34 Home Remedies For Nasal Congestion In Children & Adults

Updated: 08/09/2019

What Is Nasal Congestion?

Nasal congestion^[1], which is also called “blocked nose” or “stuffy nose,” may be one of the most common problems related to the nose. Nasal congestion happens when the nasal cavity is swollen, causing the presence of mucus. Consequently, the person having nasal congestion gets difficulty in breathing. Nasal congestion doesn’t appear alone. It is accompanied with some other problems, namely the flu, the common cold, allergic reactions, etc.

What Are The Causes Of Nasal Congestion?

Nasal congestion happens when the nasal tissues are irritated or inflamed. In other words, nasal congestion is due to infections such as flu, colds^[2], and sinusitis; different kinds of allergies^[3]; and other irritating agents, such smoke, particles, etc. Having polyps and tumor may also cause nasal congestion.

What Are The Symptoms Of Nasal Congestion?

When having nasal congestion, you have to fight against these following symptoms:

• Painful sinuses
• Presence of mucus
• Swelling of nasal tissues
• Having watery eyes
• Slight head pain

The information above has brought you the necessary knowledge about nasal congestion. Now it’s time to find out what the best home remedies for nasal congestion in children and adults are. Let’s have a look!

Top 34 Effective Home Remedies For Nasal Congestion In Children & Adults

1. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar may be considered as one of the most effective remedies for nasal congestion as it helps relieve colds, flu, and allergies – some of the main causes of this nose-related problem. Firstly, being a nasal decongestant, apple cider vinegar may help you to remove congestion of your nose quickly^[4]. Secondly, if you have a runny nose, apple cider vinegar is an excellent solution for drying it. Lastly, enriched with several nutrients, apple cider vinegar is a good drink to improve your health condition^[5].

Method 1:

• Prepare a cup of warm water.
• Add to the cup 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar.
• Then, add 1 tablespoon of raw honey and mix them well.
• Consume the mixture twice a day.

Method 2:

• Pour a sufficient amount of apple cider vinegar into a pot.
• Add to it an equal amount of water and bring the pot to boil.
• Close your eyes and breathe the steam.
• Apply this remedy twice a day.

2. Steam Inhalation

Steam helps clear the congestion quickly^[6] because it acts as an expectorant. Inhaling the steam with some essential oils is an excellent natural remedy to get rid of congested nose. It may significantly contribute to loosening the mucus in the nasal passage and strengthening the drainage in the sinuses.

Method 1:

• Add  some water to a pot and bring it to boil.
• When the water is boiled, add some drops of essential oils, such as eucalyptus or peppermint oil to the pot.
• Put your head on the steam flow.
• Cover your head and the pot with a clean towel.
• Breathe the steam for 10 minutes.

Method 2:

• Prepare a pot filled with water and bring it to boil.
• Pour 1 tablespoon of crushed carom seeds into the pot when the water boils.
• Put your head on the steam flow.
• Cover your head and the pot with a clean towel.
• Breathe the steam for 10 minutes.

Method 3:

• Prepare a humidifier.
• Add some eucalyptus or peppermint oil to it.
• Breathe the steam from the humidifier.

Note:

• Don’t apply this method for children under 12 years old because the hot steam can burn them.
• Women having a baby and people having high blood pressure, heart problems, and disorders in central nervous systems, are not recommended to apply this remedy.

3. Turmeric

Having antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties^[7], turmeric is ranked as one of the best home remedies for nasal congestion. More specifically, curcumin – the main component of turmeric has a significant effect on alleviating swollen and inflamed nasal tissues^[8]. It has an incredible power to treat cavities as well as clear nasal airways.

Method 1:

• Pour a glass of milk into a pot.
• Add to the pot 1 teaspoon of turmeric.
• Boil the mixture in the pot and let it simmer for a few minutes.
• Pour it into a glass and add some raw honey.
• Consume the mixture twice per day.

Method 2:

• Take some fresh turmeric and wash them carefully.
• Put them in a blender and blend to get the juice.
• Put 2 tablespoons of turmeric juice in a cup.
• Add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of honey, and a pinch of cayenne pepper and mix them well.
• Consume the mixture twice every day.

4. Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin, which is considered as a natural decongestant to ease the inflammation of nasal tissues^[9]. As a result, symptoms of nasal congestion will be removed quickly. Moreover, cayenne pepper helps to eliminate mucus and allergic agents, significantly contributing to the healing process.

Method 1:

• Take ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper powder and put it in a cup.
• Add 1 tablespoon of raw honey to the cup.
• Consume the mixture several times every day.

Method 2:

• Put a small part of a swab in cayenne pepper and take it out quickly.
• Put the swab in one nostril to decrease sneezing.
• Apply this method twice every day.

5. Nasal Irrigation

Irrigating the nose with saline water also helps to soothe symptoms of nasal congestion^[10]. It helps eliminate mucus and irrigating agents in nasal passages, dry them, and keep sinuses hydrated.

Method 1:

• Prepare a Neti pot- a container used to clean the mucus.
• Put 1 teaspoon of non-iodized salt in a glass and add to it 2 cups of warm water.
• Use the Neti pot to wash the sinuses.
• Lean your head back and pour the solution into one of the nostrils.
• Let the liquid come out from the other.
• Repeat this action for the remaining nostril.
• Apply this method twice daily.

Method 2:

• Firstly, wash your hands carefully.
• Put 1 teaspoon of non-iodized salt and 2 cups of warm water in a large bowl.
• Take some salt water to your palms.
• Breathe it in one nostril and let it come out from the other.
• Do the same with the remaining nostril.
• Apply this remedy twice every day.

6. Garlic

Garlic is considered as the magic medicine for some diseases. When it comes to home remedies for nasal congestion, it is not an exception. Thanks to the antibacterial and antiviral properties^[11], garlic is effective in limiting the growth of mucus^[12] and strengthening the immune system^[13].

Method 1:

• Put about 2 cloves of garlic in a pot and add some water to it.
• Bring the pot to boil.
• Add ½ teaspoon of turmeric powder when the water boils and turn off the stove.
• Let the mixture cool down.
• Consume the mixture twice per day until you don’t feel congested anymore.

Method 2:

• Boil a pot of water.
• When the water boils, add 3 cloves of chopped garlic.
• Leave it to simmer for several minutes.
• Cover your head and the pot with a clean cloth. Be sure that the water is not too hot and the distance from your face to the pot is not too close.
• Inhale the steam and then exhale. Repeat this action several times.
• Do this remedy twice a day for better results.

Method 3:

• Heat a pot before adding a cup of water.
• When the water boils, add 2 cloves of garlic to the pot and continue to boil for 2 more minutes.
• Add ½ tablespoon of turmeric powder and mix them well.
• Remove the pot from the heat and pour the mixture into a glass.
• Consume the mixture once every day.

7. Eucalyptus Oil

Working as a decongestant and anti-inflammatory agent, eucalyptus oil is another effective treatment for nasal congestion. Containing cineole^[14], eucalyptus oil may help to solve problems concerning sinuses. This essential oil helps to eliminate bacteria and mucus in the nasal airway^[15]. Indeed, reducing bacteria and mucus, which cause your nose to be blocked, will help clear your nasal passages, accordingly.

Method 1:

• Add some water to a pot and bring it to boil.
• When the water boils, pour about 5 drops of eucalyptus oil into it.
• Cover your head and the pot with a clean cloth (have your eyes closed to prevent irritation).
• Breathe the steam in through your nose for 2 minutes.
• Apply this method twice every day.

Method 2:

• Prepare a clean handkerchief and pour 2 drops of eucalyptus oil into it.
• Breathe the aroma in several times every day.

Method 3:

• Pour 3 drops of eucalyptus oil into your pillow.
• Breathe the aroma in when sleeping every day.

Method 4:

• Prepare a bathtub filled with warm water.
• Pour some drops of eucalyptus oil into the tub.
• Soak your body into the tub for 15 minutes every day.

8. Ginger

If you are suffering from a stuffy nose, ginger is one of the natural treatments that you should not neglect. Thanks to its high content of antioxidant, ginger has an excellent power to limit the production of mucus; thereby, it keeps your airways smooth^[16] and reduce congested symptoms quickly.

Method 1:

• Clean a piece of ginger root and chop it into small slices.
• Pour 2 cups of boiling water into a teapot and add to it 1 teaspoon of ginger slices.
• Let it simmer for 10 minutes.
• Strain the mixture and add some lemon juice.
• Consume 2 cups of this drink every day.

Method 2:

• Chop a piece of ginger root which is cleaned into small slices.
• Sprinkle some salt over the ginger slices.
• Chew them a few times a day to reduce cough and nasal blockage.

Method 3:

• Slice a piece of ginger root.
• Add some water to a pot and bring it to boil.
• When the water boils, add sliced ginger.
• Cover the pot and let it simmer for 20 minutes.
• Soak a clean cloth into the pot and cover your face for 10 minutes.

Method 4:

• Peel and chop a piece of ginger root after washing it thoroughly.
• Heat some water in a pot before adding 4 slices of ginger root.
• Continue to cook for 20 minutes and then turn off the heat.
• Strain the mixture.
• Add a teaspoon of honey and some lemon juice.
• Consume a small amount of the mixture at a time when it is warm.

9. Hot Tomato Tea

Spicy tomato tea is another effective home remedy for nasal congestion^[4]. Drinking this kind of tea will help to not only reduce the mucus in the nasal passage but also strengthen the immune system.

• Take some tomatoes, wash them thoroughly, and put them in a blender.
• Blend to take a cup of tomato juice.
• Take 2 cloves of garlic, chop them into small slices.
• Add tomato juice, garlic slices, and  2 teaspoons of lemon juice to a pot.
• Then, add to this pot ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper and a pinch of sea salt.
• Boil the mixture.
• Consume the hot mixture twice every day.

10. Onion

You can use onions as one of the practical and quick ways to combat nasal blockage^[4]. It plays the role of a decongestant; therefore, it may help to clear the mucus causing nasal obstruction, facilitating you to breathe easily.

Method 1:

• Take an onion.
• Peel it and smell its aroma for several minutes.

Method 2:

• Wash an onion and cut it into small slices.
• Put them in a bowl and pour some boiling water into the bowl.
• Put your head on the steam flow and cover it with a clean cloth.
• Inhale the steam.
• Apply this method twice every day.

Method 3:

• Wash some onions and cut them into small slices.
• Put these slices in a blender and blend to get the juice.
• Warm about 2 tablespoons of the juice up and put it in a glass.
• Add some sugar or honey to taste.
• Consume the drink once every day.

11. Basil

Basil is also one of the powerful home remedies for nasal congestion. Basil leaves work effectively to reduce cough intensity^[17] and expel mucus, enabling you to breathe naturally. Some ingredients in basil leaves, such as camphene, cineole, and eugenol^[18] have a significant contribution to clearing the blocked air passages and alleviating the inflammation in the sinuses.

Method 1:

• Wash about 5 leaves of basil carefully.
• Chew them twice every day, before having breakfast and after eating at night.

Method 2:

• Wash about 10 basil leaves, mix them with some black pepper, and a small slice of ginger.
• Use a mortar to grind the mixture.
• Add ¼ liter of water and the above ground mixture to a pot.
• Boil until they remain half.
• Strain the mixture.
• Add some sugar candy and consume the liquid when it is warm.
• Drink the liquid once every morning on your empty stomach.
• Don’t take a bath within 2 hours after consuming this drink.

12. Horseradish Root

Horseradish root is another effective way you can use to cure the congestion of the nose^[19] [20]. Working as a stimulant, horseradish root works excellently to clear out mucus in the sinuses and respiratory distress. Therefore, it helps speed up your recovering process over plugged nose.

Method 1:

• Grate an enough amount of horseradish root.
• Put ¼ teaspoon of grated horseradish in your mouth.
• Hold it for 30 seconds.

Method 2:

• Put an amount of grated horseradish root in a glass.
• Add some honey and apple cider vinegar to the glass.
• Stir them well.
• Apply the mixture on a piece of toast.
• Eat the toast and inhale its fragrance at the same time.

13. Peppermint Leaves And Oil

Peppermint has anti-inflammatory and decongestant properties^[21], which may assist you in treating symptoms of nasal congestion. Additionally, its menthol may remove the congestion quickly^[22].

Method 1:

• Wash some peppermint leaves carefully.
• Boil some water in a pot.
• Add peppermint leaves to the pot when the water boils.
• Strain the mixture and add some honey to taste.
• Consume the drink twice every day.

Method 2:

• Pour some boiling water into a large bowl and add some drops of peppermint oil.
• Put your head on the steam flow and cover it with a clean cloth.
• Inhale the steam.
• Apply this method twice every day.

14. Grapefruit Seed Extract

Having anti-inflammatory properties^[23] [24], grapefruit seed extract may help eliminate bacteria in the sinuses, which cause them to be inflamed and swollen. As a result, it smootherns your airflows and keeps the nasal blockage at bay.

Method 1:

• Prepare a bowl and pour into it some hot water.
• Add some drops of grapefruit seed extract to the bowl.
• Inhale the steam.
• Do the method twice every day.

Method 2:

• Take ¼ teaspoon of sea salt and put them in a glass.
• Add some drops of grapefruit seed extract to the glass.
• Pour some warm water into the glass.
• Stir the mixture well so that the salt is entirely dissolved.
• Pour this mixture into a Neti pot.
• Use the mixture to irrigate the nasal passages.

You have gone through the article of 34 time-tested home remedies for nasal congestion that may help you to eliminate its annoying symptoms quickly and naturally. If you want to share any ideas about our article, don’t hesitate to leave your comments and questions below. We will try to give feedback as soon as possible.

• Nose
• Respiratory