A stuffy nose is a mild respiratory illness. Quite often, flu and similar health conditions are accompanied by stuffy noses. It is a fairly common condition, and Allergic Rhinitis affects 8% of adults (1) in the US alone!
Globally speaking, about 10 to 20 percent of the global population(2) suffer from allergy-related nasal congestion. However, the situation can irate personal and professional life, and also disrupt productivity. You will notice that your voice comes funny, you are unable to smell, and loss in appetite. Even blowing your nose does not bring any relief.
“Rhino” is the Greek word for nose, and “-itis” is a suffix used to denote inflammation. Thus, Rhinitis is the Greek word for inflammation of the nasal lining! |
In some cases, it can also be an underlying symptom of chronic nasal or respiratory illness.
Here, natural remedies play a vital role in preventing and treating the stuffy nose and its related symptoms. Read on to know useful tips on how to cure a stuffy nose.
If you have ever suffered from nasal congestion, you may have felt as if the mucous has clogged your nostrils and nasal passages. But, a stuffy nose is a result of inflamed or swollen blood vessels in the sinus.
A sneeze can travel at the speed of 30 to 60 miles an hour, and can fly 30 feet through the air! |
These blood vessels may be triggered by a variety of reasons such as cold, allergies, or flu. Some common culprits behind a stuffy nose are:
Amongst all the causes cited above, allergies account for the largest portion of all Rhinitis (nasal congestion) cases with prevalence ranging from 10 to 40 percent(3)!
While a stuffy nose, by itself, is a symptom of a health condition, it is also accompanied by other health complications that act as its symptoms. Some common signs that accompany nasal congestion include:
Now that you know the common causes and symptoms of a stuffy nose, it is time to explore the best ways to relieve a stuffy nose.
Below listed are a few natural remedies to get rid of a stuffy nose:
Here is a list of home remedies that will help you get rid of a stuffy nose.
Warmth and heat have always been associated with comfort and well-being. As such, it also emerges as a cure for a stuffy nose. The heat that comes out from the warm compress reduces the swelling and inflammation of the nasal passage and sinus. Reducing the inflammation decongests your stuffy nose and makes it easier to breathe(4).
Follow this routine 2-3 times daily until the stuffiness goes away.
Passing saline water through your nostrils is called nasal irrigation. Nasal irrigation clears up a stuffy nose as it gets rid of the excess mucous lining the nasal cavity.
The warmth of the water soothes the lining and prevents swelling in the nostrils. Further, it removes any foreign contaminants that may be causing an allergic reaction. It is particularly effective against stuffy nose(3) caused due to allergies, sinusitis, and cold. Neti pot is a special container that can cleanse your nose.
Neti Pot has its origin in India. In Sanskrit, “Neti” means “nasal cleansing”! Today, it has a huge global audience. |
NOTE: While cleansing your nasal passage, breathe through your mouth. Further, remember to rinse and air dry your neti pot after every use.
You could try out this remedy twice a day, daily until your condition improves.
Chicken soup is one of the most delicious ways to get rid of a stuffy nose. The hot steam of the soup helps to break apart mucus in the nasal passage. Chicken also fosters mucus clearance, thus evading a stuffy nose and stuffy nose allergies.
Tomato juice acts as an equally fantastic remedy for how to get rid of a stuffy nose. It helps to open up the sinus passages and reduces inflammation in your nasal passage.
Coconut oil is extracted from the dry coconut kernels. The fatty acids in coconut oil can offer a host of health benefits. The topical application of coconut oil alleviates the decongestant effects that may cause a stuffy nose. The effectiveness of coconut oil is a result of its antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, and moisturizing(4) action of coconut oil.
Apply the coconut oil two to three times a day.
Coconut oil can help you in losing weight. It is due to the presence of medium-chain triglycerides, which increases the calories burnt in 24 hours by a whopping 5 percent! |
The pungent character of lemon will clean up the clogged mucus and gives you instant relief.
Garlic is an extremely potent home remedy ingredient to treat cold and cough. It possesses antimicrobial and expectorant(5) properties, which help with nasal congestion. Further, its anti-inflammatory properties(6) reduce the swelling and inflammation present in the nostrils.
Follow this remedy at least twice a day to relieve a stuffy nose.
On average, a person consumes about two pounds of garlic in a year, which equals 302 cloves of garlic per person per year! |
When dealing with a common cold or flu, drinking fluids is of utmost importance. However, warm beverages offer more comfort. Here are a few drinks that will help with a stuffy nose:
The potency of ginger against cold and cough is rather well-known. The spicy punch of ginger may be consumed in its tea form. Preparing ginger tea could significantly relieve the symptoms of a stuffy nose.
Ginger is rich in antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory compounds(7), which could even solve chronic stuffy nose issues. It not only reduces the swelling of the nasal cavity but also fights the microbes that cause it.
Drink this concoction at least twice a day until the symptoms subside.
Ginger belongs to the Zingiberaceae family, which means that it is closely related to turmeric and cardamom! Also, a ginger plant can grow as tall as 4 feet!
Peppermint tea is one of the common and widely used herbal teas(8) around the world. Those who drink peppermint tea vouch by its effectiveness against stomach ailments. The menthol in peppermint tea is capable of decongest(9)ing the airways and makes breathing easier. Further, the anti-inflammatory(10) property relieves all the symptoms of nasal congestion.
You may drink this tea twice a day daily.
Holy basil rekindles the immune system of the body and alleviates the congestion in the nasal passage. It also helps in preventing or treating infections that may cause a stuffy nose.
Ancient Greeks believed that peppermint had the ability to cure hiccups. |
Essential and carrier oils are also highly effective for stuffy noses. They can also alleviate other signs and symptoms of cold and cough.
Eucalyptus oil can be used in various ways – through topical application, through a diffuser, and inhalation. The primary compound that imparts various health benefits to eucalyptus oil is eucalyptol. It possesses anti-inflammatory properties(11) that reduce swelling and inflammation, which will bring down nasal congestion.
The Eucalyptus tree sheds its bark annually. The bark comes off in long ribbons or small flakes, depending on the tree type. Rainbow eucalyptus is a variant of the eucalyptus, which sheds its bark multiple times in a year, and the inner bark is multicolored! |
NOTE: You could also add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to the water while inhaling the steam.
Keep sniffing the eucalyptus oil throughout the day until the symptoms subside.
Rosemary oil contains compounds like camphor and cineole(12) (otherwise known as eucalyptol). The anti-inflammatory properties(13) of camphor and cineole are highly effective in relieving the symptoms that accompany cold and cough.
Try this remedy once a day until the symptoms subside.
[Read: Essentials Oils for Runny Nose]
In ancient Greece and Rome, it was believed that rosemary could strengthen memory. Interestingly, it has been scientifically proven(14) that rosemary oil aids memory and can indeed help individuals focus and remember information. |
Bay laurel essential oil is an excellent remedy to treat bacterial or viral infections that may cause infections or a stuffy nose. It is an impressive mucolytic agent which makes accumulated mucus more fluid and allows better flow
It also relieves headaches.
You can diffuse bay essential oils in a diffuser and inhale the vapors for getting rid of nasal congestion.
This essential oil helps in soothing irritating in the nasal passages. Besides, it also prevents and treats bacterial infections that may cause a stuffy nose.
Fortunately, a stuffy nose is rather common and does not require medical intervention. Furthermore, it is entirely preventable with a little care. Here is a list of what to take for a stuffy nose or do to prevent a stuffy nose.
Equipped with the knowledge of these tips and home remedies, you will have a better understanding of what to do when you have a stuffy nose. The remedies cited above will offer immediate relief for a stuffy nose. Supplement these natural cures with a balanced diet and adequate consumption of water. At the same time, avoid mucus-building foods like dairy, gluten, and sugar. You will notice a significant improvement in your condition.
If your kid is suffering from a stuffy nose, you can try out the following remedies:
If you are suffering from a stuffy nose, here is a list of foods to eat and foods to avoid for your reference.
Spicy foods containing capsaicin, chicken soup or broth, garlic, honey, ginger, and fish. You may also drink coconut water and hot teas.
Refined sugar, milk, tomatoes, red Meat, pizza. Also, avoid having wine and other alcoholic beverages.
Nasal congestion gets typically cured within a week. However, if, for some reason, it lasts longer than a week, seek medical advice immediately.