Natural Methods To Treat Nasal Congestion
Many people take the ability to breathe deeply for granted. But then the common cold, flu, a sinus infection, or seasonal allergies hit, this can be taken away. All of these conditions carry nasal congestion as a symptom. Nasal congestion makes it hard to breathe normally and get enough sleep. This is because excess mucus and swelling clog the nasal passages. The mucus can't drain the way it should, and the swelling causes pain. No one enjoys feeling congested, that's a fact!
The good news is there are solutions! Many individuals choose sinus congestion medication. However, alternating nose congestion medication with natural remedies reduces side effects and provides additional comfort to the patient. Both are good things!
Rinse Nostrils With A Neti Pot
Research shows neti pots are great for children with allergies. They also help with the common cold and sinus infections! Neti pots are easily available at pharmacies and health food stores.
Using a neti pot to flush the nasal passages is easy. To do so, people must fill the neti pot with lukewarm water and salt the device came with. While leaning over a sink, they should then put the spout of the neti pot in one nostril and slowly pour the water in. Their head must be tilted away from the neti pot. The water will flow into the nasal passages and out the other nostril. Since this is a natural treatment, it is safe to do multiple times daily with both nostrils per session.
Use A Mist Humidifier
Moisture in the air can relieve quite a bit of nasal congestion and the issues it causes. This is precisely what a humidifier does! Users add water to the humidifier and when they turn it on, it produces mist from the water. Moisture in the air is particularly important in the winter due to the drier air. The heating in homes and the colder air make it this way!
The humidity these machines provide thins mucus and drains the nostrils of the fluid, relieving congestion. It also relieves pain from the inflamed nasal passages, in addition to reducing dryness. Parents should place humidifiers in their children’s rooms, out of reach of their kids. Adults should have a humidifier in the room where they spend the most time, such as their bedroom, living room, or home office.
Breathe In Steam
Breathing in steam is another way to use humidity and moisture to treat nasal congestion. Once again, thinning mucus is key. All people need for this remedy is a pot, bowl, towel, and some water. They must fill the pot with water and put it on the stove to heat it. Using a kettle also works. Once the water is steaming, they should pour it into a bowl. Then, they should use a towel to cover the back of their head. This blocks the steam from just going around them! Then, they should lean over the bowl and take deep breaths. This helps the steam and moisture get into their nostrils to thin the mucus.
To help increase this remedy's effectiveness, we recommend several options. For instance, putting garlic into the water when heating it provides the benefits of the steam and garlic. Chamomile and lemon tea are quite helpful too. People can even drink the tea they made after. Essential oils like eucalyptus oil also work. They even smell nice, which is a bonus!
Drink Hot Liquids
Staying hydrated is crucial for dealing with congestion. The most effective way to do this is to drink hot liquids. Great choices are herbal teas and hot soup! The heat from the tea and soup thins the mucus. They are also quite soothing to drink or sip on.
Chicken noodle soup or even just chicken broth is perfect for congestion due to the common cold or flu. Chamomile tea is also relaxing and can help with sleep. Ginger tea and green tea are great alternatives. Ginger is particularly helpful for those who have a sore throat in addition to their congestion! Adding lemon and honey to tea or even just hot water is quite helpful in getting rid of congestion as well.
Eat Mucus-Thinning Food
Spicy food isn’t just delicious and flavorful. This kind of food also comes with mucus-thinning properties, which means it’s amazing at treating nasal congestion. Peppers, for instance, contain capsaicin, which is proven to relieve nasal congestion. Other spicy options include curries, certain mustards, and black pepper. Spicy food does cause runny noses, but keeping tissues nearby helps! This means the mucus is thinning. Success!
Garlic and onions are often included in spicy foods, but they don’t need to be. Thus, those who dislike spicy foods don’t need to be left out of this natural remedy. Garlic helps relieve congestion and thin mucus in a few ways, including being a natural antifungal and antibacterial. This makes it perfect for treating congestion caused by the common cold! Garlic and onions are quite pungent, so they’re best when added to dishes, though they are safe to eat raw.