How To Unstuff Your Nose Naturally

Who hasn’t had a stuffy nose? Most of the time it’s nothing to worry about, but that doesn’t help the annoyance factor. A stuffy nose can keep you from sleeping, socializing, concentrating and enjoying food. You can always try an OTC decongestant, but before you do -- consider these natural remedies for temporary relief.

Spice Your Meals

Hot spices create a reflex response that makes your nose runny; results are immediate. The running removes irritants that may be causing the stuffiness, and also helps break up congestion.

Unclog With Steam Breathing in steam is the easiest way to cut down the mucus you produce and compress congestion. You can take a warm shower or sip a cup of hot liquid like tea or soup. Or place a warm wet towel on the upper half of your face. Then, rest on your back for three to five minutes. Try to do this two to three times a day.

Go For Zinc Studies have shown taking 50 mg of zinc supplements a day helps to improve congested sinuses.

Sniff An Onion Or Garlic This method works the same way as using a menthol spray. By sniffing an onion or a clove of garlic, your nasal passage is irritated and then constricted, easing congestion.

Create A Homemade Saline Spray These sprays can be used indefinitely because you’re not “forcing” your congestion to go away in the same way as OTC decongestants. Instead, a saline spray offers relief by moistening the membranes in your nose. To make the solution mix ¼ teaspoon of baking soda, ¼ teaspoon of table salt and 8 ounces of water into a nose dropper. Use the solution as often as necessary.

Opt For Aromatherapy Add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to your humidifier, diffuser or vaporizer. For best results, fill your device with distilled water.