At one time or another, we all have suffered from nasal congestion, which is also commonly known as a stuffy nose. This can be brought on by a variety of factors like hay fever, the common cold, allergies, the flu, or a sinus infection. If you hate taking over-the-counter or prescription medication use the home remedies for stuffy nose below, they will help alleviate your symptoms.
Try our effective home remedies for stuffy nose and breath easily again!
1. Salt Water Gargle
This is a home remedy for stuffy nose that has been around for ages and it also works for clogged ears. It can alleviate your irritated throat tissue by draining your nasal passages. The act of gargling, coupled with the heat and moisture of the salt water, can help move mucus buildup.
Instructions
- Warm up 1 glass of water.
- Add 1 teaspoon of salt.
- Stir until the salt dissolves.
- Use a mouthful to gargle for 15 seconds at a time.
- Spit after every gargle.
- Rinse your mouth with fresh water when finished.
2. Basil
This garden herb is very good at getting rid of your stuffy nose. If you use these green leaves on a regular basis, you have an excellent chance of minimizing other nasal problems as well. You can eat 3 or 4 fresh basil leaves every morning – before breakfast, and evening – preferably before bed, or brew the basil as a tea and drink it.
Instructions
- Combine 2 cups of boiling water and 1½ tablespoons of dried basil in a teapot.
- Let the combined mixture steep for 5 – 10 minutes.
- Pour the mixture through a strainer into a teacup.
- Drink the basil tea mixture.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar
This is one of the home remedies for stuffy nose that it has been passed down from generation to generation and has been around forever. It helps to clear your stuffy nose by thinning the mucus and draining your sinuses.
Instructions
- Mix 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with 2 – 4 teaspoons of honey and 6 ounces of water.
- Warm the solution on the stove or in your microwave oven.
- Drink in a glass or coffee mug every 6 – 8 hours.
4. Steam
Not only does steam take the wrinkles out of your clothes, but also it’s good for relieving your stuffed up nose. This is such a popular choice that there’s no way that it could be left out of our home remedies for stuffy nose list. You can achieve favorable results by taking a hot shower or inhaling the steam.
Instructions
- Pour boiling water into a bowl.
- Place a towel over your head to trap the vapors.
- Lean over the bowl and inhale the steam through your nose.
5. Chicken Soup
The use of this delicious remedy will have you asking for more. Whether you make it yourself, have someone make it for you, or it comes out of a can, it can loosen the mucus in your nose and chest. This is definitely a “feel-good” alternative to any over-the-counter product. This soup will loosen your nasal cavities by making your eyes water and your nose run. This is how you’ll know that the soup is doing its job.
Instructions
- Prepare homemade or canned chicken soup.
- Add spices like ginger, garlic, Tabasco, hot curry, hot peppers.
- Eat 3 to 4 small bowls/cups per day.
6. Radishes
Eating pungent foods like radishes can aid in clearing your nasal passages by causing your eyes to water and your nose to run. Following this advice will release the mucus and open your blocked nasal cavities. Radishes are a natural decongestant; they contain antiviral and antibacterial properties and are rich in vitamin C. Radish lovers will rejoice at their tasty treat being added to this list of home remedies for stuffy nose.
Instructions
- Add thin slices of radish to any salad.
- Apply shredded radish as a topping to your favorite tacos.
- Eat a few radishes as a snack.
- Garnish your soup with shredded radish.
- Add sliced radish to your vegetarian or meat sandwich.
7. Hot Ginger Compress
Not only can you eat ginger to get rid of a stuffy nose, you can apply it to your body, or drink it as a tea to achieve the same results. This is due to its proven anti-inflammatory properties, see below how you can make a ginger compress.
Instructions
- Slice some ginger root (around 3 inches per piece).
- Mix the sliced ginger and two cups of boiling water in a saucepan.
- Boil the mixture together for about 20 minutes at low heat.
- Afterward, soak a washcloth in the brew.
- Place the soaked washcloth over your face for 15 minutes. Ensure that you also cover your head.
8. Humidifier
These low-cost machines can aid in dispersing more moisture into the air inside your home. Your home’s air conditioning or heating system can suck the moisture out of each room and leave you feeling dehydrated. The extra moisture will ease your nasal congestion by thinning the mucus in your nose.
Instructions
- Purchase a humidifier that is designed to work according to the size of your room.
- Read the enclosed directions for the unit purchased.
- Add water to the unit’s water compartment.
- Turn on the humidifier and let the steam fill the room.
- Breathe deeply.
9. Tea with Lemon
Add this dynamic duo to your daily regiment to keep your body hydrated. Their combined liquid warmth will soothe your throat and its steam will help to open your clogged nasal passages. Lemon is also good for clearing out mucus. You can use either herbal or plain tea.
Instructions
- Take boiled water and place it in a glass or coffee mug.
- Add your favorite tea bag blend.
- Mix 1 tablespoon of honey and crush a half lemon in it.
- Mix it well and drink.
- Repeat this 4 times each day or at whatever point you feel the clog coming on.
10. Vapor Rub
Applying this aromatic concoction right under your nose or to your chest will open your stuffy nose up in no time. Aside from working very quickly, it has fewer chemicals than any similar commercial product. This is one of those instances when less is more. Also, this is one of childhood’s popular home remedies for a stuffy nose that some might still remember.
Instructions
- Use one-ounce coconut oil or palm shortening.
- Add 7 to 10 drops of eucalyptus, wintergreen, or mint.
- Mix well.
- Dab it under your nose or spread it on your chest.
11. Tomato Juice
The juice of these crimson beauties is chock full of anti-oxidants and vitamin C. They can boost your immune system and clear clogged sinuses. Simply put, tomatoes reduce the inflammation of blood vessels and help rid your nasal passages of mucus.
Instructions
- Combine one tablespoon of crushed garlic and a pinch of salt with a glass of tomato juice.
- Mix well.
- Boil the mixture in a pot on a stove or in microwave for some minutes.
- Drink the tomato juice for quick relief of your stuffy nose.
- Add lemon juice to the mixture to increase effectiveness in alleviating your stuffy nose.
- Repeat this process twice a day.
12. Neti Pot
A neti pot is a ceramic or plastic container that is used to flush or rinse the nasal passages and sinuses with warm water. This apparatus has a rather distinctive way of clearing nasal congestion. That’s why it is one of the best home remedies for stuffy nose. When the blockage is dislodged, bodily fluids will be flushed out as well as any infecting presences in your nose. You should use distilled water or previously boiled water for this process. Don’t forget to wash the neti pot after each use. Do not use this remedy if you have the flu.
Instructions
- Mix 1 teaspoon of salt with a glass of warm water.
- Pour the salt water into the neti pot.
- Tilt your head over a sink and place the spout of the pot in your nostril.
- Run the salt water through your nasal entry.
- Watch as the solution comes out with the bodily fluids to reduce the amount of nasal clogging, or else the congestion will get worse.
- Perform this activity every other moment or two, then switch to the other nostril and perform the activity with the same frequency.
Conclusion
Everyone will agree that having a stuffed up nose is no fun. Aside from feeling miserable, you also sound funny. Allergies, a cold, sinus infections, or a deviated septum may cause a stuffy nose. For allergy and cold sufferers, try our quick and effective home remedies for stuffy nose to make you feel better. If your symptoms persist for a few weeks, you may have a sinus infection or deviated septum and should consult your physician.
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