How to Clear a Stuffed Nose Without Medication

There are ways to rid yourself of a stuffy nose without resorting to over-the-counter or prescription medications. Stay hydrated and eat a well-balanced diet to help your body deal with the cold and flu germs that cause stuffy noses.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

1. Drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated helps keep the mucus in your sinuses loose and runny, making it easier for you to blow your nose and ease congestion.

2. Turn on a humidifier. Keeping the air moist also helps to keep the mucus soft, allowing you to blow your nose and clear your sinuses.

3. Mix warm water and salt into a saline solution and gargle it to remove mucus from your throat.

4. Drip small amounts of saline water into each nostril and breathe slowly through your nose. The saline will make you sneeze, helping you to clear a stuffy nose.

5. Apply a warm compress to your face to help ease the discomfort of a stuffy nose. The heat and moisture helps promote drainage so you can blow your nose more effectively.

Tips & Warnings

• Add peppermint extract to your humidifier, as peppermint helps ease congestion.

• If your stuffy nose is painful, lasts more than 7 to 10 days or is accompanied by a fever, consult a physician. You may have a sinus infection which requires medication.