Numerous herbs may be helpful in treating your stuffy nose, or nasal congestion. According to Medline Plus, a stuffy nose is usually caused by the swelling of tissue that lines your nasal passageways, due to inflamed blood vessels in the affected area. In most cases, nasal congestion is bilateral, or occurs on both sides of your face. Before taking herbs to help treat your stuffy nose, talk with your doctor about possible side effects, proper dosage and potential drug interactions.
Goldenseal
Goldenseal is an herb that may be helpful in treating your stuffy nose. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, goldenseal, also known as Hydrastis canadensis, is a plant that grows wild in certain parts of the United States. Goldenseal, a member of the buttercup family, has a bitter, astringent taste and cooling and drying tendencies. The root of the plant is used medicinally to help treat numerous health problems, including nasal congestion. Dr. Sharol Tilgner, a naturopathic physician and author of the book "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth," states that goldenseal is an astringent and antimicrobial. Goldenseal, Tilgner says, is used to treat colds and nasal congestion, flu, sore throats and middle ear infections. Before taking goldenseal to help treat your stuffy nose, talk with your doctor about possible side effects, proper dosage and potential drug interactions.
Elecampane
Elecampane is an herb that may be beneficial in treating your stuffy nose. Botanical.com states that elecampane, also known as Inula helenium, is a plant that grows throughout Europe, the temperate parts of Asia and the eastern part of the United States. Elecampane, a member of the aster family, has a pungent and sweet taste and slightly warming, drying and stimulating tendencies. The root of the plant is used medicinally to help treat numerous health problems, including nasal congestion. According to Ed Smith, an herbalist and author of the book "Therapeutic Herb Manual," elecampane is an antiseptic, expectorant and anti-inflammatory that may be helpful for all conditions involving excessive mucus secretion from mucus membranes. Before taking elecampane to help treat your stuffy nose, talk with your doctor about possible side effects, proper dosage and potential drug interactions.
Ginger
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, ginger, also known as Zingiber officinalis, is a plant that has been used for centuries in numerous herbal traditions, including Indian, Asian and Arabic. Ginger, a member of the Zingiberaceae family, has an aromatic and spicy taste and heating, stimulating and drying tendencies. The root of the plant is used medicinally to help treat numerous health problems, including nasal congestion. Tilgner states that ginger is an antimicrobial, diaphoretic, anti-tussive, expectorant and anti-inflammatory. Ginger may be effective in reducing the inflammation associated with swollen membranes in your nasal passageways, thereby reducing your congestion. Before taking ginger to help treat your stuffy nose, talk with your doctor about possible side effects, proper dosage and potential drug interactions.
References
- Medline Plus: Nasal Congestion
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Goldenseal
- Botanical.com: Elecampane
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Ginger
- "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth"; Sharol Tilgner, N.D.; 1999
- "Therapeutic Herb Manual"; Ed Smith; 2007
