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A Stuffy nose can be revolting. When I get a terrible cold, it seems like half my nose is completely stuffed up whilst the other can barely inhale air through. I wonder why only half of my nose is working? Besides, every couple of hours the stuffed nostrils switch between getting mostly congested or all stuffed. And when I try to blow my nose to breathe again normally, nothing comes out. Dang, it! Most people have a misconception that stuffy nose is the result of too much mucus in nasal passages but physicians claim a clogged nose is caused due to inflammation of blood vessels in the sinuses. Consequently, the irritated vessels are triggered by cold, flu, sinus infection, and other allergies. This article gives you a clear vision about how to unblock or clear your stuffy nose fast and naturally by treating it with the most effective home ingredients. Are you interested? Keep reading! Causes of a Stuffy Nose Regardless of the reasons for your congested nose, there are ways to get relief. So, don't let yourself down. Let's get deep into the factors that trigger cold and eventually lead to the stuffed up nose. 1.Viral Infections (Cold or Flu) The common cold or seasonal cold is due to a viral infection. There are several viruses that can cause a common cold, with the rhinovirus being the most common one. However, viral infections are the most common causes of a stuffy nose. Moreover, a common cold might even breed sneezing, cough, and sore throat. 2. Allergic Rhinitis (Allergies) As stated by Medical News Today, this is a very common and normal condition that has been diagnosed for around 40 to 60 million people in the United States according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. Allergic Rhinitis happens when the body's immunity overreacts and sometimes because of having a family history of allergies. Besides a stuffy nose, symptoms of allergic rhinitis may include sneezing, itchy eyes, and a runny nose. 3. Pregnancy Rhinitis During pregnancy, there's an increase of hormones which include progesterone and estrogen. The amplifying hormones along with an increase in blood flow causes the mucus membranes to swell in the nose. Thus pregnancy affects many parts of the body, including nose with symptoms such as stuffy nose and sneezing. 4. Occupational Rhinitis (Environmental Triggers) People who work around chemical, pollution, grain, and wood dust are prone to the risk of developing occupational rhinitis. Although, it's very similar to allergic rhinitis which develops when someone has a reaction to a particular substance in the work environment. Symptoms of occupational rhinitis are stuffy nose, itchy eyes, and coughing. 5. Atrophic Rhinitis This rhinitis occurs when there is a thinning and hardening of the mucous membrane. The thinning makes it easier for the growth of bacteria to sprout up and cause an infection. This commonly happens to people who had multiple nose surgeries. Therefore, causing breathing problems and sometimes snoring. However, if you observe green mucus draining from the nose, pain in the ear, fever, coughing, and chest tightness, then there is an indication of some sort of bacteria or viral infection. In that case, we would suggest you see your healthcare professional. How to Clear your Stuffy Nose Naturally and Fast Taking steps to improve nasal congestion or flu symptoms is essential. Include the below tips to your daily routine at any time and witness the difference. 1. Bowel Cleaning is a must Make sure to clean your digestive system especially when you have flu symptoms or a stuffy nose. Cleaning the bowel can improve the sinus problems since they flush away toxins from the body. 2. Gulp Down Ayurvedic Natural Drinks Since a stuffy nose is due to inflammation of blood vessels in the sinuses, hence reducing inflammation that causes congestion or sinus problems is crucial. The perfect way to reduce inflammation is to gulp down natural drinks made with Ayurvedic wholesome ingredients such as Carrom seeds popularly known as 'Vamu', Cilantro seeds, Jeera, Dry Ginger Powder (Sonti), Mustard seeds, and Fenugreek seeds. You can boil each of them separately by adding honey and drink warm. 3. Acupuncture Acupuncture blocks mucus from entering the nasal passage therefore it controls nasal congestion. It's a technique that involves using the hands to activate certain pressure points. Although acupuncture cannot clear flu symptoms, it can unblock a stuffy nose. To target pressure in your sinuses, use both the index fingers and press next to the nostrils and massage. Then press both index fingers on the starting area of the eyebrow and massage. 4. Don't Blow too Much It's normal to blow your nose quite often when you have a stuffy nose. But frequently blowing your nose is not a good job. It generates excess pressure in the nasal cavities that could move fluid from your nose to the sinuses. Too much Blowing not only damages your nose but also cause damage to ear, eyes, and throat. Therefore, resist the urge to blow your nose and instead use a tissue to dab the runny nose. If it's so necessary, try blowing gently with one nostril at a time. 5. Avoid These Foods You must avoid sweet, salty, sour foods, milk products, oily, junk, and cold foods by any chance. They increase the bad mucus which thereby increases the congestion of your nose. As a replacement munch on spicy, bitter, and acrid foods such as Onions, Garlic, chili peppers, which has a thinning effect on mucus and can instantly clear the stuffy nose. Besides, eat plenty of vitamin-rich foods such as Spinach, Apples, Carrots, Kale, Broccoli, Bell peppers, Strawberries, Pineapple, and Kiwi. 6. Avoid Temperature Fluctuations You should not go from extreme hot temperature places to extremely cold temperatures in a short time. The temperature fluctuations can irritate the flu symptoms and exacerbate the condition. 7. Milk to rescue There are many holistic approaches to reduce nasal congestion and one amongst them is to soak Milk with Saffron. Then add four drops to both your nostrils during bedtime. Wash off in the morning. This is a quick remedy to relieve congestion. You can similarly take Ginger and Jaggery concoction to relieve the stuffy nose. 8. Gargling is necessary This step is apparently prescribed by most of the physicians to reduce sinus infection, cold symptoms, and unblock a stuffy nose. 9. Stay Hydrated Drinking plenty of fluids can dilute the mucus. Also, when mucus is too thick, it aggravates congestion as it sticks to the nose. Drinking enough fluids helps drain your sinuses. When you have a cold, you must at least drink 11 cups of water for women and 15 cups for men. 10. Take a Hot Shower Take a hot shower and breathe in the steam which helps to thin nasal secretions and make it a bit easier to breathe. Turn on the shower, let the hot water run, take a quick jump in and let the steam work its magic to clear the passageway. 11. Use a Humidifier A humidifier provides an easy way to clear up the stuffy nose quickly as the machine converts water to moisture, thereby increasing the humidity in the room. Breathing in such moist temperatures will better the condition of sneezing, running nose, and nose congestion because the temperature will soothe swollen blood vessels in your nose and also thin the mucus in your sinuses. Buy the Best Humidifier for Bedroom, Click here 12. Use a Warm Compress A warm compress helps to relieve a blocked nose by opening the nasal passages from outside. You just need to use a face towel. Dampen in hot water, squeeze dry then fold it and place it over your nose. The warmth can also soothe the pain and inflammation in the nostrils caused by over sneezing. Buy this Moist mask for Sinus pressures and Headaches 13. Steam Inhalation One of the age-old and underrated practice to clear a stuffy nose is taking steam. When you breathe the steam it reduces the mucus and hence no more nasal congestion. It keeps the inflamed blood vessels moist and simultaneously clear blockage in the nasal passageway. Add either Eucalyptus essential oil, turmeric, carrom seeds, or apple cider vinegar to the hot water. Breathe in and out slowly. Do this 3 to 4 times a day. Buy this Steam Inhaler for Sinus relief and for Facial Sauna Spa 14. Avoid Stress The biggest cause of most of the health ailments is over stress, depression, and anxiety problems. Besides, hanging around with cell phones always emits radiation that disturbs the sinuses and consequently develops mucus in those areas. So, indulge in yoga sessions, walking outdoors, trekking, etc to enhance your mood for better health. 15. Do Breathing Exercises The pranayama exercises with anti-inflammatory effects and by its mechanical cleaning, these practices can improve the symptoms in people with chronic sinusitis. Bhramari Pranayama and Kalphabati Pranayama exercises are effective as they improve the functioning of various organs of the body and thereby getting rid of stale air. Such exercises give instant relief from a cold or sinus problems. You can breathe much easier after undergoing a few sessions. How to unblock Stuffy Nose with Home remedies These are the perfect ancient Ayurvedic Home remedies to naturally clear your stuffy nose. Read on and do follow them. 1.Ginger Tea The anti-inflammatory properties in ginger kill rhinoviruses which cause cold and also helps to relieve a sore throat quickly. Besides draining your sinuses, Ginger has got many healthy properties that can relieve a stuffy nose by thinning the mucus and boosting the immune system. You can boil ginger and drink 2 or 3 cups of the warm ginger water. Else, if you're a tea lover, you've got the life savior Ginger tea. To prepare ginger tea, you'll have to add 1 tbsp freshly sliced ginger to two cups of boiling water. Cover the pan and allow the mixture to simmer for 10 minutes. Then Strain the mix and pour it into a cup. Drink a cup of this solution when it's still warm. 2. The Neti Pot Technique Neti pot technique is a kind of nasal irrigation that can relieve sinus congestion. It's one of the easiest ways to flush your clogged nostrils with a neti pot. A Neti pot is basically a container designed to flush all the mucus and fluids out of your nostrils or nasal passages. Here's how to use - Stand with your head over a sink and place Neti pot's spout in one of your nostrils. You need to lean head over a basin, tilt the Neti pot until water enters your nasal passage, and squirt the solution into one nostril at a time. While squirting into one nostril, keep the other nostril closed. Keep pressure on your finger and now allow the water to drain away from the other nostril. Do for a minute and then switch sides. Repeat the same method with the second nostril as well. Include this method into your morning routine until the symptoms have been relieved. Purchase the Himalayan Chandra Porcelain Neti Pot now. 3. Make Garlic Soup Garlic acts as a decongestant and hence can relieve a stuffy nose by draining out sinuses quickly. You just need to bring one cup of water to boil and then add 2 to 4 cloves of garlic to the boiling water. Let the mix simmer for five minutes. Later, add 1/2 tsp Turmeric powder and a pinch of black pepper powder. Stir and consume the hot soup. 4. Drink the Powerful Concoction This concoction is a Natural Ayurvedic remedy to heal any fungal infections. To prepare this put a glass of water in a pan and boil on medium flame. To that, add a few chunks of Ginger, 1/4th tsp Turmeric powder, a pinch of Black pepper, few crushed Tulsi leaves, and a pinch of Giloy extract. Stir all the ingredients and cover the pan. Let the concoction boil for 20 minutes. Later, strain the mix, add honey as a sweetener, and a few drops of Lemon juice. Voila! Drink this powerful concoction every morning for effective results. 5. Magic Carrom Seeds Grind 3 to 4 tsp of Carrom seeds into a soft powder. Wrap the powder in a cloth tightly and inhale that. Doing so repeatedly, all symptoms such as cold, sneezing, nasal congestion, and chest congestion gets controlled. Inhaling carrom seeds powder is an effective remedy than using an inhaler. Also, you can inhale Camphor to relieve sneezing or any congestion that happens due to allergies. Regardless, don't inhale excess camphor cause it might cause irritation. Furthermore, you can repeat the same with Tulsi leaves. Grind some Tulsi leaves and Carrom seeds into a soft powder and inhale it twice a day. You'll get instant control over excessive sneezing and congestion problems. Up to the very end! Follow these tips and Home remedies to instantly unblock and clear your Stuffy Nose naturally. Are you following any such natural Ayurvedic Home remedies? If so, please let us know by leaving a comment below. We'd glad to know more stuff. This article contains affiliate links. You can read our full disclosure here