Home Remedies for Post Nasal Drip

Post nasal drip is also known as rhinitis. It is a condition that affects the mucus membranes that occur around the nasal passage. At such a time, these membranes are inflamed, as mucus is produced in excess amounts and collects behind the nose and throat. This can cause a lot of irritation, a runny nose, breathing difficulty, a scratchy throat, cough and one of its effects is even bad breath. Usually, post nasal drip occurs when one suffers from sinusitis due to changes in the weather. Most often, it is allergies that are responsible for this condition. Fortunately, there are several home remedies for post nasal drip, that will help you get rid of this annoying condition, without having to bear the side effects of over the counter medication. Some of these remedies have been mentioned here.

Simple Home Remedies

• Peppermint Steam: Using the steaming process to clear out the nose has been an age-old remedy. Boil a large pot of water, and put a few drops of peppermint oil in it. Use a towel to cover your head, and bend over the large pot to inhale the steam. Be careful and don't burn yourself. Continue the process until the water cools down and the steam wears out, and till you feel that your nasal passages are comparatively clear. Follow this remedy twice a day, and you will find that your post nasal drip has vanished.
• Fluids: Drinking lots of water is the best remedy for a host of sinus conditions. When suffering from post nasal drip, drink warm water. Herbal tea is a great way of clearing out a blocked sinus. Clear chicken or vegetable soup with lots of black pepper is also effective. Also add to it chili, turmeric and ginger for their anti-inflammatory properties.
• Salt Water Gargle: Gargling with salt water is by far the simplest, and most effective remedies for this condition. Heat a glass of water and add half a teaspoon of salt into it. Gargle with this concoction as many times a day as you can for quick relief.
• Honey and Ginger: Take 2 teaspoons of honey, and add a few drops of ginger juice in it. Also sprinkle some black pepper in it. Heat this mixture well, and consume it. This is a great remedy for an irritated throat caused by post nasal drip.
• Clear Your Nose: If you have a runny nose, instead of sniffing constantly, clear it out. Blow your nose till you feel that your nasal passages have opened up. This will prevent the post nasal drip from going back down your throat when you lie down, along with the irritation caused by this condition.
• Baking Soda Nasal Spray: Make a natural nasal spray, by mixing one teaspoon baking soda in one pint warm water. Use a rubber bulb syringe to spray this mixture in your nose. As soon as you spray this mixture, blow your nose. This mixture moistens the mucus collection in the nose and enables easy removal. You can also substitute salt for baking soda in this solution.
• Lemon: Lemon has healing qualities, and consuming a drink prepared from lemon juice is one of the best ways to stop post nasal drip. Simply add a little lemon juice in a glass of warm water and sip on it for relief. You may add a teaspoon of honey if you wish to enhance the flavor of the drink.

More Helpful Tips

• Avoid eating deep-fried foods, as oil can irritate the throat further and aggravate your condition.
• Health experts believe that keeping milk and other dairy products away for a while has been known to enhance the effectiveness home remedies given above.
• Using a humidifier to moisten the air keeps the mucus membranes clear, and prevents the development of post nasal drip.
• Avoid eating extremely spicy foods as they will worsen your condition.

Not all the remedies mentioned here are effective for everyone. While one remedy may be suitable for one person, another may be more helpful for someone else. You will have to experiment and find out which of these home remedies suit you, and use it to treat the problem every time you are afflicted with it.

Disclaimer: This Buzzle article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.