Ear, Nose & Throat Treatment Natural Home Remedies for Postnasal Drip By Kristin Hayes, RN Kristin Hayes, RN Facebook Twitter Kristin Hayes, RN, is a registered nurse specializing in ear, nose, and throat disorders for both adults and children. Learn about our editorial process Updated on April 02, 2020 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Lana Butner, ND, LAc Medically reviewed by Lana Butner, ND, LAc Facebook LinkedIn Lana Butner, ND, LAc, is a board-certified naturopathic doctor and licensed acupuncturist in New York City. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents What Is Postnasal Drip? Seeking Medical Care Home Remedy Basics Thick Mucus Thin, Watery Mucus Aromatherapy Here are some tips for simple things you can do at home to help you decrease, and possibly eliminate, the amount of medication you're taking for postnasal drip. These suggestions can make you more comfortable and possibly even speed your recovery. Science Photo Library / Getty Images What Is Postnasal Drip? Postnasal drip occurs when the mucus your body produces becomes abnormally thick or thin and you feel it draining down the back of your throat. To be clear, it's natural for mucus to run down the back of your throat, but usually you won't notice it if it's of the right consistency. Conditions that frequently cause or contribute to postnasal drip include: Sore throat Voice loss or hoarseness Persistent clearing of the throat Persistent cough These symptoms can be caused by allergies or cold viruses. Postnasal drip can also occur with hormonal changes such as during pregnancy or as a side effect of certain medications. Seeking Medical Care Postnasal drip does not always require a consultation with a medical professional. However, you should see a doctor if: Your postnasal drip lasts longer than a few weeks. You have difficulty swallowing. You feel like you're choking. You suspect a bacterial infection. Home Remedy Basics The following home remedies are helpful in treating postnasal drip, regardless of the exact cause. You usually can use these treatments in conjunction with your doctor's prescription, but check with your doctor first to avoid interactions. Verywell / Jessica Olah Thick Mucus The following home remedies are most helpful if you have thick mucus: Avoid dairy products. While dairy doesn't cause your body to make mucus, it may make it thicker. Drink plenty of water because staying hydrated can thin the thickened mucus. Also, avoid drinking dehydrating beverages, such as anything with caffeine or alcohol. Use a humidifier next to your bed at night or take hot, steamy showers. To loosen the thick mucus, breathe warm, moist air. A cool mist humidifier (vs. warm mist) is helpful if you have inflammation in your throat or nasal passageways. Try an over-the-counter saline nasal spray to loosen thick mucus and clear the debris from inside your nose. This can be used frequently throughout the day. A neti pot (a small and simple device yogis use for nasal irrigation) is helpful in relieving symptoms. While most studies on neti pots show positive results, at least one study shows regular use of neti pots may increase your risk of developing a sinus infection. Unless advised otherwise by your doctor, use a neti pot just once per week when you're not experiencing any infections or symptoms. Be sure to use a saline rinse, not just plain water. Avoid using a neti pot regularly if you suspect a sinus infection or are prone to developing sinus infections. Thin, Watery Mucus If you have thin, watery mucus, try these home remedies for postnasal drip: Eat spicy foods, including the chili peppers used in Thai or Indian food and Japanese horseradish, or wasabi, because they are expectorants. The spiciness encourages your body to expel mucus and is also known to lift your mood.Drink plenty of water.Avoid spending a lot of time in cold temperatures. For example, avoid exercising outside in cold weather. This is because cold weather encourages your body to produce more mucus. Aromatherapy Aromatherapists use essential oils to help clear out the mucus causing your postnasal drip. There are several ways to inhale the vapors, including through the air with a vaporizer or diffuser, or by putting a few drops on a small cloth and breathing in. Common essential oils for congestion include: PeppermintEucalyptusFennel Despite the popularity of essential oils, you should avoid using these substances around infants, young children, or pets or if you have an underlying lung condition that could be aggravated by inhaling these oils. Additionally, never ingest essential oils. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 17 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Fahy JV, Dickey BF. Airway mucus function and dysfunction. 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Foeniculum vulgare Mill: a review of its botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology, contemporary application, and toxicology. Biomed Res Int. 2014;2014:842674. doi:10.1155/2014/842674 Pauli A, Schilcher H. Specific Selection of Essential Oil Compounds for Treatment of Children’s Infection Diseases. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2004;1(1):1–30. doi:10.3390/ph1010001 Additional Reading American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. Post-nasal Drip. ENT Health.