A runny nose is an inflammation of the nasal mucosa. When viruses or microbes get in, the body strives by all means to get rid of the “invaders”. Drops and sprays such as “Naphtizin” and “Galazolin” are able to stop for a couple of hours, but not cure a runny nose. In addition, they dry out the mucous membrane, and microbes penetrate deeper into the respiratory tract.
Effective remedies for the common cold
In the era of their youth, grandmothers and great-grandmothers somehow managed to cure a runny nose at home without the use of pills, sprays and drops. Many people use the same methods now, because their effectiveness has been proven for millennia. If you catch a cold, you can rub your feet with garlic, put on wool socks, and wrap yourself in a warm blanket overnight. You can also rub your feet with apple cider vinegar or castor oil. These methods will not only help to cope with a cold, but also eliminate the symptoms of a cold. What else can you do to keep your nose running?
Instead of the usual drops, you can use warm olive, peach, sea buckthorn oil and an oil solution of vitamin A. Garlic drops will also be effective. 2-3 cloves of garlic should be chopped, pour three tablespoons of boiling water and let it brew for two hours.
If such drops cause you an indomitable sneezing and a long lasting burning sensation, they should not be used.
Treating a runny nose at home will be easier with honey drops. For 1 teaspoon of honey (better than linden), you need twice as much warm water. After you thoroughly stir the composition, it can be instilled 3-4 times a day.
With a cold, you should not only gargle, but also rinse the nasopharynx. The procedure itself is not pleasant, but very effective. Broths of chamomile, sage, tricolor violets are best suited for rinsing. Herbs can be purchased at any pharmacy. To prepare the broth, you need to boil the water. Pour 1 tablespoon of herbs into a jar and pour 1 cup of boiling water. Wrap the jar in a towel and leave for 15-20 minutes. When the broth becomes slightly warm, pour it little by little into the palm folded in a boat and suck in with your nose. Better alternately each nostril, pinching each other with your fingers.
One of the most popular home remedies for rhinitis is inhalation. In childhood, many breathed over a pot of freshly boiled potatoes, covered with a blanket on top. It is advisable to breathe steam twice a day. It is important to remember that this method can only be effective if it lasts no more than 10-15 minutes. If inhalation lasts longer, there is a high risk of overdrying the mucous membrane, which will lead to irritation of the already inflamed nasopharynx.
It is not recommended to breathe over steam for people with high fever, as well as for those who suffer from hypertension
During inhalation, inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth. Prerequisite: between inhalation and exhalation, you should hold your breath for a few seconds. Try to breathe calmly and regularly.
If you don’t like breathing over potatoes, you can use other means:
- add 1 teaspoon of onion juice or 5-10 drops of iodine to a saucepan with freshly boiled water
The famous “Golden Star” balm (aka “Zvezdochka”) is still an effective remedy. A small amount of balm can be added to boiling water for inhalation
- pour 3 tablespoons of pine buds into half a liter of hot water, let the composition boil for 3-5 minutes over low heat
- you can do inhalation with a decoction of St. John’s wort or oak bark
- in boiling water for inhalation, you can add 3-5 drops of menthol, fir or eucalyptus oil
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