14 Natural Treatments to Unstuff Your Nose and Breathe Better

Be Productive Again

Just this morning, I woke up and found I couldn't breathe out of my left nostril. When I get a stuffy nose, I want to clear it ASAP and move on with what I have to do that day—which is why I've found and tested several home remedies for nasal congestion throughout the years because taking medication is not my first course of action. All of these remedies will help clear out your nasal passageways. Not only will you be able to breathe better, but you will also be clear-headed so that you can have a productive day ahead.

1. Use a Neti Pot to Relieve Nasal Congestion

According to Dr. Elizabeth Trattner, "One of the simplest things a patient can do is a nasal lavage. This can be performed with a neti pot that is purchased over the counter at drugstores. You can even make your own at home by using a mixture of 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of baking soda to 1 pint of distilled water. This should be done twice a day in the morning and in the evening right before bedtime. A nasal lavage helps clear the cilia of the inside of the nose of pollen, micro-particles, and mucus. This practice has been performed for thousands of years and it is quite effective and very inexpensive."

I personally prefer the neti pot to gargling salt as it is the most effective way of clearing your sinuses. Simply fill the neti pot with salt water and pour it into one nostril while tilting your head to the opposite side. These neti pots come with "saline solution," that you pour into water to use in your pot. However, "saline solution" is another word for salt, so once you run out of the solution, you can simply mix your own salt solution.

2. Use a Saline Spray to Clear a Blocked Nose

To make a saline spray, simply mix 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and a pint of distilled or pre-boiled water. You can buy a nasal spray bottle at the drugstore and fill it up with your homemade saline solution. Then simply spray your nose a few times a day to restore moisture to dry nasal passages and thin the mucus that is preventing you from breathing.

You can also do a salt-water nose gargle. Just fill up a small cup with warm water and a pinch of salt. Close one nostril and snort the salt water with the other nostril. Then simply blow your nose. Of course, this technique is very difficult to use on little ones. As the mother of a two-year-old, I know how often children's noses can get stuffed, but their noses are so small that it's hard to clear them out.

Note: Dr. Elliott, MD, a board-certified allergist and internist warns against using tap or bottled water to make a salt water rinse. She says, "It’s fine to gargle with warm salt water when you have a sore throat, but you never want to put that up your nose. There is bacteria in both tap and even bottled water that can make your infection worse. If you want to make your own rinse, be sure that the water is pre-boiled, or better yet, buy distilled water from the pharmacy. That way you know you are not introducing any unwanted materials into your body."

3. Inhale Eucalyptus Oil to Unclog Nasal Passages

Eucalyptus oil increases the number of phagocyte cells that destroy bacteria, increases circulation in the body, expels phlegm and decongests the nasal passageways. It helps unclog your nose instantly. You can use eucalyptus oil in three ways:

Inhale It Over a Bowl of Hot Water

Pour a few drops into a pan or bowl of steaming hot water. Take a towel and cover your head over the pot so that you create your own mini spa. Inhale the steam. Just be careful not to get your face too close to the pot because the steam can get quite hot and boiling water can splash. Start with your face over a foot away from the water, and adjust accordingly.

Pour a Few Drops on Your Pillow Before Bed

Sprinkle a few drops on your pillow so you can inhale it while you sleep.

Use a Handkerchief

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Put a few drops of eucalyptus oil onto a handkerchief, and sniff it throughout the day.

4. Eat a Clove of Raw Garlic When You Think a Cold Is Starting

Based on my experience, this is the most effective for not only clearing my stuffy nose but also getting rid of my cold. Dr. Tania Elliott, MD says, "Garlic is a natural immune booster." It is an extremely potent anti-bacterial food, and when cut, it produces a chemical called allicin, which helps thin the mucus blocking your passageways.

Just take a clove of garlic and slice it into pieces small enough to swallow. Then just swallow it with some water like you would a normal pill. Drink some warm water after to help with digestion.

5. Take a Hot Shower or Inhale Steam for Sinus Relief

The steam from a hot shower will help clear out your nose by thinning mucus and restoring moisture to inflamed mucus membranes in your nostrils. While this clearing effect is temporary, it can still help remove blockages in your nasal passageways.

6. Drink Warm Water or Hot Tea (Peppermint or Ginger)

One of the reasons your nose is stuffy is because of mucous buildup. Drinking ample water helps to thin out this mucus and drain it, which is why it is always the standard advice given by doctors to patients with sinuses.

Warm water or tea is even better because the heat will loosen up the mucus and help you breathe better. Herbal teas like peppermint or ginger tea are great choices for clearing your nasal passageways. The menthol in peppermint breaks up phlegm and relieves sinuses and headaches, and ginger has high anti-inflammatory properties that instantly relieve congestion.

7. Eat Spicy Foods to Thin Mucus

Spicy foods will often help drain the nose. Like the effect of steam, this effect may only be temporary but will help lead to more lasting results. We make Indian food every day, so I can easily add a Serrano chili or cayenne pepper to make something extra spicy. Mustard oil or wasabi are also great for giving that instant clearing effect.

Try adding chilis to your cooking. If that's too much effort, you can easily order spicy Indian or Vietnamese dishes.

8. Lie on the Side That Is Unstuffed or Less Clogged

If you want to clear nasal congestion at night and help relieve the pressure on the more stuffed side of your face, try lying on the side that is less stuffed. This works especially well after nose gargling salt water or using a neti pot.

9. Massage Your Sinuses

Massaging your sinuses can help to break up the congestion. It works, just like any massage, by loosening things up.

Below is a video that walks you through exactly how to drain your sinuses using massage and pressure points.

10. Cut an Onion to Clear a Blocked Nose

Dr. Tania Elliott, MD explains, "Raw onion is great for boosting the immune system!" This morning, an item on my to-do list was to make a sauce that required onions. Cutting onions up instantly unstuffed my nose. The strong smell not only made me cry but also helped open up my nostrils.

11. Use a Humidifier While You Sleep to Add Moisture to the Air

We do this in our Connecticut home during the wintertime. A humidifier instantly puts moisture into the air, increasing the humidity (hence the name). Like drinking a glass of water, using a humidifier can help thin out the mucus in your nose and sinus areas, allowing you to breathe better and sleep more restfully.

12. Use Warm Compress on Forehead

To relieve sinus pressure, place a warm compress on your forehead and nose. The warmth from the compress will clear up mucus that is built up in the mucus membranes located throughout your neck, temples, forehead, and nose.

13. Eat Chicken Soup to Get Rid of Sinuses

Dr. Elliott, MD explains that "Chicken soup can help fight infection. Studies show it boosts neutrophil production—a key component of the immune system needed to fight bacteria." This is because chicken soup is chock full of potent herbs and spices (onions, celery, and pepper) that stimulate nasal clearance. It is also full of protein, which strengthens your immune system and helps your body fight cold symptoms, such as congestion and fatigue.

14. Drink Some Apple Cider Vinegar

Mix some apple cider vinegar with water and honey, and drink up for better breathing. Apple cider vinegar contains potassium, which thins mucus. It is also abundant in vitamin C, which gives your immune system that extra boost for fighting off the common cold.

How to Sleep With a Stuffy Nose

1. Prop your head up to help drain the mucus. You can do this by using two or more pillows to keep your head elevated.
2. Spray your nose with a saline spray before bed. The blast moisture of moisture does wonders for decongestion.
3. Use a humidifier or diffuser in your room to ensure that your nasal passages are moist all through the night. Adding a few drops of eucalyptus oil would be even better. The menthol in eucalyptus is antibacterial and helps open blocked mucus membranes.
4. Rub your chest with eucalyptus oil or Vick's vapor oil. Again, the menthol heals with decongestion.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and does not substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, and/or dietary advice from a licensed health professional. Drugs, supplements, and natural remedies may have dangerous side effects. If pregnant or nursing, consult with a qualified provider on an individual basis. Seek immediate help if you are experiencing a medical emergency.

Please Share Your Tips and Experiences Getting Rid of Stuffy Noses

Ashley Bergin from san francisco on October 26, 2018:

Excellent advice! For the last few years, I’ve sworn by #4 (garlic) #7 (spicy foods) and #14 (Apple Cider Vinegar). These work especially well if you have a sore throat in combination with the stuffy nose, and they really do help the cold go away faster. Before discovering those remedies, a common cold would usually last a full 5 days with raging symptoms. But if I use those techniques, I’ll normally have 1 day of severe congestion and sore throat – and will feel at least 50% better by the next day.

Lily on September 18, 2018:

Yes!! I always get stuffy noses and I hate them. I’ve found the lying on the unblocked side trick a long long time ago by experience. It always works for me.

Kyokusiima Diana from Kampala-Uganda on September 12, 2018:

thank you so much for sharing nd that was very helpful,

Stuffy 11 year old on September 06, 2018:

Drinking orange juice helps alot to but these were even better! This site helps way too much=) keep helping people

Ajoung on September 02, 2018:

This was helpful.

hemal shah from India on July 30, 2018:

I liked the idea of cutting onion. A healthy article overall.

nimra karim on July 25, 2018:

its amazing ...

Sophia on July 20, 2018:

Yesterday I woke up with a terribly sore throat but as I got through the day every hour that passed by my throat got better little by little. When I woke up today I had a stuffy nose and as I got through the day it's just gotten worse. I will try to use these methods but nothing has worked so far, and since I can only breathe through my mouth my throat is getting dry and it's hurting more. Thank you for your kindness but...please help me!!!

Amaya on July 16, 2018:

I used a doterra essential oil called breathe, I put it on my pillow when I went to sleep and put some right under my nose and it helps so much

Addison on June 28, 2018:

I can't breath out of my nose at all it has been 4 days I have tried a lot of these and nothing works if you have any other things that might work please reply

Alana on June 06, 2018:

My nose was stuffy one night and I got hungry I went and I grabbed a water and some crackers I layer on my side and my stuffy nosee slightly went away!

Matthew (author) from Florida on June 05, 2018:

Wow, this is interesting. Let me look at this. Thank you for your comment.

Gina on May 31, 2018:

THEY DONT WORK!! Please give us something that will really work

Ramona from Arkansas on May 31, 2018:

Interesting information. Thank you for sharing it with us.

ayurvedhimachal on May 27, 2018:

Very useful topic

Person who is sick on April 30, 2018:

Oui I tried all of them and none of them work. Does any one have anything that actually works?

Dramasdownload on April 15, 2018:

I face the spookie feeling of not being able to breath at night I wake up starving for air now .I was hit with a hughe door it caused left side of nose to..be a devated septum so left side of nose was damaged cant breath that side then when right side get stuffed up I have had it ! PANIC.. I wake up tounge hughe swelling from being or /drying out..from breathing out of mouth at night throat dry as the desert it gets to be a night mare .It then takes 2 glasses of water before. I can talk. Cant someone come up with a way to turn off the allergy gene in the body ..Please at this point IF I COULD BE A person who was a genetically

Ehance being it would be a God send ! :-) Hopefully its not too far from being possible then no more mouth breathing like a fish. OR MAYBE NASA COULD ASK THE SPACE PEOPLE FOR A CURE? THEY HAVE THEIR AMERICAN CITIZEN SHIP BY NOW RIGHT ?

With all the help they have ALREADY GIVEN US RIGHT.. (All the MAJOR ..MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS WE MADE IN Just 25 years.. AMAZING ! We need some health miracles With this new flu we can use all the Help we can get ! :-) :-) :-)

http://www.dramasdownload.site/

Noelia on April 10, 2018:

That kinda helped lol, thank you

Ema on April 07, 2018:

This was amazing. I don’t know if all of them work but number nine definitely does. Iv been up for 18 hours and now I’m finally going to be able to get some sleep.

Julien on March 20, 2018:

Thanks for your help!!!

Jayee on March 14, 2018: