Top 10 Home Remedies for Runny Nose and Sneezing

Running noses and constant sneezing can turn even the best of days into challenging ordeals. They are mostly caused by seasonal allergies, a simple cold, or environmental irritants. Such symptoms undermine sleep, work, and other routines.

While prescription medicines can be quickly found in the pharmacy, many people prefer to begin their relief journey with simple home solutions easily found in the kitchen or the home garden. These tried-and-true, old-fashioned home remedies alleviate symptoms and nudge your body to start working on its natural healing processes. These remedies do not have any side effects usually associated with prescription medicines.

In this post, we shall explore ten effective home remedies for runny noses and sneezing.

10 Effective Home Remedies for a Runny Nose

A runny nose and constant sneezing can be incredibly frustrating. However, people have relied on simple, natural remedies found in their homes to combat these symptoms. The following are some home remedies for runny nose. These will also manage the associated symptoms and relief from frequent sneezing. 

1. Steam Inhalation

Steam inhalation is one of the best home treatments for runny noses and sneezing. It loosens mucus to clear out nasal congestion, making breathing easier. Steaming also calms an irritated lining of your nasal passages, which can help decrease sneezing. This is considered the most effective and instant remedy for running nose. 

How To Do It

• Boil water and pour it into a large bowl.
• Cover your head with a towel to trap the steam. Lean over the bowl and face ten inches above the water.
• Breathe in for 5-10 minutes. Avoid inhaling too close, or you will burn your face.

You can enhance the effectiveness of steam inhalation by adding a few drops of essential oils, such as eucalyptus or peppermint, which are both known for their decongestant properties.

2. Garlic

Garlic (Allium sativum) is recognized for its potential antimicrobial and antiviral properties. It may help alleviate symptoms associated with respiratory infections and is the best home remedy for runny noses caused by the common cold or flu. 

Garlic contains active compounds, particularly allicin, which can enhance the immune response and potentially shorten the duration of symptoms.

How To Use Garlic

• Crush 2-3 garlic cloves and boil them in water.
• Drink the garlic water when it cools down slightly.
• Alternatively, you can add garlic to your meals or chew a raw clove of garlic daily.

3. Stay Hydrated

One natural treatment for a runny nose is to maintain hydration. Fluids thin the mucus in the nasal passage, enabling it to be expelled. They do not block the passageway and help flush out the viruses or allergens causing the condition.

Best Fluids

• Water is the best option, but herbal teas and broths are also excellent choices. Warm fluids, in particular, can help soothe a sore throat that often accompanies sneezing.
• You can also drink electrolyte-rich beverages like coconut water to stay hydrated.
• Try to keep caffeine drinks like coffee and soda to a minimum, as they aggravate dehydration.

Also Read: How to treat running nose in kids?

4. Honey and Warm Water

Honey has long been known for its soothing and antibacterial properties. Drinking warm water mixed with honey can help calm an irritated throat, reduce sneezing, and provide relief from the constant drip of a runny nose. 

Research supports honey's antimicrobial effects, which are attributed to its high sugar content, low pH, and the presence of hydrogen peroxide and other bioactive compounds. Therefore, People also find it one of the best home remedies for runny nose and sneezing. 

How To Use It

• Mix one tablespoon of honey with a cup of warm water or herbal tea.
• Drink two to three times a day; this will especially dampen symptoms at bedtime.
• Honey soothes irritation in the throat by coating it and helps alleviate some aspects related to post-nasal drip. It is also weakly antibacterial, which could be helpful if you are treating a viral infection.

5. Ginger Tea

Ginger is anti-inflammatory and antiviral. It is one of the most widely adopted natural remedies for runny nose. It contains bioactive compounds, such as gingerols and shogaols, which have been shown to enhance immune function and reduce inflammation. Ginger opens up your nasal passages and enhances your immune function to keep infections away.

How To Make It

• Slice fresh ginger root and boil it in water for about 10 minutes.
• Strain the tea, add honey or lemon for taste, and drink while it’s warm.

Drinking ginger tea two to three times a day can reduce inflammation in your nasal passages and help ease symptoms more quickly.

6. Turmeric Milk

Turmeric is among the powerful home remedies to stop runny nose. This is known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Drinking turmeric milk, also known as "golden milk," can help soothe irritated nasal passages and strengthen your immune system. The active compound in turmeric, curcumin, has been shown to reduce inflammation and support respiratory health.

How To Prepare It

• Warm a cup of milk (dairy or plant-based).
• Add half a teaspoon of turmeric powder and stir well.
• Drink this mixture once a day, preferably before bed.

Turmeric milk reduces nasal irritation and improves overall health by boosting the body’s ability to fight infections.

7. Neti Pot

A Neti pot is a small device that uses saline to flush mucus and allergens from nasal passages. This method is especially effective for people with chronic sinus issues or seasonal allergies. It is considered among the best natural remedies for cold and runny nose as it cleanses nasal passages and alleviates sneezing and congestion.

How To Use It

• Fill the Neti pot with warm distilled water and a small amount of saline solution.
• Tilt your head sideways over a sink, pour the solution into one nostril, and allow it to flow out the other nostril.
• Repeat on the other side.

Always use distilled or boiled water to avoid infections, and clean the Neti pot thoroughly after each use.

8. Essential Oils (Peppermint and Eucalyptus)

Essential oils, particularly peppermint and eucalyptus, are excellent for relieving nasal congestion and soothing sneezing. Peppermint contains menthol, which can help open nasal passages, while eucalyptus oil has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce nasal swelling.

How To Use Them

• Add a few drops of peppermint or eucalyptus oil to a bowl of hot water.
• Lean over and inhale the steam, just like with steam inhalation.

Alternate method: You can also use a diffuser to spread the essential oil vapors throughout the room while you rest.

These oils provide instant relief from congestion, which allows you to breathe easier and reduces sneezing.

9. Warm Compress

Applying a warm compress to your face can help loosen mucus and relieve sinus pressure, providing relief from both a runny nose and sneezing. The warmth relaxes the nasal passages, making it easier for mucus to drain out.

How to Do It

• Soak a clean towel in warm water, wring it out, and place it over your nose and forehead.
• Leave it on for about 10 minutes, breathing deeply as the warmth soothes your sinuses.

You can alternate between warm and cold compresses to further relieve sinus pain and pressure.

10. Vitamin C-Rich Foods

Vitamin C is well-known for improving the immune system. It helps your body fight off infections that cause cold-like symptoms, including a runny nose and sneezing. Consuming foods rich in vitamin C can help reduce the severity and duration of your symptoms.

Foods To Include

• Oranges, lemons, bell peppers, strawberries, and broccoli are all great sources of vitamin C.
• You can also take vitamin C supplements if you're not getting enough through your diet.

Vitamin C helps boost your immune system and has antioxidant properties that reduce inflammation in the nasal passages, providing relief from sneezing and congestion.

Final Thoughts

A runny nose and sneezing can make even the simplest tasks feel challenging. However, with these 10 home remedies for runny nose, you can find natural and effective relief. Try these remedies and take control of your symptoms with these natural methods today. 

If you are seeking professional help to treat your runny nose or feel it is associated with a severe condition, contact the expert team at Apollo Spectra. We will guide you through all your concerns and suggest the best possible treatment options.