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Post nasal drip is a symptom that often happens when you have a cold. It is when there is too much mucus in your nasal passages, causing it to settle down your throat. It is uncomfortable and can happen from common colds, sinus infections, flu, allergies and more.
In this article, we will provide you with home remedies for post nasal drip. Each of our home remedies for post nasal drip will come with the materials you will need for the remedy. On top of that, we will also offer you the steps you need to take to achieve the goal of eliminating post nasal drip. For alternative methods of dealing with this issue, try our home remedies for a runny nose.
1. Steam Inhalation
Inhaling steam is a great way to clear your airways and your nasal passages. You can make steam right at home, and it costs nothing since the steam can be made using your tap water. It is recommended that you add some essential oils to make it more effective. The oils that are recommended include eucalyptus and mint oils.
Necessary Items
- Water
- Large bowl
- Eucalyptus essential oil or mint essential oils
- Towel
Instructions
- Boil a large amount of water.
- Pour it into a bowl.
- Put in a few drops of essential oils.
- Place a towel over your head and neck like a tent. Cover the bowl with it to trap in the steam.
- Take several deep breaths. Do this for up to 15 minutes.
2. Gargle with Salt Water
Gargling with salt water helps to clean out the throat and nasal passages. Salt is a natural antibacterial; this means that on top of getting rid of the mucus it can get rid of the bacteria as well. This could help your common cold clear up more quickly if this is what is causing the post nasal drip. We recommend that you use sea salt. It has more of the compounds you need in it than table salt.
Necessary Items
Instructions
- Boil a cup of water on the stove.
- Add in half a teaspoon of sea salt in the water.
- Mix it in to form a solution.
- Once it is a comfortable temperature, gargle with this mixture.
3. Nasal Irrigation
Using a neti pot, you can irrigate the nasal cavity to get rid of the irritating mucus. It can also help to prevent any sorts of infections in your nose. Finally, it removes irritants that might bother you while you are sick. Neti pots are cheap to purchase. They can be found at most department stores. If you cannot find one, then try and find one at a pharmacy instead.
Necessary Items
- Neti pot
- Warm water
- Baking soda
- Sea salt
Instructions
- Put some warm water, baking soda and sea salt into the neti pot.
- Tilt your head to the side and put some of the solutions in your nostril.
- Move your head back and forth to clean out your nasal cavities.
- Blow your nose to get rid of the extra water. It will also get rid of the solution.
4. Ginger
Ginger is a natural decongestant. It also naturally has antibacterial compounds, antiviral compounds and is an expectorant. All of these things can work with you to get rid of mucus and the post nasal drip. Not only this, but ginger is able to stop the overproduction of mucus to stop the drip going forward. Ginger can be found in any grocery store in the produce aisle. It is recommended that you use fresh ginger.
Necessary Items
Instructions
- Peel the ginger.
- Grate some ginger into a mug.
- Boil some water.
- Pour it over the ginger to make a tea.
- Allow it to steep for 15 minutes.
- Strain the liquid.
- When it is cool enough, drink it.
5. Garlic
Garlic is a powerhouse of antiviral, antibacterial and antimicrobial compounds. This can help clear up the bacteria lingering in the mucus. It can also clear the mucus out of your throat in general. This is because of its potent flavor and aroma. You should use fresh garlic for best results. Find fresh cloves of garlic at any grocery store in the produce section.
Necessary Items
- Fresh garlic
- Water, optional
Instructions
- Cut up three to four cloves of garlic as small as you can.
- Eat them plain if you can stomach it. You can chase it down with a glass of water.
- You can also chew on a clove of garlic a few times a day.
6. Lemon
Lemon is a potent antioxidant, thanks to its abundance of vitamin C. This antioxidant can get rid of the toxins in the mucus that are making you sick. It can also help cut through the mucus due to its acidic nature. Because it is an antioxidant, it can also help improve your immune system. By doing this, you can help stave off other illnesses that might cause post nasal drip in the future.
Necessary Items
- Fresh lemon
- Warm water
- Honey
Instructions
- Take the juice from half a lemon and mix it into warm water.
- Mix in some honey to make it taste better.
- Drink this mixture once in the morning on an empty stomach.
- Do this each day.
7. Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne pepper is a powerful antihistamine. This is due to its large amount of capsaicin. This compound is great at thinning out any mucus in your nose and throat. This is why sometimes when you eat spicy food, your nose will run. Also, it can reduce any irritation in your throat caused by your illness. You can find cayenne pepper in powdered form. This makes cayenne pepper one of the most convenient home remedies for post nasal drip.
Necessary Items
- Powdered cayenne pepper
- Warm water
- Honey
Instructions
- Pour a glass of warm water.
- Put half a teaspoon of cayenne pepper into the water.
- Mix in a bit of honey.
- Drink this mixture up to three times a day for best results until the mucus stops.
8. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is effective at cutting through the mucus in your throat. Its acidic nature also manages to alkalize the area, helping to balance out the pH in your throat. This is very important for your health. Apple cider vinegar is a very commonly used vinegar type; this means it is likely to be in your house already. If it is not, it is cheap to purchase and can be found at any grocery store.
Necessary Items
- Apple cider vinegar
- Water
- Honey
Instructions
- Put one or two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar into a warm glass of water.
- Mix in a bit of honey to improve the taste.
- Drink this solution up to twice a day.
9. Vitamin C
Vitamin C can be found in more than just lemons. The more vitamin C you can get, the better. If you eat vitamin C in citrus form, you will also have the benefit of their acidic nature. The acids in citrus fruits can penetrate through the mucus with ease. This helps to clear up the drip more quickly. There are a number of different sources of vitamin C to choose from. Find them all at your local grocery store.
Necessary Items
Instructions
- Take vitamin C supplements as directed on the bottle or by your doctor.
Or:
Necessary Items
Instructions
- Eat plenty of vitamin C-rich foods like:
- Grapefruits
- Lemons
- Limes
- Oranges
- Tomatoes
10. Drink More Water
Staying hydrated is an excellent, preventative way to deal with a mucus overload. Drinking enough water will help keep your nasal passages hydrated so your body won’t produce mucus to protect it. A lot of the time, mucus is produced to coat the throat in dry weather conditions. Dehydration can also make your post nasal drip worse if it is allowed to persist.
Necessary Items
Instructions
- Try and drink the recommended amount of water each day–eight glasses.
- You can hydrate in other ways by:
- Sucking on ice cubes
- Drinking electrolyte drinks
- Drinking sports drinks
- Try to keep sipping on liquids most of the day.
11. Rock Salt
Rock salt is full of minerals as well as anti-inflammatory compounds. This can help soothe the throat while healing it and getting rid of mucus. Rock salt is used for a number of applications. It is easy to find in department stores and grocery stores for this reason. Certainly, it is relatively cheap to purchase.
Necessary Items
Ingredients
- Warm up some water on the stove.
- Put the rock salt into it.
- Mix it well until it forms a solution.
- Gargle using this water.
- Be sure not to swallow.
- Do this as many as three or four times a day until the problem disappears.
12. Tulsi
Tulsi is a natural decongestant. This means it can help get rid of the mucus and congestion in your body. Not only this, but it is an antibiotic and anti-inflammatory herb as well. Because of this, it can get rid of the swelling in the airways. It can also help to treat your common cold causing the problem. Find tulsi in most grocery stores. Further, if you are having difficulty locating it, check a health food store.
Necessary Items
Instructions
- Put 10 tulsi leaves into a pot of boiling water.
- Once it boils for two minutes, let the mixture cool.
- Strain it to get the liquid out.
- Drink this tea three times a day.
13. Cumin
Cumin is a potent antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory. This can stop the swelling of your nasal passages. It can also give your immune system the boost it needs to fight off the cause of the post nasal drip. Then, you can find cumin fresh in a grocery store or in powdered form. Also, using it in powdered form will likely be most convenient for this home remedy.
Necessary Items
Instructions
- Boil a few cups of water on the stove.
- Pour in a teaspoon of cumin.
- Let it boil for three minutes.
- Let it cool and steep for five minutes.
- Strain it and drink it slowly.
- Do this twice a day.
14. Cinnamon
Cinnamon is full of antiviral and antibacterial compounds. This can help you to heal from your cold or other mucus-causing illness. Not only this, but it comes with antioxidants as well. Also, these antioxidants will boost the immune system and help you get over the illness more quickly. Hence, cinnamon in powdered form will work best for this home remedy.
Necessary Items
Instructions
- Warm up a cup of water.
- Mix in a teaspoon of cinnamon powder until it forms a solution.
- Drink this mixture slowly.
- Repeat once each day.
15. Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil is good at clearing out the nasal passages. Because it is full of menthol, it can also help to relieve swelling and pain in your throat. Thus, all you need to do to get the benefits is breathe in the oil.
Necessary Items
- Peppermint essential oil
- Cloth
- Water
Instructions
- Dampen a cloth with warm water.
- Put a few drops of the oil on a cloth and breath in the aromas.
Annoyed by your Post Nasal Drip?
Post nasal drip is annoying and can get in the way of leading a productive day when you’re sick. In this article, we provided you with several home remedies for post nasal drip. What is the go-to method for this drip that you like to use? Lastly, share it with us below.
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