Home Remedies Web

Nasal Congestion Home Remedy

Find home remedies for nasal congestion using natural and herbal products such as tea tree oil, oregano, and Vitamin C.

Shahzad Malik, Ph.D.
3–4 minutes
Nasal Congestion Home Remedy

Signs and Symptoms of Nasal Congestion

Nasal Congestion (also referred to as blocked nose or stuffy nose) occurs when the nasal passage is blocked and stuffed due to swollen mucous membranes that line the nose. Nasal congestion can interfere with hearing and speech. Significant congestion may interfere with sleep, cause snoring, and can be associated with episodes of not breathing during sleep.

While nasal congestion is generally more of an annoyance in older children and adults, it is much more serious when it occurs in infants. This is because infants primarily breathe through their nose, which can cause life-threatening breathing problems when they are nursing.

Causes of Nasal Congestion

A congested nasal passage occurs when the membranes lining the nose become swollen from inflamed blood vessels. Congestion can be caused by many of the same things that cause a runny nose including colds, allergies, sinus infections, and the flu. Overuse of some nasal sprays or drops can also lead to congestion. In most cases, a stuffed nose is usually caused by a virus and typically goes away by itself within a week.

Home Remedies and Natural Treatments for Nasal Congestion

Oil of Oregano

Oil of Oregano has long been regarded as a natural remedy for sinus or lung congestion, since it helps to strengthen the body’s immune system.

According to a 2014 study published in the Journal of Herbal Medicine, oil of oregano has antimicrobial properties and may be effective in treating upper respiratory tract infections such as nasal congestion. However, more research is needed to fully understand its effectiveness in this area. 1

Simply mix 2 or 3 drops of oregano oil with juice, and drink this daily. Or you may take 2-3 drops of oil of Oregano under the tongue if you can handle the spice. Improvements are normally noticed within 3-5 days.

Another simple remedy is to mix 1-2 drops of oil of oregano with 1 tablespoon of carrier oil. Rub the mixture onto the chest and throat area before bed. You can also add a drop of the mixture to a pot of steaming water and inhale the steam for additional relief.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea Tree Oil has wonderful properties that make it a great natural agent for curing the three main types of infectious organisms: fungus, bacteria, and virus. 2, 3 Therefore, it can be inhaled to help clear nasal congestion as follows:

  • Add 3 to 4 drops of Tea Tree Oil to 1 cup of boiling water.
  • Inhale the vapours for 5 to 10 minutes.

Vitamin C

Histamine is a protein in the body that is often associated with nasal congestion when histamine levels are high. Taking 1000 mg of Vitamin C three times per day can help reduce histamine levels, which can therefore help reduce nasal and sinus congestion. 4, 5

Eucalyptus Oil

Eucalyptus Oil acts on receptors in the nasal mucous membranes to reduce the symptoms of nasal congestion. 6, 7

  • Add 3 to 4 drops of Eucalyptus Oil to 1 cup of boiling water.
  • Inhale the steam for 5 to 10 minutes.

Echinacea

Echinacea is an herb that stimulates the production of white blood cells, accelerating their maturation within the lymphatic tissue, and speeding their travel to the area of infection, where they help fight invaders in the body. 8, 9

A study has found that people with cold and nasal congestion who drank 3 cups of Echinacea Tea every day for 5 days felt better sooner than those who drank tea without echinacea.

References

  1. ^

    “Terpene compounds in essential oils from medicinal plants and their antimicrobial activity. 4(2), 76-84. doi: 10.1016/j.hermed.2013.12.005” Sienkiewicz, M., Kowalczyk, E., Wasiela, M., & Kowalska, A. (2014).

  2. ^

    “Balm mint extract (Lo-701) for topical treatment of recurring herpes labialis. Phytomedicine, 6(4), 225-230.” by Mayo Clinic Staff.

  3. ^

    “The clinical efficacy and safety of tea tree oil” by C. F. Carson, et al.

  4. ^

    “Vitamin C Fact Sheet for Consumers” by NIH Office of Dietary Supplements

  5. ^

    “Can vitamin C prevent a cold” by Robert H. Shmerling – Harvard Health Publishing

  6. ^

    “Eucalyptus Oil: An Evidence-Based Review” by C. M. Juergens, et al.

  7. ^

    “Management of Sinusitis” by C. L. Cipriani and S. K. Sharma – American Family Physician.

  8. ^

    “Echinacea for the prevention and treatment of upper respiratory tract infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis” by K. Karsch-Völk, et al.

  9. ^

    “Echinacea” by Steven D. Ehrlich – University of Maryland Medical Center.

Medical disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and isn’t a substitute for professional medical advice. Talk to your doctor before trying a new remedy, especially if you’re pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a health condition.

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148 responses

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  1. W. Shaikh

    Where can I buy oil of oregano? Can any one e-mail me at
    wshaikh22@yahoo.com. I would appreciate it very much.

    Thanks.

    Reply
  2. kaleem

    I HAVE SEVERE RUNNY NOSE,SNEEZING, DURING SLEEP.
    HEAD AND CHEST CONGESTION HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR MONTHS.
    NEXT WHEN I TAKE FOOD, GIDDINESS STARTS AND VOMITING SENSATION OCCURS FOR SOME TIME BUT HEAD AND CHEST CONGESTION REMAINS SAME

    Reply
  3. Kim

    @Meagan, I always use vapours of tea tree oil for blocked and congested nostrils and it works for me. I boil a cup of water and add 2-3 drops of tea tree oil and inhale the vapours through the nose and mouth. I noticed that repeating this for 2-3 times a day unplugs my nose. It might help you too!! Good luck!

    Reply
  4. Meagan

    I am 25 and have been suffering from sinusitis for the last 8+ years. It has gotten progressively worse. This summer/fall was the first time I’ve used a sinus rinse daily. It seemed to help..until there was blockage and the rinse wont go through the nostrils at all! Has this happened to anyone else? I have written down all of your suggestions and plan to try all of them, one by one to see if there is one that works best for me. I am just wondering if I need to go to the doc first..in case the complete blockage is a poll-up, etc. Anyone have any advice???

    Reply
  5. Tim

    Good for you, Diane! Oil of Oregano rocks!! It never disappoints me with nasal congestion, or cold and cough!! I hope you get better!

    Reply
  6. Diane Small

    I submitted a comment regarding nasal congestion Oct. 9, 2010. Once again, however, my hopes are dashed. Once my cat stretched out on my pillow, my nose clogged up. I am going to try oregano oil, tho.

    Reply
  7. Diane Small

    To Linda Conroy: Try moistening a Baby Safety Swab (CVS) in distilled water or olive oil and very gently moisten your nostrils a few times. If this doesn’t work in loosening the hard stuff, you probably should see a Ear Nose and Throat doctor ASAP. To Tom and anyone else with nasal congestion, etc. I have suffered with nasal congestion for many years, which kept me from sleeping lying down; I would have to sleep in my rocking chair. Right now, I have found the following to help me breathe thru my nose, especially lying down, also I now have some moisture in my nose. First: Taking a shower right before bed; washing my hair, as well, and I apply aloe vera gel (Lily of the Desert) to my face, scalp, and nose, including around my nostrils–I rinse off the aloe vera gel. Second: I wash my bedding in hot water, at least once a week, should be done more often, but I don’t have my own washer/dryer. Third: Keep dusting/vacuuming. Books collect a lot of dust, not just floors and furniture. Fourth: I’ve always taken nutritious vitamins, but now I have added 500mg of Vitamin C (Bluebonnet). Fifth: Now that fall temperatures have arrived, I can close the windows at night and turn on my Humidifier/Air Purifer (Air-O-Swiss AOS 1355N) into which I pour distilled water (Whole Foods 365 brand)–I have found that tap water eats away at the inside of the machine. I live in a dusty, polluted, poisonous, city with heavy traffic. Whether those actions will help when the weather once again becomes oppressively hot and oppressively humid and I have to open windows, I don’t know. One friend left the city and moved to a quiet suburb across from a lake; she has porches and cross ventilation–the air quality is liveable and she doesn’t even need A/C. An out-of-state friend moved to a different neighborhood where she has a porch and cross ventilation, also ceiling fans. She can now breathe thru her nose again. However, I think this depends on how clean your apartment is and whether it is free of moth balls, fragranced dryer sheets, and fragranced detergent, etc.; my nose closes from those fragrances. Someone I worked with moved to my city from China, but her allergies became so severe that she immediately moved to a suburb about 40 miles away. She can breath again. Someone told me she swears by an air purifer from the E.L. Foust company, Series 400 Air Purifier. http://www.foustco.com/airpurifiers.html

    It’s expensive, 0.-0., but maybe they’d let you try it out.

    But all this may not be necessary, if oregano oil works. I’ve never tried that, yet.

    Reply
  8. Cathy

    I’ve had nasal congestion – both moderate and severe – since I was a child. One of the main causes, if not THE main cause, was over use of dairy products, particularly milk. Once I went off cow dairy it made a significant difference. However, what really knocked it on the head was a course of cranio-sacral therapy and the advice the therapist gave me to stop using Vicks Sinex nasal poison, which he said was exacerbating it. After a few days of following his advice I was able to sleep at night without the spray for the first time in two years.

    Reply
  9. Jan

    Only heard about this product today. My husband has had “glue” ear symptoms for a few years. Recently had a chest infection and now has serious congestion and subsequently lost all sense of hearing. We are so depending on oregano oil for a cure! He will be able to hear me agin!!!!

    Reply
  10. ML

    I take Oil of Oregano for acid reflux. I use the dropper to place 2 or 3 drops on the back of my tongue and immediately swallow a glass of water, thus alleviating the taste that can be problematic when taking this excellent remedy. I highly recommend it also for gum inflammation – simply rub on the painful area.

    Reply
  11. Tracey

    I use Olive Leaf capsules and eliminate dairy products. Milk and cheese are mucus forming, which will take longer to get relief from nasal congestion. Olive Leaf capsules work the same way as oil of oregano..except it is cheaper.

    Reply
  12. Deeks

    I had chronic sinusitis for 15 years. Nothing worked for long. Once I started to improve my oral health due to the discovery of mild gum disease my sinuses, headaches and neck pain all cleared up. Now I have a daily regime that includes doing a sinus rinse each morning, brushing after each meal, flossing each evening and then using a Panasonic oral irrigator with hydrogen peroxide. Whilst starting on this I took oil of oregano for 2 months and still take high dose Vit C and Zinc Citrate to boost my immune function. I also do not eat wheat, dairy or sugar (other than honey. My overall health has improved dramatically.

    Reply
  13. kim

    hi i heard that tea tree oil helps with tuberculosis is that true and how would it be used

    Reply
  14. Trish

    I tried the oil of oregano for a few days and it seems to help the sinus infection /congestion but it tastes like pizza spices ALL DAY LONG.Hard to handle sometimes

    Reply
  15. JERRY MASON

    I HAVE SEVERE RUNNY NOSE,SNEEZING,BLOWING OF THE NOSE,A LITTLE HEAD AND CHEST CONGESTION, THEN STUFFY NOSE AND THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR MONTHS.I NEED HELP.

    Reply
  16. Dani

    Hi there! My fiance is recommending that I take oil of oregano since I have had a bad sinus cold with lots of phlegmy coughing but I don’t feel stuffed up in the nose any more. My ears keep popping and the right one feels like I have water stuck in it. I hope this will help with the ear thing as well.
    Wish me luck!

    Reply
  17. Anonymous

    Hi Tyler,
    You are definitely right! I do exactly what you do, take a couple of drops of Oil of Oregano and 1 teaspoon of Extra Virgin Olive Oil and notice the difference next morning! These are just magic remedies for cold, cough and flu! Trick is to take them as soon as you feel the trouble coming!

    Reply
  18. Tyler williams

    Hey, honestly,when i feel a sore throat coming on(pretty regularly in winter time). I take a teaspoon full of olive oil, add 12 drops of oregano oil and swollow it. It’s not great tasting, but i can really feel the oregano working on my throat. works pretty good

    Reply
  19. HomeRemediesWeb

    Hi Ed Fannon,
    For Nasal Congestion, try using the Tea Tree Oil remedy mentioned above on this page. Wonderful healing properties of Tea Tree Oil make it a natural agent for curing all three types of infectious organisms – virus, bacteria, and fungus. I hope it helps!

    Reply
  20. Ed Fannon

    Thanks, Steve, I’ll look into that.

    Reply
  21. Steve Brandon

    I’ve heard recently that N.A.C. and probiotics will heal sinus problems,

    Reply
  22. Ed Fannon

    For years I suffered from nightime-nasal congestion, especially in winter. It’s not too bad during the warm weather. I uses Breath Rights, but they only help minimally. Do anyone have any other suggestions? Thank you.

    Reply
  23. HomeRemediesWeb

    Hi Dhwani,
    If sinusitis lasts for more than 8 weeks, it is considered chronic sinusitis. Try using the natural home remedies stated above on this page. You can start with Tea Tree Oil and Oil of Oregano remedy. If it doesn’t get better within a week after using these remedies, it’s recommended to consult with your physician as soon as possible.

    Reply
  24. me

    where are the answers. What good are questions without answers.

    Reply
  25. dhwani

    hey i m suffering from sinus since six yrs……..can any1 help me to cure it

    Reply
  26. Richie Arg

    I have a drip in the back of my throat for years and can’t get rid of it , it’s driving me crazy ,i’m constantly chocking on it ,can anyone help, the neti pot helps but only for a hour ot tw0 then it comes back

    Reply
  27. Home Remedies Web

    Monica, Oil of Oregano has very minimal blood thinning activity. Therefore, it is recommended to be cautious when taking Oil of Oregano regularly along with Coumadin or any other blood thinner because it may add to the medicine’s anti-coagulant effects.

    Reply
  28. Monica Carnes

    I have suffered with sinus problems for way too many years and I would like to try the oil of oregano to see if it will help me. My problem is I have to take coumadin daily and I was wondering if anyone knows if the oil of oregano would counteract with my other medication. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

    Reply
  29. Jeanne

    I suffer from sinuitis and I was on Flonase (it does work but expensive) my daughter had a head cold and her Occupational Th. suggested a nose spray you can buy at health stores. It’s a sterile water with a sugar in it. Ours is called NOW Activated Nasal Mist with Erythritol and xylitol. A three month old can use it. The sugars attach to the bacteria in nose and clears nose also I spray at night and it clears my sinuses. I use this every night before bed and it really works for me.

    Reply
  30. Cathy

    Allergy attach with runny nose then swollen nasal passages. Cycle of misery blow nose, then nose stopped up. I can not lay down to sleep because nasal passage on left side swells up within 3 minutes. Really tired of decongestants. What else do I do? I got a steroid shot 4 days ago and drainage is better, but still have swollen passages when trying to sleep.

    Reply
  31. Gael

    I finally found a cure for my chronic sinusits.#1 a netti pot, use it at least once a day. #2 Oil of oregano,three drops under the tongue at least once a day.Fresh apple juice, 1L a day. Took almost 8 weeks. I can breath, sleep,
    enjoy life.

    Reply
  32. Robby

    I have had allergies all my life (54) and 2 of the best hings I have used lately is the Neti Pot to rinse your sinuses and nose filters, nice little things that filter all that crap out of the air you breathe. Check http://www.betterbreathers.com. I love these things!

    Reply
  33. deepak

    i m suffering from nasal congestion since 5 years, i tried all the stuff from antiallergic medicines to nasal sprays to jal neti to steam. have got any relief from all these. also use euclyptus essential oil, but still helpless. could anyone provide me help…

    Reply
  34. Omar

    Ephedra, well known as a chinese treatment, Ma Huang, acts upon on the mucous membrane by drying out, thus an effective decongestant. Unfortunately, most Western governments have banned its sale. You will find that pseudoephedra (an analogue to ephedra) is the main content of over-the-counter allergy drugs such as Claritin-D and Zyrtec. Drugs companies are slowly phasing it out from the ingredients of over-the-counter drugs.In fact, to buy them you must have prove of identification and must be databased. Apparently, there is a widespread of illicit conversion of pseudoephredine drug into methamphetamine; thus the crack (no pun intended)down by governments. Oil Oregano alleviates my sinuses somewhat (3 capsules), but does wonders for my gastro-intestinal acid reflux stomach, which I think is connected to my chronic sinus problem.

    Reply
  35. Kat

    I have a deviated septum & lupus, therefore suffered from sinusitis which invariably would lead to sinus drip, sore and/or scratchy throat.. upper chest infection then bronchitis. Twice a year, if not more, I’d end up on antibiotics. Finally, I started Googling: drank more water, green tea 2) Gargling with salt when my sinuses started acting up, which helped stave off further infection 3) discovered Flonase, which stopped the heavy breathing after just walking up a small hill where halfway I’d have to stop before the block was over! Previously I thought I was just out of shape. 4) eventually discovered apple cider vinegar. I just mix a tablespoon with a half cup of water & a half teaspoon of honey. All natural except for the Flonase but years go by without my having to go on antibiotics & my colds when I do catch one don’t last as long or are as bad as they used to be.

    Reply
  36. Paula

    I can’t take it due to an allergy to echinacea. Felt achy the other day after a dose of Sabuco, Immune Builder, thinking it was straight Sambuco. Read label and it has echinacea. So does Super Lysine, another good anti-viral supp. My “medicine cabinet” has oil of oregano, l-lysine, elderberry juice, colloidal silver, Nedi-Med’s saline, sinus flush, I don’t care for their Nedi pot, and Yogi Tea’s Breath Deep for congestion.

    Reply
  37. MARI ALLEN

    I HEARD ON THE NEWS THAT ECHINACEA IS BAD ON A PERSON WHO HAS ALLERGIES BECAUSE IT IS IN THE RAGWEED FAMILY? DOES ANYONE KNOW ABOUT THIS?

    Reply
  38. lailamalti

    people try becoming Raw vegetarians, this forever will solve sinus problems,
    no dairy products, no bread, no pasta , no rice. Eating raw vegetables, fruits, nuts. It works wonders for your whole body! But first your body will go through cleansing process/you feel as you have bad cold/ but afterwards it becomes better! search on internet about this Raw vegetarianism.

    Reply
  39. Adam

    For those looking, I just bought this Wild Oil of Oregano from Hedd Wyn Essentials http://www.wildoiloforegano.com. It seems to have lots of references to it as being a reputable source.

    Reply
  40. tom

    I have had surgery after surgery for chronic sinusitis. i have tried everything on this earth to cure it, the list of things i have tried is to numerous to mention. seeking disability, severely sick all the time, spent thousands of dollars, on medicines, allergy shots, surgeries,acupunture,herbs,vitamins,nasal flushes,you name it i have tried it. NOTHING WORKS. 18 years of pure hell.

    Reply
  41. Anon

    Saline Spray sold at Walgreens works wonders

    Reply
  42. Denise

    Open up the pours by running bath water and the steam is suppose open the nostril passage will re-open

    Reply
  43. Anita

    I suffer with numerous environmental allergies in the Fall and Winter. I had tried oil of oregano a couple of years ago and found that it relieved the nasal congestion and other symptoms of allergies. I ran out of it and didn’t reorder I recently had a bad allergic reaction to pollens and ended up in an ER with a sinus infection, inner ear infection, irritated throat and bronchitis. I had two different antibiotics which helped some but didn’t relieve the sinus congestion or coughing. I ordered and received the oil of oregano a few days ago and started taking it again. In 3 days I noticed a big difference . The congestion is easing and the coughing is stopping. I highly recommend this product.

    Reply
  44. Anita

    I suffered for years with chronic allergic sinusitus which inevitably became a lung infection that needed antibiotics. It never left, as sinus problems seem to linger forever in their bacteria rich environment. After my millioneth infection I googled ‘chronic sinutsitus-help’ and found out about a product called ‘sinus buster’. It helped almost immediately. It really hurts when you first spray it, but I now have had relief for months and only take it as needed.

    Reply
  45. Sonja

    CKrenn 1/26/09 – My mom was smoking 50+ years, has COPD and oxygen only on occassion. PRAYER… and a visit to the ER she has stopped smoking! We are trying PRAYER for the COPD! GOD is more than able!!!

    Reply
  46. Simone Boudhan

    I have sinus problems my nose always blocked, i use otrivin products but they give me relief for a while then my nose block again. Is there any relief for me? haven\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\’t had any sinus pressure problems lately.

    Reply
  47. CKrenn

    my sister suffers from copd & arthritis. she is on oxygen
    now and still smokes.
    will oregano oil help her copd and is there any home remedy
    that can help her to stop smoking?

    Reply
  48. Linda Conroy

    My nose is all clogged up. Big hard stuff way up in nostril that I can’t get. Will Oregano Oil help?A333c

    Reply
  49. Mark Lindsay

    I have had a cough for the last 4 mths and can’t get rid of it. My Dr. says it’s allergies and everything he tries doesn’t work. A friend of mine heard that oregano oil might. Can you please help?

    Reply
  50. PRAMOD

    I am suffering from cold allergy, Hay fever and sinusitis since last 8-9 years. Is there any way to relief from it?

    Reply