Nasal and sinus congestion is an uncomfortable consequence of a cold, flu or allergy that unfortunately occurs frequently. This is why it is better trying out some of the many home remedies for congestion to treat the condition, instead of running to your doctor with every attack.
Vaporizers provide relief from congestion, especially if additives like vinegar or menthol salve is added to the water.
In case of small children, vaporizers with cool water help relieve congestion, without the risk of any steam burns. If you don’t have a vaporizer, just breathe over a container of boiling water to which some herbs or vinegar is added.
Home remedies for congestion of the nasal cavity involves the consumption of spicy foods like chicken soup with lots of black pepper, which helps open sinus passages. You can also experience relief by eating Indian, Chinese or Mexican dishes with hot peppers.
The physical manipulation of the nasal area also helps provide relief from nasal congestion. Just place hot and moist compresses under the eyes and over the nose to encourage the drainage of sinus.
You could also try pressing your tongue against your mouth roof, and alternatively pressing at a point between your eyes. This helps in shifting a facial bone in the sinus region, which in turn facilitates better drainage of congestion.
Saline spray is one of the most popular home remedies for congestion. Instead of buying it, you can prepare one at home. You just have to boil table salt and baking soda in a pan of water, and store the contents in a sanitized bottle. Using a rubber nasal syringe or dropper, apply a few drops of saline into the nasal passage for relief.
Instead of drinking plain hot tea for relief from chest congestion, add one or two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar to hot tea before drinking it. Apple cider vinegar relaxes the lungs, and reduces the pain associated with chest congestion.
Try putting two teaspoons of bee balm in hot water and let the mixture sit for four minutes before drinking it. This should be repeated thrice a day wherein the antiseptic properties of bee balm helps alleviate sinus pressure.
If you can tolerate hot spices, home remedies for congestion suggests gargling a mixture of a cup of water with a teaspoon of cayenne pepper. The pepper’s heat draws blood to the throat, and helps ease congestion.
Try slicing two onions thinly and sautéing them in two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil with a teaspoon of curry powder and adding it to your food. The sulfur and querectin in onion breaks up phlegm while curry powder gives the throat heat to ease congestion. Even adding parsley to food helps alleviate congestion pain as parsley helps release the body’s histamines.
So the next time you suffer from nasal or chest congestion, don’t run to your doctor. First try these home remedies for congestion and if it is only if you don’t find any improvement should you consult your doctor.
