Often referred to as nasal congestion, a stuffy nose can be a major hindrance to your professional lifestyle, personal obligations, and career prospects that can further obstruct your communicative competence and efficient performance. It reluctantly transports you far away from your peaceful life, dropping you at an uneasy position where what you get are sleepless nights, interrupted consciousness, severe facial redness and a pack of tissues to be used during the needy hours. Though antibiotics exercise a curative effect in just a few days but its side effects can in-turn worsen the situation leading to stomach ache, headache, mild fever or constipation. Therefore, what you utmost need are some easy, useful and reliable home-remedies whose utilitarian properties can indeed provide better and long-lasting results.
Main causes of blocked nose
Below is a list of major reasons that are primarily responsible for blocking your nose
- Inflamed blood vessels
- Sinus infection
- Multiple allergies
- Structural abnormalities
- Antigen attack
- Heavy irritating mucus
- Hay fever
- Exposure to unhealthy environment
- Harmful chemicals
- Hormonal disorders
- Injured nose
- Asthma
- Swine flu
- Influenza
Predictable symptoms of blocked nose
Some recognizable symptoms that follow a clogged nose are:
- Heavy breathing
- Flowing mucus
- Irregular sneezing
- Redness in eyes
- Congestive chest
- Severe headache and Nausea
- Excessive cough
- Common cold
- Sore throat
Home-remedies for getting rid of your stuffed nose
In order to combat with the above causes and symptoms, you can try the following home-remedies for a fast relief action. These remedies are easy to perform with the maximum benefit rate and minimum side-effects. Read further for methods that can suit you the most
1. Get rid of impurities by blowing off
Blow your nose time and again as it features as an appropriate method of direct cleansing. This helps in the maximum release of yellowish-green mucous that is primarily responsible for nose blockage. However, this method needs to be frequent enough for a quick curative action as whenever this activity is repeated, some amount of mucous is generally inhaled back thereby stuffing the nose again and again. Therefore, repeat this activity in order to get the best results.
2. Take an herbal steam
Herbal steam is an effective measure of getting rid-off nose blockage. What you just need to do is boil some fresh water in a pan and add some herbs like tulsi, neem, methanol, and thyme to it. Try taking the stream by wrapping your head with a thick towel and inserting your head (especially nose) in the hot water bowl. Repeat the activity at-least 3-4 times in a day for 8-10 minutes each time. Do the same until you get some relief and your breathing becomes normal.
3. Salt as a quick relief agent
One of the best home-remedies to get an instant relief from clogged nose is to use a pinch of common salt that is readily available in your own kitchen. Just warm a cup of water and add a pinch of salt to it. Try to put the above made solution in your nostrils, one at a time. This activity can be performed with the help of an insulated dropper in order to avoid further infection. Repeat this activity atleast 5 times a day for 10-15 seconds each time. This can be really helpful in curing clogged nose in just a few days.
4. Use basil leaves
Yet another way to clear a stuffy nose is to orally consume basil leaves. These leaves are one of the most effective antiseptic and medicinal herbs that can make you feel better. Chew 3-4 leaves before breakfast and after dinner. Its peppery taste is quite delightful thereby increasing its rate of consumption. In addition, you can also add these leaves (along with herbs like chamomile, peppermint and blackberry) to your daily tea for better results.
5. Garlic
Garlic embodies many anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties that are useful in curing problems of respiration, congestion and blockage. It contains derivatives of allins, saponins and fructosans which provide it with the capacity of exercising a fast relief action. Therefore, consume 2-3 fresh garlic cloves atleast once a day in order to unstuff your clogged nose. You can also eat garlic soup or drink garlic tea for regular aromatic flavor.
6. Neti pot
A neti pot is a medicated device whose function is to cleanse your nose from unwanted and irritating mucous. It can be easily availed from your nearby medical stores or from online shopping marts. Please follow the strict instruction while using this container. What you need to do is prepare an irrigating solution that mainly consists of sterilized water and salt. Fill this solution in your neti pot followed by depositing it in each of your nostrils, one by one. This method is usually practiced by people suffering from severe sinus infection. Such patients are advised to repeat this activity daily. However, people suffering from a sudden nose blockage due to change in weather or unhealthy environment can perform it at-least thrice a week, if not more.
7. Increase the moisture around you
In order to get rid of your stuffy nose, you need to increase the amount of moisture present in your immediate surroundings. This is primarily because a dry atmosphere does not allow the smooth passage of mucous from your nose thereby leaving you at discomfort. There is a very simple solution to this. Just heat a pot of water and keep it undisturbed in a corner of you room. This will indeed help in raising the moisture level of your surrounding and in-turn curing you from your uneasiness. However, in order to maintain the moisture, the water needs to be kept heated all the time. For this, you can use a regular trivet for boiling purpose.
8. Honey
Yet another effective solution of treating your clogged nose is the regular consumption of honey water in your daily diet. Honey has many medicinal properties that can make you at ease in just a few days. Thus, consume a glass of warm water mixed with 2 teaspoons of pure honey at-least twice a day. Effect can be improved by the consumption of honey milk and jellies.
9. Apple cider Vinegar
A bottle of cider vinegar is yet another significant remedy in unblocking your nose. A pack of the same is readily available in the market. Just heat some water and add 2 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to it. The solution is to be consumed at-least 3-4 times a day for better results. It should be continued till you are totally cured of your problem.
10. Acupressure
Acupressure is one of the ancient methods of curing blocked nose and sinus. Its application was common among traditional people where medications were a product of rare affordability. What you need to do is massage your sinus with your fingertips inwardly and outwardly by applying regular pressure. Furthermore, massage the area of your cheekbones with your thumbs. Do this activity for 20-30s seconds at least 5 times a day. Repeat it until you get a total relief.
11. Eucalyptus oil
Eucalyptus oil is one of the effective oils in curing the problem of stuffy nose. Its usage with olive oil can enhance the rate of cure. Mix a teaspoon of eucalyptus oil and olive oil in a glass bowl containing warm water. Further, from one end dip a piece of plain tissue in the above formed solution and keep it over your nostrils, one by one. Repeat this activity approximately 2 hours before going to bed. You can also keep a bowl of hot oil just beside your table while you sleep as the hot vapors can increase the healing rate of your nose and breaths.
12. Mustard oil
Mustard oil aids in flushing out the mucous deposits in your nasal passage. Therefore, apply a small amount of mustard oil in your nostrils daily by using your fingers or nose buds. Repeat this activity at least twice or thrice a day in order to obtain the best results. In addition, use of mustard oil in your daily diet can enhance the results further.
13. Lemon
Presence of citric acid in lemon makes it extremely beneficial in curing a stuffy nose. What you need to do is prepare an appropriate mixture containing 2 teaspoons of lemon juice, a pinch of salt and black pepper powder. Apply this mixture on the affected areas i.e. around the edges of your noses. However, be careful during application, keeping it away from your eyes. Repeat the activity until properly cured.
14. Keep yourself hydrated
In order to heal your clogged nose, it is important to keep yourself hydrated. This can be done through consumption of a lot of warm water, hot tea and vegetable soup. The above contents can be taken with a little amount of lemon as well. In addition, drinking hot water mixed with lemon and honey and fresh juice can be more beneficial and effective. Continue with this until you nose gets unstuffed to the fullest.
15. Hot shower
Apart from the above home-remedies, hot shower can indeed prove beneficial in curing your blocked nose. This is because it helps in diluting the mucous present in the nose that in-turn leads to its subsequent flushing. Thus, repeat this at least twice a day until you get the best results.
16. Tomato juice
Tomato juice acts as one of the most appropriate detoxifying agent that can provide immunity to your body from antigens. Its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties make it function as a catalyst in unclogging the mucous present in your nose. Therefore, make tomato juice an active part of your diet chart. Results can be enhanced further if the above is mixed with garlic cloves, salt and lemon juice. Consume the above mixture at-least twice a day until you are totally healed.
17. Fenugreek seeds
Fenugreek seeds aid in easy flow of mucous through the nasal passage and thus one of the primary agents in treating sinus infection. These seeds are to be consumed with a glass of warm water at-least 4 times a day. The activity is to be repeated time and again for the best results.
18. Rich diet
Last but not the least, you need to prepare a proper health chart and follow it sincerely. You can include spicy food stuff in order to treat your clogged nose and congestion. Keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of hot water mixed with lemon, honey and fresh juice.
Some mandatory precautions
Here is a list of some preventive measures that can help you to get rid of from blocked nose
- Say ‘No’ to smoking
- Avoid contact with pets
- Drink plenty of water and other necessary fluids
- Avoid using perfumes
- Take hot water bath
- Stay in a moisturized surrounding
- Follow a healthy diet chart
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