How To Stop A Runny Nose – The 10 Best Remedies
1. Essential Oils For Runny Nose
3 drops peppermint oil 5 drops lavender oil
Reapply twice or thrice a day. Peppermint oil contains menthol, which decongests the chest and thins the mucus so that it can be easily eliminated from the body (1). Lavender oil is antibacterial and antifungal in nature and can treat the infection that might be causing the runny nose. It also calms the senses (2).
2. Salt Water For Runny Nose
1 1/2 teaspoons salt 2 cups warm water Dropper
Do this a few times in a day, till you get relief from a runny nose. Salt water will thin down the mucus, thus making it easier for the body to expel it quicker. It also helps clear the nasal passages of any irritants (3).
3. Steam For Runny Nose
A bowl of hot water A large towel
Repeat this three to four times in a day. The warmth of the steam breaks down the mucus that gives you the stuffy nose feeling (4). When you blow your nose, this accumulated mucus easily comes out.
4. Ginger For Runny Nose
Ginger Salt
Chew ginger several times during the day. We all know ginger has antioxidants that can cure a myriad of ailments. It also has antiviral and antifungal properties that get to the root and banish a runny nose (5).
5. Garlic For Runny Nose
Small garlic cloves Chew the garlic clove and ingest it to get relief from a runny nose. Have three to four small cloves in a day. Garlic will warm up your body and give you immense relief from a runny nose. The allicin present in it possesses antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties that will kill the microbes causing the runny nose symptoms (6).
6. Turmeric For Runny Nose
1 teaspoon turmeric powder 1 cup linseed oil
Soak the turmeric powder in a cup of linseed oil, and inhale the smoke emitted. Use freshly ground turmeric powder preferably. Repeat this twice a day. An antidote for cuts and wounds, turmeric also works wonders in putting a halt to that leaky nose. A small pinch of turmeric powder is loaded with antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and even antioxidant properties (7). This will loosen the mucus and make you feel less irritable.
7. Eucalyptus Oil For Runny Nose
Eucalyptus oil A handkerchief
Just dab a few drops of eucalyptus oil on the hanky and inhale it through the day to appease the symptoms of a cold and runny nose. Repeat this every day until the runny nose clears up. The antiviral and antimicrobial properties of eucalyptus oil and their benefits for cold symptoms are well known. This potent essential oil also has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties (8, 9).
8. Apple Cider Vinegar For Runny Nose
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar 1 teaspoon honey 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon powder A glass of warm water
Have this drink twice a day. The antibacterial and antiviral properties of apple cider vinegar come in handy when it comes to treating a runny nose. It also exerts anti-inflammatory effects on the body. This property proves to be beneficial when the runny nose is due an allergic reaction that causes inflammation (10).
9. Honey And Lemon
1 tablespoon honey 3-4 drops fresh lemon juice A glass of lukewarm water
Mix the honey and lemon juice in the water and drink this. Drink this water twice daily. The antimicrobial activity of honey works synergistically with that of lemon to treat the microbes causing the nasal infection. Honey also reduces inflammation of the nasal passages (11, 12).
10. Mustard Oil
Mustard oil Heat a tablespoon of mustard oil until it’s a tad bit warm and gently put in a few drops of it into your nostrils. Do this in the morning and night until the rhinorrhea symptoms go away. This oil is enriched with antibiotic and antiviral properties that will get to work in no time (13). It will work at both eliminating the cold and relieving the symptoms of a runny nose.
11. Neti Pot
A neti pot Filtered water or saline solution
The neti pot helps in clearing mucus from your nose. The above-listed remedies will not only provide relief from a runny nose but will also help alleviate other common cold symptoms. Let’s now look at the causes.
What Causes A Runny Nose
A runny nose or rhinorrhea can be caused due the following reasons:
Common cold Flu Hay fever Allergies Pregnancy Vasomotor rhinitis
Among these, cold or flu is the most common cause for rhinorrhea or a runny nose (14).
Signs And Symptoms Of A Runny Nose
The main symptom of a runny nose is the excess mucus that is being produced in the nasal passages and, probably, even dripping out from the nostrils. This excess mucus blocks the nasal passages, making it difficult to breathe through the nose. Other signs and symptoms include:
Headache Facial pain Sneezing Nosebleeds
Sore throat or ear infection can develop if the infected mucus travels into the ear canals or back up into the throat.
How To Fix A Kid’s Runny Nose At Home
You can use any of the simple home remedies listed above to treat your kid’s runny nose. These remedies are safe to use for kids and adults.
Preventive Measures To Avoid A Runny Nose
Take these measures to avoid that annoying dripping nose, especially in the winters.
Stay away from allergens Cover your nose, mouth, and neck with a woollen scarf while heading outdoors during the winters A dry atmosphere at home can also trigger a runny nose. Use a humidifier Keep your body well hydrated. Drink plenty of water – at least 10 glasses in a day Maintain a healthy diet
What dries up a runny nose the best? Taking an antihistamine medication dries up a runny nose the best. Some good options include diphenhydramine (Benadryl), brompheniramine (Allergy Elixir), and doxylamine (NyQuil). Does ibuprofen stop a runny nose? Ibuprofen may not stop a runny nose, but it can help relieve the symptoms of a cold. Is clove good for a running nose? Clove may help treat the symptoms of a cold. However, it may not help dry up a runny nose.
