Waking up with a stuffy nose is the worst, right? I know I’m not alone in thinking that. When you have congestion and sinus pressure, it makes even your everyday activities feel like a ton of work… and as a busy mom, I don’t have time to be knocked out with a cold all winter. I’m guessing that many of you are in the same boat.
It can be tempting to take a trip to the local drugstore and load up on tons of brightly-colored cold and flu remedies that claim they’ll relieve mucus buildup and get you feeling as good as new in a matter of hours. But here’s the thing: Many of those over-the-counter medicines are chock full of ingredients that we don’t know that much about.
I don’t know about you, but I’m much more comfortable with natural remedies using the plants and herbs that God has created for us on this Earth. And here’s the good news: Herbal remedies can be just as effective for respiratory issues as drugstore medications. These herbs have been used for centuries to reduce congestion and help to relieve allergy symptoms.
Wondering where to start as you find the right herbs to help relieve congestion and help clear rhinitis? You’re in the right place. In this article, I’ve collected the top 5 herbs and tinctures to soothe your cold and cough. Read on to discover more about these traditional remedies.
Why Should You Use Herbs for Congestion Relief?
Herbs have been used in traditional Chinese medicine to help with congestion for centuries – and many of them have natural properties that are perfect for addressing congestion and inflammation. Herbs like ginger, peppermint, echinacea, eucalyptus, cayenne pepper, garlic, rosemary, and thyme are known for their abilities to clear congestion and fight infection. So when you are looking for a natural remedy to address sinus problems and allergic reactions, these herb are some of the best options out there.
There are many different ways to use herbs – for instance, you can try a nasal spray, herbal tea, essential oil, or even an herbal essence to address sinusitis and clear your nasal passages. While modern medical advice can tend toward synthetic, processed remedies, these all-natural, organic options have been used to treat sinus congestion for years and years. It’s definitely worth a try to treat nasal congestion with herbs before turning to neon-colored drugstore liquids.
Sinus Relief Through Herbs in Tea Form
Hot tea is one of the best remedies for congestion. Why? The warm liquid helps soothe your sore throat and has natural antimicrobial properties that can help you recover from a sinus infection faster. Herbal teas can help to boost your respiratory health… but not all teas are created equally. Here are some of the top tea options when you’re looking for respiratory system relief.
#1: Peppermint Tea
When you ingest peppermint tea, you’ll enjoy the distinctive taste as well as the menthol component, which will have an anti-inflammatory effect on your throat. This tea is known to help open up the nasal passages, relieving the pressure related to acute sinusitis.
#2: Chamomile Tea
The best remedy for a cold? Sleep, and lots of it. But it can be tough to get high-quality rest when you’re not feeling your best… and that’s where chamomile comes in. The flowers from this plant will help you get a better sleep so that your body can recover and fight inflammation.
#3: Echinacea
This purple flower is known to boost your immune system and also help to relieve cold and flu symptoms. When you make a tea to combat sinus problems, that is the best way to use this powerful herb.
Essential Oils to Provide Sinusitis Relief
Herbs are known for their anti-inflammatory properties … and luckily, tea is not the only way to consume them. With a long history being used to provide relief and treat allergies, essential oils can help with respiratory health. Some of the best essential oils to fight a cold include tea tree oil, peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil, and lavender oil.
Each of these oils has its own unique properties. For instance, eucalyptus oil can help address excess mucus production and treat acute sinusitis faster. Peppermint oil helps open up the airways and clear up thick mucus. Tea tree oil has antibacterial properties and can function as a decongestant.
So how do you get the maximum benefit from essential oils? One of my favorite methods is using essential oils to do a cleansing face steam. Here’s how:
First, you’ll need 1 cup of boiling water. Add a few drops of the essential oil of your choice, and then drape a towel over your head and bend over the pot of water to inhale the steam. Of course, be careful not to get too close! Remember, if you are pregnant or nursing, it’s important to confer with your doctor before you use essential oils.
Want to take it one step further? You can also try an antiseptic sinus rinse using a neti pot. If you haven’t heard of a neti pot, they are great for thinning mucus and helping with ear infections, asthma, allergic rhinitis, and more. You will basically stand over a sink and tilt your head back. Then, you’ll pour the contents of the neti pot into one nostril and breathe through your mouth while letting it flow out of the other nostril.
It definitely takes a little bit of getting used to, but it’s a great way to address all kinds of sinus issues – and when you incorporate herbs, you will be getting a little bit of extra goodness in every dosage. It’s an excellent way to handle a runny nose and get yourself back on your feet fast after you have been dealing with a sinus problem.
Using Herbs in Your Home
Herbal remedies are an amazing tool to combat all different kinds of ailments – from the common cold to sore muscles, herbs can help you address anything that is inflamed and acting up. As you know, I have been working on building an at-home apothecary so that I have herbs on hand whenever I need them. These natural offerings are chock full of antioxidants and other amazing qualities that make alleviating sickness easy without having to shop the aisles of your local drugstore.
If you want more herbal solutions and suggestions for all-natural fixes for whatever your family is struggling with, discover even more suggestions and tips on my blog. I’m here to help support you on your journey to natural health.
