Hello there!
Just wondering if anyone has some effective nasal congestion/drip remedies that they swear by?
I've been using eucalyptus, peppermint and lavender in a diffuser, but to no avail.
Possibly will get a neti pot sometime this afternoon and try that out, I've heard good things.
I just recently got over a nasty cold myself. I was all congested and my tonsils would swell up in the morning. I started sucking on a garlic clove and opting for a piping hot bath over a steamy shower. I was adding epsom salts and cinnamon to my baths (dont consume raw cinnamon), and using oil extracts with some kind of mint.
I'm not sure if this will help, but it's certainly helped me in the past. Either way, I hope you feel better soon and get past this gross cold that's been making it's rounds.
I seen a spell with vinegar that helped with flu (may help with congestion?). Somewhere on the forums. You ought to check out all the forums, you can find spells and therapys used by different covens that worked for them. Pretty interesting the concoctions with simple ingredients and results.
When I get stuffed up, I burn camphor or eucalyptus oil. Opens my nose right up!! Using the steam method with either of these helps as well. Take sprigs of eucalyptus and hang it on the shower head, and the steam will also help release those healing properties.
I have had good results from both ginger and horseradish root. Just chew on a little nub and smell. I've heard good things about ginger for aromatherapy too. Either way best of luck.
Vivra la rennasance
Garlic is a natural antiseptic and is amazing at clearing the sinuses. If you don't feel like sucking on fresh cloves, you could add them to a soup or something. I should also add that, if your symptoms persist or get any worse, you may want to check with a doctor.
I've been using the following natural decongestant for my family for almost two years. I'll note the two main inspiration sites at the bottom, but I've altered it how I saw fit after researching individual ingredients properties, and trial and error.
1/2 c lemon juice
1/2 c apple cider vinegar (ACV)
1/3 c honey (you can NOT substitute sugar)
1 tsp powdered ginger
1/8 tsp tumeric (or up to 1/4 tsp, I usually use the 8th though)
Put the ginger and tumeric in a small pan on low heat then add the lemon juice and ACV. For some reason I find putting the spices in first helps them blend better. You can then turn it to medium heat. Once it is steaming add the honey and let it dissolve.
How long you let it sit will change the strength of the flavor (and likely the strength of the medicinal aspects, but I have not seen a difference as it is strong enough without sitting for very long). I just let it sit till it is all blended and steaming and till the smell smacks me in the face.
Note: Let it smack you in the face, if you are really congested while making this take a sniff of it. It opens you up FAST. But it is a strong blow so don't take a huge whiff, just enough you go WHOA. I normally do this twice.
Strain into a jar or other container with lid for storage. If you do not have cheese cloth, cutting up a pair of pantie hose works, it just takes longer because the holes are so fine. You don't have to get all the settlings, I just prefer to get as much out as I can.
Be careful: Tumeric STAINS horribly.
Shake up before using. Take 1-2 table spoons as needed. My notes say these amounts make 8 ounces. Also, from what I've found, if you store it in a cool dark place it lasts indefinitely. We keep ours in the bathroom on the counter and it never goes to waste. (We also use it a lot!)
A few notes: Honey has healing benefits, but it is also what cuts the bitter taste of this drink. If you are out of honey, wait to make this. I tried granulated sugar as a substitute when I was out of honey once and had to dump the batch.
If you take the decongestant and feel a warm rush, that's normal. It's the ginger, ginger has warming properties, but the flush feeling doesn't last long. (I like it, I am always freezing! Sometimes I take it just because of this lol.)
Do not take on an empty stomach. The ACV tends to upset empty tummies. Otherwise it's harmless, I drank a full cup of this once when I was trying to head off a cold.
Both these sites I'm about to link list reasons for each ingredient, so I won't go into them all. (Though they only list a few reasons, ginger especially has MANY other properties). Also, these were just my baseline for amounts and ideas of what to use. I have no way of linking every site I used for research because there were dozens per ingredient. (I am anally thorough.) I saved these two because I liked them best.
http://everydayroots.com/natural-decongestant - I do not recommend using cayenne in this decongestant. For some reason the decongestant was less potent for myself and my family. (It also tasted worse in this mix.)
http://www.stepin2mygreenworld.com/healthyliving/best-natural-antibiotic/ - I have not used garlic in my decongestant adventures, but I probably will in the future. Garlic is wonderful for fighting cold and flu symptoms. I would guess on using 1/2 tsp if you try it with my measurements. Also, I have tried cinnamon in my decongestant before...saw no medicinal difference but did not appreciate the change to the texture when taking it.
Hmmm Yeah, I think that's everything. I swear by ginger and I swear by the recipe I typed out, in fact I'll be making more of it this week since we used up what we had (again).
The Neti Pot was a Godsend for me! I generally use it when my sinuses are really bad, but there was one particular sinus infection that was driving me crazy. Used the pot and within 2 days the infection was gone!
Beyond that, everyone has great advice. Good Luck! :) And feel better soon **hugs**
