What can be more irritating than having a stuffy nose – when you cannot smell anything and can’t even literally breathe?
Right now, I have got the stuffiest nose ever, and honestly even blowing it out is not working at all. Most of the times, a stuffy nose is a precursor to more major issues, like having a cold or even worse getting the flu!
The main reason behind it is the fact that your nose gets stuffed not because of the mucous, but because of the fact that your nose tissues become inflamed. This inflammation, as a result, causes irritation in your sinus and blocks the nasal package, thus does not provide any relief even when you try blowing your nose.
When I was researching on how to get rid of a stuffy nose, I deduced one thing: when we fall sick, our body forms up its own protection system against the harmful bacteria. In this way, it loads extra antibiotics and enzymes in it to protect the body from the attack of the harmful factors from the outside.
As a result, the mucous increases in our nose and the tissues present in the nasal passage swell. a stuffed nose causes discomfort throughout the 24 hours of the day, and can result in causing not just common cold but sinus and even chest congestion as well.
There are also some other factors which cause the nose to get stuffed. Most of them are outside irritants like pollution and pollen or even smoke, which can cause your nose to get stuffed. Apparently, nothing seems to work on them, except for these 3 awesome home remedies which I try whenever I face this issue.
These home remedies are not just effective on getting rid of a stuffy nose but also work amazingly in case you get down with common cold or even flu.
How To Get Rid Of A Stuffy Nose Instantly
1.Decongest Your Nose with Spices
Since a stuffy nose is basically because of your mucous membranes getting all congested, you need to find an antidote to that in the form of a decongestant. This remedy is easy to prepare and involves some spices all of which are mostly present in every household at any given time of the day. How you find its taste depends entirely upon your taste buds,
How you find its taste depends entirely upon your taste buds, however the end result gives so much satisfaction that you end up doing this remedy every time your nose gets impossible stuffed.
This recipe works as both a decongestant and an expectorant as well. This means that it works on the mucus present in your nose by making it thin and releasing it out after lossening.
For this recipe you need:
Cayenne Pepper – ½ teaspoon
Organic Honey – 3 tablespoons
Ginger Powder – ½ teaspoon
Apple Cider Vinegar – ¼ cup
Lemon Juice – ¼ cup
For preparing the mixture, take a pot and pour in the lemon juice and the ACV in it. Heat the mixture on a low heat until it starts to simmer. Add in the rest of the ingredients and mix. Turn off the heat and pour it into an airtight jar. You can take up to 2 tablespoons of the mixture in a day for getting rid of the stuffy nose. Store in a cool and dry place. Shake well before use.
You can take up to 2 tablespoons of the mixture in a day for getting rid of the stuffy nose. Store in a cool and dry place. Shake well before use.
When I told a friend about this home remedy, the first question she asked was what the secret behind using these ingredients is. Well, there is no secret, it is just that these ingredients are so awesome and relieve you of your discomfort in such an awesome manner, that it has become my number 1 home remedy for getting rid of a stuffy nose.
One thing is that all of the ingredients are free from chemicals and are naturally occurring substances. Cayenne is a natural decongestant because of capsaicin, a natural element present inside of it responsible for reducing inflammation present inside your nasal passage.
Apple cider vinegar lets the mucous to get released easily when combined with lemon juice. Ginger and honey are expectorants as well which not just release all the mucous or even phlegm present in your nose, but in your lungs as well.
2. Use Homemade Saline Drops 
Yes, you can get saline drops from any drugstore, but why not make your own at home. Saline drops are very effective for making your nose normal again as they soften up the stuffy mucous present in your nose. Basically a mixture of salt dissolve in water, you have to make sure that you use only sea salt for preparing this solution. Remember, that using iodized salt is a big no no in any situation as you don’t want iodine going into your nose. The saline drops are not to be used on kids under the age of 5.
How does a saline solution work – you may ask. Basically this remedy follows the rule of osmosis. Due to a higher concentration of salt in it, the solution easily passes through the inflamed membranes causing the mucous to loosen up. it helps you in breathing
it helps you in breathing properly, and even helps in getting rid of the germs which might be residing inside your nose. If we talk in scientific terms, a saline solution is hypertonic, meaning it has a higher concentration of salt as compared to the level already present inside of your body. This is why, saline drops should not be administered on smaller children.
For preparing this solution you need a teaspoon of sea salt, half teaspoon of baking soda and a cup of water. You should have a sterile glass jar as well as a dropper with you as well.
For sterilizing the jar, put it in boiling water for 15 minutes.
You can use either distilled or tap water for preparing this solution. If you are using distilled water, you can always heat it up in your microwave, as the water has to be warm enough to dissolve salt. In case you are using tap water, boil it for a few minutes and then pour it into the jar.
Add in the salt in the jar and mix thoroughly. You can also add some baking soda to the solution, but it is totally optional. Make sure that you mix everything properly before putting the drops in your nose.
Now take the dropper and a few drops of the saline mixture into your nostrils. Shake the jar every time before using the solution, so that no salt and/or baking soda are left behind.
The best way of putting the saline solution in your nose is to blow your nose beforehand. This makes sure that no mucous gets stuck to the dropper and makes it unfit for further use. Lie down on your bed, but not on the pillow. If possible, lower down your head’s elevation than the rest of your body, so that the solution reaches till the back of your nose completely. Add a few drops in each of your
Add a few drops in each of your nostril and remain in the same position for a few minutes, so that the saline solution passes through your complete nasal passage. Once you are done, blow your nose completely.
Repeat twice a day. Make sure to wash the dropper after every use.
Its extended use, especially when you have got the allergies, is not recommended.
For further effectiveness, warm up the solution a little bit before putting the drops in your nose. There are also many empty bottles of nasal sprays available in the markets as well. You can always purchase one for easy storing of the saline solution and administration.
How To Get Rid Of A Stuffy Nose Fast Without Medicine
3. Take a Hot Shower
A hot shower can really make things easy for you for a while. The best way to do it is to run the hot water 5 minutes earlier and let the steam build up in the bathroom. Get into the water and lie down in there for 15 to 20 minutes. You will feel the mucous loosening up after a while. Blow your nose afterwards and you will feel the irritation and discomfort going away. While, a hot shower may not be a permanent solution to your stuffy nose issues, yet it is extremely effective when combined with the other two remedies. make sure that you close the bathroom’s door properly and also stop any outside air from reaching inside as well as otherwise the steam will escape quickly.
Alternately, you can also take steam by adding some essential oil i
n the water for getting rid of a stuffy nose.
Alternately, if you cannot take a hot shower for whatever reasons, you can take steam as well. Boil some water and pour it into a bowl. Add in a few drops of some essential oil or even menthol in it. Cover your head with a huge towel and breathe in the steam. It will cause the nasal tissues to thin down. After a while, you will also feel the mucous loosening up, and you will find your breathing issues becoming easier.
