To treat nasal congestion, you could try these 10 remedies that will surely help you find a way to treat it with excellent results.
Nasal congestion accompanied by headaches and body aches is no fun. There are numerous triggers that can cause nasal congestion, such as allergies, sinusitis, the common cold, etc. Symptoms of a stuffy nose can leave you breathless and even dehydrated at times.
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Home remedies for nasal congestion
While there are countless medications that claim to help a stuffy nose, there are certain things you can choose from home to ease the discomfort as well. From the traditional steam inhalation, to drinking herbal tea and irrigation of the blocked nasal passage, this article will take you through the top 10 home remedies for nasal congestion.
1. Inhalation of steam
Do you remember those days when our grandmother used to cover our heads with a blanket and force us to inhale the steam from a pot of boiling water to unclog the nasal passage? Fortunately, those pots have been replaced with electric inhalers. But steam is still the best home remedy for a stuffy nose.
For best results, all you have to do is hold your head directly against the water vapor sprayed from the source. Gently and slowly inhale the steam. You can also add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to this water or apply a small amount of your favorite steam rub to your forehead and chest. The steam emanating from the essence of eucalyptus helps clear blocked nostrils. How to make a 100% natural homemade Vapor Rub.
2. Take a hot shower / bath:
Your nose is clogged, you feel feverish, and you have pain in your body. Take a hot shower. Soak in a steamy shower and let the warm water work its magic. This not only helps to decongest your nose, but it also calms your aching body. But don’t overdo it. Few minutes will be enough. As soon as you finish your shower, blow dry your hair thoroughly so your efforts are not wasted.
3. Take hot soup:
When you have a stuffy nose, nothing tastes good. Nothing but the hot soup. The most popular soup for this is chicken soup or commonly called chicken broth, try to make it organic chicken. If you are a vegetarian then you can try the tomato soup.
In addition to being a good source of nutrients, the steam from the hot soup helps clear the nasal passage and thus relieve nasal congestion. Drinking soup three times a day also helps to cope with dehydration and general weakness experienced during this situation. So, give yourself a little attention and feel better with a warm onion and ginger soup for the flu.
4. Irrigation with Sprays with saline solution
You can flush the dry nasal passages daily with your own saline solution or a spray. You just have to make a concoction by dissolving ¼ teaspoon each, baking soda, and salt in about 8 ounces of warm water. Take a gummy pear and fill it with the solution.
Rest your head on a pillow and lean slightly. Gradually spray the solution into one of the nostrils while closing the other. Allow it to drain. Repeat twice before moving on to the next nostril. However, since there is a chance that your nostrils will dry out, be sure to repeat the process maximum four times a day. Learn how nasal irrigation works
5. Drink herbal tea
If you like tea, you are sure to love this next item on the list. Ginger, blackberries, peppermint, rosemary, and chamomile tea are guaranteed to give relief from a stuffy nose. Prepare a mixture by mixing 2-3 teaspoons of grated ginger and ½ teaspoon of rosemary leaves to clean the nose.
Along with clearing blocked nasal passages, these herbal teas also help hydrate and soothe membrane inflammations. You can add a tablespoon of honey while brewing the tea for best results. Those who like alcohol can add about an ounce of whiskey. However, do not exceed the aforementioned amount of alcohol because you will be left with a swollen nasal membrane.
6. Stay hydrated:
Drink fluids, preferably hot. You can even opt for natural juices, including lemon and oranges. Hot soups and teas help thin the mucosa which then drains easily. They also relieve pain and inflammation of the throat and nasal mucosa.
Lemon juice, orange juice, and other citrus juices are good sources of vitamin C, which is an antioxidant. The free radicals that trigger flu symptoms can be off by consuming these juices. But be sure to drink fresh juices and not processed ones.
7. Use a warm compress:
If the hot shower worked for you, a warm compress will work well, too. Hot compresses relieve symptoms of nasal congestion as does a hot shower. The only difference is that these compresses work from the outside to open up congested nostrils.
Dip a slightly heavy cotton cloth or towel in water that is not too hot, but not that warm either. Squeeze out excess water. Fold the towel and place it over your forehead and nose. In addition to decongesting using a warm compress at regular intervals, it can also help in relieving inflammation and pain. You can repeat the compress every 3-4 hours, depending on the severity of your symptoms.
8. Chewing Garlic Cloves:
Good garlic, the proven remedy for many of our health problems. Garlic, in the form of a clove, as well as in juice, has been used to relieve nasal congestion since time immemorial. Besides relieving nasal congestion, garlic also helps in relieving discomfort associated with nasal congestion.
If you are not very interested in chewing garlic cloves, as such, roast about 3 cloves of this spicy vegetable and cook them with half a cup of water along with ½ teaspoon of turmeric powder. Season with salt and black pepper. Drink this mixture regularly to clear congestion.
9. Inhale Black Pepper Vapor:
Black pepper can be consumed in conjunction with garlic soups, teas, and solutions to get relief from a stuffy nose. The external use of black pepper, in powder form, is also known to help with the same task. Take whole black pepper and roast it for about 2 minutes. Inhale the vapors that arise while browning, but from a safe distance.
Another impressive way to treat nasal congestion is to prepare a paste with ½ teaspoon of powdered black pepper, ½ teaspoon of powdered turmeric, and a sprinkle of lime with little water. Heat this in a small cast iron utensil. Apply it to the forehead and nose, externally. Let the mixture dry well and then wash it off with lukewarm water. However, be sure to only apply a little of this mixture to avoid skin burns.
10. Aromatherapy:
Various essential oils can help provide relief from nasal congestion. You can heat up some eucalyptus oil and inhale its vapors. Inhale the smoke at regular intervals for assured results. You can also take the help of camphor. Add 3-4 pieces of camphor to a tablespoon of coconut oil.
Heat the mixture well until the vapors rise. Inhaling these fumes is safe to clear a stuffy nose. You can even add two crushed garlic cloves to this mixture for best results.
All said and done, each home remedy is effective in its own way. And the result varies from person to person. The only way to find the best solution for you is through trial and error. But you can’t go wrong with these tried-and-true natural treatments. So, the next time you have a stuffy nose, give these options a try and breathe easy.