Stuffy nose, also called nasal congestion, occurs due to a build up of mucus, swelling in the nose, sinusitis or even through certain allergic substances. It is caused due to inflammation in the inner membranes of nostrils. Stuffy nose can cause serious problems if left unnoticed, such as restlessness, ear infection, as well as sinus problems. The problem of a stuffy nose can easily be treated by natural homemade remedies, which are mostly found in our kitchen and used in our day-to-day lives.

Causes

Sinusitis
Hay fever
Flu
Allergies
Environmental irritants
Certain chemicals
Non-cancerous growths in the nasal lining or nasal polyps
Non-cancerous tumours
A deviated septum

Symptoms

A blocked nose
Difficulty in breathing
Sneezing
Sinus pain
Build up of mucus in the nasal passage
Swelling of nasal tissues, and even eyes
Home Remedies for Stuffy Nose

Here are some natural remedies for nose, which you can easily try at home to treat stuffy nose.

1. Inhale Steam

Inhaling steam is the best cure for stuffy nose. Crush 1 tablespoon of carom seeds (ajwain) in boiling water. Now, inhale the steam of this water at least 2-3 times a day. You can also add a few drops of peppermint oil or some Vicks VapoRub in boiling water and inhale its steam.

2. Garlic

Eat fresh garlic cloves to get a quick relieve in stuffy nose. It is one of the best effective remedies to cure a stuffy nose. You can also prepare a garlic soup by crushing 2-3 garlic cloves and adding them in a cup of boiling water. Have this soup.

3. Saline Solution

Saline solution helps a lot to clear a stuffy nose. Mix a teaspoon of table salt in 2 cups of warm water and mix it well. Now, pour this solution in your nostrils with the help of a dropper. It will give you an instant relief from nasal congestion. You can also do this with the help of a neti pot.

4. Apple Cider Vinegar

Drink a solution of apple cider vinegar and water to stop a stuffy nose. Add 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and a tbsp of honey to 1 cup of warm water. Drink it. It is a good way to treat a blocked nose.

5. Basil

Chew 3-4 basil leaves before having breakfast and before going to bed at night. You can also make  tea of basil leaves. It will work wonders to cure a stuffy nose.

6. Ginger

Consume ginger tea in order to get relief from a stuffy nose. For better results, add honey and lemon to your ginger tea.Else, grate  fresh ginger. Have it with a glass of lukewarm water. This is an effective remedy to fix a stuffy nose.

7. Honey

Consume 2 teaspoons of pure honey mixed in a glass of lukewarm water every day, until you get relief from stuffy nose.

8. Eucalyptus Oil

Eucalyptus oil is one of the most effective home remedies to relieve a stuffy nose. Pour a few drops of eucalyptus essential oil on a handkerchief or on a small piece of cloth and inhale its fragrance. You can also pour some on your pillow in order to get the benefit even when you are asleep.

9. Lemon

Mix 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and ¼ teaspoon of black pepper powder with a little bit of salt. Apply this mixture to get an effective relief from stuffy nose.

10. Tomato Juice

Drink a glass of hot tomato juice in order to get rid of a stuffy nose. Add a tablespoon of chopped garlic, a tablespoon of hot sauce, a tablespoon of lime juice with a pinch of celery salt to a cup of boiling tomato juice. Sip on it at least 2 times a day.


11. Mustard Oil

Put 2-3 drops of mustard oil in your nostrils to get a quick relief from blocked nose.

12. Fenugreek (Methi)

Boil some fenugreek seeds in a glass of water, and drink it when it is warm. Drink this solution at least 2-3 times a day for quick results. This is a good home remedy to unclog a stuffy nose.

13. Spicy Food

Increase your intake of spicy foods while you are suffering from stuffy nose. Include lots of red chillies, onions, ginger and garlic to your food. It will facilitate the easier flow of mucus from nasal passages, thereby relieving you from blocked nose.

14. Herbal Tea

Herbs, like chamomile, thyme, peppermint, rosemary leaves or blackberry are great remedies for treating a stuffy nose. You can make tea of these herbs and drink it on a regular basis till you get relief from blocked nose.

15. Warm Compress

This is one of the best home remedies for stuffy nose and head. Placing a warm compress over your nose will give you an instant relief from the problem of a stuffy nose, especially if you have chronic sinusitis.

16. Hot Soups

Hot chicken soup is a best remedy for stuffy nose as it effectively heals the cold symptoms while giving relief from nasal congestion.  You can also drink vegetable soups to get healed up quickly.

17. Hot Shower

Stand under a hot shower till there is an adequate build up of hot steam. Inhale this steam in order to let the mucus easily flow out form the nasal lining.

18. Vinegar

Boil some vinegar and inhale its steam. This really helps a stuffy nose. You will get an instant relief and notice a difference in no time from the problem of a blocked nose.

19. Pepper

Pepper is a great remedy to cure a stuffy nose. Put a teaspoon of black pepper along with a tablespoon of honey in a cup. Fill it with boiling water and let it steep for about 15 minutes. Now, stir it well. Drink this mixture to relieve from a stuffy nose.

20. Stay Hydrated

Drink lots of water while you are suffering from a stuffy nose. It will help to unstuff a stuffy nose and give a lot of relief from nasal congestion.

21. Vicks VapoRub

Rub a small quantity of Vicks VapoRub onto the chest and around your nostrils. It will ease congestion by opening up the nasal passage.

22. Fruit Juices

To ease stuffy nose, drink fruit juices. For effective results, pour a few drops of oregano oil in the juice.

23. Onion

Peel off and cut an onion. Smell it for 4-5 minutes. It will clear your nose, giving you relief from nasal congestion.

Homeopathic Remedies for Stuffy Nose

Here are some homeopathic remedies for stuffy nose. But, before using any of them, check your symptoms.

1. Allium cepa 30 : This remedy can be taken when there is a lot of mucus discharge from nose along with watery eyes and painful cough.

2. Belladonna 30 : When there is blood-stained discharge from the nose along with an acute headache, this remedy is helpful.

3. Gelsemium 30 : This remedy is very useful when stuffy nose is accompanied with symptoms, like dizziness, fever, headache and body ache.

4. Nux vomica 30 : This remedy should be taken when there is running nose during the daytime while it gets stuffy at night, especially in dry weather.

5. Arsenic 30 : When there is less acidic mucus discharge indoors while heavy outdoors, arsenic 30 is recommended.

Other homeopathic remedies that can be taken for curing a heavily stuffed nose are Natrum mur 30, Euphrasia 30, Mercurius sol 30, and Pulsatilla 30.


Preventive Measures to Avoid Stuffy Nose

The following tips will help you to prevent stuffy nose.

Use saline drops to keep the nasal passage moist.
Use cool mist humidifiers.
If you have air conditioning or central heat, then change air intake filter, every month.
Wash your bed linens regularly.
Dust mites and germs can also cause a stuffy nose. So, use disinfectant spray to keep them at bay.