Home Remedies To Help With Nasal Congestion
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More than nasal congestion being something to worry about, it makes your daily life miserable. A nasal congestion also means a runny nose, chronic headache, no sense of smell and even a scratchy throat. Several home remedies can actually help you get relief, without the need of visiting a doctor and usually have no negative effects.
Here’s what you should try doing to get rid of nasal congestions:
Drink enough fluids and stay hydrated
You must remember that less fluid intake will not help the mucus to loosen up. It can also cause frequent headaches, hence drinking enough fluid will allow your congestion to break, soothe your throat, not let it dry and moist, and speed up recovery. You may include chicken soup in your diet, herbal teas and fruit drinks are great choices too.
Steam therapy
This is a time tested remedy for nasal congestions. It works by thinning the mucus. Pour hot water in a big bowl, lean your head over the bowl and cover your head with a towel. You must try to breathe slowly through your nose. The warm and moist air will reduce inflammation and even clear your chest congestion. While this may not cure an infection if you have flu, it will definitely make you feel better and relieve discomfort. You may further add a few antiseptic herbs and essential oils in the warm water, like peppermint, eucalyptus oil in order to help you sleep better.
Humidifier
This is a device that adds much needed moisture to the air and helps you breathe easily. It is all natural and uses clean water. Cold and dry air can make you feel more congested, a humidifier can be used during the day and at night, while sleeping and helps improve cold symptoms as well as nasal congestion.
A warm compress
This is another easy and quick home remedy to cure nasal congestion. It helps reduce inflammation by unclogging a stuffy nose and opening up the nasal passages. All you need to make a warm compress is a wash cloth or small towel soaked in warm water. Squeeze the excess water from the cloth, fold it and place it over your upper nose and lower forehead. Avoid your eyes and don’t leave it for too long.
Gargle with warm salt water
Gargling is usually advised when you suffer from a cough, but it is equally beneficial if you have nasal congestion. It provides you temporary relief. Try mixing half a teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of warm water and gargle four times a day.
Use a Neti pot
Lean your head over a basin and gently squirt salt water into your nose. Hold one nostril closed by applying light finger pressure when squirting the mixture into the other nostril. Let it drain and then follow the same with the other nostril. Always use distilled, sterile water when you make this solution. Rinse the Neti pot after each use and leave open to air dry.
Things to eat to cure nasal congestions:
- Tomato juice is a quick home remedy for nasal congestions. You can add about a tablespoon of garlic and a teaspoon of salt to it. Drinking this juice twice a day will ease your clogged nose. It can reduce the inflammation in your nasal passage.
- Basil is known for its medicinal properties and a handful of this herb can effectively treat a stuffy nose.
- Ginger has high anti-inflammatory properties and is one of the best cures for a stuffy nose. You can use it as a compress, or have it with your tea in order to open up your clogged nasal passages.
- Fenugreek or methi seeds can be mixed with a glass of water, heated and consumed two to three times a day.
- Pepper is a useful spice; it is a great remedy to cure a stuffy nose. You can have a solution of black pepper and honey with boiled water. Drinking this mixture can provide immense relief and has no side effects.
Conclusion:
While there are ample OTC medicines and nasal sprays available in the market to treat nasal congestions, you can always try home remedies and rely on them to provide instant relief. It is important to rest well, maybe use extra pillows under your head, stay hydrated and eat healthy. If your symptoms don’t go away and congestion lasts longer than a week, you must seek medical advice.
References:
food.ndtv.com | www.healthline.com
