Waking up with one or both nostrils closed up from congestion is enough to put a damper on the best of days. Finding relief for nasal congestion is something of an obsession once the condition gets its grip on you. Though it isn’t going to go away rapidly, you can kiss it goodbye much sooner by making use of one or more of our 15 home remedies for a congested nose.
Though a congested nose is rarely a serious health issue, it can be an indicator of something worse if it persists. Do not look to these remedies as all-inclusive cures and consult a healthcare professional if this becomes a lingering or chronic condition.
Those who have ever suffered from nasal congestion are probably well acquainted with eucalyptus oil. The anti-inflammatory and decongestant properties found in eucalyptus are well known when it comes to treating upper respiratory conditions. It can also work as a post nasal drip cough suppressant as well.
Ginger is a potent way of penetrating through blocked nasal passages. Not only does ginger contain anti-inflammatory properties to help reduce nasal swelling, but it also contains antimicrobial properties for attacking whatever pathogen is causing the problem.
Spicy tomato tea is also among the most effective home remedies for congested nose. The various spices included in this tea all help to penetrate through the congestion by getting rid of mucus buildup as well as nasal tissue inflammation, not to mention that they all give your immunity a boost as well.
A great antioxidant herb, which can bring relief to your congested nose is turmeric. Not only is turmeric a powerful antioxidant, but the most active compound found in turmeric, curcumin, is a potent anti-inflammatory and antibacterial agent as well.
A very traditional remedy for helping to clear nasal congestion comes from vapor rubs. The components, camphor, eucalyptus, and menthol, typically blended in vapor rub all have decongestant and anti-inflammatory properties to help reduce tissue swelling and eliminate the buildup of nasal mucus.
Garlic is a potent herb among the most effective home remedies for a congested nose. Garlic contains anti-inflammatory properties to help reduce swelling in nasal tissues. It cuts through mucus and also has both immune boosting capabilities as well as being an effective antimicrobial agent as well.
Nasal irrigation is another tried and true method for relieving congestion in your nose. Nasal irrigation with a saline solution helps to clear mucus from the sinuses and open up nasal passages. Saline also works to reduce tissue inflammation.
When it comes to home remedies for congested nose cayenne pepper cannot be left off of the list. The capsaicin found in cayenne pepper acts as a natural decongestant, which is why your nose runs and your eyes water when you eat spicy foods. Capsaicin also has anti-inflammatory properties to help shrink swollen tissues.
Another very effective natural decongestant comes in the form of apple cider vinegar. The potassium in apple cider vinegar helps to reduce nasal tissue inflammation and helps inhibit mucus production as well. ACV also provides tons of immunity-boosting nutrients to help your body fight off the cause of the congestion.
A very popular, tried and true way of getting relief from a congested nose is steam inhalation. Inhaling steam works as a natural expectorant so that it clears out the congestion as well as lubricating the nasal passages to get rid of the mucus buildup.
A humidifier is also among the tried and true home remedies for a congested nose. Dry air tends to be an irritant to your sinuses and can help aggravate your condition. Breathing moist air brings soothing relief to the irritation and helps ease inflammation.
Next to eucalyptus, peppermint is one of the most well-known essential oils for relieving congestion in your nose. The active compound in peppermint oil, menthol, has been used for more than 2000 years an astringent, antiseptic, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory remedy for numerous ailments and it is just as potent today for bringing relief to your congestion. That’s why it’s an excellent choice if you want to know how to unstuff your nose.
Another potent essential oil which cannot be left off of our list of home remedies for a congested nose is oregano oil. Oregano essential oil was used in Greece for thousands of years as a way of treating an infection. Its compounds thymol and carvacrol have powerful anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and anti-fungal properties to help get rid of the cause of the congestion as well as bring soothing relief to the swelling and congestion.
A close relative of oregano, thyme is also effective at reducing congestion in the nose. Like its cousin, thyme is a member of the mint family and contains abundant amounts of thymol. Thyme was used by ancient societies for anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antibacterial and expectorant qualities. Thyme is more than potent enough to bring modern relief to sinus issues.
You will probably note that many of the remedies on this list are teas because drinking lots of fluids is one of the best home remedies for a congested nose. Almost all liquids, except those with caffeine, alcohol, sugar or artificial sweeteners can help keep you hydrated. By staying hydrated, you reduce inflammation, reduce mucus production and help to flush out the pathogens causing the problem.
The stuffiness and irritation of a congested nose have the potential of ruining even the best days and dragging you down. Give yourself a quick boost and get rid of the stuffiness more rapidly by making use of one or more of the 15 home remedies for a congested nose on our list. Don’t forget to add your comments, questions and success stories about some of our remedies in the comments section below.
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