As the autumn (or winter, depending on where you are) chill sets in, a familiar sound starts to fill the air – sniff, sniff, achoo! The dreaded sniffles are everywhere and if they get to you, here are 5 natural remedies for that runny nose.
1. Say ‘Wassup Wasabi’. You know what happens when you get a little too much wasabi on your kappamaki – your nose opens up like a floodgate. So, if you’ve got the sniffles why not flush the system by eating (a little bit) of that powerful green stuff? Plus, this super-root is anti-viral, anti-microbial, anti-bacterial and stimulates the immune system. Sushi for sniffles – who knew?
2. Inhale. Nothing beats the old school ‘towel over head over steaming bowl of water’. It worked for Grandma and it’ll work for you. If you want to up the ante, plop a few drops of your favourite sinus soothing essential oils like peppermint, eucalyptus or lemongrass and inhale. Really inhale – this is where your yoga training comes in, so breathe deep.
3. Irrigate. It seems counter-intuitive to put liquid into a nose that’s running like a tap but a good nasal irrigation can work wonders. Some swear by the neti-pot while others prefer to spritz. Either way, be sure to go with a saline mix not just regular old tap water. Dissolve 1/2 tsp of kosher salt and 1/2 tsp of baking soda in warm, purified water and squirt it up in there. Let the waterworks begin.
4. Propped Up Zzzzs. Yep, the cure-all, sleep, strikes again. Good old-fashioned shut-eye helps the immune system to recharge and fight whatever virus started a mucus factory in your schnoz. To make sure all that sleep doesn’t result in the mucus taking up residence down the respiratory system, be sure to add a few extra pillows and get your zzz’s all propped up.
5. Sniffer’s Brew. Snuggle up and slowly slurp a cup of steaming tea. This ‘I’m sick’ ritual does psychological wonders for us but if you brew up the right stuff, what’s in the cup can also work wonders. Pick your healing herbal options according to your tastes – some of our favourites include fennel seeds, echinacea, licorice root, fenugreek, eucalyptus and peppermint. Blend up your personalized brew and you’ll feel better. And, pampered too.
If all else fails, remember a runny nose is your body’s way of getting rid of whatever has invaded, so keep your cotton hankies handy and if your poor little sniffer gets chapped, soothe it with some homemade healing salve.
