What Do Nasal Sprays Do and What Are They Good For?

Feeling all stuffed up from a cold and finding it hard to breathe?

You’re not alone, because cold and flu season has arrived and it’s hitting us with a vengeance. Lots of people grew up using nasal spray as a home remedy to clear up blockages, but there are a few things to keep in mind before you stick that bottle up your nose.

Types of Nasal Sprays

The most common types of nasal sprays are decongestants, which you can find over-the-counter in pharmacies and prescription-strength varieties prescribed by doctors. These sprays make the blood vessels in your nose narrower and reduce the swelling of nasal tissues to un-stuff your nose. Meanwhile, antihistamine sprays block the function of histamine and also reduce inflammation.

Some people swear by natural saline nasal sprays, which are essentially salt water solutions that loosen up trapped mucous in your nose. Steroid nasal sprays are sometimes recommended for allergies and sinus infections.

Olive Leaf Nasal Spray

Our homeopathic Olive Leaf Nasal Spray is suitable for both adults and children at least three years of age. We only use all-natural ingredients, like olive leaf extract, baptisia, and grapefruit seed extract, to create relief for breathing difficulties, mucous blockage, and sinus pressure. Unlike many prescription sprays that are composed of chemical compounds in an alcohol base that pose a risk of side effects, our formula contains only plant-based ingredients.

How to Use Nasal Sprays

Nasal sprays aren’t just for the common cold; they can also be used by people suffering from seasonal allergies, sinus infections, and those living in environments with high concentrations of air pollution. Because nostril inhalation is believed to be such an efficient way of delivering medication to the body, nasal sprays have also been used to treat nausea, migraines, and even deliver the influenza vaccine and hormone replacement therapy.

No matter which nasal spray you choose, make sure to wash your hands thoroughly and blow your nose before using it. Insert the bottle’s tip into one nostril and press on your other nostril to close it off while keeping your head upright, and breathe in while you squeeze the bottle. Repeat on the other side, and wash your hands again when you’re done.

Nasal Spray Risks & Addiction

Some people have been fearful of using nasal spray because of alleged risks of addiction. Repeated and continuous use of nasal spray has been linked to a “rebound effect,” which means that your nose becomes less responsive to the medication over time and requires you to use more of it to feel the desired relief. But according to the Mayo Clinic’s James T.C.Li, M.D., Ph.D., this is not the same as developing an addiction.

There is no solid evidence that suggests that nasal spray is physically habit-forming, and over-the-counter sprays don’t cause addiction cravings. However, it’s a good idea to discontinue using a spray after three or four days so that your body doesn’t build up a resistance to it.

People who have a heart condition, diabetes, urinary problems, prostate problems, or a thyroid condition should always consult a doctor before starting to use a new nasal spray. Some types of sprays have been known to raise blood pressure, cause dizziness, or make it difficult to sleep. Also, nasal sprays that contain synthetic ingredients may interact with other medications that you are taking for your sickness…so that’s another thing to be aware of. If your symptoms are worsened by allergies, some medical studies have shown that a combination of nasal spray and eye drops can reduce symptoms better together than each individually.