Nasal congestion, commonly known as a stuffy nose, is brought on by irritated nasal capillaries or an excessive amount of mucus production. These circumstances may cause a stuffy nose and make breathing difficult.

This is typically a sign of various diseases including the flu, a cold, sinusitis, or allergies that affect the respiratory system. Usually, a stuffy nose goes away on its own within a week.

A stuffy nose is not a serious health emergency, therefore you should only use over-the-counter nasal decongestants as directed by your doctor. Due to their rebound effect, these drugs may make your stuffy nose a chronic problem and may even make your congestion worse.

Therefore, you can attempt various natural methods to clear your nose before using a decongestant, such as: 

1. Rinsing your nose with saline solution

A nasal rinse kit can help clear your nose by removing extra mucus and sinus fluids. Bacteria that may be worsening the production of these fluids can be eliminated with the aid of salt-based remedies.

The irrigation kit is more useful for adults than children because it can be a little uncomfortable for kids. The solution is squeezed into one side of the rinse bottle while being inserted into one nostril, and it then emerges from the other nostril. Mucus and other pollutants in the nasal canal can be drained by the saline that leaks out.

2. Breathing in eucalyptus smoke

Vapor inhalation is typically comfortable, so kids can employ this technique when an adult is watching them. Eucalyptus is a natural decongestant, and vapor can make secretions more fluid-like; both of these properties can aid in clearing a stuffy nose.

Simply put 3 drops of eucalyptus in a bowl with 500 ml of boiling water to try this method, and then breathe in the vapor for about 5 minutes. To contain the vapor, you can drape a towel over your head and the bowl.

3. Increasing air humidity

The airways can be moisturized and inflammation reduced by using an electric humidifier or placing bowls of water throughout the house. This can aid in mucus discharge removal and discomfort relief.

4. Consuming 8 to 12 cups (2 to 3 liters) of water per day

Even if no other approach works, water can help to be less thick and make it simpler to expel. Drinking teas, especially those with decongestant qualities like eucalyptus and mint, can help maintain enough fluid intake.

5. Consuming vitamin C-rich foods

Vitamin C is known to boost and strengthen the immune system, which helps the body recover from colds and flus much more quickly (which are the main causes of stuffy noses).

Fruits and vegetables high in vitamin C include tangerines, pineapple, oranges, and lemons.

6. Taking a hot shower or bath

The vapor from a hot bath or shower can help to make mucus more fluid-like and simpler to evacuate. Your congested nose will be relieved by doing this.

7. Applying a hot, minty cloth.

The signs of a stuffy nose can be alleviated by placing a heated towel that has been soaked in mint tea on the face. It is a natural expectorant that aids in releasing uncomfortable mucus.

8. Giving your cheekbones a massage

You can massage your cheekbones and nose for five minutes with essential oils like peppermint, eucalyptus, and lavander to relieve stuffy nose.

How to treat a baby’s congested nose

Because their nasal passages are so small, newborns frequently have stuffy noses. A newborn who has a stuffy nose may find it very difficult to breathe because they are unable to relieve their own discomfort.

A baby’s stuffy nose can be relieved using the following techniques:

Applying a few drops or a brief spray of saline solution to the infant’s nose, and then sucking it out using a nasal aspirator.

Applying a gentle facial massage that moves from the top of the nose to the bottom.

Placing a tall pillow beneath the baby’s mattress to aid breathing

Nebulizing for 20 minutes, three to four times a day, for five milliliters of saline will help to loosen nasal secretions.

Eucalyptus essential oil shouldn’t be used on kids or infants because it might aggravate the respiratory system even more and potentially lead to bronchitis. You can hang a moist towel in the baby’s room or use a humidifier if the home atmosphere is excessively dry. As using bowls or buckets of water poses a safety risk, you should refrain from doing so in the baby’s room.