as plain water. Ginger and mint teas also contain herbal benefits that further reduce nasal congestion.

If your stuffy nose is accompanied by a sore throat, warm tea and soup will help ease the discomfort in your throat, too.

7- Use a Humidifier

A humidifier provides a quick, easy way to relieve a stuffy nose. The machine converts water to moisture that slowly fills the air, increasing the humidity in a room. Breathing in this moist air can soothe irritated tissues and swollen blood vessels in your nose and sinuses. Humidifiers also thin the mucus in your sinuses. This can help empty the fluids in your nose and return your breathing to normal. Put a humidifier in your room to ease the inflammation causing your congestion.