A blocked or stuffy nose is one of the most uncomfortable and frustrating conditions one can experience. You lose your sense of smell, and even your food tastes bland. In more severe cases, a stuffy nose is often accompanied by a throbbing headache, which only adds to the misery.
Getting a good night’s sleep becomes nearly impossible. Breathing becomes difficult, which not only disrupts your sleep but can also make your headache worse.
Before discussing remedies, it’s important to understand what causes nasal congestion. A stuffy nose occurs when the blood vessels in the nasal passages become inflamed. This inflammation is typically triggered by sinus infections, colds, the flu, or allergies.
At that point, all you want is quick relief. Fortunately, you don’t need to look far. Two common kitchen ingredients—ginger and turmeric—can help ease nasal congestion naturally and effectively.
# GingerHow to use:
- Cut a fresh piece of ginger into slices.
- Add the slices to a pan with one glass of water.
- Boil for about 5 minutes on low flame.
- Let it simmer for another 10 minutes, then strain the liquid.
- Add 1 teaspoon of lemon juice and 1 teaspoon of raw honey.
- Stir well and drink this ginger tea 2–3 times a day.
You can also chew a small piece of fresh ginger for quicker relief.
Why it works: Ginger has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe the sinuses. It reduces mucus production and provides fast relief from nasal congestion.
# TurmericHow to use:
- Add 1 teaspoon of turmeric to a glass of milk.
- Stir well and bring it to a gentle boil. Simmer on low heat for about 5 minutes.
- Allow it to cool slightly before drinking.
- For taste, add 1 teaspoon of honey. Drink this twice a day.
Why it works: Turmeric contains strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. These help in reducing inflammation in the nasal passages, making it an effective remedy for a stuffy or blocked nose.