A number of things can trigger sneezing. Whether it’s an allergy to pollen or mold or you’re suffering from a cold, sneezing continuously can leave your nose feeling sore and irritated. The more inflamed your nasal passages are, the more you will sneeze, so the circle never stops. While many over-the-counter medications can help stop sneezing, many have side effects such as drowsiness. Natural remedies, on the other hand, can help stop sneezing without making you feel even more uncomfortable.
Drink a cup of nettle tea or take nettle supplements, available in capsule form at health food stores. Nettle helps relieve congestion and the nose itchiness that usually precedes sneezing.
Make a cup of chamomile tea. Chamomile is a natural antihistamine and a mild sedative. Drink before bed to help sleep better.
Take a natural antihistamine. Sneezing is usually an immune response to an excess of histamine in the body. Vitamin C is a natural antihistamine, so drink lots of natural citrus fruit juices, including orange and grapefruit. You can also make fresh lemonade, because lemons also contain vitamin C.
Add honey and lemon to your tea. Honey is a mild anti-bactericidal, while lemon will provide you with added vitamin C. Both of these will help reduce not only sneezing, but also other symptoms of a cold or allergy.
Buy quercetin supplements at your local pharmacy or health food store. Quercetin is a natural flavonoid present in black tea, apples, red onions and tomatoes, among other foods. If you can’t find quercetin in pill form, you can also eat foods that contain the compound. Quercetin stops the body from producing histamine.
Tip
Making your own tea using dried herbs is better than buying tea bags. Dried herbs are stronger and will provide you with more of the healing compounds you need to stop your sneezing.
References
- "Herbal Remedies for Dummies"Christopher Hobbs; 2003
- "Prescription for Herbal Healing: An Easy-to-Use A-Z Reference to Hundreds of Common Disorders and Their Herbal Remedies"; Phyllis A. Balch; 2002
Writer Bio
Tammy Dray has been writing since 1996. She specializes in health, wellness and travel topics and has credits in various publications including Woman's Day, Marie Claire, Adirondack Life and Self. She is also a seasoned independent traveler and a certified personal trainer and nutrition consultant. Dray is pursuing a criminal justice degree at Penn Foster College.