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A stuffy nose is sure a pain. You are unable to sleep at night, you are unable to smell or eat properly and it sure is a menace.
A stuffy nose usually happens with cold, but can also be caused due to some other kind of allergy, blockage due to external materials, or even if the nasal passage has some other kind of obstruction.
Over-the-counter medicines hardly provide respite and with kids, you cannot be given these chemical-based vapor rubs, as they are known for causing respiratory problems. But with these home remedies, stuffy noses can be treated in a jiffy and they are safe too.
1. Nasal Drops
Though nasal drops are easily available over the counter, you can make yours at home, which is much cheaper and also effective. Moreover, it is also very safe for children [1].
Ingredients Needed
For making this, you will need about a teaspoon of regular salt and a cup of warm water, which should be either purified or distilled. Not from the tap.
How To Make
Take about a teaspoon of regular salt and add it to a cup of warm water. Make sure that the salt is mixed well. Then use a dropper to put this liquid into the nostril. While doing so, make sure that the head is tilted so that the liquid penetrates deep.
Repeat on the other nostril. If possible do this after blowing the nose for clearing the passage completely.
2. Steam Or Shower
A quick bath or shower is always refreshing even if you have a cold or a cough. With smaller kids too doctors suggested sitting in a bath or shower for taking out the congestion.
As the steam goes into the nasal passage, the mucus clears along with any other external obstruction [2].
Ingredients Needed
You can use your bathroom for the steam. But a commercial steamer also makes do. Make sure you read instructions on those.
How To Use
Simply switch on the shower or fill the bathtub. Close the door so that you can inhale the steam well. For better results, use the essential oils of your choice. You can also use a commercial steamer for this remedy.
3. Cold Humidifier
For those who have kids younger than two years, a cold humidifier is highly recommended [3].
Ingredients Needed
A cold humidifier. A cold humidifier is available commercially and is safe for the younger kids as it clears nasal passage, without the risks of a hot steamer.
How To Use
You can use a cold steamer in the house or simply fill a bucket of water and keep it in the room. Switch on the fan at low speed and let the humidity fill the room. If living in colder and arid areas, but the water in front of the blower. Else switch on the cold humidifier and inhale the vapor.
4. Ginger Tea
For adults, there is nothing quite like ginger for treating different kinds of nose and throat ailments. This works because as you swallow warm tea, heat is generated and this helps in clearing the nasal passage [4].
Ingredients Needed
You will need a cube of ginger, along with some honey and hot water. Regular tea can also be added to the same.
How to Make
Take a cube of ginger and grate it well into the regular tea you have. If you want, you can also make your ginger and honey tea. Take a cup of water and add a one-inch grated piece of ginger to it, along with a spoon of honey. Drink it warm for best results.
5. Fenugreek
This is another good remedy to clear off the blockage in nasal congestion. Fenugreek is natural and will not cause any side effects [5].
Ingredients Needed
It is easily available in homes and you can take either the fresh or dried form. You will need a spoon of dried or about a cup of fresh fenugreek.
How To Use Fenugreek
Take about a spoon of fenugreek seeds and soak them in some water. Bring it to a boil and then strain and drink it while warm. It helps in gradual but complete cleaning of the nasal passage. For fresh fenugreek,
Also Read:
- How to prevent winter cold with home remedies
- Effective home remedies for cough and phlegm
- Cure whooping cough home remedy
6. Chicken Soup
Doctors swear by the relieving properties of chicken soup during cold and flu. It has ingredients that help in combating viral infection and provide immediate relief. You can also use other hot fluids or soups [6].
Ingredients Needed
You will need some chicken along with herbs like basil, sage, ginger and garlic, and hot water.
How To Make
Boil some chicken along with herbs like basil, sage, ginger, and garlic. Boil well and strain the liquid for a clear soup or use a blender for making a thick one. Drink it hot to provide relief to the nasal passage. As you drink the thick soup, it helps in clearing the nasal passage and blocked and stuffy nose.
7. Eucalyptus Oil
Amongst all the other oils available, this one provides instant results. It is safer than most over-the-counter rubs but should be used with caution as it may burn the skin if used directly [7].
Ingredients Needed
A few drops of eucalyptus oil.
How To Use
Simply put a few drops of oil in the steamer or your bath and let the smell go into the nasal passage to clear it. For younger children, you can simply put a few drops on the side of their pillow or the bed so that they breathe in the strong fragrance, which helps in clearing the nose.
8. Mustard And Garlic Oil
Ingredients Needed
You will need some mustard oil along with grated garlic.
This is a remedy that both adults and infants can use because it is relatively safe and provides instant results. Both the ingredients have healing properties that help in making the mucus thinner and thus provide relief from a blocked nose [8].
How To Make
Heat some mustard oil along with grated garlic, till the garlic burns. Cool it down to a bearable temperature and then rub gently on the back, chest, and feet. Pull-on socks to help retain the heat. Wipe with a clean cloth after a while.
9. Carom Seeds
Like mustard, carom seeds to are known for their properties to fight infection and provide inherent heating. They are easily available and can be used for both adults and kids. Also known as ajwain, it is a great way of treating stuffed nose issues [9].
Ingredients Needed
You will need about a couple of spoons of carom seeds.
How To Use
The seeds need to be heated gently in a pan or microwave. Then take it in a clean cloth, preferably muslin. Keep it near the nose so that the smell is inhaled well. Repeat as needed.
10. Tomatoes With Pepper And Butter
This is another quick way to inhale the goodness of tomatoes, pepper along with garlic. It may take a bit of time to make but it sure works. You can consume this to get healthy benefits [10]
Ingredients Needed
2 large tomatoes along with some garlic and hot water.
How To Prepare
- Crush about 2 large tomatoes and boil them in a glass of water.
- After 20 minutes or so, add some butter, garlic paste, and black pepper.
- Mix it well and consume it warm to get relief from stuffy nose issues.
