Editorial Team
05 November 2026
Last Updated: November 5, 2026
Quick Summary
To relieve a stuffy nose fast, start with warm steam by leaning over a bowl of hot water under a towel for five to ten minutes. Then rinse your nasal passages with a saline spray to wash out irritants and thin thick mucus.
- Lean over a bowl of hot water with a towel over your head for five to ten minutes.
- A saline rinse or spray washes out irritants and thins thick mucus.
- Raise your head with an extra pillow to make breathing easier while you sleep.
- Run a humidifier to keep the air moist at night.
- Oral phenylephrine did not offer substantial relief from congestion compared with placebo in a 2023 review.
Table of Contents
- How to Clear a Stuffy Nose in Minutes
- Treatment for a Blocked Nose at Night
- Choosing the Best Decongestant for a Stuffy Nose
- Frequently Asked Questions
How to Clear a Stuffy Nose in Minutes
A stuffy nose can feel like it will last all day, but a few quick steps can often bring relief within minutes. At ManukaGuard, we focus on simple, practical steps you can start right away: open the nasal passages and keep them moist.
Start with warm steam. Lean over a bowl of hot water with a towel over your head for five to ten minutes.
Next, rinse. A saline rinse or spray washes out irritants and thins thick mucus. Our Deep Allercleanse Nasal Spray is made with Medical Grade Manuka Honey, saline solution, vegetable glycerin, natural fruit and plant extracts, citric and ascorbic acids (Vitamin C), and purified water, and it helps cleanse the nasal passages of airborne irritants such as dust, pet dander and bed mites. You can find it here.
Stay upright, too.
Treatment for a Blocked Nose at Night
A few small changes before bed can make breathing easier while you sleep.
Deep Allercleanse Nasal Spray, Medical Grade Manuka Honey →
Raise your head with an extra pillow and run a humidifier to keep the air moist.
Choosing the Best Decongestant for a Stuffy Nose
Not every decongestant works the same way. A systematic review published in 2023 found that oral phenylephrine did not offer substantial relief from nasal congestion compared with placebo in adults (The Use and Efficacy of Oral Phenylephrine Versus Placebo). That is worth knowing before you reach for a pill.
Saline and manuka-based sprays are a gentler option for everyday use. If you are wondering what a manuka nasal spray actually is, our plain explanation of manuka nasal sprays covers it before you decide. Our range includes Nasal Sprays for different needs, and our guide to reading manuka honey labels explains MGO ratings so you can compare products with confidence.
Keep in mind that decongestant sprays should be used only as directed on the label.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest way to relieve a stuffy nose?
A saline rinse or saline nasal spray can help cleanse the nasal passages. Blow gently, one nostril at a time, to help mucus clear.
Which medicine works best for a stuffy nose in adults?
Oral decongestants and topical decongestant sprays are the most common choices for adults with a stuffy nose. Check with a pharmacist before combining medicines, and see a doctor if symptoms persist.
Can a nasal spray help when a blocked nose keeps me up at night?
A saline spray or a Manuka honey nasal spray can be used before bed as part of your routine. ManukaGuard's Deep Allercleanse Nasal Spray ($20.79) is one option for daily cleansing and hydration.
02.November.2026
