The flu season brings with it a number of ailments including sinusitis, throat and nasal congestion. Congestion can leave you feeling out of sorts, irritable and unable to sleep at night.
It could also turn into full-blown sinusitis, which is much more difficult to treat. In order to get relief from nasal congestion there are some simple home remedies that you can follow and use.
Home Remedies For Congestion
Hot Tea, Lemon and Honey
The concoction of tea with lemon and honey not only boosts your immunity but also soothes the throat, thus alleviating any congestion that you may be having. Dip a few tea bags into hot water, add a dash of honey, and lime juice. Keep sipping on this tea throughout the day. The lemon helps to cut the congestion.
Inhalation with Vinegar
Take a few tablespoons of vinegar and dissolve them in a small vessel of water. Now boil this water. Take in the steam of this boiled vinegar. It immediately helps to clear up the congestion and gives a lot of relief from flu.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is very strong and unusually potent. You can quickly down a shot of vinegar. The pungency of the vinegar clears nasal passages and also helps to kill all the parasites that are causing the congestion. Do not overdo the drinking. Just take the vinegar once in 3-4 hours for best results.
Steamy Shower Cubicles
Standing in a steamy shower cubicle will immediately help to clear the congestion in your body. Run the shower set to very hot temperatures and allow the steam to build up in that particular unit. You will feel immediate relief after inhaling the steam from the shower. It puts moisture back into your lungs and also helps to bring the mucous out from your body. Try to stand for at least 10-15 minutes.
Salt Water Gargling
Nothing works as effectively as salt water gargling to clear throat and nasal congestion. Take a glass of water and heat it up. To it, add a pinch of salt. Now gargle with this water to relieve throat and nasal congestion.
Salt-Water Irrigation
This technique is effective for blocked nose and sinus. Take some salt water in a neti pot and pour the water gently through one nostril. Now remove the water out from the other nostril ensuring that the water does not go inside your lungs. This is a good technique for clearing the nasal airways.
Ginger Root and Wine
Take some delicious fruit wine or port wine. To it add ginger root and boil this wine for ten minutes. Allow it to cool down. Now enjoy a glass of wine on your couch. This wine is great for alleviating severe congestion. A glass or two in a day are more than enough.
Drink Plenty of Fluids
It is very important to drink plenty of fluids especially if you are suffering from a congestion. Aim to drink at least 8-9 glasses of warm water as this cuts the congestion, keeps your throat moist and helps to relieve throat irritation.
Chicken Soup
Try some chicken broth or clear chicken soup, which you can quickly rustle up at home. Make sure to add plenty of ginger, garlic and spices like cinnamon and pepper to the soup as these are effective in clearing up the infection and giving relief from congestion.
Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus oil is a great home remedy for clearing up congestion. Just put a few drops of eucalyptus oil on your hanky or pillow and inhale these. Alternately, you can also add a few drops of the oil into a vessel of hot water and inhale the steam. The steam will help to cut the congestion.
Blow your Nose
It is uncanny how people miss out on one of the simplest tricks in the books to remove mucous from the body. The natural reaction for most people is to sniff in the mucous especially when the nose is runny.
This leads to accumulation of mucous in the body and congestion. It is much better to blow your nose especially if you have a running one. Blowing the nose and clearing the throat of mucous helps you to feel better.
Also Read
Home Remedies For Nasal Congestion
Home Remedies For Sinus Congestion
Home Remedies For Chest Congestion
Stay Warm and Rested
It is very important to stay warm and rested especially if you are down with a bad cold. Warmth insulates your body and strengthens the immune response of the body thus enabling it to fight off the infection and reduce congestion. You will also feel a lot more comfortable if you are warm and bundled up.
Apply Hot Packs
Apply hot and warm packs around the congested sinuses. This helps to dislodge the mucous and drain it out. This is very important to remain congestion free. You can also wet a cloth with hot water and apply it to your sinuses and throat for relief.
Sleep Elevated
Make sure your head is placed under a few pillows especially if you have nasal congestion. This is very helpful in clearing up the congestion and giving you a comfortable sleep at night. It will also prevent the mucous from going back into your nose and blocking it.
Take your Vitamin C
Make sure you take in enough of vitamin C during flu season as this helps to ward off colds and flu. Young babies and children can be immunized by giving them the flu vaccine.
Take preventive measures like staying away from sick people and always washing your hands when coming in from outside. This goes a long way in relieving the congestion.
Vapo Rub
Take some salve or Vicks vaporub and rub your throat, back, chest and nose with it. Make sure you cover yourself well. Now sleep off the cold. The Vicks is quite effective in giving relief from the cold and the flu.
With the help of the above simple home remedies, you can easily overcome and treat severe chest and nasal congestion. Keep yourself warm and well hydrated for better results. Stay away from others to avoid transmitting the infection.
Caution: Please use Home Remedies after Proper Research and Guidance. You accept that you are following any advice at your own risk and will properly research or consult healthcare professional.