Be it during allergy seasons or just any time of the day, month, or year, having a runny nose can be quite infuriating. Constantly rummaging through your pockets for tissues can be annoying too. Luckily, there are a few home remedies you can adopt to stop the sniffles.
The health publication MedicalNewsToday has listed five ways to cope with a runny nose.
A hot bath
The steam from the hot bath can be beneficial, as relaxing in the tub will naturally lead to you inhaling the steam. You will also be able to relax your body’s muscles.
Drinking a hot beverage
This is a well-known remedy for cases of flu and colds. According to a study, it was found that drinking a hot beverage helped reduce cold symptoms. “The hot drink stimulated a nerve linked to the oral and nasal cavities, which may explain the relief of cold symptoms,” notes the publication.
Hot steam inhalations
There are many ways to execute a hot steam inhalation, with the basic idea for it being the same. Firstly, add herbs or essential oils to hot water. Next, lean over the water, and finally, breathe in the steam.
Using a neti pot
A neti pot is a small teapot-looking device that people use to flush out the nose and sinuses.
When using the device, lean over the sink, tilt your head sideways, and pour water from the pot into one nostril until the pot is empty. The water should then be released from the other nostril. The process should be repeated on the other nostril.
According to the publication, another study found that “‘large-volume, low-pressure irrigation’ such as that achieved using a neti pot, was more effective than nasal spray at improving the investigated nasal sinusitis symptoms, including a runny nose.”
Chilli nasal spray or spicy food
Nasal sprays that contain capsaicin (the compound that gives chilli peppers their heat) can effectively help to treat non-allergic rhinitis, a condition that causes a runny nose, among other symptoms.
Although effective, people are advised not to make their own chilli nasal spray at home.
Regarding spicy foods, they can initially make a runny nose worse. Although, according to the authors of a 2016 review, capsaicin is unique among natural irritants. The mild irritation the compound causes are followed by a long-lasting period during which symptoms notably improve.
You may see that your runny nose might get worse when eating spicy food. However, sinus congestion may improve shortly after your meal.
