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!