Remedies for Decongestion

Many aches and pains come along with the common cold or flu. One of the worst ones is feeling so congested that you cannot breathe. There are steps you can take to help relieve some of your discomfort.

Nasal Spray

• Saline nasal spray is easy to make at home. Take 1 cup of warm water and add 1/2 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. baking soda. Take a baby bulb syringe and spray the mixture into your nose a few times on each side. Blow your nose. If you do not want to make this concoction, buy an over-the-counter saline nasal spray. Spray 1 to 2 times in each nostril and blow your nose. This will help break up the mucus. You can also try using Afrin, a popular nasal spray. However, only use this product for 3 days. Longer usage may cause an adverse reaction. You can also become dependent on the spray.

Steam

• A hot steamy shower is a great way to get the mucus moving and relieve congestion. Either take a hot shower or sit in the bathroom while the steam is building up. Add a bit of eucalyptus oil to the shower for a menthol smell. This will help open nasal passages.

  Try sleeping with a humidifier. The steam from this will add moisture to the air thus helping add moisture to your nasal passages and breaking up mucus.

Spices

• Add spice to your food and you will open the congested nasal passages. If you can, eat a hot pepper. This will instantly relieve your stuffy nose. You can also top whatever you are eating with red pepper flakes. If that does not appeal to you, try cinnamon instead. Take 2 cups of water and 1 small cinnamon stick. Put that in a pot and bring to a boil. Let it boil for 3 minutes and remove from the stove. Add 2 tsp. lemon juice, 1 1/2 tbsp. dark honey and 2 tbsp. whiskey. After stirring, cover and let it sit for 20 minutes. Drink 1/2 cup every 3 to 5 hours. This will help break up the congestion. Do not give this mixture to children.