Post-nasal drip is a condition characterized by an overproduction of mucus in the back of your nose, in your sinuses and in your throat. Causes include allergies, colds, pollutants, sinusitis and rhinitis. If you have post-nasal drip, you may suffer symptoms, such as nasal congestion, sore throat, coughing, halitosis and breathing problems. Your doctor may suggest taking a course of antibiotics or doing a saline nose irrigation. You can also find over-the-counter decongestants. However, you may also choose to seek more natural options to treat occurrences of post-nasal drip.
Instructions
1. Do a saltwater gargle with a glass of warm water with 1/3 teaspoon of salt added to it. This can clear the drainage caused by post-nasal drip. The amount of salt used should be safe enough for those suffering from high blood pressure to use.
2. Boil a large pot of water with 1/2 teaspoon of ginger, 2 1/2 tablespoons of thyme and 1 teaspoon of salt. After it has come to boil, turn off heat and let it cool slightly, then set it on a table. Sit near the pot with a towel over your head and slowly breathe in the vapors, which should bring relief to your symptoms. Ensure that the water is not so hot that it causes damage or burns to the inside of your nostrils. Sit close enough to take in the vapors, but not close enough to injure yourself.
3. Cut back on or completely eliminate dairy foods from your diet. They can be responsible for triggering attacks of post-nasal drip and building up mucus. Any product that comes from cow's milk has lactose, which results in an overgrowth of mold and bacteria in the body and contributes to mucus production.
4. Drink fluids to rid your pharynx of mucus. Hot herbal teas, chicken broth, grape juice, apple juice and distilled water are all good for clearing out mucus and easing irritation.
5. Reach for the baking soda. Add a small amount of baking soda and a teaspoon of salt to a cup of warm water and use either a dropper or a syringe to squirt the solution into your nose, with your head titled backwards. Immediately blow your nose afterward; a lot of mucus should come up.
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