Blocked nose or nasal congestion occurs when the tissue lining in the passages becomes swollen. It occurs due to increases blood flow and the accumulation of excess fluid. This can be triggered by a myriad of factors such as infections, sinusitis, irritants and allergies. After congestion occurs in the nasal passage, it makes breathing through nose difficult. It leads to a great amount of discomfort. It leads to a reduced sense of smell. It can also cause a headache or sinus pressure. Depending on the underlying cause, the condition can be chronic or temporary.
What are the symptoms of a nasal congestion?
Following are symptoms of a nasal congestion-
1. Runny nose- A runny nose produces mucus that can drip from the nose.
2. Stuffy nose- In a stuffy nose, one can sense a feeling of fullness in the nasal passages which makes it difficult to breathe the nose.
3. Reduced sense of smell- As the nasal packages get blocked, one can feel a difficulty in detecting smells.
4. Headache- One often might feel a heavy head from the build-up of pressure in the sinuses.
5. Difficulty sleeping- As one experiences a difficulty breathing through the nose, it can lead to disturbed sleep.
What are the risk factors of nasal congestion?
Following are the risk factors of nasal congestion-
1. Infections
· Common cold- It is caused by viral infections which leads to inflammation and swelling in the passage.
· Flu- It is similar to common cold. However, it can also include nasal congestion.
· Sinusitis- in this ailment, there is inflammation of the sinus cavities which leads to sinus pressure.
2. Allergies
· Pet dander- Allergies are found in urine of pets, saliva and skin flakes.
· Dust mites- There is an allergic reaction to dust mites in household dust.
· Pollen- These are seasonal allergies which can be triggered by grasses, weeds or pollen from trees.
3. Chronic conditions
· GERD- Acid reflux sometimes leads to nasal congestion due to irritation.
· Chronic Rhinitis- It is a long term inflammation of the nasal passage.
Ayurvedic medicines for blocked nose
A blocked nose or nasal congestion is caused by an imbalance in the Kapha dosha. This leads to excess mucus in the nasal passages. This condition is called Nasavarodha and the treatment focuses on eliminating mucus from the body and restoring dosha balance. Following are the ayurvedic medicines for blocked nose-
1. Anu taila
This herbal nasal oil is made from a potent blend of eight powerful Vata-Kapha pacifying herbs. The drug helps clear out phlegm from the nasal mucosa. The drug also helps improve the strength of the mucous membrane. The drug also protects the membrane from an external attack of allergens. The oil clears out the blocked channels of the nasal passage. It also balances the aggravated Kapha dosha. The drug is formulated with herbs such as Mulethi, Cardamom and Cinnamon. The oil improves respiratory health by removing impurities from the system.
Following are the benefits of the drug-
· Helps nourish sensory organs.
The oil strengthens all five sense organs- ears, nose, eyes, tongue and throat.
· Tridoshashamak.
The drug balances all three doshas and supports nerve health by helping in issues such as hair fall and headache.
· Useful in nasal congestion.
It helps clear nasal pathways by removing allergens and excess mucus from the nasal passage.
2. Tribhuvan Kirti Ras
The ingredients present in the drug are Borax, Sunthi, Pippalimula, Shuddha Hingula, Maricha and Pippali. The drug is used for relieving cough, cold and viral infections. The ingredients work together to support respiratory health. They also alleviate congestion and helps you get quicker recovery from seasonal illnesses. The drug is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. This makes it beneficial for managing fever and body aches. It is important to consume drug under medical supervision.
Following are the ayurvedic medicines for blocked nose-
Helps ease cough
The drug contains sunthi, marica and pippali which relieve congestion and soothes sore throat and reduce irritation caused by cough.
Helps reliever fever
The medicine helps managing fever caused by viral infections.
Reduces inflammation
Presence of ingredients such as Piper Longum and Borax have properties that help alleviate headaches and joint stiffness.
3. Haridra Khanda
This ayurvedic medicine is used for treating various skin diseases and allergies. It is also used for treating blocked nose. The main component in the medicine is Turmeric or haldi. It has anti-allergic properties that help decrease sneezing and also relieve nasal congestion. The drug is used for alleviating symptoms associated with colds. The potent herbs fused in appropriate amounts benefit your skin and body in many ways.
The drug is a great expectorant that promotes the secretion of sputum through the air passages. It reduces phlegm inside the body. It also gives a relief from runny nose and its anti-allergic effect reduces nasal congestion in the body.
4. Chyawanprash
Chyawanprash is the medicine that helps one get rid of sinus and blocked nose, stuffy nose. Following are the key ingredients present in the drug-
· Amla- It is rich in vitamin C and other bioactive compounds present in the drug help strengthen the immune system. The compounds help fight off infections in the body and reduce the risk of allergic reactions.
· Giloy- It helps regulate the immune response and also prevents excessive inflammation.
· Ashwagandha- The herb is known for its adaptogenic properties. It also reduces the risk of allergic reactions triggered by the stress.
How can one incorporate Chyawanprash in one’s daily routine?
One should consume the medicine regularly for experiencing its full benefits. Following are the ways to consume the drug-
· Add a tablespoon of Chyawanprash to a glass of milk/herbal tea.
· Spread the chyawamprash on toast along with butter.
· Mix the medicine with smoothies.
· Use the medicine as a topping for the breakfast.
It is one of the best ayurvedic medicines for blocked nose.
5. Sitopaladi Churna
The effective and well-known ayurvedic medicine is the best remedy for a blocked nose when caused by allergies, cold or upper respiratory infections. The drug works by balancing Vata and Kapha doshas.