Natural and Home Remedies

Nasal Congestion Home Remedy

Signs and Symptoms of Nasal Congestion

Nasal Congestion (also referred to as blocked nose or stuffy nose) occurs when the nasal passage is blocked and stuffed due to swollen mucous membranes that line the nose. Nasal congestion can interfere with hearing and speech. Significant congestion may interfere with sleep, cause snoring, and can be associated with episodes of not breathing during sleep.

While nasal congestion is generally more of an annoyance in older children and adults, it is much more serious when it occurs in infants. This is because infants primarily breathe through their nose, which can cause life-threatening breathing problems when they are nursing.

Causes of Nasal Congestion

A congested nasal passage occurs when the membranes lining the nose become swollen from inflamed blood vessels. Congestion can be caused by many of the same things that cause a runny nose including colds, allergies, sinus infections, and the flu. Overuse of some nasal sprays or drops can also lead to congestion. In most cases, a stuffed nose is usually caused by a virus and typically goes away by itself within a week.

Home Remedies and Natural Treatments for Nasal Congestion

Oil of Oregano

Oil of Oregano has long been regarded as a natural remedy for sinus or lung congestion, since it helps to strengthen the body's immune system.

According to a 2014 study published in the Journal of Herbal Medicine, oil of oregano has antimicrobial properties and may be effective in treating upper respiratory tract infections such as nasal congestion. However, more research is needed to fully understand its effectiveness in this area. 1

Simply mix 2 or 3 drops of oregano oil with juice, and drink this daily. Or you may take 2-3 drops of oil of Oregano under the tongue if you can handle the spice. Improvements are normally noticed within 3-5 days.

Another simple remedy is to mix 1-2 drops of oil of oregano with 1 tablespoon of carrier oil. Rub the mixture onto the chest and throat area before bed. You can also add a drop of the mixture to a pot of steaming water and inhale the steam for additional relief.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea Tree Oil has wonderful properties that make it a great natural agent for curing the three main types of infectious organisms: fungus, bacteria, and virus. 2, 3 Therefore, it can be inhaled to help clear nasal congestion as follows:

  • Add 3 to 4 drops of Tea Tree Oil to 1 cup of boiling water.
  • Inhale the vapours for 5 to 10 minutes.

Vitamin C

Histamine is a protein in the body that is often associated with nasal congestion when histamine levels are high. Taking 1000 mg of Vitamin C three times per day can help reduce histamine levels, which can therefore help reduce nasal and sinus congestion. 4, 5

Eucalyptus Oil

Eucalyptus Oil acts on receptors in the nasal mucous membranes to reduce the symptoms of nasal congestion. 6, 7

  • Add 3 to 4 drops of Eucalyptus Oil to 1 cup of boiling water.
  • Inhale the steam for 5 to 10 minutes.

Echinacea

Echinacea is an herb that stimulates the production of white blood cells, accelerating their maturation within the lymphatic tissue, and speeding their travel to the area of infection, where they help fight invaders in the body. 8, 9

A study has found that people with cold and nasal congestion who drank 3 cups of Echinacea Tea every day for 5 days felt better sooner than those who drank tea without echinacea.

Comments

  1. on said:

    There exist many natural oils as explained in this article. And I have read many of the comments and which are correct and I have used them through my childhood and adult life. My roots begin with the Mennonites and Native Americans upbringing. I have used Homeopathy, with great success. If you happen to have these essential oils around ? Try mixing
    5-7 Drops Eucalyptus
    5 drops Tea Tree
    4 drops Cedar wood or Black Spruce or Pine Oil
    2 drops Lavender
    1 drop of lemon
    I am a service provider for the Public. And my Clients when I detect the allergy problems. I introduce this blend to them. Teaching them how to do a Yoga breathing exercise while their services are being rendered. All I can suggest to you is that it works. The best way of doing this is to get a Nasal Inhaler one that has a Glass Vial inside with a 2 ml cotton wick. There also is a flower that grows wild in our area called Mullein Plant. Research and learn to use it! Hope that you find relief to your allergies as I have done through the years!

  2. on said:

    I had sinusitis for 8 months where both passages were plugged. I was miserable and tried everything natural. Drugs make me shaky or make me feel ill. I ran across Xlear nasal spray with xylitol and it opened my passages the first time I used it. I was in shock. They closed again but I continued to use Xlear and Oreganol nasal spray and SWEAR by them! They are lifesavers. I always have them around, and use them on the first hint of sinus or head issues, and I always get cleared up within a day or two.

  3. on said:

    Yes, apple cider vinegar with the mother in lukewarm water works, add some honey to taste. Take whenever symptoms return. If you need more help then add musinex to get rid of the sinus congestion. Histamine is what causes symptoms but it is not the problem, so don't take anti histamines -
    the body has a water/mineral balance and whenever something goes out of balance you get the histamine to warn you there is an imbalance in your system. It causes a lot of problems but you can fix them quick with a few things, for example, water /sea salt/ then if you need to try other electrolytes try potassium/magnesium. Read read read. Blessings , Kay

  4. on said:

    Drop the drugs and ask your pharmacist for a saline rinse - all natural, more effective and much cheaper than other meds. this has never failed me or anyone I have recommended it to.

  5. on said:

    My 5 year old has the same problem the doctor gave her Flonase and that helped and she also told us to cut down on dairy products. I pray that it helps you too.

  6. on said:

    In 2012 I bought a chemical that I used to spray around my garden. In the process of mixing the chemical I inhaled it. And from then on I developed a problem of stuffy and itchy nose and I sneeze a lot. My question is, does tea tree oil heal sinuses? Thanks.

  7. on said:

    I'm Adam from Rwanda. I am suffering from stuffy nose for quite sometime. Also my right ear gets blocked. I've tried all kinds of medicaments to no vail. I need help please. God bless you! Adam

  8. on said:

    I'm suffering from the blocked nasal passages (swollen nasal membranes). I can't sleep and fall asleep only when I'm exhausted from sleep deprivation. I have tried everything I can to fall asleep - prop myself up in a chair, steam, saline sprays, etc. but nothing works. This results in not being able to sleep for periods of 24 to 36 hours or longer on a regular basis. Afrin spray helps open the nasal passage but the side effects are worse than sleeplessness so I don't use this anymore. Any thoughts out there on what I can do to sleep with this condition? I just passed the 24 hour mark of staying awake and not able to sleep tonight.

  9. on said:

    Or drink through a straw :-)

  10. on said:

    I tried garlic capsules and they are nowhere as good as fresh garlic. Taking 2 cloves a day works best!


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