8 teas to unclog your nose naturally

Some teas, such as ginger and garlic tea or peppermint tea, can help unclog your nose naturally, as they contain substances with decongestant, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which help remove mucus and secretions and relieve inflammation of the airways.

A stuffy nose, or nasal congestion, can be caused by a cold, flu, sinusitis or rhinitis, which cause the blood vessels in the nose to become swollen and inflamed or an increased production of mucus and secretions, which clog the nose. See other causes of a blocked nose.

Although they cannot replace medical treatment, teas are a good option for unblocking your nose naturally, and can be used to complement the treatment recommended by your doctor.

Some tea options to unclog your nose naturally are:

1. Ginger and garlic tea

Ginger and garlic tea has antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties due to substances such as allicin, present in garlic, and the phenolic compounds in ginger, such as gingerol, chogaol and zingerone. These substances help combat sinusitis or rhinitis, which can cause a blocked and runny nose, as well as a sore throat and general discomfort.

Ingredients

• 3 cloves of garlic, peeled and cut in half;
• 1 cm of ginger root or ½ teaspoon of powdered ginger;
• 3 cups of water;
• Honey to sweeten (optional).

Preparation mode

Boil water with garlic. Remove from heat and add ginger and honey. Strain and serve afterwards.

Ginger should not be consumed by people using anticoagulants, and therefore should be removed from the tea in these cases. During pregnancy, ginger should only be used in an amount of 1 g per day and for a maximum of 4 days.

2. Peppermint tea

Peppermint tea is rich in menthol, an essential oil with natural decongestant properties that helps unclog the nose and relieve a runny nose or runny nose.

Additionally, this tea has anti-inflammatory properties, which help reduce inflammation of the airways and irritation of the sinuses that cause nasal congestion, especially in cases of sinusitis or allergic rhinitis.

Ingredients

• 6 chopped peppermint leaves;
• 150 mL of boiling water.

Preparation mode

In a cup, add the water over the chopped mint leaves and let it rest for 5 to 7 minutes. Strain, sweeten with honey if desired and drink 3 to 4 cups a day.

Another option to take advantage of the decongestant benefits of peppermint is to use the essential oil to inhale. See how to do inhalations with peppermint essential oil.

Green tea, scientifically known as Camellia sinensishas phenolic compounds in its composition, such as epigallocatechin, which has antioxidant properties, helping to reduce oxidative stress caused by free radicals in cells, which improves the action of the immune system, helping the body to fight infections such as the cold, relieving blocked nose.

Green tea can be used in the form of teas, infusions or natural extract, and should be used with medical advice as excessive use can harm the liver.

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon of green tea leaves or 1 green tea bag;
• 1 cup of boiling water.

Preparation mode

Add the leaves or green tea bag to the cup of boiling water and let it steep for 10 minutes. Strain or remove the sachet and drink immediately. This tea can be consumed 3 to 4 times a day, or as advised by your doctor.

Green tea should not be consumed by children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, people who have insomnia, hyperthyroidism, gastritis or high blood pressure. Furthermore, as it contains caffeine in its composition, you should avoid drinking this tea at the end of the day or in quantities greater than recommended.

4. Alteia tea

Alteia tea is an excellent natural option for a blocked nose, as this medicinal plant of the species Althaea officinalishas decongestant, expectorant, anti-inflammatory and emollient properties, helping to deinflame the blood vessels in the nose and unclog the nose.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon of marshmallow root;
• 1 cup of boiling water.

Preparation mode

Add the marshmallow root to the cup of boiling water and let it rest for 10 minutes. Strain and then drink up to 2 cups per day.

Alteia tea should not be used by children, pregnant or breastfeeding women. Furthermore, people with diabetes should only consume this tea with medical advice, as it can increase the effect of antidiabetic medications and cause changes in blood glucose levels.

5. Saffron tea

Saffron, also called turmeric, is rich in curcumin, a substance with powerful anti-inflammatory properties, which acts to reduce the symptoms of inflammation, which can help alleviate symptoms of pain and pressure in the face, as well as general discomfort. caused by sinusitis.

Ingredients

• 1 level teaspoon of saffron/turmeric powder (200 mg);
• 1 cup of water.

Preparation mode

Bring the water to a boil and add the saffron/turmeric. Let it boil for 5 to 10 minutes. Strain the tea and drink. You can drink 2 to 3 cups of turmeric tea per day.

Another option is to consume turmeric in capsule form, which can be used by taking 2 250 mg capsules every 12 hours, totaling 1 g per day. Find out how to use turmeric in capsules.

Saffron/turmeric should not be used by pregnant women, or people taking blood thinners such as warfarin, clopidogrel or acetylsalicylic acid, as it may increase the risk of bleeding or haemorrhage.

6. Dill tea

Dill tea, prepared with the medicinal plant Aneethun graveolensis a great home remedy for a blocked nose because it has expectorant properties, helping to remove mucus and secretions.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon of dill leaves;
• 1 cup of boiling water.

Preparation mode

Place the dill in the cup of boiling water. Let it rest for 15 minutes, strain and drink afterwards.

Dill tea should not be used by children, pregnant or breastfeeding women.

7. Thyme tea

An excellent natural treatment to relieve a blocked nose is to drink thyme tea, as it is rich in anti-inflammatory and antiseptic substances, such as thymol, carvacrol, cymene and linalool, with expectorant, antibacterial and antiviral action that helps eliminate nasal secretions, while also helping to eliminate the infection that is causing the problem.

Thus, this tea, in addition to unblocking the nose, improves symptoms of flu, colds, allergies or sinusitis, such as excessive sneezing and runny nose. The ingredients used eliminate excess phlegm in the nasal passages, thus improving breathing.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon of dried thyme extract or 2 sprigs of fresh thyme;
• 1 liter of boiling water;
• 1 tablespoon of honey (optional).

Preparation mode

Add the dried thyme to the boiling water and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Strain and drink up to 3 cups per day.

Thyme tea should not be used by people with stomach problems such as gastritis or ulcers, by people with liver disease or who use anticoagulant medications such as warfarin or clopidogrel, for example.

8. Nettle tea

Nettle tea, prepared with the medicinal plant Stinging nettle, allows you to block the effects of histamine in the body, the substance responsible for the inflammatory response in cases of allergies. Therefore, drinking this tea throughout the day helps unclog your nose, especially when it is caused by allergic rhinitis.

Ingredients

• 2 coffee spoons of chopped nettle leaves;
• 200 mL of water.

Preparation mode

Boil the water and add the nettle leaves, then let it rest for 10 minutes, strain and drink 3 to 4 cups of tea per day.

Another option is to take nettle capsules in a dose of 300 to 350 mg, 2 to 3 times a day.

Nettle tea should not be used by children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, or by people with heart disease or impaired kidney function.