Having a stuffy nose can be irritating, and it can also make it difficult to breathe, which can be dangerous. People who suffer from sinusitis and allergies understand how frustrating this can be. Thankfully, natural anti-decongestant exists, and they are not expensive at all.
If you don’t want to take over-the-counter medicines for congestion, these are great alternatives.
Hot Tea
It’s always a good idea to drink hot tea for a cold.
Hot tea can be especially good for clearing up congestion, especially teas with peppermint, echinacea, rosemary, thyme, or ginger.
These herbs have anti-inflammatory properties, which will help relieve congestion by reducing swelling in the mucous membranes in your respiratory system.
Hydration
What to do when you feel a cold coming on? Most people will probably increase their water intake, which is highly recommended.Â
Try to avoid sugary drinks, but almost any liquids can help with congestion.
Drinks such as water, an electrolyte-fueled sports drink, or tea can all help with hydration while keeping your throat moist and help to thin the mucus that’s building up in your sinuses.
Apple Cider Vinegar for Homeopathic Congestion Relief
Mix two to three tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in with hot tea to help thin out mucus and relieve pressure in the sinuses.
The pH levels of apple cider vinegar help break up mucus, while the antibacterial properties of apple cider vinegar help to prevent infection.
Steam
Just a bowl of hot water and a dry towel used to create a natural steam bubble, as in the picture shown above, could help clear out the nasal passages.
Similarly, a hot shower in a closed-off bathroom, a sauna, or a humidifier could have comparable effects. A little steam can go a long way.
And how long should you breathe in steam? Just make sure that it will not be longer than 10 to 15 minutes. Nevertheless, you can do it three times a day.
Neti Pot
Irrigating the nasal passages with a saline solution can clear out mucus and keep it from coming back. Dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in a half cup of lukewarm water, and put the mixture into a neti pot. If you don’t have a neti pot, a squeeze bottle with a small top will work perfectly.
Tilt your head, pour through one nostril, and let the water drain out of the other. This should soothe your nasal passages while ridding them of bacteria.
Spicy Foods is a Great Natural Anti-Decongestant
Spices like cayenne pepper and turmeric can help to clear out the sinuses as well. Eating spicy foods can loosen up compacted mucus in your nasal cavities.
Most spices are high in anti-inflammatory properties, which not only help loosen and drain the sinuses but also help to reduce swelling in the mucous membranes in your sinuses.
Soup
The steam that comes from a hot serving of soup can help clear the sinuses, too. Most soups are chock-full of healthy ingredients with antioxidants, which will help you fight whatever is causing your congestion as well as provide you with the nutrients to get through your day.
There is a reason that mom’s chicken noodle soup was even better when you were sick — it was curing you on multiple levels.
You can also cook soup with lots of ginger. It’s good to consume ginger for sore throat and cough.
Takeaway
Having congestion and flu is not an easy thing to deal with. But with the help of natural herbs for cold and flu, it will save us from the side effects of over-the-counter medicines. Apart from that, we can be sure that any natural anti-decongestant is definitely safe to take.
[Source: Food.NTDV.com, Healthline, Livestrong, Livestrong, WebMD ]