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How to Deal With Post Nasal Drip, Throat Clearing and Allergies

The obvious answer to this is to visit your physician in order to be certain that the problem you are having really is just related to allergies or a simple cold. Your physician can prescribe something to hopefully solve your nose and throat problems.

However, I'm also aware that there are plenty of other people, much like myself, who detest going to the doctor. I also know that there are a staggering number of people out there these days without insurance or the ability to pay for even the least expensive prescriptions. So, I will share with you my home remedies that have never let me down.

First, is what I refer to as my "Witches Brew". It can work miracles when you have a stuffy head, watery eyes, and sore throat. Best of all, it is quick and easy to prepare.

Witches Brew:
1 can of chicken or vegetable broth
1/2 cup water
1/2 medium lemon, cut into wedges
1/2 medium onion, cut into wedges
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1/3 teaspoon cayenne pepper, ground
1/2 teaspoon rubbed or whole sage
1/2 teaspoon salt

Put all ingredients in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and allow mixture to simmer for 15 minutes or longer. Strain the broth into a bowl or large mug and drink. Tip: If you're feeling extremely stuffy, then get out the crock pot and triple the recipe so you will have broth to drink throughout the day.

This broth will not only open up your sinuses, but it will sooth a sore throat as well. Once your sinuses are more clear, then your eyes should stop watering.

If you only have a sore throat without any other symptoms, then you should gargle with a mixture of 1/2 cup warm water and a tablespoon salt.

Another option is to drink herbal tea. Lemon, wintergreen, peppermint, or honey lemon will work best.

For especially bad cases of stuffiness or congestion, you should soak in a hot bath or shower. You might also try using Johnson's Vapor Bath. You can find it in the same section as baby powder and baby oil at your local grocery or drug store. If you don't have any vapor bath handy, then try adding a handful of salt to the bath.

If you've noticed, my home remedies are mostly natural and involve ingredients you most likely already have around your home or can pick up at a local grocery store. I'm not a fan of medications that can have harmful side affects, especially for minor discomforts such as a runny nose, watery eyes, or sore throat. Here are a few other things you can try as well.

1. Apply Vick's Vapor Rub or other menthol ointment to your chest and the bottoms of your feet to help relieve congestion.

2. Fill a medium mixing bowl with steaming hot tap water, add a few drops of eucalyptus oil. Soak a wash cloth in the mixture, wring out, then apply to your face and breathe in the steam.

3. Snore Stop oral spray is available in the pharmacy section. Yes, it is intended to reduce snoring, but it also will shrink the inflamed tissue, soothe a sore throat, and also open up your sinuses a bit. Best of all, Snore Stop uses natural ingredients such as wintergreen oil.

4. Avoid sugar and sweets if you have congestion. Sweets will only make matters worse. However, a spoonful of honey will help with a sore throat.

Learn more about this author, Kaitlyn Hamilton.
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