Home Remedies for Stuffy Nose

Before we read about the home remedies, let us first understand what exactly is a stuffy nose. All of us have at one time or the other suffered from a stuffed nose and have often just neglected it thinking it was cold or something similar. However, a stuffed nose is not cold, but a result of similar diseases/infections. It is a symptom of these infections. Clinically, a stuffed nose is known as nasal congestion and this happens when the nasal passages swell due to blood vessels that are inflamed. The membranes that line the nose actually swell. Nasal congestion is also known as nasal obstruction, stuffy nose, stuffed up nose, blocked nose and nasal blockage. This condition is not that serious in older children and in adults but in infants it can be, at times, life-threatening. While infants should be taken for consultation with a doctor immediately, adults and older children can resort to these home remedies.

A stuffy nose can be caused due to a lot of problems such as influenza and common cold. Allergies that arise from dust, smoke and pollen can also give rise to a stuffy nose.

Useful Home Remedies for Stuffy Nose

The Steam
Steam is one of the best natural remedies for stuffy nose. There are many ways in which you can take steam and help clear the nasal passage. For example, you can bend over a vessel that contains hot water and inhale the steam coming out of it by bending over it. Another way is to have a steam bath, which is also said to work well as it also relaxes your body. If you want it to be more effective, you can add ginger and mint leaves to the water. While inhaling the steam coming from the vessel, you can cover yourself and the vessel with a cloth for more results.

The Food
The easiest answer to how to clear a stuffy nose is to have spicy food. We all know that consumption of spicy food suddenly gets our nose and eyes to water. It is this formula that we have to apply here as a stuffy nose remedy. It is also said that intake of Vitamin C through foods can also help as it reduces the high histamine levels (histamine is a protein) which are related to a stuffy nose. It is said that approximately 1000 mg thrice a day should do the trick.

The Pot
This is another option if you want to know how to get rid of stuffy nose fast. We all know what the neti pot is, isn't it? A neti pot is basically a pot that has a long spout. You need to fill this pot with some neti pot solution or some warm liquid. After having done that, breathe the vapor through one nostril at a time, and you will see the results almost instantly. A neti pot is used very extensively in the eastern countries for clearing nasal blockage. This is considered one of the most effective stuffy nose cures throughout the world.

The Teas
Most of the teas are said to be very effective home remedies for stuffy nose. Ginger tea and herbal tea are very famous for helping clear the blocked nose. The ginger root is an expectorant, appetizer, stimulant and thermogenic. These are the very properties that help in treating common cold, cough and nasal blockage. In China, people are said to use ginger to cure these problems from as long as 2,500 years. Having heard that, ginger tea is surely one of the best natural remedies for stuffy nose and cough, isn't it?

Now that you know these home remedies for stuffy nose, stuffy nose cure sure is going to be easier than before, isn't it? Remember that home remedies are really effective in treating nasal congestion and problems like cough. If you have just started experiencing a stuffy nose, it is always recommended to try to resort to one of the natural stuffy nose remedies than immediately taking some medicines. Even doctors recommend these at most times. However, if the congestion is too much and is affecting your breathing a lot, consult a doctor immediately.