Nasal Congestion Remedies
Nasal congestion is hard to get rid of. Here are some remedies for nasal congestion.
Nasal congestion is one of the worst parts of having a cold. Your nose is stopped up and it can be hard to breathe. If that isn’t bad enough, it can also affect your head. Your head gets stopped up too. Sometimes it’s hard to find over-the-counter medicine that gets rid of nasal congestion. I found some remedies that can get rid of nasal congestion without medication.
Make you own nasal spray
Use ½ teaspoon salt. ½ Tablespoon of distilled vinegar. One cup of boiling water. Mix them together and put it in a dropper bottle.
After the water cools off, use the remedy as a nasal spray. In other words, put the drops in your nostrils as if you are using a nasal spray. It’s easy on the sinuses and the vinegar may help clear the sinuses. I never tried this before, but it doesn’t seem too hard to do. It will save you money on buying nasal sprays.
Hot drinks
As I mentioned in my Chest Congestion Remedies article, you should drink lots of hot green tea. If you drink at least 3-4 cups for at least two days, it will help clear up your cold. You can also get broth or chicken soup. You should stay away from caffeine because it can make a stuffy nose worse. The last thing you would want to do is make your nasal congestion worse than it is.
Onion
You should smell an onion. Smelling an onion causes stimulation in the nose and temporarily unclogs your nose. Onions stink so if you can smell an onion, your nose has to be unclogged.
Add spices to food
The extra heat helps trigger a reflex response that causes your nose to run. Hot chili peppers are the best choice. The only problem is your mouth will be on fire in addition to a runny nose. It’s a good idea to have tissue nearby because it might get messy.
Steam
Use steam from a hot cup of soup, teakettle, or a shower to remedy a stuffy nose. The best way is to boil water in a pot. Drape a towel over your head and lean over the pot. The steam helps unclog your nose. You should expect results in 10 to 15 minutes. I try this tip all of the time.
Elevate your head
Lying down makes nasal congestion worse. You should keep your head elevated and upright to help clear your sinuses. I try to prop up as many pillows as I can to prop my head up. You may have an uncomfortable night sleep if you’re not used to sleeping like this.
Vitamin C
You should take up to 500 milligrams a day to treat stuffiness. I take Vitamin C everyday so this isn’t hard for me to do.
Exercise
You should try to exercise. One of the easiest ones is walking because it helps promote better breathing. You can also sneak in a workout, but that’s a whole other different story.
These are all of the remedies that I have. Here’s hoping these work for you if or someone you know is suffering with nasal congestion.
Liked it
LoveDoctor | Sep 19, 2009 | Reply
Great informative article. Yes, the hot drinks like you mentioned are excellent. And definitely nothing better than a chicken soup when you are feeling sick. Good work.
cutedrishti8 | Sep 19, 2009 | Reply
Nice one to share…
There are two products of World’s No. 1 Brand in Health Supplement Nutrilite, one is Triple Guard and with this one take supplement of Vitamin C, great results for respiratory problems, asthama, allergy, preventing swine flu etc..
Darla Cooke | Sep 19, 2009 | Reply
Great tips! Thanks for sharing.
Sourav | Sep 19, 2009 | Reply
really great tips! Very helpful!
Christine Ramsay | Sep 19, 2009 | Reply
Some excellent tips. I hate the feeling of nasal congestion so these should help me.
Christine
Olivia Reason | Sep 19, 2009 | Reply
I always use steam and hot tea hen I am congested- I just think it’s better than reaching for medicine first thing…
Great tips.
Shamanz | Sep 19, 2009 | Reply
Those tips are really something! Although I would want to stay away from the onion idea, I can’t last a minute with out crying and looking or even being near a pealed onion!
fishfry aka Elizabeth Figueroa | Sep 19, 2009 | Reply
Rather interesting tips, I would be tempted to try the vinegar one, there is also the Neddie Pot, It is suppose to fantastic for congestion, cleansing your sinus,
If I get congested in the near future I will try the vinegar.
I know the Vitamin C works, but don’t take too much, it can cause stomach upset, and vomiting.
I personally chew garlic, especially when the inlaws are coming.
Louie Jerome | Sep 19, 2009 | Reply
Some interesting tips. I really don’t fancy the onion….phew! The hot drinks are a good idea though, taken with vitamin C.
Jenny Heart | Sep 19, 2009 | Reply
Excellent ideas! Like it!
Melody SJAL | Sep 19, 2009 | Reply
And drink lots of water, great ideas, thanks.
ducroisjosef | Sep 19, 2009 | Reply
I didn’t know about coffee, thanks. And the head elevation thing, my first impulse is to go lay down and be miserable, from now on I’ll sit up and be miserable.
LoveDoctor | Sep 19, 2009 | Reply
Congrats! Your article is on Hot Content.
unown971 | Sep 19, 2009 | Reply
Great information!
CHAN LEE PENG | Sep 19, 2009 | Reply
Useful and excellent tips, my friend You’ve composed a well-written health article. Kudos, and keep it up! Of course, as usual, you’ve me clicked “liked it”.
Brenda Nelson | Sep 19, 2009 | Reply
I hate haveing a runny nose, its such a minor thing but really annoying – thanks for your tips.
Nikita K | Sep 20, 2009 | Reply
I struggle so much with nasal congestion and sometimes it reaches stages when I can’t sleep at night. Especially nights before exams and stuff is pure hell for me if I have nasal congestion (which is often). I normally take decongestion tablets or these sniffy things but I will look forward to applying some of your slightly more natural techniques to relieve the pain. Really good stuff here, and oh, spices work wonders on the nose (I’ve tried and tested it!)
rizzei | Sep 20, 2009 | Reply
i usually have cold but passes easily..nice read too!
i’m getting healthmad..haha..:)
Mr Ghaz | Sep 20, 2009 | Reply
A very well-researched and helpful tips! I learned something new today:) Well done my friend! Thanks You!!
BC Doan | Sep 20, 2009 | Reply
Great tips, CA. Smelling an onion is something new to me, and I’ll try this next time I have a cold.
giftarist | Sep 20, 2009 | Reply
This is a great article.
Anne Lyken Garner | Sep 20, 2009 | Reply
I’m glad you mentioned green tea. I have this on a regular basis. It’s very good for your health.
CA Johnson | Sep 20, 2009 | Reply
I want to thank all of you for taking the time to read and comment on my article. I feel so blessed to have great and supportive friends like all of you.
Jane Jane | Sep 23, 2009 | Reply
Great article. this helps a lot because my nose really drives me crazy when I have colds.
CA Johnson | Sep 23, 2009 | Reply
Thank you for checking out my article Jane. I hope that the tips will help you.
Judy Sheldon | Sep 28, 2009 | Reply
CA, I left you a comment but when I didn’t see it show up on your profile page I decided to check. It wasn’t here. I’ll stick around long enough to make sure it stays this time. lol And I’m bookmarking this one. I love herbal remedies. Thanks so much for sharing.
diamondpoet | Oct 1, 2009 | Reply
Thank you great article and very informative. You rock
T.Rex McGoogle | Oct 4, 2009 | Reply
This is an informative piece for one who relates well to the problem. Thank you now for I have some new alternatives for the breathing apparatus.
Anamika S | Jan 21, 2010 | Reply
Nice ideas! I am stumbling this…
deep blue | Mar 18, 2010 | Reply
Nice tips, Cheryl.