In this article, we will discuss the best home remedies for post-nasal drip. Excessive production of mucus by the nasal mucosa is normally the cause of post-nasal drip. Anyone with this problem will feel very uncomfortable, regardless of their age.
Mucus is produced to fight infections and keep the nasal cavity clean and healthy. However, when mucus is excessively produced, it starts to drip from the nose, a condition called Post Nasal Drip. Associated symptoms include a sore throat, congestion, cough, difficulty swallowing, and weakness.
Mucus is normally swallowed unconsciously, but when there is a feeling of the mucus gathering in the throat or dripping from the back of your nose, it is called post-nasal drip.
ENT Health
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Causes and Symptoms
You may develop post-nasal drip for a number of reasons:
- Flu
- Allergies
- Bacterial infections
- Sinus infection
- Vasomotor rhinitis (overly sensitive nose)
- Medications that thicken mucus
- Gastroesophageal reflux
- Excessively dry air
- Spicy food
- Hormonal imbalance
- Perfumes
- Cold temperature
- Chemicals
What are the symptoms of post-nasal drip?:
- Frequent swallowing
- Throat clearing
- A feeling of mucus drainage into the throat
- Raspy or gurgling speech
- Feeling a lump in the throat
- Sore irritated throat
If you suffer from Post Nasal Drip, you can get relief with home remedies. Do not hesitate to see a doctor if this becomes very severe and not controllable.
9 Home Remedies for Post Nasal Drips
Here are the best post-nasal drip home remedies you can depend on:
1. Gargling with Salt Water
Saltwater treatment is one of the best ways to treat post-nasal drip. This treatment is both practical and very effective. This treatment thins mucus and eliminates it. It also relieves nasal irritation associated with excessive mucus.
How to use salt water for post-nasal drip: Add half a teaspoon of table salt to warm water and stir well. Gargle while making a good sound and spit out the salt water. A little saltwater going up the throat to the stomach is not harmful. Gargle three times a day for relief.
2. Nasal Irrigation
A nasal irrigation home remedy can clear the nasal passages of excess mucus and prevent further infections. So, this is a useful remedy for post-nasal drip problems.
How to do nasal irrigation for post-nasal drip: 1 cup of warm distilled water should be mixed with 14 teaspoons of salt and a pinch of baking soda. Fill a neti pot with it to facilitate nasal irrigation. Stand by the washbasin, tilt your head, and let the solution pass from the neti pot into one nostril.
Then blow your nose out so that you can release any excess mucus along with the solution. Next, tilt the head to the other side and do the same for the other nostril. Use this treatment once a day for a few days.
3. Steam Inhalation
The inhalation of steam is another effective home remedy for Post Nasal drips. Steam can be inhaled with or without essential oils.
How to do steam inhalation for nasal post drip: Take a bowl or bucket and add hot water with a few drops of essential oils. Bend over and place your face near the water while covering your head with a towel so steam comes only to your face. Make sure not to get too close and not burn your face. Inhale and exhale slowly and deeply for about ten minutes. Do this three times a day.
Essential oils also have many healing effects when used correctly. It can calm your mind, relax your body, heal cystic acne, cure cough, and so on.
4. Fresh Lemon Juice
Getting relief from Post Nasal Drip is possible with lemon. Its rich vitamin content makes you immune to infection.
How to use fresh lemon juice for post-nasal drip: The juice of half a lemon works as a remedy. Add honey to the juice and drink it in the early morning after you have cleared your bowels. Also, drink a few times a day. You’ll find mucus overproduction is controlled quickly and you’ll feel better soon.
5. Garlic
Garlic is considered a powerful herb because of its natural antibiotic properties. Consuming garlic helps control mucus production and protects against infections.
How to use garlic for post-nasal drip: One minute is all it takes for four cloves of garlic to roast in clarified butter. Eat the roasted garlic with warm milk. Continue for a few days until mucus is controlled.
Raw garlic cloves are also helpful in treating post-nasal drip if you are able to consume them. Chew it a few times a day. You can buy garlic supplements in the stores as well.
6. Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne Pepper is an antihistamine and useful for treating Post Nasal drips. Cayenne Peppers contain capsaicin, which prevents mucus overproduction. It can also soothe a sore throat when consumed.
How to use cayenne peppers for post-nasal drip: Combine Cayenne Powder with honey in half-teaspoon quantities and drink it. It’s best to drink three times a day. Continue for a few days so mucus gets controlled and you get relief from Post Nasal Drip.
7. Ginger
Ginger’s naturally antibacterial, antiviral, and expectorant properties help you out of postnasal drip. These properties prevent mucus overproduction and remove excessive mucus. Besides the Post Nasal Drip, ginger has several other health benefits.
Home remedy treatment with ginger is so simple and enjoyable. Just drink ginger tea three times a day.
How to use ginger for post-nasal drip: Put a few slices of ginger in your hot tea and steep it for ten minutes. You should strain the tea before drinking it. Adding ginger to your diet is beneficial, too.
8. Apple Cider Vinegar
Postnasal drip is one of the health benefits of apple cider vinegar. Taking Apple Cider Vinegar is alkalizing and is effective in curing Post Nasal Drip. This thins mucus while increasing your immunity against infections.
How to use ACV for postnasal drip: Two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar should be mixed with some honey and warm water in a cup. Drink this tonic twice a day.
Apple cider vinegar is effective and worth trying to get rid of the post-nasal drip problem.
9. Increase Vitamin C Intake
One of the best-known properties of vitamin C is that it is a potent antioxidant. Vitamin C improves your immune system and helps you fight infections. This is a good home remedy for Post Nasal drips.
How to use vitamin C for postnasal drip: Make sure you are getting enough vitamin C at every meal for a healthy life without Post Nasal drip problems.
Vitamin C-rich foods include oranges, lemons, kiwis, berries, dark leafy greens, bell peppers, papaya, tomatoes, and broccoli. Vitamin C can also be obtained as a dietary supplement, consult your doctor for the right prescription.
When to call a doctor?
- It has been more than two weeks since you began experiencing symptoms.
- There is a worsening of your symptoms or a development of new ones because you may have another infection.
- An illness lasting more than three days, such as a sore throat or a virus with a fever higher than 100 degrees.
- You are experiencing severe chest pain and shortness of breath.
Takeaway
Postnasal Drip can affect anyone, regardless of age or gender. Fortunately, there are several home remedies for post-nasal drip as described above. You can try these remedies to overcome this problem. If the problem is too severe, do not hesitate to consult a doctor.
6 Sources:
Noble Home Remedies relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations for accuracy and reliability while avoiding tertiary references. Our editorial policy provides more information about how we ensure our content is accurate and up-to-date.
- Physiology and pathophysiology of respiratory mucosa of the nose and the paranasal sinuses – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3199822/
- A multicenter survey on the effectiveness of nasal irrigation devices in rhinosinusitis patients – https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/lio2.497
- Post-nasal Drip
https://www.enthealth.org/conditions/post-nasal-drip/ - Methods of Application
https://naha.org/index.php/explore-aromatherapy/about-aromatherapy/methods-of-application/ - 6 At-Home Remedies
https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/health-and-wellness/2018/february/sore-throat - The Do’s and Don’ts of Easing Cold Symptoms
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-dos-and-donts-of-easing-cold-symptoms