Post-nasal drip occurs when thick excess mucus drains from the sinuses down the throat. This is usually a temporary condition that may be a result of a cold, flu, infection or hay fever. Normally this is not serious, but you should contact your physician if it is causing a foul taste or odor, if it is followed by a head injury or if the condition lasts for more than three weeks in adults or 10 days in young children.
Keep the Mucus Thin
The dripping sensation from post-nasal drip is due to the mucus being quite thick. The University of Maryland Medical Center suggests that you should drink extra liquids, use saline nasal sprays and/or use a vaporizer or humidifier to increase humidity. These will help make the mucus thinner and less sticky, making the dripping less noticeable, if at all.
Sinus Rinse
The University of Michigan Health System suggests that using a sinus rinse can help relieve sinus congestion and post-nasal drip. Fill a neti pot, squeeze bottle or turkey baster with a solution made from warm water, kosher salt and baking soda. Fill one nostril with half of the contents and allow it to drain out the other nostril, then repeat with the other side. Doing this procedure can help remove excess mucus and reduce the mucus draining down into your throat.
Herbs
To reduce your body's production of mucus, herbalist MIchael Tierra suggests that your combine equal parts of ground black pepper, ground anise seed and ground ginger and mix into a honey base. Take 1/2 teaspoon before meals. All of these ingredients can be found in the baking section of your grocery store. Drinking tea made from sage, ginger, cinnamon or anise may also help reduce your post-nasal drip, though there is no definitive medical support for this. Consult with your physician before trying any herbal remedy.
Steam Inhalation
You can help thin mucus by using a homemade steam inhaler. Simply add several drops of rosemary, eucalyptus, peppermint or thyme essential oil into a bowl of boiling water and then cover your head and bowl with a towel. Inhale the steam for several minutes, but don't let your skin get too close to the steam. You could also add the essential oils to the shower floor when bathing to create an infused sauna for yourself.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Nasal Discharge
- American Academy of Otolaryngology: Post-Nasal Drip
- University of Michigan Health System: Spring Cleaning...For Your Nose.
- "The Way of Herbs"; Michael Tierra; 1998
- "The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy"; Valerie A. Worwood; 1991
