• Steam inhalation - Boil water and add some Carom seeds (ajwain) and a few Cloves. Remove the vessel from the burner and cover your head with a cloth and inhale the steam. For infants, the steam vessel can be put in the corner in a closed room and should not be given directly.

• Jal Neti - Jal Neti is a nasal irrigation technique in yoga used to clean out the nasal cavity and make it free of mucus and debris. This should be learnt from an expert.

• Diet - A Vitamin C rich diet can be very helpful. Include seasonal fruits and vegetables rich in Vitamin C, like Indian Gooseberry (Amla), Orange, Guava, Broccoli, etc.

• Rest - Sleep plays a very important role in maintaining overall balance in the body. A well-rested body can improve the condition.

• Mindful breathing, Pranayam, and relaxation techniques - These can de-stress the person and reduce anxiety, which in turn can help reduce irritation in the nasal passage and improve overall immunity.

• Acupressure - There are several points in acupressure that, when worked on, can provide immense relief from nasal congestion. Two relatively easy points to try are: press the joint near the bridge of the nose and eye socket with the tips of your thumbs, and the point on the edge of both nostrils where you can feel your cheekbone. Do this for at least 2-3 minutes. Repeat several times during the day. The pressure should only be as much as you can tolerate.

In case of allergens in the environment, like the smell of paint, pollen, congress grass, or certain chemicals, Jal Neti once a day can help a lot. After doing Jal Neti, putting a drop of cow ghee (clarified butter) in the nostrils will have a soothing effect. The ghee can be applied to infants too.