Rhinitis affects almost 20 per cent of the world populace in a year. That way, we could call it a common condition. It is an allergic overreaction that our immune system offers when we inhale foreign substances, and our body discharges chemicals which give rise to allergy symptoms.

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Causes of rhinitis

Rhinitis can be caused by a number of allergens, the most common being,

• Tree pollens
• Grass pollens

The other allergens are,

• Dust mites, which might be residing in your bed,
• Mold spores present in the air, and
• Pet dander.

Who is more at risk of rhinitis?

There are some people who run a higher risk of catching rhinitis. If rhinitis runs in your family medical history, you are susceptible to suffering from the same. Also, those who are troubled by other allergies, have a relatively weaker immune system, and/or are exposed to cigarette smoke, actively or passively, are vulnerable to the condition of rhinitis. The condition is more common in men than in women.

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Types of rhinitis

There are generally two kinds of allergic rhinitis, one, the seasonal kind, and two, perennial rhinitis. While the former is commonly known as hay fever, the latter occurs year-round.

Symptoms of rhinitis

The symptoms of rhinitis are,

• Sore throat
• Dry cough
• Severe headaches
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Formation of dark circles around the eyes

If you are suffering from rhinitis, you should not underestimate it, since it has the potential to ruin your quality of life. In order to cut the symptoms, here are 10 home remedies for rhinitis that are not just inexpensive but also highly effective.

Home remedies for rhinitis

1. Saline water

To treat rhinitis, the first thing you need to do is to get rid of the mucus from your nose. For this purpose, nothing serves better than saline nasal wash. According to a study that was published in 2008, by the State Medical Society of Wisconsin, repeated nasal saline irrigation helps reduce the symptoms associated with rhinitis.

Remedies

• Begin by mixing half a tablespoon of salt in two cups of distilled water.
• Bring the solution to boil.
• Now to the solution, add a pinch of baking soda.
• Mix well.
• Use a nasal bulb to snort a small portion of this solution into one of the nostrils.
• Through the other nostril, try to drain the solution out.
• Lightly blow your nose, in order to remove the extra mucus and solution.
• Repeat the treatment with your other nostril.
• You need to follow the treatment a couple of times for a week to achieve desired results.

Note: You may even buy a saline solution from a drug store, and treat yourself the same way.

2. Steam

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Drawing in steam, through your nostrils and mouth, on a repeated basis, can help get rid of the excess mucus in your system and the unnecessary allergens. This treatment, thus, also helps get rid of the symptoms linked to rhinitis, such as running nose, sore throat, and sneezing.

Remedies

• Begin by boiling some water.
• Pour the water into a large bowl.
• Add to the water, 4 drops of essential oil. Your best options include eucalyptus oil, peppermint oil, rosemary oil, and tea tree oil.
• Now, cover your head using a big towel, and lean over it, cautiously.
• Deeply breathe in the steam for about 5 to 15 minutes, and then blow your nose properly.
• Perform the treatment several times through the day, to recover fully.

If the one suffering is a kid, avoid steam. Try a hot shower or bath to reduce the symptoms of rhinitis.

3. Ginger

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Ginger is one of the finest home remedies for rhinitis. It not only works as an organic antihistamine, but it is also antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-viral. Ginger is a power food when it comes to boosting the immune system, which makes it a brilliant cure for rhinitis.

Remedies

• Take a cup of water, and add to it, two teaspoons of grated ginger, 2 to 3 cloves, and a piece of cinnamon. Bring it to boil.
• Boil the water for 5 minutes, and then strain it.
• To the strain water, add a teaspoon of honey and squeeze the juice of half a lemon into it.
• This herbal tea should be consumed at least thrice a day until you see symptoms of rhinitis reducing.
• Alternatively, chewing small pieces of ginger can also work wonders on your immune system.
• Also, add ginger to your food while cooking.

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4. Turmeric

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Turmeric is an amazing remedy for a number of allergies. It, like ginger, is anti-inflammatory, anti-viral and has properties that can boost the immune system of our body. Turmeric aids reduce rhinitis and its symptoms, such as, congestion, dry mouth, running nose, and cough.

Remedies

• Begin by preparing a mixture of 12 teaspoons of turmeric powder with raw honey.
• Blend them well.
• Store the mixture in an air-tight container.
• Consume a teaspoon of the blend twice every day during the seasons when one is susceptible to rhinitis or other allergies.
• Alternatively, you can drink a glass of hot milk with a teaspoon of turmeric in it. This helps strengthen the immune system.
• You may even take turmeric supplements, but before doing that, consult your doc.

5. Garlic

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The quercetin in garlic makes it effective for rhinitis. Quercetin is a natural antihistamine, which can treat most allergies. Also, garlic, like turmeric and ginger, is anti-bacterial, antiviral, and anti-biotic. It promotes quicker recovery by boosting the immunity of our body.

Remedies

• You can chew about 3 raw garlic cloves a day to battle the symptoms of rhinitis.
• You can even add garlic powder to your cooking.
• If you have a history of allergies, you can take garlic supplements for your reactions. However, consult your doctor before taking these supplements.

6. Apple cider vinegar

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If you follow our home remedies, you must be knowing that apple cider vinegar has appeared on almost each one. Doesn’t that explain how amazing a remedy it is?

Apple cider vinegar has antibiotic and antihistamine properties that make it a cure for rhinitis. It helps reduce the symptoms like nasal congestion, headache, running nose and cough. Also, it regulates the responses given by our immune system.

Remedies

• Warm a glass of water.
• To it, add 4 tablespoons of organic apple cider vinegar. Make sure the vinegar is unfiltered.
• Now add half a tablespoon of honey, and a teaspoon of lemon juice.
• Mix well.
• Drink the blend thrice every day to decrease the intensity of the symptoms of rhinitis.

7. Stinging nettle

An anti-inflammatory agent, stinging nettle, finds itself in alternative medicine that is used to treat allergies like rhinitis. It reduces the intensity of symptoms of the disease in question here, including indicators of other allergies, such as itching.

Remedies

• Boil a cup of hot water.
• To it, add two teaspoons of dried stinging nettle leaf.
• Cover the water to let it steep.
• Strain the water.
• Now add a teaspoon of honey.
• Drink this solution thrice a day.
• Alternatively, you can take stinging nettle supplement of 600 mg every day for about a week. But before doing that consult a doctor, since the herb can interfere with other medications that you may be taking. Infants and pregnant ladies should not take these supplements or even the home remedy using stinging nettle that we just suggested.

8. Oil Pulling

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This is an old Ayurvedic treatment that helps remove irritants from within our body. Also, the cure helps get rid of harmful toxins. Many people make use of this ancient technique throughout the year to maintain their health.

Remedies

• Put two teaspoons of pure coconut oil in your mouth. You can also use sesame oil.
• Now with your tongue swish the oil in your mouth for 10 minutes.
• Spit the oil out.
• Rinse with lukewarm water.

Precaution: DO NOT swallow the oil. It can contain toxins as a result of the process.

9. Probiotics

Probiotic, Lactobacillus acidophilus, reduces the intensity and frequency of rhinitis, says a recent study conducted by researchers based in China.

Remedies

• Probiotic yoghurt if taken regularly can help boost the immunity of your body.
• You can take a probiotic capsule containing 1 to 4 billion organisms per capsule. However, consult your doctor before doing the same.

10. Vitamin C

 

The antihistamine properties in vitamin C make it a superb remedy for rhinitis. Also, we all know how good the vitamin is for the immune system, which helps prevent infection and also shorten the lifetime of many illnesses.

Remedies

• Lemons, broccoli, grapefruit and oranges are very rich sources of vitamin C. Consume more of these.
• Other great sources are kiwi, bell pepper and tomatoes. Include them in your regular diet.

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Extra tips for rhinitis

• Consume a low-fat diet that is rich in carbohydrate.
• Stay away from alcohol, caffeine, nicotine and dairy products, while recovering.
• Acupuncture is helpful to reduce symptoms of rhinitis.
• Control dust mites and indoor molds.
• Wear a mask when outside.
• Drink lots of water to keep yourself hydrated throughout.
• Use dehumidifiers at home to control the humidity.

That’s a wrap from us on home remedies to cure rhinitis. Do you think this guide was helpful? Sound off in the comment section.

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