When winter comes, a common way through which our body acknowledges the change in temperature is through a blocked, congested nose. This, in turn, makes breathing also a Herculean task.

A congested nose can be a result of a sinus infection, cold, flu, or even spring-time allergy.

Our nasal passage is packed with a number of blood vessels. Whenever our body comes in contact with any type of allergens, our body increases the blood flow into these blood vessels, and this makes them swell. This causes a stuffy nose, which causes a difficulty in breathing.

A congested nose is irritating, since you constantly need a handkerchief nearby, in case something embarrassing happens.

While there are multiple options like over-the-counter decongestants that are available in the market, most of them are sleep-inducing, and some are even addictive.

There are multiple effective nasal congestion remedies you can try at home, which can help you get rid of your stuffy nose and help you breathe normally again without making you drowsy.

Try the following effective nasal congestion remedies, next time you have a stuffy nose.

Steam
A steam vaporizer is one of the cheapest and best nasal congestion remedies that can be tried at home. The steam soothes the swollen blood vessels and lubricates the respiratory tract, making breathing a lot easier.
For this remedy, boil a liter of water and transfer it to a bowl. Lower your head over the pot and cover your head with a towel. This process should be repeated twice a day, for better results.
You can also add a few drops of peppermint oil, which can help clear out the mucus and relieve the blocked airway.

Nasal irrigation
Nasal irrigation is also one of the quick and easy nasal congestion remedies that give you quick relief from it.
Mix a quarter teaspoon of baking soda and salt into warm water. Transfer the mixture into a squeeze bottle or a Neti pot. Tilt your head towards the side and rinse your nasal cavity with the warm mixture.
The baking soda and salt mixture can reduce the swelling in the blood vessels and remove the mucus from the nose and give you instant relief.

Warm compress
A warm compress helps in opening up the nasal passage by thinning the mucus inside it. It also helps to reduce chest congestion and the symptoms of a cold. This is one of the most effective nasal congestion remedies.
To make a warm compress, soak a towel in a bowl of warm water and squeeze it dry. Fold it over and place it on your nose and forehead. Keep changing the towel once in awhile to keep your nose warm. This will relieve the stuffy nose and help you breathe easier.

Cayenne pepper and honey mixture
Although it seems like a horrible idea, cayenne pepper can be helpful in alleviating the symptoms of nasal congestion.
Mix a teaspoon of raw honey with a half teaspoon of cayenne pepper, and take it orally. Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin, which is a spicy component that acts as a natural decongestant.
Cayenne pepper induces a runny nose that forces fluids and mucus out of the nose and relieves nasal congestion. Raw honey, moreover, balances the spicy taste so that it does not irritate the food pipe.

Garlic tea
Garlic is an ingredient that has been used in organic medicine since ages. It has a lot of natural antibacterials, antimicrobial, antifungal, and antiviral properties.

Garlic is one of the effective nasal congestion remedies by clearing up the layer of mucus, which coats the food pipe and leads to nasal congestion. Boil a cup of water with four to five crushed bulbs of garlic.
You can also add a pinch of ginger, a pinch of black pepper, or yellow turmeric to the concoction according to your taste preference to increase its medicinal properties. Doing so also makes it more effective. To help clear the nasal passage, drink this tea twice a day.

Vapor Rub
Vapor rubs available in the market contain menthol, camphor, and eucalyptus oil, which act as cough suppressants and topical analgesics. These ingredients help in decongesting the blocked nasal passage and respiratory tract, while you can sleep peacefully.

You can make vapor rub at home by using few essential oils. Melt half a cup of coconut oil in a microwave. Add two tablespoonfuls of beeswax to the oil and reheat it.

Finally, add 20 drops of eucalyptus oil and peppermint oil. Optionally, you can add 10 drops of rosemary and cinnamon or clove oil. Apply this natural decongestant vapor rub, while sleeping.

Air humidifier
If you have a humidifier at home, it is best to use it while you are down with cold, flu, and a congested nose. Just turn on your humidifier, to increase the amount of humidity in the air, and decrease the dryness. Humid air helps to increase the moisture in the air, which soothes the larynx and the nasal passage and this de-clogs the nasal cavity.