Home remedies for blocked nose or nasal congestion

When we think of a blocked nose, steam inhalation is probably the first home remedy that comes to the mind, and that is for a reason. This remedy is quite easy to use, requires minimal ingredients and is effective for sure. Not only is steam inhalation one of the oldest remedies for relief from a blocked nose, but there is also sufficient evidence to support this use. Steam inhalation aids in immediate relief from symptoms of a stuffed nose. Here is how you can use this remedy:

Ingredients:

• A large pan
• Distilled water
• A soft cloth or a towel

Procedure:

• Take a large pan and fill it with distilled water
• Bring this water to a boil and take the pan off the heat
• Keep it on a steady surface and start inhaling steam by coming close to the pan inhaling the vapours
• You must use a soft towel or a cloth to cover your head so that the steam does not escape
• Breathe in the steam and continue using the remedy until the steam persists
• Gently remove the head cover and relax

Precaution:

• While using this remedy, it is important that you take care to not make physical contact with the pan as it could cause a burn.
• It is also important that you keep the pan of a sturdy surface so that there is no risk of spillage of hot water on your body.

Tips:

• You can use this remedy once or twice daily depending on the severity of your symptoms
• You must note that this remedy only aids in providing temporary relief from nasal symptoms and you’re still required to take your medication, if any prescribed for your condition.

Alternative:

If you have a steamer at home, you can also make the use of the device but make sure it is thoroughly cleaned and the water used is clean.

Peppermint oil is another commonly used remedy, which has been in use as a traditional remedy in parts of Asia. The presence of menthol in this oil is what is responsible for these relieving actions, and this compound is also used in a variety of vaporubs and inhalers. How menthol functions is by improving the nasal flow of air, which allows these actions. As it does so, it also helps in providing symptomatic relief from dyspnoea and is thus used for the management of upper respiratory tract infections and allergic rhinitis. Here is how you can use this oil for some relief:

Ingredients:

• Few drops of peppermint oil
• Two tablespoons of coconut oil
• A bowl and a spoon

Procedure:

• Take a large bowl and put 2 tablespoons of coconut oil in the bowl
• Now add a few drops of peppermint oil and mix with the help of a spoon
• You can store this oil or use it immediately
• Apply the oil topically to get relief from a stuffed nose
• You can apply it over the skin of your nostrils and can also put some underneath
• If you experience congestion in the chest as well, feel free to make use of this oil in the area

Precautions:

• Put just a few drops of peppermint oil since using it in a higher concentration can lead to a burning sensation on the skin
• Use the oil only topically and not stuff it inside the nose

Tips:

• You can use this remedy 2-4 times a day to get relief.
• If you experience more congestion during the night, you can simply rub some oil before getting in bed.

Garlic is a wondrous kitchen ingredient, which has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, and is helpful in relieving congestion of the nose. Supplementation with garlic will not only helpful in getting rid of congestion but also helps to prevent respiratory infections causing this symptom. Studies have found that as compared to placebo, individuals receiving garlic supplement have a lesser likelihood of getting infected with cold and have a better chance of recovery if infected. Here is how you can use garlic for this purpose:

Ingredients:

• 2 to 3 cloves of garlic
• A glass of warm water
• A knife

Procedure:

• Press peeled garlic cloves with the help of a knife to mildly crush the herb
• Consume these orally and follow by drinking a glass of water

Tips:

In addition to this remedy, you can also increase the dietary intake of garlic by adding it to your food items and dishes.

Orange juice is a favourite beverage but did you know it can also be used as a remedy against a blocked nose. This can be attributed to the presence of vitamin C in this juice, which helps in boosting immunity. Other than relieving stuffed nose, the intake of orange juice also helps in the prevention of cold. A dosage of 1 gram is recommended for this benefit. Here is how you can use this remedy:

Ingredients:

• A few large oranges
• A stick of carrot or a bowl of pomegranate seeds

Procedure:

• Peel the fruits and put them together in a blender
• Blend until the fruits are ground and a liquid consistency is achieved
• Strain and enjoy

Precaution and tips:

You can have this juice every morning but be wary of the calorie content.

(Read more: How to improve immunity)

Nasal irrigation is a useful technique for providing relief from a blocked nose, but it requires some skills and accuracy. If you are into yoga and Ayurveda, you must already be aware of the use of this therapy, which is commonly called Neti. Although the technique employed is quite simple and involves flushing your nasal mucosa with some saline, it is recommended to talk to an expert before beginning.

This technique makes the use of neti pots, which helps in these actions. The technique and procedure will be discussed ahead, let’s first understand why this remedy can be useful for you. Extensive studies have been done on this technique and it has been found to improve symptoms, even those related to upper respiratory tract conditions. It functions by improving the ability of the nasal mucosa to resist infections and irritants. Neti also helps in reducing inflammatory mediators and improving ciliary actions. As ciliary action improves and there is an increased frequency of ciliary beatings, a relief in symptoms is obtained as nasal contents vent out. This therapy has been suggested to be completely safe and has proven to be a better remedy when compared to steam inhalation. Other than providing symptom relief, the use of this technique also helped in reducing the need for over-the-counter medications and future visits to a care provider. Additionally, it helped to relieve headache, which is a common symptom occurring along with a blocked nose. Here is how you can use this therapy:

Ingredients:

• Neti pots
• Pre-packaged salt

Procedure:

• First, prepare salt water by mixing the available salt with some lukewarm water
• Put 100 ml of this in the nasal cup
• Now, try to position your nasal cup
• Lean over a sink and tilt your head towards the side while putting a neti pot at the end of the upper nostril to form a tight seal
• Exhale and start breathing from the mouth for the procedure to begin
• Next, gently raise the pot so that the solution enters the upper nostril
• Allow it to drain from the lower nostril
• After the solution ends, exhale out from both the nostrils
• This will allow excess solution and mucous to drain out
• Now repeat the procedure for the other nostril

Precaution:

• You must be extremely careful while performing this technique and initial guidance is recommended to avoid any side effects.
• You may notice nasal dripping after a few hours, which is completely normal.
• It may sometimes be irritant to the nose, then, it is recommended to reduce salt content.
• Initial discomfort and nervousness are some of the side effects. In rare cases, epistaxis and ear stuffing may be experienced.

Tips:

• Wash the nasal pot after irrigation and store it until next use when you again mix a fresh solution.
• For convenience, you can also use perform the technique in the shower.