Top 15 Home Remedies for Postnasal Drip That Make You Feel Relieved

Top 15 Home Remedies for Postnasal Drip That Make You Feel Relieved

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Introduction

Whenever you get up with a hacking cough, a sore throat or just merely rinsing your throat with water each morning, and you feel as if there is something settled in the back of the throat, any of these experiences could tell that you might have had postnasal drip.

Let’s get to know some possible home remedies for postnasal drip so that you can put an end to this problem quickly!

What is Postnasal Drip?

Postnasal drip is a widespread problem which happens because of excessive production of mucus from nasal mucosa[1].

It is uncomfortable and irritating under any circumstance which can impact people of all ages.

Mucus comes from glands which are the lining at the throat, nose as well as airways. It is the wet and thick substance which help cleans and moistens nasal membranes, captures and gets rid of inhaled external matter, combats infections as well as humidifies air within the airways.

What Causes Postnasal Drip?

This problem can occur due to various factors such as

  • allergies
  • flu or a common cold
  • sinus infection
  • over-dry air with the cold temperature
  • changes of hormone in your body
  • fumes that come from some types of chemicals, perfumes, smoke, cosmetics, and cleaning products
  • some particular medications with other irritants, including birth control pills
  • spicy foods [2][3]
  • pregnant women also have a higher risk of postnasal drip

Even though numerous factors are responsible for this problem, it is also easy to treat postnasal drip as long as you know how to use simple ingredients and methods.

Symptoms of Postnasal Drip

Under the typical situation, you will not pay attention the mucus in your nose because you often swallow unconsciously during the day. However, when it is produced excessively, mucus will drip at the back of your nose and trigger postnasal drip.

Some other postnasal drip symptoms can be:

  • sore or irritated throat
  • hoarseness
  • coughing
  • trouble with swallowing
  • congestion
  • feeling of weakness
  • terrible breath
  • nausea or vomiting

How Long Does Postnasal Drip Last?

It is essential to remember that postnasal drip is not a disease. It is usually a sign of some underlying infections, such as flu or common colds. You are likely to get postnasal drip within a week, and it can go away on its own.

If your problem lasts longer, try some natural home remedies for postnasal drip to see whether they work or not. The last option is to contact an expert for more advice.

Home Remedies for Postnasal Drip

In fact, the way of treating postnasal drip depends on its causes. Antibiotics can help clear up a bacterial infection. Nevertheless, yellow or green mucus is not a consequence of bacterial infection.

Besides some medical treatments, here are the top 15 most effective home remedies for postnasal drip which are easy for you to follow to get rid of postnasal drip as well as improve your respiratory system.

1. Gargle with Salt Water

The most straightforward lest tip from the list of best home remedies for postnasal drip is gargling using salt water. It will thin out the mucus, thus easier to expel[4]. Also, it can flush out other irritants from nasal passages.

Salt Water - Home Remedies for Postnasal Drip
Salt Water

How to do:

  • Take ½ a teaspoon of salt into some warm water and dissolve completely.
  • Use the solution for gargling couples of time every day in 2 -3 days.

2. Steam Inhalation

Another simple recommended tip from top home remedies for postnasal drip is using steam treatment as it can efficiently manage the excessive production of mucus. It is also one of the best Home Remedies for Chest Congestion.

Steam - Home Remedies for Postnasal Drip
Steam

How to do:

  • Take a bowl and fill with hot boiling water.
  • It is optional to add any essential oil.
  • Place a towel over head and put your face above the bowl.
  • Breathe in deeply the steam for at least 10 minutes and then blow out the nose.
  • Perform 2 to 3 times every day until fully recovered.

Also, you might need some warm shower to thin out the mucus.

Note: Small children are not suitable for applying this tip.

3. Nasal Irrigation

This tip is the one you should follow as it is capable of eliminating excessive mucus while protecting nasal passages from irritants as well as infection. It is one of the most useful home remedies for postnasal drip.

Nasal Irrigation - Home Remedies for Postnasal Drip
Nasal Irrigation

How to do:

  • Take ¼ a teaspoon of salt with a little bit of baking soda into some warm water.
  • Use a neti pot to store this solution.
  • Then have your head tilted to one side while squirting the solution into the nostril on the other side.
  • Have your head move back and forth and side-to-side to make the solution reach other places within the nasal cavities.
  • Then blow out the nose for getting rid of excessive mucus as well as the solution.
  • Do it again on the other nostril.
  • Perform once every day for couples of day and then reduce to a few times per week

Read more Home Remedies for Acute Sinusitis

4. Garlic

Garlic is one of the world’s healthiest ingredients. Hence, it would be a huge mistake to miss out on this potent ingredient in the list of home remedies for postnasal drip[5][6]. It is brilliant to managing the mucus overproduction as well as help you avoid infection and other problems.

Garlic - Home Remedies for Postnasal Drip
Garlic

How to do:

  • Take 3 to 4 cloves of garlic to chop and roast with a teaspoon of clarified butter for a minute. Consume with some warm milk twice every day for couples of day.
  • Another way is taking a piece of garlic to chew couples of time per day.
  • Also, you can take garlic in supplementary form but only after consulting the doctor.

5. Ginger

As a natural decongestant with expectorant, antibacterial and antiviral properties, it is no surprise to ginger becoming among effective home remedies for postnasal drip. It can help you decrease the mucus overproduction and support the expulsion. Moreover, it can ease chest congestion, treat a sore throat as well as hoarseness[7].

Ginger - Home Remedies for Postnasal Drip
Ginger

How to do:

  • Consume ginger tea 2 to 3 times per day. To prepare the tea, you can take a tablespoon of sliced ginger into some hot water and simmer for about 10 minutes. Then have it strained and put in some honey to consume.
  • Also, you can take some raw ginger slices to chew few times per day as well as include ginger in your daily cooking.

You can find more benefits of ginger in Home Remedies for Sneezing.

6. Cayenne Pepper

Considered an antihistamine with the capsaicin compound, one of the most impressive health benefits of cayenne is to help thin out mucus efficiently, thus making it easier for expelling.

Furthermore, it can soothe the irritation of the throat. Therefore, cayenne pepper is one of the most incredible and natural home remedies for postnasal drip.

How to use:

  • Take ½ teaspoon each of honey and cayenne pepper to consume 2 to 3 times every day for couples of day.
  • Another way is taking ½ – 1 teaspoon of cayenne powder into some warm water and consuming slowly for couples of time per day.
  • Also, include cayenne into your daily cooking.

7. Lemon

Another famous name among top home remedies for postnasal drip is lemon. Here is the reason why: the high content of vitamin C is what makes lemon eligible on how to treat postnasal drip. It is capable of loosening mucus as well as improving the resistance of your body.

Lemon - Home Remedies for Postnasal Drip
Lemon

How to do:

  • Take the juice from ½ a lemon into some warm water. Put in some honey for better taste. Consume early in the morning while your stomach is empty as well as few more times during the day to manage the mucus overproduction.
  • Also, you can put lemon juice into your green or black tea.

8. Apple Cider Vinegar

With alkalizing effect, apple cider vinegar proves its consistent position in the list of home remedies for postnasal drip. It can help you thin out mucus which makes it easier for the elimination while enhance your immunity against infections.

How to do:

  • Take 1 to 2 tablespoons of unfiltered raw vinegar with some raw honey into some warm water. Consume the solution two times per day for couples of day.
  • Also, you can take some vinegar and water in an equal amount to dilute each other. Then heat the solution up until steam comes out. Breathe in the steam for couples of time per day for couples of day.

9. Drink More Water

The answer for top home remedies for postnasal drip is water. It will maintain hydration for your nasal passages as well as your whole body because dehydration can exacerbate the symptoms and worsen the condition.

How to do:

  • Consume sufficient water during the day. For better effect, consume warm water.
  • Also, you can consume hot green tea, lemonade, chicken soup, vegetable broths, and soups.
  • Keep out of caffeine, soda, and alcohol as they might cause dehydration.

Note: In case you are having problems with kidney, you need to consult the doctor before applying this tip.

10. Increase Intake of Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an essential component in the top list of home remedies for postnasal drip as an antioxidant can help enhance the immunity as well as resistance.

Furthermore, it can decrease the histamine production in the body which is associated with the reactions of allergies.

How to do:

  • Consume more foods which are rich in vitamin C such as oranges, lemons, berries, kiwis, bell peppers, dark leafy greens, tomatoes, broccoli, and papayas.
  • Also, you might take vitamin C in supplementary forms but only after consulting the doctor.

11. Tulsi

The decongestant, anti-inflammatory, and antibiotic properties from tulsi are all essential effects which make tulsi a reliable name among the best home remedies for postnasal drip.

Tulsi - Home Remedies for Postnasal Drip
Tulsi

You can take 10 crushed tulsi leaves into some boiling water. After boiling for 2 minutes, take it out and let it cool down for 5 minutes. Then put in some lump sugar and consume without straining 3 cups every day.

12. Rock Salt

This ingredient is well-known for its richness of anti-inflammatory property and minerals which can help heal and soothe throat effectively. That is why rock salt is a recommended home remedies for postnasal drip.

What to take for postnasal drip? You can take a teaspoon of rock salt into some warm water. Use this solution for gargling but keep the liquid still in your throat for 1 minute before spitting out. Perform 3 to 4 times. Not only the mucus is thinned out and expelled easily, but inflamed glands at air passages and throat can also be calmed and soothed.

In addition to treating postnasa drip, rosk salt is among top natural whooping cough relief.

13. Cinnamon

In top 10 health benefits of cinnamon possessing powerful antioxidant, antibacterial and antiviral properties, it is not hard to see why cinnamon is a good home treatment for postnasal drip.

It is capable of ceasing the excessive production of mucus as well as expelling the thick mucus in throat. You just need to mix a teaspoon of cinnamon powder into some warm water and consume slowly.

14. Cumin

This seed with its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties can help you alleviate the swelling as well as prevent mucus from accumulating in the throat. Thus, it can serve as one of the most significant home remedies for postnasal drip.

You just need to take a teaspoon of cumin into some boiling water for about 3 minutes and steep for about 5 minutes. Then have it strained and consume slowly.

15. Peppermint Oil

Essential oils are things that should not forget when it comes to a significant number of home remedies for postnasal drip. It is none other than the favorite peppermint oil. You can take few drops of peppermint oil into a piece of clean cloth (after soaked using warm water) and then, place it near the nostrils and breathe in its vapors. Perform regularly.

Peppermint Oil - Home Remedies for Postnasal Drip
Peppermint Oil

In addition to home remedies for postnasal drip, we have some extra tips that urge you to change some of your lifestyles. However, all of them contribute to better treatment of postnasal drip:

  • Blow out the nose regularly to flush out excessive mucus in the nasal cavity.
  • Remember to use tissue for blowing and cleanse your hands after doing so.
  • Have sufficient rest for couples of days to let your body recover promptly.
  • Maintain humidity adequately inside the house.
  • Keep out of possible allergens which can worsen your condition.
  • Keep out of smog as well as other pollutants.
  • Keep out of smoke as well as quit smoking.
  • Have some lozenges or menthol candies for the soothing irritated throat.
  • Keep out of dairy products such ice cream and milk as they might start the postnasal drip.
  • Maintain good hygiene at home by dusting and vacuuming few times per week.

When to See A Doctor

In general, postnasal drip is very common among the population, and it is not something too dangerous. Therefore, with our home remedies for postnasal drip, you can get rid of it quickly in your home.

Nonetheless, there are cases of chronic postnasal drip which comes from some underlying factors, such as food allergy. You might not have even recognized the development your own allergy. Thus, it is imperative for you to contact an allergist who will examine your health and make the conclusion.

Dairy and gluten/wheat are two of the leading allergies which affect your upper respiratory system.

If the doctor has figured out the causes, he or she might give you some advice on the treatment of postnasal drip. Some might be already present in our list of home remedies for postnasal drip, such as drinking more water.

Besides, the doctor might give you some over-the-counter decongestants which allow you to remove excess mucus and alleviate the problem quickly. Typically, decongestants will reduce the congestion by narrowing your blood vessels. You can get it in the form of the nasal spray as well.

The recommendation is to take decongestants repeatedly for 3 days only. If you do not notice any significant improvements, stop using them immediately. Do not try too hard because the use of decongestants more than three days can pose a threat to your health!

Also, your doctor might give you some prescription medications which help to reduce irritation and the concentration of mucus.

  • Corticosteroid sprays can address the inflammation
  • Anti-drip sprays are useful for asthma inhales and those with postnasal drip too
  • Antihistamine sprays that work for cases of allergies only

How to Prevent Postnasal Drip

Even when postnasal drip does not put your life in danger, it is still vital to know how to prevent it, rather than top home remedies for postnasal drip. It is because this problem can make you miserable on a daily basis with coughing, mucus, and many other discomforts.

Thus, follow our prevention tips as below to lower the risk of postnasal drip from right now!

Find all possible allergens and remove them

There may be many allergens around you without your recognition, like mold, dust, pet dander, or pollen. They can penetrate and cause your nasal cavity to be irritated. As a consequence, you suffer from postnasal drip.

Therefore, you should list all possible allergens and stay away from them as much as possible. Make sure that your house is free from these harmful factors.

Besides, it is an excellent idea to keep all mattresses and pillows which you do not use in plastic. It helps a lot to reduce allergens when you sleep.

Another suggestion to help you eliminate any allergic irritants is an air purifier. You should get a humidifier which increases the moisture of the air and has positive impacts on treating your nasal irritation.

Get more water

Without a doubt, water has been one of the best home remedies for postnasal drip. And in the prevention, water still plays an essential role. Water contributes to the removal and also prevention of mucus concentration.

Diet

What type of food do you need for the prevention of postnasal drip? Overall, they should be beneficial for your respiratory system.

We do not usually take the respiratory system into consideration when we choose beneficial foods. However, it helps to pump oxygen into your blood. Your lungs are responsible for the absorption of oxygen and removal of carbon dioxide. Therefore, it has significant effects on your life. Take these foods to enhance the function of your respiratory system now and prevent postnasal drip efficiently!

  • Yogurt or Kefir

These both products are an excellent source of calcium, probiotics, and protein. They contain many healthy bacteria which have fantastic influence on your digestion. Also, they are efficient in lowering the risk of respiratory infections.

Besides, probiotics play an essential role in the prevention of flu and colds as well. So, you can prevent postnasal drip from its real causes.

  • Warm fluid

In addition to plain water, some herbal teas or warm soups can work as well as any home remedies for postnasal drip. It improves your hydration and accelerates the elimination of toxins through urine.

For instance, you can get chicken soup which is a favorite home remedy for mucus, sore throat, and colds. It supplies many amino acids, which are necessary for the healing process.

  • Fatty fish

Salmon, tuna, or sardines are excellent providers of healthy fats for many body parts, including your heart and brain. According to many studies, omega-3 fats from these fishes can address breathing difficulty and many other signs of colds.

Moreover, these healthy fats have positive impacts on your health, unlike saturated fat which is responsible for inflammation.

  • Vegetables and fruits

Last but not least, vegetables and fruits cannot be missing from any beneficial diet, let alone your respiratory system. They provide a significant number of antioxidants as well as other nutrients to combat infections.

You had better include vitamin C more if you want to tackle inflammation in the respiratory system. Papay, citrus fruits, cabbage, and leafy greens are excellent examples which can enhance your respiratory health significantly.

Conclusion

In conclusion, postnasal drip is something you can suddenly get one day. Do not worry! With our home remedies for postnasal drip, you can overcome it quickly. And do not forget to read the critical prevention tips so that you do not have to encounter it later!

SHARE the article to help people around the world get to know how to cope with one of the most common problems among the population!

*Disclaim: The effectiveness from applying these natural tips will be depended on the body condition of the applicant.

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3 Comments

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