By 10 Ways to Improve a Runny Nose Without Medicine| 5 Minute Read
No matter the season, you may be one of many people prone to sinus infections and other respiratory conditions. At the first sneeze, cough, or tickle in the throat, you know what comes next. Soon, you will probably notice the endless drip from a runny nose.
While you want your nose to dissipate excess mucus and embedded microbes, the constant stream presents its own problems. Are you plagued by whining and a swollen nose that makes you feel terrible? There is hope for what ails you.
10 ways to relieve a runny nose naturally
Before reaching into the medicine cabinet, why not try a natural remedy first? Most of these are things you probably already have around your house. If you are struggling with a runny nose, dry cough, and sore throat, here are some home remedies to consider.
1. Blow your nose
Not only do you need to blow your nose frequently, but you also need to do it correctly. Avoid placing the tissue over your nose and forcing a strong blow. It can result in a severe infection because undue pressure can force air and germ-laden mucus into your ear canals. Get it right by pressing your finger against one nostril, blow gently to clear the other nostril, then switch.
2. Drink hot beverages
If you have a cold, flu, or seasonal sinus problem that gives you excess mucus, it is essential to stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of cool, refreshing water can boost your immune system and can thin the massive buildup of mucus in your airways, helping to clear a runny nose. You can also consider low-sugar sports drinks to replenish your electrolytes.
When you’ve been inhaling, don’t forget the benefits of drinking hot liquids. Soothe a sore throat, sore sinuses, and runny nose with herbal tea, coffee, or homemade chicken broth. Not only does the warm liquid comfort you, but the rising steam can help relieve blocked nasal passages that cause a runny nose.
3. Go to the shower
When you consume hot liquids, you quickly realize that steam can be your best friend when you have a cold. Similarly, taking a warm shower can build up beneficial steam to help open up clogged nasal passages so you can breathe better. Do not use water that is too hot because it can irritate or damage your skin.
If you want to increase the power of your warm shower, try adding a shower tablet with essential oils like eucalyptus or peppermint. These essential oils are powerful natural decongestants that can relieve a runny nose. As you relax in the comforting steam, the tablet will melt and infuse the air with healing vapors.
4. Gargle to eliminate sneezing
Your ears, nose, and throat are so intricately related that a simple case of a cold can cause problems in every area. Have you ever noticed that telltale tickle in your throat that alerts you that a cold or sinus problem is on the way? In the process, your ears may pop and feel itchy or stuffy.
Don’t wait until you have the inevitable runny nose to try this effective natural remedy. When you have postnasal drip, the constant drainage can swell your throat and make you cough. Gargling with one of these options can ease a sore throat and can help relieve colds:
· Gargle with salt: For thousands of years, salt has been revered for its many healing benefits. To gargle with salt effectively, dissolve half a teaspoon of fine sea salt in a glass of warm water, gargle, and then rinse your mouth. Repeat these steps three to four times a day to relieve symptoms.
· Honey-Lemon: Both honey and lemon juice have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Take advantage of its natural benefits by mixing a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice and a teaspoon of honey in two cups of hot water. You will do enough to gargle at least three to four times a day until the cold subsides.
5. Pamper your nose
Because it plays such an essential role in breathing and the sense of smell, the nose is often underestimated. You may not pay much attention to it until you start sucking on a runny nose. It will usually be swollen, red, and irritated from the constant murmur and the use of scraped tissues.
When these dreaded symptoms appear, be kind to your nose and pamper it with a calming herbal balm. Use an ointment with menthol essential or eucalyptus oil to soothe inflamed skin at the base of your nostrils, but don’t put it inside your nose. The vapors from this ointment can also help to unplug blocked sinuses so you can breathe easier.
Bandanas may have been a status symbol in the past, but we know better today. Blowing your nose on a cloth and reusing it will re-deposit germs, so save the tissues for disguise. Instead, use soft tissues and wash your hands every time you need to blow your nose.
6. Relieve sore sinuses with heat or cold
Sometimes inflamed or infected sinuses are to blame for a runny nose. When the delicate lining of the sinuses becomes irritated and swollen, it blocks the normal flow of mucus and traps germs. You can often experience excruciating sinus pain around your eyes, forehead, and cheeks.
A natural remedy to relieve painful sinus pressure is to use a hot or cold compress. You can buy them or try a homemade variety. Sometimes you can alternate between hot and cold to relieve pain and reduce swelling so that your sinuses drain properly.
7. Support yourself with an extra pillow
When you feel miserable with sinus congestion and runny nose, rest may be one of the best things for you. However, coughing and blowing your nose can keep you awake at night, making symptoms and fatigue worse. The way you sleep can be an answer to ease your problems.
If you haven’t already, consider sleeping with two pillows. With your head slightly elevated, you can breathe easier and allow adequate sinus drainage. You can achieve the same effect by placing a foam wedge between the mattress and the box springs.
8. Try a Neti pot
Although nasal irrigation It has been used for centuries, it has not received much attention in the medical community until recently. A Neti pot uses a warm salt water solution to rinse the nasal cavities of excess mucus and microbes.
Neti pots are usually made of rubber and look like small kettles. Pour the warm saline solution into the pot and use the spout to gently rinse each nostril. You can easily find a low-cost Neti pot at your local pharmacy or online.
9. Raise the temperature
Are you a fan of hot and spicy spices found in kitchens around the world? When you are looking for a spicy dish that is topped with hot peppers or hot spices, your whole body notices it. Your eyes may water and you may feel your sinuses open and drain in response to the heat.
The next time your nose is stuffy and the drip won’t stop, try eating something with hot peppers, cayenne pepper, or other hot spices that you enjoy. These ingredients contain capsaicin, a natural compound responsible for heat that can open up the sinuses so that you can feel better.
10. Increase your vitamins
Turns out your mother was right when she urged you to get enough vitamin C to protect yourself from colds and the flu. Countless scientific studies show the effectiveness of vitamin C in helping to prevent these problems. Vitamin A and vitamin E can also help strengthen your immune system.
Other nutrients that can help relieve your cold include zinc, probiotic foodsand protein. While dairy products provide calcium and vitamin D for healthy bones and teeth, avoid them when you have sinus problems. Consuming dairy products can thicken mucus and make symptoms worse.
Final thoughts on how to improve a runny nose
These natural remedies have been used for years to alleviate symptoms related to sinus blockage and postnasal drip. If you have asthma or another chronic breathing disorder, talk to your GP before trying any home remedies. If you notice your symptoms worsening, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
What can be more irritating than sobbing during the day with a blocked sinus and a runny nose? Natural remedies may be the answer to prevent the condition or at least minimizing your symptoms. You can feel better without spending a fortune on over-the-counter treatments or prescription drugs.
