During cold and flu season, it is very common to find a stuffy nose and experience pressure in the sinuses. Fortunately, there are many ways you can make natural, homemade decongestants that are herbal and will definitely give you the relief you need.
With that said, you will no longer have to rely on over-the-counter decongestants that will leave you feeling nervous, tired, and sleepy.
Table of Contents
15 Homemade Decongestant Treatments (No Medication Needed)
1. Perform nasal washes (neti pot)
Although it has been used since ancient India, the nasal douche did not become popular until 2007. Using a nasal irrigation, this pot flushes the sinus cavities and allows any mucus or infection to wash out along with it.
It is essential that you use distilled water and not tap water. There are various additives, such as herbs, that can help clear the nose and add therapeutic benefits. When looking for a natural decongestant, this is one of the best options.
2. Peppermint tea
Peppermint fights congestion strongly, as it contains menthol. Menthol is often used to make cough drops that can open a stuffy nose. Peppermint can fight bacteria, which means that it is beneficial for those suffering from infections.
Brewing a sweet peppermint tea can open up your clogged airways and soothe an irritated throat from sinus drainage.
3. Make a tomato tea
You’ve probably never heard of tomato tea. However, this recipe is one of the best homemade herbal decongestants for sinus infections. The formula is simple:
- 2 cans of V8 juice
- 3 garlic cloves, crushed
- 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
- Hot sauce to taste
Mix all ingredients. Heat the mixture in a skillet or in the microwave. The goal is to slowly evaporate the tea and allow the steam to soak into your sinuses. If it gets too cold, reheat it.
Make sure to let the tea sit in the back of your throat for a moment. Inhale the vapors deeply through your nose and let them go down into your lungs. This is a proven recipe that many praises for its ability to decongest.
4. Eucalyptus
When you go to the drugstore for decongestants, many of the over-the-counter products are made with eucalyptus. It is best to use this herb in a steam inhalation, but it can be rubbed on the outside of the nose to open up blocked airways.
It has a strong effect on the nasal mucous membranes, reducing congestion and respiratory problems.
5. Apply steam rub
You have probably already seen the famous vapor rub in many pharmacies. These work wonders because they directly attack the source of the problem. You can make your own steam rub at home. For this you will need:
- 10 ml of coconut oil
- 7-10 drops of wintergreen or peppermint essential oil
Mix the ingredients and rub the mixture on the chest area or under the nose. Never put the pure essential oil on your skin as it can burn or irritate it. Coconut or palm should be used as a carrier for the oils. With this home massage you should be able to feel relief in no time.
6. Take a hot shower
A hot shower can be very pleasant in itself, but when you need the help of homemade decongestants, it can be even better. Try putting some essential oils in the shower area to help open up your blocked airways.
The steam can work in conjunction with the oils to remove the infection and mucus that is causing breathing difficulties. Any oil from the peppermint family can be very beneficial in alleviating blocked sinuses.
7. Saline nasal spray
Using saline nasal sprays sends an instant burst of the natural solution to the problem area. Since you are experiencing trouble breathing, the salt water enters the inflamed areas to soothe them and provide relief.
As with other injection methods, you should use distilled or purified water. Using tap water can be very dangerous.
8. Eat some garlic
Garlic has long been considered a comprehensive treatment for many ailments. It has antibacterial, antifungal, and antimicrobial properties.
Garlic has been used for centuries to cure everything from leprosy to chronic fatigue and is one of the most powerful homemade decongestants.
While garlic is strong and can open your nasal passages if inhaled, you will get better results if you swallow it. Take a couple of garlic cloves, crush them and let them steep for ten minutes. Letting them sit allows allicin to be released, which is what provides its healing power.
Simply chew or swallow the cloves whole and rinse them with water. It’s amazing what this onion cousin can do for your health. Garlic can help clear infections from the body, especially those of the sinuses.
9. Gargle with salt water
Salt is one of the cheapest and most useful things for your health. It is best to use pink Himalayan salt as it is natural and does not contain iodine. Mix a little salt with a little hot water and gargle.
Salt can soothe sore throat area, which is often a problem due to sinus drainage. Although it can also be used as a nasal spray, as indicated above.
10. Practice Oil pulling
Oil pulling is an old term used to refer to a practice that helps eliminate congestion in the problem area. For this, use a carrier oil, such as sesame or coconut, and place it in your mouth. Now, let the heat of your mouth melt the fat and stir it for about ten minutes.
You are warned that of all-natural remedies, this one can be unpleasant. It is difficult to keep the oil in your mouth for a long time. It can be difficult to breathe as you have to keep your mouth closed. However, it does an excellent job of helping with mild congestion.
11. Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a good option for many people who prefer natural medicines. The great thing about this product is that you can spray it on your nose, inhale it, drink it, or gargle with it. Did you know that it is a very powerful decongestant?
If you are brave, you can have a shot of this bitter wonder with a little lemon and a little cayenne pepper. Other people prefer to mix it with water and honey. Another option is to use vinegar of the four thieves, which has similar healing properties.
When you have a stuffy nose, the best option is to inhale it. Take 170 ml of water and mix two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in it. For additional healing properties, add two to four teaspoons of honey. Bring the mixture to a boil on the stove and breathe in the steam.
12. Get more Vitamin C
While vitamin C won’t stop mucus drainage or open your airways, it can help strengthen your immunity. Did you know that you cannot overdose on this popular vitamin? The kidneys will expel any excess you eat.
Doctors often recommend that you drink orange juice when you are suffering from a cold and other ailment. The real benefit of these fruits is the high levels of vitamin C they contain. Recharge yourself with this vitamin and you can shorten the duration of your cold.
13. Go ahead and try hot spices
This is an example of homemade decongestants that are not for the weak. If you think you can handle things like horseradish, hot mustard, and cayenne pepper, you can release excess mucus from your system.
You can use them to inhale steam, add them to your tea, or add them to any food.
Spanish culture has long revered these hot spices for their powerful relieving abilities when it comes to congestion and other ailments. If you are brave and can handle the spice, then you can use them in many creative ways.
14. Rosemary
Rosemary is often used in aromatic cooking, and it has antiseptic, decongestant, and pain-relieving properties. When you have a persistent cough that doesn’t seem to subside, you can find relief in this herb.
Rosemary soothes the tissues of the lungs and respiratory system, helping to repair the damage caused by a dry cough. Its healing properties break up phlegm and allow you to breathe freely.
15. Make a lemon or orange tea with honey
Hot tea has many medicinal properties. Lemon gives you an extra boost of vitamins, specifically vitamin C. Also, honey has antibacterial properties that can help kill bacteria. If you are congested, you can prepare an infusion with any of these ingredients:
- Honey
- Lemon
- Orange
- Sage
- Ginger
- Mint
- Thyme
- Blackberry
- Verbascum
To prepare your herbal tea, use the following:
- 2 teaspoons of dried leaves
- A quarter cup of boiling water
- Honey to taste
- Lemon or orange to taste
Boil the water in a kettle and place the leaves in the water to soak them. Let it infuse for about ten minutes. Strain the leaves and serve the tea piping hot. You can inhale the aroma and drink it simultaneously.