A runny nose is a very common and annoying problem. Runny nose (rhinorrhea), as the name suggests, refers to a condition when your nostrils keep on discharging a fluid. It happens due to congestion and inflammation of the linings in your nasal passages and sinuses, mostly caused by a viral infection which we know as common cold. The other causes that lead to the swelling of inner linings of nose and sinus include allergy, flu or sinus infection.
There are many over-the-counter medicines for a runny nose, but they often have unpleasant side effects like drowsiness. Simple home remedies can give you instant relief and decrease the symptoms and sometimes treat the condition. Here are some remedies for runny nose:
GINGER
Ginger has a wide range of antioxidants as well as antiviral, antitoxic, and antifungal properties that help provide quick relief from various symptoms of a runny nose. Chewing small prices of raw ginger sprinkled with salt several times a day alleviates a runny nose quickly. Ginger tea too can help you get rid of the symptoms. Learn how to make ginger tea >>
SALT WATER
Salt water is the best home remedy for alleviating the irritation that accompanies a runny nose. Mix one-half teaspoon of table salt in two cups of distilled warm water. Using a neti pot, do a sinus rinse that washes saltwater in one nostril and it comes out the other nostril. Then blow your nose to remove excess mucus and solution.
MUSTARD OIL
The warm and pungent mustard oil has been traditionally used as mucolytic. Mucolytics break up mucous and help draining out sinuses. It has anti-bacterial, anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties. Take the oil into dropper and pour 1-2 drops of mustard oil in each of your nostrils. Keep your head tilted for few seconds so that the oil gets into your nose and sinuses. After some time, you’ll feel the need to blow your nose. Gently blow your nose.
TURMERIC
Turmeric acts as antidote for many health related conditions. It contains a strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiviral properties which helps to treat a runny nose. There are 2 ways in which turmeric can be used to treat a runny nose:
Method 1: Mix ½ teaspoon of dry, ground turmeric powder with a cup of linseed oil and soak it for few minutes. Heat the mixture until it starts smoking before removing from the heat. Inhale the smoke slowly through one nostril at a time.
Method 2: Make a solution by mixing 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder with water. Drink twice a day to clear up the mucus.
BASIL
Holy Basil or Indian Tulsi contains antifungal, antiviral and antibacterial properties which help to heal the runny nose by warming your body from inside. Chew 3 – 4 fresh basil leaves early in the morning with on an empty stomach and before going to bed. Alternatively you could also drink basil tea. Here is how to make basil tea >>
STEAM
Get hot water in a bowl and add Eucalyptus oil, Camphor Spirit or Peppermint Oil to it, put your head over the bowl and put a towel over your head to inhale the steam. Just make sure you don’t touch the hot water bowl.
ADDITIONAL TIPS:
- Blow your nose gently, as often as possible, by using a soft tissue which helps to avoid skin irritation and redness.
- Drink plenty of fluids like water, fruit juices, soups, etc. which helps to flush out the fluid build up.
- Elevate your head for at least 10 inches while sleeping as this helps the nasal discharge drain out of your body.
- Eat a lot of spicy food like cayenne peppers, ginger, hot peppers, etc. which help to flush out the mucus, blockage and toxins from your body and increases the circulation.
- Runny noses can also be caused by excessively dry or cold weather. Try using a humidifier to restore some of the moisture in the air in your home. Humidify the air and warm the air to keep nasal passages comfortable. Dry cold air can insult the mucous membranes and cause rhinitis.