Runny Nose: Causes, Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Preparations

A runny nose, medically known as rhinorrhea, is the excessive production of thin nasal discharge, often accompanied by congestion, sneezing, and discomfort.

Caused by viral infections, allergies, cold weather, or irritants like dust, smoke, or strong odors, a runny nose can lead to sinus infections, headaches, and respiratory problems. To alleviate symptoms, herbal remedies like echinacea, eucalyptus, and peppermint can be used to soothe the nasal passages.

These herbs can be consumed as teas, taken as supplements, or applied topically as nasal sprays, but it is essential to consult with a healthcare professional before using medicinal herbs, especially if you have underlying health conditions or allergies.

This article explains in detail what are the causes of runny nose, what medicinal herbs to use to relieve this problem and how to prepare these herbs to get the best results.

What are the main causes of runny nose?

The main causes of runny nose are the excessive production of mucus, triggered by various factors such as viral infections, allergies, and environmental irritants.

Viruses like the common cold, flu, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can stimulate the nasal mucosa to produce excess mucus, leading to a runny nose. Allergies, particularly those caused by pollen, dust mites, and pet dander, can also trigger an overproduction of mucus. In addition, environmental irritants like tobacco smoke, pollution, and strong odors can stimulate the nasal mucosa and cause a runny nose.

Hormonal changes, such as those experienced during pregnancy or menstruation, can also lead to increased mucus production and a runny nose.

• Allergies: Allergies cause the release of histamine in the body, leading to the production of excess mucus and the inflammation of the nasal passages, resulting in a runny nose.
• Cold: A cold virus infects the cells lining the nasal passages, causing the production of excess mucus and the inflammation of the nasal passages, leading to a runny nose.
• Sinusitis: Sinusitis, an inflammation or infection of the sinuses, causes the production of excess mucus and the blockage of the nasal passages, leading to a runny nose.
• Pregnancy: Hormonal changes during pregnancy cause the nasal passages to produce excess mucus, leading to a runny nose.
• Anxiety: Anxiety can cause the body to produce excess mucus and lead to a runny nose due to the increased production of stress hormones.
• Hormonal Changes: Hormonal changes during menstruation, menopause, or puberty can cause the nasal passages to produce excess mucus, leading to a runny nose.
• Smoking: Smoking damages the cilia in the nasal passages, impairing the body's ability to remove excess mucus and leading to a runny nose.
• Air Pollution: Inhaling air pollutants, such as particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide, can cause inflammation in the nasal passages and lead to a runny nose.
• Irritants: Inhaling irritants, such as dust, pollen, and chemicals, can cause the nasal passages to produce excess mucus and lead to a runny nose.
• Food Allergies: Food allergies can cause the release of histamine in the body, leading to the production of excess mucus and the inflammation of the nasal passages, resulting in a runny nose.

What are the primary medicinal plants used for runny nose?

The main medicinal herbs used for runny nose are Eucalyptus globulus, Echinacea purpurea, Zingiber officinale, Ginkgo biloba, Sambucus nigra, Thymus vulgaris, Ephedra sinica, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Rosmarinus officinalis, Lavandula angustifolia.

Eucalyptus globulus, rich in eucalyptol, has decongestant properties that relieve nasal congestion and reduce mucus production. Echinacea purpurea's immunomodulatory effects help boost the immune system, reducing the severity of colds and flu. Zingiber officinale, a natural expectorant, helps thin and clear mucus from the respiratory tract, while Ginkgo biloba's flavonoids and terpenoids have anti-inflammatory properties that alleviate nasal congestion.

Other herbs, such as Sambucus nigra's antiviral properties, Thymus vulgaris' antimicrobial activity, Ephedra sinica's decongestant and bronchodilatory effects, Glycyrrhiza glabra's anti-inflammatory properties, Rosmarinus officinalis' expectorant and bronchodilatory effects, and Lavandula angustifolia's calming and anti-inflammatory effects, also contribute to the relief of runny nose symptoms.

• Eucalyptus globulus: Eucalyptus globulus helps with runny nose due to the decongestant properties of its essential oil, which contains eucalyptol, a compound that can help reduce nasal congestion and sinus pressure.
• Echinacea purpurea: Echinacea purpurea may help alleviate runny nose symptoms by modulating the immune system and reducing inflammation, although its effectiveness in this context is still largely anecdotal and requires further research.
• Zingiber officinale: Zingiber officinale, or ginger, may help alleviate runny nose due to its anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce nasal inflammation and congestion, although more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness.
• Ginkgo biloba: Ginkgo biloba does not have a direct effect on runny nose, but its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties may help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in the body, which could indirectly alleviate symptoms of runny nose.
• Sambucus nigra: Sambucus nigra, or elderflower, may help alleviate runny nose symptoms due to its expectorant properties, which can help thin mucus and promote its clearance from the respiratory tract.
• Thymus vulgaris: Thymus vulgaris, or thyme, contains thymol, a compound with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce nasal congestion and alleviate runny nose symptoms.
• Ephedra sinica: Ephedra sinica contains ephedrine, a compound that can help reduce nasal congestion by constricting blood vessels in the nasal passages, although its use is often associated with serious side effects and is generally not recommended for runny nose treatment.
• Glycyrrhiza glabra: Glycyrrhiza glabra, or licorice root, may help alleviate runny nose symptoms due to its anti-inflammatory and expectorant properties, which can help reduce nasal congestion and promote the clearance of mucus from the respiratory tract.
• Rosmarinus officinalis: Rosmarinus officinalis, or rosemary, contains camphor and borneol, compounds with decongestant and expectorant properties that may help reduce nasal congestion and alleviate runny nose symptoms.
• Lavandula angustifolia: Lavandula angustifolia, or lavender, has been traditionally used to alleviate runny nose symptoms, although its effectiveness in this context is largely anecdotal and requires further research to confirm its decongestant and expectorant properties.

What are the main herbal preparations used for runny nose?

The main herbal preparations used for runny nose are Tincture, Decoction, Salve, Suppository, Capsule, Poultice, Ointment, Cream, Gel, Lozenge.

Tincture is a concentrated liquid extract of herbs, often used to treat runny nose due to its decongestant properties, derived from herbs like Echinacea and Elderberry. Decoction, a strong tea made by simmering herbs, is used to relieve congestion and soothe the nasal passages with herbs like Ginger and Slippery Elm. Salve and Ointment, topical preparations, are used to moisturize and protect the nasal membranes with herbs like Eucalyptus and Peppermint, while Suppository is inserted into the nasal cavity to deliver direct relief.

Capsule, Poultice, Cream, Gel, and Lozenge, often containing herbs like Zinc, Echinacea, and Thyme, are used to support immune function and reduce inflammation, thereby alleviating runny nose symptoms.

• Tincture: A tincture made from the roots of the Echinacea purpurea plant helps with runny nose by promoting the activity of immune cells, such as macrophages and natural killer cells, which fight off invading pathogens and reduce inflammation in the nasal passages.
• Decoction: A decoction made from the leaves of the Plantago major plant helps with runny nose by reducing mucus production and congestion due to its expectorant properties, which help to loosen and clear mucus from the respiratory tract.
• Salve: A salve made from the resin of the Commiphora molmol plant helps with runny nose by providing a protective barrier on the nasal mucosa, reducing inflammation, and preventing moisture loss, thereby reducing the severity of runny nose symptoms.
• Suppository: A suppository made from the root of the Withania somnifera plant helps with runny nose by reducing inflammation and congestion in the nasal passages due to its anti-inflammatory and antihistaminic properties, which help to alleviate nasal discharge and congestion.
• Capsule: A capsule made from the flowers of the Eupatorium perfoliatum plant helps with runny nose by reducing inflammation and congestion in the nasal passages due to its anti-inflammatory and antihistaminic properties, which help to alleviate nasal discharge and congestion.
• Poultice: A poultice made from the leaves of the Plantago lanceolata plant helps with runny nose by reducing inflammation and congestion in the nasal passages due to its anti-inflammatory and antihistaminic properties, which help to alleviate nasal discharge and congestion.
• Ointment: An ointment made from the leaves of the Calendula officinalis plant helps with runny nose by providing a protective barrier on the nasal mucosa, reducing inflammation, and preventing moisture loss, thereby reducing the severity of runny nose symptoms.
• Cream: A cream made from the flowers of the Hypericum perforatum plant helps with runny nose by reducing inflammation and congestion in the nasal passages due to its anti-inflammatory and antihistaminic properties, which help to alleviate nasal discharge and congestion.
• Gel: A gel made from the leaves of the Aloe barbadensis plant helps with runny nose by reducing inflammation and preventing moisture loss, thereby reducing the severity of runny nose symptoms, and also by its expectorant properties which help to loosen and clear mucus from the respiratory tract.
• Lozenge: A lozenge made from the bark of the Glycyrrhiza glabra plant helps with runny nose by providing a soothing and protective effect on the mucous membranes, reducing inflammation, and alleviating nasal discharge and congestion.