Tips Against Nasal Congestion

When you have a cold, the nasal congestion is one of the most common and annoying complaints, because breathing is difficult and there is shortness of breath.

A stuffy nose occurs with colds and allergies and leads to the fact that nasal breathing is impeded or impossible.

Reaching the nasal spray from the pharmacy is easy, but only recommended in individual cases. We have other tips for you on how to get your stuffy nose free again!

How does the nasal congestion arise?

A blocked nose is not really blocked, even if you sometimes get the impression that the nose is blocked by the resulting nasal secretions.

But in reality, swollen mucous membranes and turbinates lead to a blocked nose.

Blowing your nose vigorously does not help against a blocked nose – on the contrary, this may create pressure in your frontal and sinus cavities, which is anything but healthy.

A decongestant nasal spray from the pharmacy helps quickly, but it dries out the mucous membranes and can lead to a certain dependence.

What you can do about a stuffy nose and what you should pay attention to in order not to unnecessarily strain your mucous membranes, which are already strained by a cold or allergy, can be found here in our tips for nasal congestion :

Essential oils

Not every natural product is harmless! Therefore , essential oils must not be used indiscriminately and in large quantities. There is a fundamental risk of allergies and severe asthma attacks and what many do not know: the skin can also be damaged!

Pure essential oils are irritating to mucous membranes and skin, so they must never be used undiluted! Especially not in the nose on the nasal mucous membranes!

If you want to use essential oils for your nasal congestion, use them diluted with vegetable oil or for inhalation.

Inhale

Inhalations with liberating essential oils such as eucalyptus, peppermint or menthol help.

You don’t need a special inhaler, a large bowl or a large saucepan to do this. Fill the container with boiling water, add a few drops of essential oil to the water, hold your head over the pot and assist the inhalation with a towel that you hang over your head and pot.

Caution: Some essential oils can irritate the eyes, so breathe deeply through your nose with your eyes closed! The following essential oils are recommended to clear your nasal congestion and allow the nasal secretions to drain away:

• eucalyptus

• peppermint
• Japanese mint
• menthol
• Tea tree oil

Only a few drops are enough to inhale. You can also make your own cold balm by mixing these oils with a fatty cream, such as petroleum jelly, and smearing this ointment onto your chest before you go to bed.

Onions

The sulfur compounds contained in onions on the one hand cause the nasal mucous membranes to swell and, on the other hand, the antibacterial sulfur compounds prevent sinus infections.

The sharp essential oils also lead to increased formation of nasal secretions, so that even stuck mucus is loosened and can flow away.

This ensures that the sinuses are always well ventilated and that you prevent sinusitis.

Simply cut a fresh onion into fine cubes, close your eyes and take several deep breaths directly over the onion cubes. Have tissues ready, because you will see how quickly the secretion flows freely!

Osteopathy

There is a handle from osteopathy with which you can get your nose free again without any further aids or natural remedies.

This is ideal if you are on the go and cannot use any of the above home remedies. You just need a little patience, but you will see that it works:

• Place the index and middle fingers of one hand on the bridge of the nose, i.e. the area between the eyebrows.
• Now place the same fingers on the other hand roughly in the middle of the bridge of the nose.
• Now pull your nose out gently at these two points without exerting too much pressure. This is about pulling, not about pressure.

• Hold the position on pull for at least 30 seconds, then wait a few minutes for it to take effect.
• If it is not satisfactory, repeat the trick. The stretch is intended to stimulate the lymph flow and make the nose swell. Try it!