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Natural Treatment for Nasal Congestion

When the delicate tissue within your sinuses becomes swollen for any reason (infection, colds, allergies), this congestion can make it difficult to breathe. There are many types of medications available over the counter and by prescription to alleviate congestion--some of which have dangerous or unwanted side effects. By using home remedies to treat congestion, however, you can treat nasal congestion safely and inexpensively.

  1. Neti Pots

    • Neti pots are small vessels that are filled with a solution and used to irrigate the sinuses. Fill the neti pot with salt water and place the pot in one nostril. Tilt your head toward the side that does not have the neti pot and pour the solution into your sinuses. The salt water will flush your sinuses and shrink them down, and will flow out your other nostril. If you do not have a neti pot, you can simply snort salt water from a cupped hand for the same effect.

    Saline Spray

    • Saline nasal spray is natural and can be purchased at any drugstore or supermarket. The salt spray works much like the salt solution in a neti pot, but rather than flushing the sinuses out with a large volume of water, the saline spray simply loosens congestion enough so that blowing your nose becomes easier and congestion is relieved. Saline spray also will clear your sinuses of any foreign matter like dust or pollen that may be contributing to congestion.

    Steam

    • Placing your face over a bowl of steaming water will loosen sinus congestion. To enhance this effect, put a teaspoon of eucalyptus oil (or even a spoonful of vapor rub) in the hot water. Make sure the water is not hot enough to burn you. Placing a towel over your head and the bowl will concentrate the steam and make it work more effectively.

    Hot Liquids

    • Drinking warm fluids can help loosen congestion. Hot tea or chicken soup are known as remedies for the common cold partly because these two warm remedies help to loosen congestion. Drinking liquids also will help you stay hydrated, which will even further alleviate the congestion.

    Avoid Irritants

    • Things like pollen, dust and mold can bring on congestion or make it worse. Also, drinking milk can worsen congestion, particularly if you have a sensitivity or allergy to milk. In cases of chronic congestion, avoiding milk for several weeks may bring improvement.

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