A blocked nose or stuffy nose is a common occurrence. Anything that irritates the tissues in the inner lining of your nose and triggers inflammation can lead to a blocked nose. The inflamed tissues and engorged blood vessels in your nose can narrow the airways, making breathing difficult. [1] This state of having a blocked nose is also commonly called nasal congestion. Accumulation of mucous oozing out of the inflamed nasal mucosa plays a crucial role in blocking your nose and limiting the free movement of air through your nasal passage. Having a blocked nose can cause immense discomfort and may keep you awake all night. The nose block reason could be many. Various issues of the upper respiratory tract, such as rhinosinusitis, nasal polyposis, allergic rhinitis, and non-allergic rhinitis, can cause a stuffy nose. [1] . Additionally, issues like asthma and otitis media can lead to nasal blockage. [1]
A blocked nose can also result from structural issues such as concha bullosa, choanal atresia, septal deviation, neoplasia, cleft palate, and adenoid hypertrophy. [1]
According to Ayurveda, a blocked nose occurs as a result of the aggravation of Kapha and Vata doshas. Such aggravation can obstruct the inspired air and block your nose. There are some fantastic herbs and natural remedies in the repertoire of Ayurveda to answer the most relevant question, ‘how to open a blocked nose.’
If a blocked nose is due to non-structural reasons, it is likely to get cured in 3-4 days. Trying out home remedies for blocked nose can bring some relief. Some time-tested home remedies can bring you much relief in case you have a blocked nose.
12 Effective Home Remedies for Blocked Nose?
Here are the 12 effective home remedies for blocked nose that you can try which are safe and natural.
1. Increase your water intake
Drink more water when you sense a stuffy nose. Water can be the simplest solution and answer to how to clear a blocked nose. Drinking warm water is especially helpful as it keeps the nasal mucus thin and loose and also increases the nasal mucus velocity. [2]
2. Use Ginger
Ginger extracts consist of Gingerol, an active compound with anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. [3] Taking ginger tea or using ginger slices in your warm compress is an effective blocked nose remedy.
3. Experience the goodness of honey
Honey can soothe the nasal passage and also improve the other symptoms of allergic rhinitis. [4] You may add honey to a glass of milk or a cup of tea. Also, rinsing the nose with Manuka honey containing high amounts of methylglyoxal can eliminate congestion.
4. Use Saline Sprays
Using a saline water nasal spray is one of the best & safest blocked nose at night home remedies. A saline spray is available anywhere as an OTC spray. It consists of water and salt and is completely free from decongestants. Salt in the spray destroys bacteria in the nasal mucus and brings down inflammation.
5. Holy Basil for nose block relief
Anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties of Holy Basil or Tulsi can treat cough and cold effectively. [9] Nasal congestion, one of the symptoms of a cold, can also be relieved when you take Holy Basil juice or tea.
6. Nigella Seeds for relief
Using a slightly heated Nigella seeds poultice over your stuffy nose or inhaling the nigella oil can decongest your nose and bring you relief. [8]
7. Humidify your room
Humidify the air around you. Dry air can irritate your nasal membranes, but by using a humidifier, you can moisten the air around you, and that makes it easy for you to breathe in despite having a blocked nose. [5]
8. Unclog with Essential Oil
Essential Oils such as Eucalyptus Oil containing 1.8 cineole can help to ease out the various symptoms of sinusitis, one being nasal congestion. [6] You may add a few drops of this oil to your basin of hot water and inhale the steam. You may also add the oil to the diffusers and breathe in the scented air.
9. Inhale Steam
Steam inhalation can be an answer to how to get rid of a blocked nose. All you need to do is fill a basin with fuming hot water and then lean over it by covering your head with a heavy towel to trap in the steam. By inhaling the steam, you get relief from congestion as steam loosens out the mucus in your nose. [7]
10. OTC Medications
Oral OTC Medicine for blocked nose includes antihistamines like cetirizine and loratadine can relieve the discomfort associated with a blocked nose. Taking OTC Medicines before bedtime can serve as a quick treatment for blocked nose at night.
11. Spice it up
Certain hot spices like garlic, turmeric, chili pepper and black pepper can urge your body to produce an increased amount of mucus. With the intake of these hot spices, your stuffy nose can become a runny nose in just no time!
12. Try Warm Compress
How to clear a blocked nose with a warm compress? Dip a clean washcloth in warm water, squeeze out the excess water, and then place the warm, moist cloth over your nose. The heat from the cloth will relieve nasal congestion by lowering inflammation. Using a warm compress is an answer to how to open blocked nose instantly.
FAQs about Blocked Nose
1. Is Anu Oil good for a blocked nose?
Ayurveda recommends the use of Anu Thailam as one of the best how to open blocked nose home remedies. Anu Oil is a rich blend of powerful herbal oils and can be used as an all-natural nasal spray to relieve nasal congestion. Some of the herbs used to make Anu Thailam include Bilva, Devadaru, Shatavari, Kamala, Twak, Brihati, Utpala etc.
2. Can Yogasanas be a blocked nose remedy?
Ayurveda classics talk about certain yogasanas to drain out the congestion from your nose, chest, and sinuses. The top 5 nasal congestion yogasanas are Bhujangasana, Gomukhasana, Sirsasana, Ustrasana and Salamba Sarvangasana.
3. How can I get some sleep even when I have a blocked nose?
The problem of a blocked nose increases during the nighttime as the sleeping position causes an increased amount of blood to rush to your nose, thereby aggravating the swelling in the nose. To ease out the problem, it is ideal to sleep on your back and rest your head on an elevated surface.
Conclusion
How to open blocked nose remains a concern for people who get infected by seasonal cold and flu easily. A blocked nose can be one of the most annoying symptoms of a cold, and the issue worsens in the nighttime, thereby disturbing your sleep. In this article, we have learned about the treatment for blocked nose at night and daytime with the help of some highly effective home-based decongestion remedies. Try out these remedies whenever you are suffering from nose blockages and relieve yourself the natural way!
Disclaimer: This article is not an alternative to a doctor’s prescription and is written solely for informational purposes. If you wish to use any of these remedies for nose blockage, you must first see a doctor.
References:
- Pathophysiology of nasal congestion
- Effects of drinking hot water, cold water, and chicken soup on nasal mucus velocity and nasal airflow resistance
- Effects of Ginger and Its Constituents on Airway Smooth Muscle Relaxation and Calcium Regulation
- Ingestion of honey improves the symptoms of allergic rhinitis: evidence from a randomized placebo-controlled trial in the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia
- Effects of Heated Humidification and Topical Steroids on Compliance, Nasal Symptoms, and Quality of Life in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome Using Nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure
- Eucalyptus Oil (Eucalyptus globulus)
- Effectiveness of steam inhalation and nasal irrigation for chronic or recurrent sinus symptoms in primary care: a pragmatic randomized controlled trial
- Natural therapeutic approach of Nigella sativa (Black seed) fixed oil in management of Sinusitis
- The Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Tulsi in Humans: A Systematic Review of the Literature
