11 Home Remedies to Get Rid of Canker Sores

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Apthous stomatitis, more commonly known as canker sores, are mysterious mouth ulcers that have plagued most people at some point in their lives.

I say “mysterious” because it’s not totally known what causes these pesky painful spots on the inside of the mouth, although biting your cheek/inside of your lip, braces rubbing, stress, genetics, and a malfunctioning immune response are all possible contributors.

Starting as a red patch of oval skin, they’ll typically become increasingly inflamed and develop a white or yellow-ish spot in the middle.

Now, how to get rid of canker sores?

With a handful of natural ingredients, it’s not difficult to find ways to soothe the pain they cause (and make it so you can chew your food normally and talk without a lisp, which are also important things to consider.)

Get Rid of Canker Sores #1 - DIY Numbing Spray

Peppermint and eucalyptus essential oil both have anti-inflammatory properties, while also possibly working as anti-microbial agents (thus reducing chance of infection.)

They also act as astringents to help tighten the tissues around the wound, relieving further discomfort caused by swelling or potential fluid build-up. The cooling properties of both of these oils can also numb the nerve endings that are firing off.

You will need…

-2 tablespoons of olive or grapeseed oil
-10 drops of peppermint essential oil
-8 drops of eucalyptus essential oil
-A glass mister bottle

Directions

Pour the olive or grapeseed oil into a glass mister bottle, and add the essential oils. Cap, shake well, and spray some directly onto the canker sore as needed for pain relief. Shake before each use.

Get Rid of Canker Sores #2 - Chamomile Tea Bag

Chamomile consists of several daisy-like plants that are most commonly used to induce sleep, promote relaxation, and help with digestion - it works a treat with cramping since it can help relax painful spasms in the digestive track.

A chemical compound called bisabolol, or levomenol, is found naturally in German chamomile, and has been shown to reduce inflammation and also have antiseptic properties. Both of these properties will help reduce the pain of canker sores and potentially help speed the healing process.

You will need…

-1 bag of chamomile tea, or a tablespoon of dried flowers wrapped in cheesecloth
-Fresh water

Directions

Soak the chamomile in water for 1 minute or so if using a teabag, and 3-4 if using dried flowers. After soaking place it directly against the sore for 5-10 minutes twice daily to help relieve discomfort and promote speedy healing.

Get Rid of Canker Sores #3 - Swish Sage

Sage is an herb from the evergreen shrub, Salvia officinalis, in the mint family. It used widely in the culinary world, and has also been prevalent in homeopathic medicine and home remedies for years.

Native Americans used sage long before modern medicine to help cleanse the mouth, and to heal the painful ulcers that we now know as canker sores.

You will need…

-A handful of fresh sage OR 2 teaspoons dried sage
-4-8 ounces of fresh water

Directions

If you are using dried sage, boil your water and allow the herb to infuse for 10 minutes. Swish the water, and the herb, in your mouth for 1 minute before spitting it out and rinsing with plain cold water.

You can also make a tea-type rinse with fresh leaves, but I prefer the following method.

Place your sage leaves in an airtight glass jar in a cool dark place and allow them to infuse for 24 hours. Swish the liquid (sans the sage) in your mouth for 1 minute. Lightly pound the soft, moist leaves to a pulp and then place the pulp directly over the sore for 5 minutes. Rinse with plain cold water.

Get Rid of Canker Sores #4 - Coconut Oil

When in doubt, use coconut oil! Anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and also incredibly tasty, coconut oil is almost fail-safe when it comes to getting rid of canker sores.

You will need…

-Coconut oil

Directions

Using clean hands or a cotton swab, dab a liberal amount of coconut oil onto the sore. Try to get a somewhat thick layer or clump on there-coconut oil melts rapidly and a thin layer just seems to slide right off.

If you feel like you really can’t get it to stick, melt 1 tablespoon down with ½ teaspoon or so of beeswax to thicken it.

Get Rid of Canker Sores #5 - Clove Oil Cotton Ball

Clove oil contains eugenol, a potent painkiller, and has been used by dentists throughout decades to bring relief to patients.

All those old-time depictions you see of dentists with giant pliers and their patients appearing to be in agony? They clearly forgot the clove oil.

Eugenol is still used today, although in a pure extracted form, but clove oil remains useful for oral pain ranging from toothaches to canker sores.

You will need…

-1/2 teaspoon of olive oil
-4-5 drops of clove essential oil
-Cotton balls
-Warm water/salt water

Directions

Swish your mouth with warm water or salt water to get the area clean, allowing the clove oil to really sink in and do its job. Mix the clove oil with the olive oil and then soak a cotton ball in it. Apply the cotton ball directly to the sore for 5-8 minutes for numbing relief.

Get Rid of Canker Sores #6 - Honey Rub

With its antibacterial, and potentially anti-inflammatory, properties, raw organic honey makes a wonderfully soothing coating for a painful canker sore.

You will need…

-A wee dab of organic raw honey
-Warm water

Directions

Swish some warm water in your mouth, and then apply a thick dab of organic raw honey directly to the sore. Reapply 2-3 times daily (at least one of those times should be before night, as it seems to do best when you aren’t bothering it by talking or eating.)

Get Rid of Canker Sores #7 - Wax Cap

If you have a sore that keeps rubbing against your tooth, or if you have braces and or dentures that are irritating the sore, putting a little wax “capping” over the surface can help reduce irritating friction against the sore and help speed up the healing time.

If you are placing this over braces, it’s important to make it thick enough that it doesn’t just get ground into the brace and stuck.

You will need…

-1 tablespoon of beeswax
-2 teaspoons of coconut oil

Directions

Melt down the beeswax and coconut oil and allow the mixture to cool slightly. When it has cooled, gently press a dollop over the edge of your tooth/braces/dentures to protect the canker sore from rubbing.

Get Rid of Canker Sores #8 - Cayenne “Cream”

Cayenne contains a substance called capsaicin, which is the same chemical constituent that makes it “hot.”

Capsaicin can inhibit something called Substance P, which is responsible for mediating pain responses in the body. Because of this, cayenne makes a great home remedy for canker sores, even though it sounds like the opposite thing you’d want to use!

You will need…

-Cayenne pepper
-Warm water
-Cotton swabs

Directions

Mix just enough warm water with ground cayenne pepper to form a thick paste. Use a cotton swab to apply directly to the canker sore. Reapply 2-3 times daily for pain relief.

Get Rid of Canker Sores #9 - Aloe Rinse

The king (or queen) of soothing plants-aloe! The gel from this magnificent plant wields mighty powers when it comes to soothing not just sunburn, but canker sores as well. Make sure you use natural gel-not the green kind.

You will need…

-1 teaspoon of aloe vera gel
-1 tablespoon of water

Directions

Stir the gel into the water and swish it gently over the sore 3 time’s day to ease the pain and facilitate healing.

Get Rid of Canker Sores #10 - Eat Yogurt

Yogurt is made from fermented milk- delicious, yes? It is produced by bacterial fermentation, that is, using bacteria or yeast to convert carbohydrates into organic acids. The result is a tangy bacteria rich substance that is enjoyed worldwide.

You most often hear of it restoring a healthy balance to gut flora, but eaten daily yogurt may one of the home remedies for canker sores you find yourself going to frequently.

It’s a simple healthy remedy that may help because it balances out bacteria in your mouth which, if it was out of balance, may contribute to or cause a canker sore.

You will need…

-Plain yogurt with live cultures

Directions

Make sure the label on the yogurt confirms that it contains live cultures, and make sure you get plain-not vanilla! Eat at the very minimum 1 tablespoon 3 times daily. I usually eat around a cup and add a little bit of raw honey for taste and an extra healing boost!

Get Rid of Canker Sores #11 - Warm Salt Water

When the salt content around cells is greater on the outside than the inside osmosis takes place, with water being drawn from in the cells to help balance out the concentration. When water is drawn out, the painful puffiness that excess fluid can cause is diminished.

If you have a canker sore that is really puffed up that keeps rubbing or that you keep biting, gargling with salt water can help greatly.

This is also why salt water gargle help with a sore throat - reducing the painful swelling of the cells in the mucous membrane at the back of the throat. The warm water also produces a general sense of soothing relief, while the salt may help keep the area clean.

You will need…

-1/4 cup of warm salt water
-1/2 teaspoon of salt

Directions

Stir the salt into the warm water and swish it around in your mouth 3 times daily until the canker sore is gone.

You can also watch this Video HERE to for more ideas to get rid of canker sores.

Tips

- Try to avoid acidic foods when you have a canker sore, as they can prolong healing. Some people find that acidic foods may trigger their sores. Oddly, on the flip side, some anecdotal evidence suggests that a bit of very acidic juice (e.g. lemon juice) can sometimes help.

- Experiment with different home remedies for canker sores. Mix and match the ones on the list-for example, rinse with aloe and then follow up with the cayenne cream.

- Pay attention to your body - if you find yourself with canker sores breaking out every time you have a project deadline to meet, take time to yourself to relax. You deserve it.

By Claire Goodall (a bee-obsessed natural-convert from Minnesota) who is a holistic health lover. She is the author of Everyday Roots Book.

It's a Book that she creates to help you replace the toxic products and medications in your home with healthier, all-natural alternatives.

It contains 215+ effective home remedies and covers everything you will need to protect your family and save money every month.

For more details about her book, take a look at the Everyday Roots Book.

How to Make a Love Potion that Really Works in Getting the Spark Back in Sex?

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Shrouded in mystery and steeped in legend, love potions have been scattered throughout human history for centuries. But in modern times, just as many remedies have been disproved and tossed aside, we’ve learned that there is merit to some.

It turns there are odors that can work wonders upon the human mind and body when it comes to getting the spark back in sex, and certain herbs that can help things like blood flow, therefore helping arousal.

Sadly with our busy, stressful, lives it can be more than difficult to engage in passionate activities, but keeping up a healthy sex life should always be on the docket.

Getting the spark back in sex can not only improve your relationship and lift your mood, it’s been shown to lower blood pressure, boost immunity, improve heart health, and lead you to a longer life.

So the next time you find yourself lacking in the passion department, brew up this “love potion” and get ready for a merry time.

Why Jasmine: It’s distinct, sweet, odor induces euphoria in both men and women, and has been used to spark passion for, quite literally, centuries.

Why Rose: We all know women tend to think too much - we’re just not as straightforward as guys when it comes to this stuff. The sensual smell of rose can lower arousal blocking anxiety, which can spike when it comes to sex.

Why Vanilla: There is an old Mexican legend about a fertility goddess who could not marry the mortal man she loved. Instead of becoming bitter, she transformed herself into the vanilla plant to give happiness and pleasure to all lovers.

Its warm scent (and taste) is welcoming, subtly sensual, and relaxing-and we all know that relaxation is a must when it comes to truly enjoying sex.

Why Cinnamon: The cinnamon creates a fine balance with the more soothing scents of rose, jasmine, and vanilla. While those help relax you, the cinnamon ensures that you still get a burst of fiery passion and energy.

If you indulge in cinnamon regularly, it can increase sex drive over time. It works so well because it can lower high blood sugar, which restricts blood flow down south for both men and women.

You will need…

-2 teaspoons of dried jasmine flowers
-1 tablespoon of dried rose petals
-Vanilla pod split, or ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
-1-2 cinnamon sticks
-1 cup of fresh water
-A pot or sauce pan
-A strainer

Directions

Pour 1 cup of fresh water into a saucepan. You can add more or less, with the former resulting in a stronger ‘potion’ and the latter a weaker tasting one.

Add to the water 2 teaspoons of dried jasmine flowers, 1 tablespoon of dried rose petals, a vanilla pod split lengthwise or ¼ teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 1-2 cinnamon sticks. Give the mixture a little stir to incorporate everything, and then simmer for 3-5 minutes.

Remove from heat and strain immediately. Allow this to cool and then bottle it. Add sparkling water and serve chilled on a hot day, or pour into mugs and reheat, sipping slowly. You can also use it fresh. In the fridge it will keep for a week in tightly lidded container.

Passion makes the world go round, but even the best of lovers can find themselves needing something for getting the spark back in sex. If you find yourself a bit “stuck”, the arousing, sensual smells and the little kick of cinnamon spice in this love potion will have the passion brewing in no time.

If you want to get more ideas on how to make a love potion for getting the spark back in sex, click and watch Video 1, Video 2 and Video 3

By Claire Goodall (a bee-obsessed natural-convert from Minnesota) who is a holistic health lover. She is the author of Everyday Roots Book.

It's a Book that she creates to help you replace the toxic products and medications in your home with healthier, all-natural alternatives.

It contains 215+ effective home remedies and covers everything you will need to protect your family and save money every month.

For more details about her book, take a look at the Everyday Roots Book.

4 Simple Remedies for Toothache Relief

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Toothache can be caused by a number of problems, such as gum disease, a cracked tooth, an abnormal bite, or if you grind your teeth.

For all intents and purposes, we’re going to be focused on tooth pain caused by tooth decay, as that is the most common root cause (pun very much intended), although these remedies will help with pain from a variety of causes.

The tooth is made up of four layers - enamel, dentin, cementum, and the pulp.

Enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, and is highly mineralized and brittle. It makes up the outside of the tooth.  

Beneath the enamel is dentin, a more flexible supportive tissue that is softer than enamel.

Under the dentin is cementum, which is a bone-like substance that is highly specialized and covers the root of a tooth. It is softer than dentin and enamel, and its primary function is to serve as a medium that the periodontal ligaments (essentially specialized tissue that connects the tooth to the jaw bone) can attach to the tooth for stability.

Finally we have the pulp, the central part of the tooth filled with soft connective tissue rich in blood vessels and nerves.

A cavity is the result of bacteria in the mouth, and its reaction to sugars and starches. As bacteria break down the sugars and starches, sticky plaque filled with acids form over the tooth.

If left unchecked, plaque can form tartar, which cannot easily be brushed away. These acids eat away at the tooth enamel, and unless they are reversed, will continue to eat away at the tooth until the pulp becomes infected.

It is when the pulp is infected that a root canal becomes necessary to prevent the spread of infection and an abscess.

It’s important to get to a dentist ASAP to identify the cause before it progresses, but these remedies will help ease the ache until you can.

Toothache Relief #1 - Use Cloves

Cloves contain a substance called eugenol, which is a powerful antiseptic and painkiller. Cloves were used by dentists well before modern dentistry developed, and eugenol, in an extracted purified form, is still used today. In fact, it is a main constituent of the stuff a dentist will swab on your gums to numb the area because administering Novocain or lidocaine.

While it’s mechanism of action has yet to be totally understood, despite its prevalence in the dentist’s office, it is thought to act on certain pain receptors, blocking them and thus blocking the sensation of pain.

You will need…

-Clove essential oil

 -Cotton balls
-1/2 teaspoon of olive oil
-Cotton swabs (optional)

Directions

Rinse your mouth with warm salt water to get it nicely flushed out. By doing this beforehand, you’re allowing the oil to do its job the very best it can since there’s nothing to block it or make it hard to sink down into the sore spot.

Mix a few drops of clove essential oil with ½ teaspoon of olive oil. Thoroughly soak a cotton ball in this mixture and then hold it gently but firmly against the sore tooth or gum.

If you wanted to take a shortcut, you could try putting some of the oil on a cotton swab and dabbing it directly where it hurts, however, jabbing a cotton swab onto a hurting tooth or gum may not be too comfortable.

Toothache Relief #2 - Alcohol

Normally I avoid alcohol in my remedies if at all possible, but you know what? Sometimes, it’s a great remedy. Especially when it comes to surviving excruciating pain until the dentist is open.

You’ll read a number of conflicting view points on whether or not it actually numbs pain, but I for one think it does. I can’t trump the American Dental Association, which claims there is no basis to the remedy, but I can attest to personal experience.

Ingesting alcohol doesn’t numb pain in a direct sense, but it can slow down the responses of the central nervous system-including the transmission of pain.

When applied topically (this remedy does not call for drinking) it probably doesn’t affect the CNS, but it does seem to do something to numb the area. It’s long been old wives remedy, but it’s a good one.

You will need…

-Whiskey or Bourbon
-A cotton ball

Directions

Soak the cotton ball in the alcohol, and squeeze out the excess so it isn’t dripping all over the place. Pack it in by the sore tooth and let it sit. Repeat as necessary.

If you’d rather not put a whole cotton ball in there, then you should soak a cotton swab in the alcohol and swab it over the gum around the sore tooth.

Toothache Relief #3 - Peppermint oil

A good dose of peppermint essential oil can do the trick when it comes to numbing tooth pain. A whopping 3,000 tons of menthol, the naturally occurring constituent in peppermint, are manufactured annually to be used in over the counter pain relieving, gels, creams, rubs, and sprays.

It’s one of nature’s most effective pain killers. A type of molecule known as a ligand, present in the menthol, attaches itself to a protein known as the k-opioid receptor (KOR.)

KORs are one of four receptors that bind opiate-like compounds in the brain, and control the effects of those compounds. Among the effects is the perception of pain-basically, KOR agonists are analgesic.

Menthol is a KOR agonist, naturally occurring in mint, which is what makes it such an effective pain blocker. In addition to this, it can desensitize a region through TRPM8, also known as the cold menthol receptor.

If you’d like the full name for that, it’s transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily M member 8. You can whip that out next time someone brings up anything minty.

Menthol does not actually change temperature - the activation of the TRPM8 simply “tricks” the brain into registering a cold sensation.

You will need…

-Pure peppermint essential oil
-Cotton balls or cotton swabs

Directions

Mix 10-15 drops of peppermint essential oil into 2 tablespoons of neutral oil (grapeseed, olive oil, etc.) It’s important to dilute the oil first so as to avoid any irritation.

Soak a cotton ball in the oil and pack it around the sore tooth, or soak a cotton swab and swab the gum surrounding the sore tooth. Repeat as needed.

Toothache Relief #4 - Saltwater Rinse

This is a repeat of a remedy in the Everyday Roots book, and it is one worth repeating, as it can really help a sore tooth heal after a procedure, or ease pain before you can get the tooth checked out.

To understand it, here’s a very simplified version of what goes down as decay is eating away at your tooth. Bacteria in the mouth feeds off of sugars in the diet-namely sucrose.

When it breaks down the sugar, it produces lactic acid. This lactic acid eats away at the enamel, into the dentin, and so on until the pulp becomes infected. The infection can then spread and turn into an abscess or what have you.

The salt, however, helps to neutralize the lactic acid. This can slow the process of decay significantly, and also relieve pain. The warm salt water will also help contract inflamed tissues as it draws excess fluid out of them, further easing discomfort.

You will need…

-1 cup of warm salt water
-1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Directions

Mix the salt into a glass of warm water. Swish the water around for 1 minute, then spit it out. Repeat until the glass is gone. You can do this as many times a day as needed until you can get to the dentist.

I cannot stress enough how important it is to get to the bottom of the problem before it gets worse. While going to the dentist may seem like a not so great (and expensive) experience you’d rather avoid, you will only end up suffering, and paying, way more in the long run when you let the problem go. These remedies are only to help get you through until you can get professional help.

Keep in mind that these remedies are for the purpose of getting rid of the pain, not something that will cure whatever is making your tooth hurt. Brushing and flossing regularly and eating less processed sugary/salty foods can help prevent toothaches in the long run as well.

You can also watch this Video HERE for more toothache relief ideas.

By Claire Goodall (a bee-obsessed natural-convert from Minnesota) who is a holistic health lover. She is the author of Everyday Roots Book.

It's a Book that she creates to help you replace the toxic products and medications in your home with healthier, all-natural alternatives.

It contains 215+ effective home remedies and covers everything you will need to protect your family and save money every month.

For more details about her book, take a look at the Everyday Roots Book.

The Benefits of Red Raspberry Leaf for Women Health

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Like blueberries, red raspberries grow wild up the north woods. I have many fond memories seeking out berry patches and eagerly plucking the little red gems off the plant.

Unlike blueberries, I would never collect the raspberries, but pop them in my mouth right then and there. It wasn’t until I was much older that I would learn that there was more to the plant than just the delicious fruit!

What are the benefits of Red Raspberry Leaf?

Red raspberry leaf is known for easing the pain of menstrual cramps, but it can also help digestive woes as well as support heart health.

Red raspberry leaf has also traditionally been used by pregnant women, as well as post-partum, the thought process being that it can ease labour by helping with pain as well as quickening the process, and “toning” the uterus.

There’s quite a bit of mixed research on this, however, anecdotal evidence is extremely strong when it comes to its efficacy and I know of quite a few women who swear by it.

Red raspberry leaves are rich in magnesium, calcium, potassium, and iron, as well as zinc and phosphorus. The leaves also contain a plethora of b-vitamins (B1-thiamine, B2-riboflavin, B3-niacin, B5-pantothenic acid, B6-pyridoxine, and B9-folate) as well as vitamin C.

Magnesium and potassium are both macro-minerals, which the body needs in larger amounts to support proper functioning. Iron is a trace mineral - still important, of course, but we don’t need as much of it as macro-minerals.

Below the recipe is a simplified and brief explanation for some of the most important constituents of red raspberry leaf, and the benefits of red raspberry leaf for women health.

*If you decide to consume red raspberry leaf during pregnancy, it is recommended that you wait until your third trimester. Start with 1 cup daily and over the course of several weeks move up to 3 cups daily.

Should you wish to start consuming it sooner, check with a holistic health care provider or your doctor for details.*

You will need…

-2-3 teaspoons of dried red raspberry leaf OR 2-3 tablespoons fresh
-Water
-Your favourite mug
-Honey or lemon (optional)

Directions

Bring water to a boil and place your leaves in a strainer or tea ball in your mug. Fill the mug with fresh, boiling water and cover, letting it steep, for 6-8 minutes. Remove the leaves, add honey or lemon to taste, and enjoy!

The Nitty-Gritty on Red Raspberry Leaf & Why It is Good for You

Magnesium: Magnesium is a co-factor over 300 enzyme reactions in the body. Needless to say-it’s kind of important.

It regulates

- Protein synthesis, which is one of the most fundamental biological processes,

- Muscle and nerve function which includes nerve impulse, muscle contraction, and normal heart rhythm,

- Blood glucose,

- Blood pressure, and

- Energy production

It aids structural development of bone, and plays a role in the synthesis (basically, production) of DNA and RNA.

If you need a little reminder, DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is a self-replicating material present in just about every living thing. It is the carrier of genetic information.

RNA (ribonucleic acid) is present in all living cells, and essentially carries instructions for DNA regarding the synthesis of proteins. There’s really no simple way to sum up that process…but it’s important!

Potassium: Potassium plays a large role in smooth muscle function. Smooth muscle is the kind in your intestines, heart, etc. as opposed to skeletal muscle.

Skeletal muscle you think about contracting- like when you flex your bicep. Smooth muscle is subconscious - you don’t think about making your heart beat, or your intestines contract to push food through.

Potassium conducts electricity, along with calcium and magnesium, which regulates the impulses to move these muscles.

Calcium: Much like the other vital minerals, the body cannot produce calcium on its own - which is why it is so important to consume enough of it from healthy outside sources

Roughly 99% of the calcium in our bodies is concentrated in our bones and teeth, but it also helps nerves fire, blood to clot, and works with potassium and magnesium to contract muscles.

It is, in fact, so vital to muscle function that your body will draw it from your very bones if you do not ingest enough.

Iron: Iron is a mineral that has several roles in the body, the biggest one being the creation of healthy oxygen-carrying red blood cells.

Roughly two-thirds of the bodies iron is found in the protein haemoglobin, which is responsible for carrying oxygen from our lungs to other parts of the body.

Anaemia is when you don’t have enough haemoglobin, and is usually when people start taking iron supplements. Exhaustion, a racing heart, restless legs, shortness of breath - all of these are common signs of anaemia. Women are at the highest risk.

Zinc/Phosphorus: Zinc is a vital part of the immune system, and also ties into the creation of proteins and DNA.

Phosphorus, after calcium, is the most abundant mineral in the human body, with 85% of it being located in the bones and teeth. It works closely with calcium to build strong bones and teeth.

B/C Vitamins: In short, B complex vitamins do a variety of jobs, often times working together. They convert nutrients to energy, maintain skin and hair health, regulate stress hormones, and boost HDL cholesterol (the “good” cholesterol.)

Vitamin C helps the body form and maintains some of its vital components, including blood vessels, skin, connective tissue, and bones.

When you take a look at the breakdown of the leaves, it’s not hard to see why they would be helpful for heart health, muscles, or even strengthening the uterus.

There is no magic “super herb” out there, but red raspberry leaf tea is a great herbal tea to add to your daily routine to keep everything running smoothly.

You can also watch this Video HERE to learn about the benefits of red raspberry leaf tea for women health.

By Claire Goodall (a bee-obsessed natural-convert from Minnesota) who is a holistic health lover. She is the author of Everyday Roots Book.

It's a Book that she creates to help you replace the toxic products and medications in your home with healthier, all-natural alternatives.

It contains 215+ effective home remedies and covers everything you will need to protect your family and save money every month.

For more details about her book, take a look at the Everyday Roots Book.

Here are 3 Simple Remedies to Relieve Nose Congestion

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As I type these words I am sniffling and snuffling thanks to a very stuffy nose. It’s the frustrating kind, where you can’t even get some relief by blowing it.

This is because the worst kind of stuffiness comes not from an excess of mucous, but from inflamed and irritated tissue in the sinuses and nasal passages. The mucous, well, that’s just the cherry on the sundae.  

When fighting off a cold or the flu, these tissues and the blood vessels inside them become swollen from excess fluid. Other things, such as allergies or irritants like smoke, can also cause that dreadful stuffy feeling.

Luckily, home remedies for a stuffy nose are some of the easiest and least involved as they come. These do overlap with some remedies for the cold, as is to be expected since a stuffy nose is the trademark symptom of those pesky viruses.

Remedies to Relieve Nose Congestion #1- Take a Hot Shower

Yes, I have used this on the cold and flu remedy posts, and no, it’s not cheating, because it really is one of the best ways to relieve stuffiness.

The steam from the shower is almost guaranteed to relieve the irritation and inflammation (temporarily, unfortunately, but still) and, if your stuffy nose comes with an excess of mucous, the steam will thin the secretions and help them drain.

You can also do a bowl of steaming water with some essential oils added for an extra kick, and a towel over your head, but a shower is a little less involved.

You will need…

-A shower with hot water
-A towel

Directions

Get the water as hot as you can stand it and stay in there for at least fifteen minutes. Make sure the bathroom door is closed, and shove a towel under the door to keep that precious steam in.

Remedies to Relieve Nose Congestion #2 - Make Your Own Saline Drops

Saline drops (just water with salt added) are a tried and true remedy for a stuffy nose. Remember how the worst kind of stuffiness (that doesn’t improve when you blow your nose) is, in large part, excess fluids in the tissue that lines the sinuses and nasal passages that causes the tissue to swell, which makes it uncomfortable and hard to breathe.

A saline solution is a powerful remedy because it uses the power of osmosis. Put very simply, when there is a higher concentration of salt outside the cells in the tissue, water will pass out of the tissue to balance things out again.

When you draw fluid out of the tissue the swelling decreases, and your breathing opens up. In addition to this, the fluid can loosen up trapped mucous and help flush irritants and germs out of your body.

This solution is hypertonic-it has a higher concentration of salt than the body, which draws the water out-as opposed to isotonic, which is balanced to match the bodies levels.

Do not use a hypertonic solution on children under the age of 5.

There is also baking soda added (optional) to help lessen the potential for the drops to sting if you have a sore nose.

You will need…

-1 teaspoon of sea salt (not table salt, or any kind with iodine!)
-1/2 teaspoon of baking soda (optional)
-8 ounce (1 cup) of water that is either purified or has been boiled
-A sterile glass jar
-A dropper

Directions

If you are using tap water, boil it first to get rid of any impurities. If you are using purified/distilled bottled water, heat it in the microwave until it is fairly warm - it needs to be a higher temperature to dissolve the salt.

Add the salt and the baking soda to your jar, and then add the water (if you boiled it, make sure it’s cooled some! Put the lid on and give it a good shake. Shake before every use.

To use, make sure your dropper is clean and sterile, and blow as much mucous out of your nose as possible just beforehand. Lie on your back with your head hanging off the side of the bed (to prevent it from running out or straight down your throat) and put the tip of the dropper just past the inside of the nostril, taking care not to smear it all around inside your nose.

Use 1-3 drops per nostril. It may sting the first few times. Stay in the same position for 5-10 minutes to allow the solution to flow into the nasal passages. Wait a few minutes and then blow your nose.

You can repeat this process up to 3 times a day during the duration of your cold. It is not for extended use for allergy season or to help with (an isotonic solution should be made for that.)

I think it is more pleasant-and effective - to warm the solution slightly before using it. Store at room temperature up to a week, and then make a new batch.

If you prefer a spray to drops, get a container made specifically for administering a nasal spray, and follow the instructions on how to use it.

Remedies to Relieve Nose Congestion #3 - Make a Spicy Decongestant

Last but not least, few things beat the power of a good homemade spicy decongestant. This recipe is one that I cherish, made with the faithful ingredients of cayenne pepper, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, honey, and ginger.

Some people like the taste (I personally do) and some don’t, but whichever camp you’re in you’ll love it for the relief that it brings you when it feels like nothing else can!

You will need the following ingredients

- ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon of powdered ginger
- 3 tablespoons of all natural organic honey
- 1/4 cup of lemon juice
- 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar

Why the ingredients? 

Cayenne pepper, honey, and ginger are all natural expectorants, meaning they help loosen phlegm or mucous from the lungs, making it easier to rid yourself of it and therefore relieving pressure and making you more comfortable.

Cayenne also works as a decongestant, thanks to the natural chemical capsaicin, which helps relieve swelling and inflammation that is narrowing nasal passages.

Apple cider vinegar is thought to help thin out mucous being secreted, making it easier to drain the congestion.

Lemon juice is also thought to help with congestion, although the exact scientific reason isn’t known, and makes the whole thing go down a little easier.

Directions

Pour ¼ cup of lemon juice and ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar in pot and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in 2-3 tablespoons of raw organic honey and ¼-½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper and powdered ginger each (the latter amount makes it quite strong.)

Next, you store it in a jar in a cool, dark, place indefinitely. Adults take 1-2 tablespoons daily as needed. Shake well before using, as the powder doesn’t dissolve in the most pristine way. I find it pleasant sometimes to warm the mixture before taking it.

You can also watch this Video HERE to learn about other remedies to relieve nose congestion.

By Claire Goodall (a bee-obsessed natural-convert from Minnesota) who is a holistic health lover. She is the author of Everyday Roots Book.

It's a Book that she creates to help you replace the toxic products and medications in your home with healthier, all-natural alternatives.

It contains 215+ effective home remedies and covers everything you will need to protect your family and save money every month.

For more details about her book, take a look at the Everyday Roots Book.