How to use onions to treat runny nose and nasal congestion in adults

Onions have bactericidal and immunostimulating properties. Drops based on it, they will become an effective home remedy for a runny nose. Using onion juice not only treats excess mucus, but also combats nasal congestion. However, the drug is not recommended for the treatment of children.

In this article we will share folk recipes for onion nasal drops and talk about contraindications and side effects.

Beneficial properties of onion juice

Onion juice has a number of useful properties due to the presence of flavonoids (natural antioxidants), essential oils and vitamin C. Quercetin helps fight various pathogens - microbes, viruses and fungi.

The juice has the following effects:

1. Saturates cells with nutrients, improves local immunity.
2. Destroys pathogenic microorganisms.
3. Activates nerve endings.
4. Normalizes cellular metabolism.
5. Has an antibacterial effect.
6. Tones epithelial cells, thins mucus and phlegm.
7. Regenerates tissue.
8. Normalizes blood circulation in capillaries.
9. Thins the blood, eliminates swelling.

Onions are used not only to treat a runny nose, but also as a prophylactic. Organic acids saturate cells with a supply of nutrients and relieve almost any non-systemic inflammation.

Attention! Treating a runny nose with allergies with onions is ineffective and worsens the condition.

Effect of onion on a runny nose

Onion juice has a powerful bactericidal, expectorant and anti-inflammatory effect, which speeds up the treatment process and improves the body's resistance as a whole.

The remedy works as follows:

1. Liquefies mucus and quickly removes it from cells.
2. Relieves swelling and swelling, makes breathing easier.
3. Has an expectorant effect.
4. Relieves pain in case of cough.

Onions contain substances that normalize high blood pressure and stop the secretion of liquid mucus from the sinuses. The action begins instantly - after 1-2 minutes. The product is often used for bacterial forms of runny nose that other natural remedies cannot cope with. The effect lasts for a long period of time.

How it works for nasal congestion

Nasal congestion resolves due to normalization of blood circulation in the nasal cavity. After high-quality disinfection (coupled with general therapy), antibodies enter the cells in a smaller volume, swelling is relieved, and the epithelium of the mucous membrane becomes thinner. As a result, nasal congestion goes away, and the effect lasts for a long time, because onions are considered a natural antibiotic.

The effectiveness of onions for a runny nose is often questioned. Traditional medicine suggests using the remedy in the early stages of treatment or in cases when diagnosis not yet defined.

Main indications:

1. Bacterial rhinitis (acute, chronic) with and without congestion.
2. Runny nose due to infections.
3. ORZ, bronchitis, otitis, tonsillitis, sinusitis, sore throat.
4. Inflammation with the release of green and yellow purulent mucus.

If used incorrectly, onion juice causes a burn to the mucous membrane. To avoid this, observe the dosage and frequency of taking the medication.

How to make nasal drops from onions

The vegetable is chopped in any convenient way (on a fine grater, with a blender, with a knife) and the juice is squeezed out through cheesecloth. Then add two parts of water to the resulting volume and instill them into the nostrils alternately, often with an interval of 5-10 minutes. The mixture is sometimes not diluted with other liquids and 100% onion juice is instilled.

Important. Pure onion juice is contraindicated for dry nose. It is diluted with olive oil in a ratio of 1:2, soaked in turunda (tampons) for the nose and inserted into the sinuses for a maximum of 10 minutes. If an acute burning sensation occurs, the nostrils are thoroughly rinsed with boiled water.

The product is stored in the refrigerator at a temperature of +1...+2°C or in the refrigerator in a closed form. The shelf life of the product does not exceed 12 hours. To prepare the drops, half an onion is enough. Before instilling the drops, the juice is allowed to sit for 2-3 hours. During this time, the pronounced burning sensation disappears, and the effect of the drops becomes more tonic and soft.

Application procedure

Use the product for 3 days. The procedure is repeated to consolidate the result after 3-4 days. The dosage schedule is 2-3 times a day, 1-2 drops per nostril. In case of high sensitivity to juice, the mixture is diluted with additional water.

To prepare the drops, take juice and boiled water at room temperature in a ratio of 1:2 or 1:1. For testing, dilute in three times the volume of water. Instill 3-4 times a day after rinsing the nose (with water) or thoroughly blowing your nose. The remaining product is thrown away after a day of use. This composition treats any runny nose, including as a concomitant symptom of respiratory tract diseases.

With honey

The recipe involves combining juice and honey in a ratio of 3:1. The ingredients complement each other and have a powerful therapeutic effect. For the drops to give results, the mixture is diluted in 100 ml of water and allowed to brew for half an hour. Instillation is carried out twice a day with an interval of 6 hours.

The drug is effective for any course of the disease, both in the initial stages and during the recovery period. Helps with excessive mucus secretion, as well as with the formation of thick purulent masses.

With lemon

To make drops, take 1 part of onion and lemon juice, dilute with water in a ratio of 1:3. If necessary, add a few drops of oil (olive, sunflower).

Reception is carried out three times a day. The product is supplemented with inhalation over steam baths at a water temperature of 40-45°C. The composition is effective for severe suppuration.

With sunflower oil

This recipe uses onions sautéed without additives. It is chopped finely, poured into a frying pan and simmered over low heat until slightly golden brown. When the mass has cooled, add 2 tbsp. l. oils The composition is soaked for up to 12 hours so that the oil takes away all the nutrients and acids. The mixture is then squeezed out and filtered.

Instillation is carried out in the same way - 3 times a day for 2-3 days. This solution is suitable for children over 4 years of age. In this case, the amount of oil is doubled.

Garlic-onion drops

For the drops, take 20-30 g of onion (a quarter), 4 small cloves of garlic (about the size of a large fingernail). The ingredients are finely chopped or ground and poured with hot oil in a volume of 50 ml. Leave the solution for 2 hours. Then it is filtered and dripped according to the general scheme.

Important. Onions in the nose are used for a runny nose, sinusitis, and hypothermia. Reception regimen: 3-5 times a day.

Is it possible to use onion drops during pregnancy?

Drops, incl.medical, are used according to a doctor’s prescription and only when absolutely necessary if the benefits of such treatment outweigh the negative consequences of inaction.

In the early stages and in the last trimester, treatment is replaced with alternative methods: inhalations, massage with essential oils, rinsing with salts or special complexes for cleaning the nasal sinuses.

The drug is used only with the approval of the attending physician and if it has already been tried before pregnancy. The composition of the drops must be supplemented with oils (olive, vegetable) without a pronounced antibacterial effect.

The following composition is used for treatment. 1 tbsp. l. juice combined with 2 tbsp. l. oils and diluted in 50 ml of boiled water. The product is not instilled, but sprayed using a special nozzle 3-4 times a day after warming up and cleansing the sinuses.

Important. If there is severe swelling or bloody spots, you cannot self-medicate - contact an otolaryngologist to select symptomatic treatment.

How to store homemade onion drops

The drops are stored in a glass jar or container with a lid in a cupboard or refrigerator. The shelf life is no more than a day, so it is not advisable to prepare the product for future use. The temperature should not exceed +5°C.

Before each use, the product is heated in a container with hot water to room temperature.

How to put nose drops correctly

For the product to be effective, first rinse the nostrils with hot water to remove excess mucus and other secretions. It is advisable not to clean or rinse using corrosive compounds (pharmaceuticals, salt). As an alternative, use saline solution or hydrogen peroxide diluted with water (1:2).

It is recommended to instill the product into the nostrils one at a time while lying down. If necessary, take a break before instilling into the last nostril. For the first procedure, one drop is enough. Treatment is strictly dosed: 1-2 drops 3 times a day.

Recipes and schemes for using onion juice for a runny nose

Folk remedies with onions for runny nose and congestion are used both for prevention (less aggressive) and in the treatment of chronic diseases. They are ineffective in the treatment of acute bacterial rhinitis, as well as allergies with severe dryness of the mucous membrane, swelling and the presence of crusts in the nose (inflammation of the nasal sinuses and eye sockets).

Inhalations

Inhalations are a general remedy for the treatment of the respiratory tract and larynx. The procedure speeds up recovery.

Recipes:

1. 3 tsp. Onion pulp is added to boiling water (3 l). Breathe in steam under a towel twice a day.
2. 5 minutes. Boil one onion (grated) in 250 ml of water. Breathe over the steam twice a day.
3. Take half a glass of onion and garlic mixture. They breathe over it twice a day.

The husk is also used for inhalation. It helps with dry nose. A handful of husks is placed in boiling water and waited until it gets wet. Remove the pan from the stove and breathe in the fumes or cool the liquid and make a steam bath (under a towel).

Vitamin drink

To prepare the drink take:

• 200 ml water;
• 100 ml lemon juice;
• 5 tbsp. l. onion juice;
• paste of one clove of garlic;
• 1 tbsp. l. honey

Water is added last. Juices are also added to the drink to taste. Drink the mixture at night and in the morning, followed by brushing your teeth.

Ointment

The ingredients are finely ground (in equal proportions) and the resulting mixture is passed through a gauze press, having previously spread the composition over a steam bath. Then the mixture is cooled, placed in a jar and used for lotions with turundas. The duration of the procedure is 20-30 minutes.

Recipes:

1. Mix onion and aloe juices, vegetable oil, honey, milk, and laundry soap foam. Apply 2 times a day.
2. Honey, onion juice, eucalyptus oil - once a day.
3. Onion juice, aloe, vegetable oil - 2 times a day.

Ointments are effective in treating bacterial rhinitis.

Compresses

For compresses, the vegetable is crushed until the juice is released and placed on a fabric base that is well soaked. Apply 3 times a day on both sides of the nose for 10 minutes. with preliminary massage.

Gruel

The gruel is used for oral administration. For 0.5 kg of vegetables take 50 g of honey. Finely grate the onion and mix with honey. Take 3-4 tsp. after meal.

Precautionary measures

Onion-based products and drops can cause burns to the mucous membrane.

The procedure is not carried out if:

• high blood pressure;
• up to 4-6 years of age;
• violation of the integrity of the mucous membrane;
• allergies;
• pregnancy and lactation;
• tumors and polyps in the nose (of any nature).

For closed types of inhalations, the water temperature is initially checked.

Contraindications and side effects

Treatment of a runny nose with onions in the presence of diseases of the cardiovascular system, problems with the gastrointestinal tract and liver requires consultation with a doctor.

Limit the use of onion drops when:

• bronchospasms, asthma;
• pulmonary failure;
• heart defects, angina pectoris, arrhythmia, hypertension, coronary artery disease, stroke;
• atrophic nasopharyngitis.

In other cases, the product is used in the absence of physical damage and injury strictly for its intended purpose.

If used incorrectly, onion juice causes a number of side effects:

• dryness and burning;
• microdamage;
• allergies, swelling;
• tissue burn.

Conclusion

Onion juice for a runny nose and congestion is a fast-acting remedy. Its effect is never enhanced with essential oils and extracts - this can lead to burns and allergic reactions. Before using the product, consult a doctor and strictly follow all recommendations of traditional medicine.