When you are sick, there is nothing you want more than to just feel better. If there was a magic pill that automatically made you feel better after coming down with a cold, you would take it. Instead, you do what you can, taking vitamins or over-the-counter medications to boost immunity and get over the cold. You may also experiment with different home remedies, some of which help relieve symptoms while others don’t.
Sometimes, you blow your nose so much and cannot believe that you have more mucus to expel. Blowing can cause headaches and general sinus pain, not to mention puffy eyes or irritation around the nostrils. In order to stop your nose from leaking like a faulty faucet, should you consume chicken soup and heat packs? What is fiction and which home remedies actually help you drain your sinuses? Continue reading to find out.
Nasal Irrigation
Very effective at relieving nasal congestion or irritation, nasal irrigation involves flushing out the nasal passages with a saline solution. You may be aware of the neti pot, which is an inexpensive device that looks like a small teapot. You can make your own saline solution for the neti pot, squeeze bottle, or bulb syringe with the following steps:
- Mix 3 teaspoons of iodine-free salt with 1 teaspoon of baking soda to create the dry mixture.
- Dissolve 1 teaspoon of the dry mixture into 1 cup of distilled, sterilized, or filtered water.
In order to irrigate your sinuses, you first want to stand over a sink or basin. Pour, spray, or squirt a liberal amount of the solution into your right nostril while tilting your head so that your left ear is parallel to the ground. The saline solution should flow out of the other nostril. Do this to each nostril to help flush away any bacteria or irritants.
Warm And Cold Compresses
Whether you have a cold or sore muscles, alternating between warm and cold compresses can benefit your situation. Lay back and apply a warm compress across your nose, cheeks, and forehead for three minutes. Remove the compress and replace it with a cold compress for 30 seconds. Repeat this cycle two more times to complete a total of three cycles. You can repeat this process between two to six times per day.
Manuka Honey
There is a large body of evidence highlighting the health benefits of honey. It exhibits antibacterial properties and can help soothe sore throat. Manuka honey is a special type of honey that has many therapeutic uses. Researchers note that Manuka honey exhibits powerful antibacterial properties that may help get rid of a bacterial infection. Try adding Manuka honey to your next cup of tea if you have sinus congestion or a sore throat.
Hydrate With Lots Of Water
The reason that you want to drink more water than you otherwise would is to help thin mucus and drain your sinuses. Fluids and humidity can lubricate your sinuses, making it easier to breathe. Hot beverages like herbal tea or hot water with lemon can also aid your hydration efforts. Hot beverages also provide the benefit of steam, which may aid breathing and soothe sore throat.
Steam
Steam works to relieve congestion by loosening the mucus in your nasal passages. You can add essential oils to a diffuser if you have that available to you. Otherwise, you can pour boiling water into a heat-safe bowl and add a few drops of peppermint, eucalyptus, or tea tree essential oils to the water. Lean over the bowl and drape a towel over your head so that it falls all around you, creating a steam tent. Breathe deeply, in through the nose and out through the mouth, to help clear your sinuses.
