7 Natural Home Remedies For Runny Nose
This is characterized by mucus draining or dripping of mucus from the nostrils.
From the explanation itself, when you have a runny nose you experience an uncontrollable dripping of mucus.
The mucus found in the nostrils is actually a protective substance produced by the mucus membrane — a type of tissue lining in the nasal cavity.
The presence of mucus helps moisten the air you breathe, and acts as a barrier to keep dust, pollen, and small particles out of your lungs.
Your nose produces mucus everyday even if you don’t have a runny nose.
However, in some cases, irritation and inflammation in the nasal passage can lead to increased mucus production. If this happens, mucus can drip down from the nose.
The production of mucus is a mechanism for eliminating unwanted allergens, dust, bacteria, etc.
This is an essential part of the airway system and is needed to keep the airway working properly.
Not only does mucus block harmful particles from getting into the lungs, but it also contains antibodies which helps destroy bacteria.
However, if too much mucus is produced, the body will naturally eliminate the excess and result in dripping of the mucus.
A runny nose can be caused by several factors, may it be due to colder temperatures or by a common cold, flu, or allergies.
Whenever a foreign object such as pollen or dust enters the body, it irritates the lining of the nose and sinuses which will trigger the production of mucus.
This mucus will then trap the bacteria, virus, or allergens and help flush them out through the nose and sinuses.
The colors of mucus are either yellow, white, or greenish in color. So, whenever you have a runny nose it may be due to an underlying cause.
There are several factors causing excessive mucus production — runny nose. These include:
Common cold
This is an upper respiratory infection which causes inflammation in the mucous membrane. Additionally, a common cold may cause nasal congestion.
Other symptoms associated with this condition includes coughing, sore throat, and fatigue.
Allergies
This is one of the most common causes for a runny nose. Allergens such as pollen, dust, ragweed, or pet dander can trigger an allergic reaction.
Common symptoms experienced when having allergies are sneezing, headache, or a sore throat. Inhaling these particles might also irritate the nasal passage resulting in an excessive mucus production.
Flu
The flu is also a common cause of a runny nose. This causes inflammation in the mucus membrane and is highly contagious.
Symptoms associated with a flu include fever, muscle aches, headache, fatigue, fever, chills, or congestion.
Nonallergic rhinitis
This is also characterized by the inflammation in the nasal passage. It is similar to hay fever because of the continuous runny nose and sneezing symptoms.
Sinusitis
This condition occurs when the cavities around the nasal passage are inflamed. This inflammation triggers the production of mucus in the nose.
Symptoms of sinusitis include nasal congestion, headache, and pain.
As a runny nose may sometimes be annoying due to the excessive dripping of mucus, some people go to natural remedies for runny nose to help alleviate symptoms.
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Stay Hydrated
Drinking plenty of fluids and staying hydrated is the best yet simplest way to treat a runny nose.
This remedy thins out the mucus in your sinuses for it to be expelled easily.
The best drink is water as it gives the body hydration and nutritional benefits.
Capsaicin
This is a chemical found in chili peppers which gives its distinct spicy flavor.
It has been used to treat nerve pain and psoriasis, but when applied on the nose, can help with a runny nose caused by congestion.
Studies have found that capsaicin is more effective in treating a runny nose than your usual over-the-counter medication.
Neti Pot
The use of a neti pot is quite common among those who have sinus problems such as a runny nose and discomfort.
A neti pot is a small teapot-like container with a spout. You can just simply add a warm saline or saltwater solution to the pot then use it to pout solution through one nostril.
This helps rinse out the sinuses thoroughly.
Spicy Foods
Whenever you eat something spicy, mucus drips out of your nostrils. This remedy may either worsen or alleviate symptoms depending on the person’s tolerance level.
Hot spices include cayenne pepper, wasabi, ghost pepper, horseradish, ginger, and other chili peppers.
These spices when eaten, create a feeling of heat which will dilate passageways in the body and can relieve sinus problems.
Gargle Salt Water
Salt water solutions are said to offer antibacterial properties and washes out unwanted bacteria.
This will help moisten your sore or scratchy throat and bring temporary relief to your throat. Do this by dissolving half a teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of warm water.
Inhale Steam
The inhalation of hot steam has shown to help alleviate a runny nose. A study proved that using steam inhalation for a common cold is quite effective.
Asides from inhaling steam from a bowl or cup, you can also try doing a facial steam. A facial steam starts by heating clean water in a pot and remember to not let it boil.
Just simply place your face above the steam for 20 to 30 minutes. This will help smoothen the mucus to easily eliminate mucus in the sinus.
Drink Hot Tea
As previously said, heat plays a big factor in treating a runny nose. Just like steam a hot beverage or tea is heated.
This is due to heat and steam being able to help open and decongest the airways. There are many herbal teas that contain herbs and are also mild decongestants.
It is best to choose herbal tea containing anti-inflammatory and antihistamine properties.
An example for these types of herbal tea is chamomile, ginger, mint, or nettle. You can just simply make a hot cup of tea and also inhale the steam before drinking it.
Sore throats caused by a runny nose can also be treated with hot teas due to its soothing effects.
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