Cold or allergic reaction symptoms can be overwhelming. While most people will experience these symptoms at one point in time, nasal congestion is one of the most common and most annoying complaint of colds and allergies. If you suffer with nasal congestion, you may attempt to blow your nose multiple times per day, causing further discomfort. In addition, many doctors will prescribe medications to loosen the mucous of the nose, but these medications can cause other uncomfortable and problematic side effects. If you suffer with nasal congestion, consider using one or more of these natural solutions to help you breathe in an effective and comfortable manner.

Diet & Supplements

While surprising for most to learn, incorporating a few supplements into your diet can reduce nasal congestion. To get started, focus on probiotics.

Probiotics are actual bacteria, but the healthy kind that does not make you sick. Eating food and taking supplements that contain probiotics can balance out your immune system, reducing your risk of illness and the signs of allergies. To reduce nasal congestion and other uncomfortable symptoms of allergies, eat foods that contain probiotics daily. Yogurt, pickles, dark chocolate, kefir, and sauerkraut are all loaded with probiotics.

If you do not like eating these foods, consider taking a probiotic supplement each day.

Sinus Massage

Massaging your face a few minutes each day can also reduce nasal congestion and discomfort. You will need to focus on four areas of your face to effectively ease sinus pressure. Here are a few steps to follow when conducting a self-massage of your sinuses:

1. Use your fingertips to gently massage the skin and muscles above and then in between your eyebrows. This will ease the pressure of your frontal sinuses.
2. Massage the bridge of your nose, moving up towards the space between your eyes and back down the slope of your nose.
3. Begin massaging the upper parts of your cheekbones. This will continue breaking apart mucous that is causing your sinus congestion and pain.
4. Massage the area of skin in front of your ears and behind the earlobes. This will reduce pressure in the sinuses and behind the eyes. This will improve sinus drainage, reducing congestion, and pain.

Complete the above steps each day that you are dealing with nasal congestion.

Natural Nasal Irrigation

Visit your local drug or discount store like Dymista and you will see a large number of nasal sprays and irrigation solutions. To irrigate your sinuses in a more natural manner, create this homemade solution.

Boil a quart of distilled water and add 1 teaspoon of sea salt. Use a spoon to stir, ensuring the salt dissolves into the water. Pour the boiling water into a container and allow to cool to room temperature.

Use a bulb syringe to suction out a small amount of this homemade saline solution. Then, place the tip of the bulb syringe into a congested nostril. Squirt the solution into your nostril and allow the saline to loosen the mucous inside your sinuses. Repeat with the second nostril, if necessary.

Steam Solution

Utilizing steam can also break apart stubborn mucous in your sinuses. Thankfully, creating this steam is also a simple process.

Fill a pot with water and bring to boil on your stove. Once it is boiling rapidly, remove the pot from the heat. Drape a large towel over your head and lean over the pot of boiling water. Close your eyes and hold your face still over the steaming pot of water. Open your mouth slightly, allowing the steam to enter your mouth and throat, as well.

Remain in position for a few minutes. If you are feeling burning sensations on your skin or eyes, move a few inches away from the pot.

Repeat the process each day that you are dealing with nasal congestion.

Prescription medications may be helping your nasal congestion, but using natural solutions is a safer option that you can use long term. Use this guide and the help of your doctor to improve sinus pain and nasal congestion.