Post-Nasal Drip (PND) refers to mucus dripping from the back of the nose into the throat. It is also termed as the upper airway cough syndrome. PND is accompanied by a constant urge to clear the throat as the flow of fluid in the throat is irritating. Another offshoot of PND is that the irritants present in the secretions could initiate a cough reflex.
Homeopathic remedies offer a safe and natural cure for post-nasal drip cases, treating the problem very effectively. Homeopathy uses the body’s defense mechanism to combat the cause behind PND. This line of treatment is comparatively non-intrusive. Along with PND, associated symptoms like sore throat, hoarse voice, coughing, hawking and bad breath can also be relieved with homeopathic medicines.
Long-term relief and cure
Homeopathy heals the root cause behind sinusitis and offers long-term relief and cure. Since PND has various causes like cold, allergies, sinusitis, and acid reflux, homeopathy addresses these underlying causes as per the case to provide magnificent results. Homeopathic treatment, if continued regularly as guided by a qualified homeopath, can result in a wonderful recovery. It can also help in reducing dependence on conventional medicines used for PND treatment.
Individualized Treatment
As no two cases of PND are similar, the homeopathic medicines also vary from case to case. The characteristic symptoms in each case help to decide the individualized prescription. Individualized treatment tends to bring miraculous cure in cases of PND.
Safe, Gentle and Free of Side Effects
Homeopathy offers remedies for Postnasal Drip that are safe, successful and devoid of any side effects, whereas medicines used in the modern system of medicine may have side effects due to prolonged use. Homeopathic medicines are toxin-free as they are drawn out from natural substances, and they hence treat PND without any adverse effects. These can always help and never harm us. People of any age group can use these medicines to treat PND. However, the prescription of medicines, their potency and dosage vary for different age groups.
Top 10 Homeopathic Medicines for Post-Nasal Drip
The best 10 homeopathic medicines for PND are Hydrastis Canadensis, Kali Bichrome, Corallium Rubrum, Natrum Muriaticum, Hepar Sulphuris, Natrum Phosphoricum, Sticta Pulmonaris, Pulsatilla Nigricans, Kali Sulphuricum and Silicea Terra.
1. Hydrastis Canadensis – For PND With Thick Ropy Discharges
Homeopathy assures wonderful treatment for Post Nasal Drip. One of the top treatments in homeopathy for this condition is hydrastis. It is an ideal medicine if the secretions are very thick, ropy and sticky in form. The secretions fall from the posterior nares into the throat. The patient complains of irritation due to a continuous feeling of mucus in the throat. There is a lot of hawking in an attempt to expel the mucus. Usually, thick, yellow mucus is expectorated. Both the nares become raw and the person has a constant urge to blow out from the nose. In case of Postnasal Drip among children, the kid usually suddenly wakes up from sleep due to thick, sticky droppings. The throat feels raw and there is a lot of burning sensation.
When to use Hydrastis Canadensis?
This medicine is the best choice for managing Post Nasal Drip with thick, ropy and sticky secretions with a lot of hawking.
How to use Hydrastis Canadensis?
Hydrastis Canadensis can be used in different potencies like 30C, 200C, 1M. Initially, it is best to use it in 30C potency one to three times a day. For using higher potencies, it is advised to consult a qualified homeopath.
2. Kali Bichrome– For Post-Nasal Drip With Sinusitis
It is another reliable remedy for Post Nasal Drip. It is especially recommended in sinusitis cases when the secretions are thick, yellowish, greenish and ropy. The patient hawks a lot to clear the throat. The root of the nose and the frontal sinus are inflamed, causing a lot of pain and distress to the patient.
When to use Kali Bichrome?
This medicine is apt for the cases of PND linked to sinusitis with thick, yellowish, greenish, and ropy mucus discharges.
How to use Kali Bichrome?
It can be used in both low and high potencies, among which the most preferred is 30C potency once to thrice a day, depending on the intensity of the symptoms.
3. Corallium Rubrum – For Post-Nasal Discharges with Cough
Corallium Rubrum is a wonderful medicine and is used in cases when a lot of mucus is secreted through the posterior nares. The patient expectorates a lot of mucus. Besides, there is dry and spasmodic coughing. The nasal discharge has abundant secretions. A characteristic feature accompanying the above symptoms is the inhaled air that feels very cold.
When to use Corallium Rubrum?
It is a commonly indicated medicine for cough arising from PND.
How to use Corallium Rubrum?
It is advised to take this medicine in 30C potency one to two times daily.
4. Natrum Muriaticum– For PND Related to Allergic Rhinitis
Natrum Muriaticum is a leading homeopathic remedy to help cases of PND associated with cold or nasal allergy. Those who need it complain of mucus dripping from the nose into the throat, along with other symptoms of a cold or nasal allergy. These symptoms include sneezing, a runny nose and watering eyes. The nose may be blocked sometimes.
When to use Natrum Muriaticum?
It is the most important medicine when it comes to treating PND linked with cold or nasal allergy. It is frequently accompanied by sneezing, a runny nose and watering eyes.
How to use Natrum Muriaticum?
This medicine is usually prescribed in 6X power. Natrum Mur 6X can be administered three to four times daily as per the severity of the complaint.
5. Hepar Sulphuris– When PND Is Linked With Cold or Sinusitis
This medicine is extremely beneficial when PND is associated with a cold and sinusitis. For those who need it, there is thick discharge from the nose along with sneezing. It gets triggered by cold air. The inhaled air feels cold inside the nose. The mucus dripping into the throat may be blood-stained.
When to use Hepar Sulphuris?
This medicine is recommended for PND in cases of cold or sinus infection, along with thick nasal discharge and sneezing that aggravates with exposure to cold air.
How to use Hepar Sulphuris?
Hepar Sulph 30C can be administered two to three times a day.
6. Natrum Phosphoricum– For Managing PND with Acid Reflux
If a person has acid reflux along with PND, this medicine can be administered. This medicine is required for thick, yellowish mucus that is found dripping into the throat. It aggravates at night and wakes one up from sleep. The person has to sit up to clear the throat. Besides, symptoms of acid reflux, like heartburn and sour burps, may accompany.
When to use Natrum Phosphoricum?
It’s administered when PND is associated with complaints of acid reflux. This medicine is usually required for cases of PND that get worse at night.
How to use Natrum Phosphoricum?
One may use Natrum Phos 6X twice or thrice a day.
7. Sticta Pulmonaria– For PND Accompanied by Blocked Nose
Sticta proves effective when there is dripping of mucus in the posterior throat and the nose is blocked. Fullness at the root of the nose is clearly felt. Nasal blockage gets worse at night and disturbs sleep. There is mucus in the throat that dries soon, forming scabs. There is an urge to blow the nose, but with little to no discharge at all.
When to use Sticta Pulmonaria?
It’s used when there is PND accompanied by nasal blockage and a sensation of fullness at the root of the nose.
How to use Sticta Pulmonaria?
Sticta 30C can be used one to two times a day.
8. Pulsatilla Nigricans – For Thick, Bland, Yellowish-Green Discharge
Pulsatilla is suited for catarrhal conditions with thick, mild (non-irritating) discharge. The mucus is often yellowish or greenish and may cause a constant urge to clear the throat. Symptoms aggravate in a warm, stuffy room and they get better in cool, fresh air. There is often a loss of taste and smell. The patient may have shifting symptoms and a gentle, emotional disposition.
When to use Pulsatilla Nigricans?
It is prescribed when there is thick, bland, yellowish or greenish mucus and PND gets worse at night in a warm room. The nose remains blocked in the evening. The blockage associated with sinusitis or after a common cold clears up in the morning.
How to use Pulsatilla Nigricans?
It is commonly used in 30C potency, 2–3 times daily in acute cases. Reduce frequency as improvement sets in.
9. Kali Sulphuricum – For Yellow, Slimy discharge with Constant Urge to Hawk
Kali Sulphuricum is used for the later stage of colds with mucous discharges that are yellowish in colour. The mucus is sticky, slimy, and may cause a rattling in the throat with a need to hawk out the mucus. Symptoms are aggravated in heated rooms and it improves in the open air. It is especially useful when PND persists after acute inflammation subsides.
When to use Kali Sulphuricum?
It is administered in chronic or sub-acute PND of yellowish, stringy or slimy mucus.
How to use Kali Sulphuricum?
It is often prescribed in 6X or 12X (biochemic form), 3–4 times a day. In higher potency 30C, use it 1–2 times daily depending on the severity of the symptoms.
10. Silicea Terra – For Chronic, Offensive Pus-like Discharges
Silicea is indicated in chronic sinus catarrhal where discharge is thick, purulent, and sometimes quite smelly. There may be post-nasal accumulation causing throat irritation and chronic coughing. The patient feels the chills, there is sensitivity to cold air, and one is prone to recurrent infections. It is useful in long-standing (chronic) sinusitis with blocked passages.
When to use Silicea Terra?
It is administered when there is chronic PND with sinus infection with thick pus-like discharges.
How to use Silicea Terra?
It is commonly administered in 30C potency once daily in chronic cases. In there is chronic tendency, higher potencies (200C) may be used, however, only under the supervision of a qualified homeopath.
Symptoms of Post-nasal Drip
Post-nasal drip is characterized by excessive mucus production by the nasal mucosa. This mucus then collects in the back of the nose or the throat, giving rise to:
1. Sensation of mucus falling from the back of the nose
2. Hawking and an urge to clear the throat frequently
3. A sore throat and chronic cough
4. Hoarse voice
5. Bad breath
6. Painful ear infections
Causes of PND
It can be caused by multiple reasons, which are as follows:
1. Cold & flu: These viral infections affect the nose and the throat. Among these, flu is more severe than a cold. These can cause PND along with other symptoms of nasal congestion, nasal discharge, sneezing, sore throat, body aches, and fever.
2. Sinusitis: It refers to swelling and inflammation of air-filled spaces within the skull. It can lead to PND with other symptoms, such as headache, nasal discharge, nasal blockage, pain/ tenderness around the eyes, cheeks, nose, forehead, sore throat, and cough.
3. Nasal allergy (allergic rhinitis): It refers to a response to a specific allergen (like dust mites, pollens) causing sneezing, runny nose, itchy watery eyes, and stuffy nose. PND may accompany these symptoms.
4. Non-allergic rhinitis: In this form of rhinitis, symptoms similar to allergic rhinitis appear, but there is no allergic reaction.
5. DNS (deviated nasal septum): A condition in which the wall that divides the nasal cavity into two halves is displaced to one side. As a result, one side of the nasal cavity becomes small, hindering mucus drainage, causing PND.
6. Gastric reflux: The backflow of stomach acid from the stomach into the food pipe, throat and mouth.
An object stuck in the nose in children can be one of the causes.
7. Some medicines: Medicines that help treat high blood pressure, and birth control pills, can trigger PND.
8. Pregnancy.
9. Swallowing disorder: In the case of swallowing disorders, the root cause lies not in excess production of mucus but rather in inadequate clearance of the throat.
10. Weather change, cold weather, dry air, and eating some food items like highly spicy food.
Pathophysiology
Our nose and throat produce small amounts of mucus continuously. This mucus has three functions. First, it keeps the nasal membrane moist. Second, it helps trap and filter any inhaled foreign matter (like viruses and bacteria) and last but not least, it fights infection. This mucus is being swallowed by everyone unconsciously. But when, due to whatever reason, the production of mucus increases, it starts to accumulate in the back of the throat. When excessive or thick mucus drips down the throat from the back of the nose, one at once becomes aware of it. The irritants in the mucus can activate receptors in the respiratory tract, resulting in protective coughing.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why do I get post-nasal drip?
It can happen due to allergies, common cold, sinus infection, weather changes, dust exposure, pollution, or gastric reflux.
2. Is PND serious?
Usually, it is not serious, but if it lasts long enough or is associated with fever, severe headache, thick greenish/yellowish mucus, or there is breathing difficulty, medical consultation is a must.
3. Why is my cough worse at night?
When you lie down, mucus drains more easily into the throat, which may trigger coughing.
4. How can I reduce PND naturally?
Drinking warm water, steam inhalation, avoiding dust and allergens, staying hydrated, and avoiding very cold food may help.
5. When should I see a doctor?
If symptoms last more than 10–14 days, recur frequently, or are associated with high fever, facial pain, blood in the mucus, or if there is breathing difficulty.
6. Can PND be treated with homeopathy?
Yes, homeopathy can help by addressing the root cause, such as allergy, sinus tendency, or recurrent cold, based on individual symptoms.
7. Why do I constantly feel like clearing my throat?
Because mucus keeps collecting at the back of the throat, giving a sticky or irritating sensation.
8. Can PND cause bad breath?
Yes, accumulated mucus and throat irritation can lead to unpleasant breath.
9. Is thick mucus normal in PND?
Mucus can be thin and watery (usually allergy-related) or thick and sticky (often due to infection or sinusitis).
10. Why does my throat feel sore in the morning?
Mucus collects overnight while lying down, leading to morning throat irritation.
11. Does weather change worsen PND?
Yes, cold weather, sudden temperature changes, or pollution can aggravate symptoms.
12. Can PND affect my voice?
Yes, constant throat irritation and mucus can cause hoarseness or voice strain.
13. Can spicy food worsen PND?
Yes, in some people, spicy food may increase mucus production or trigger reflux, worsening the symptoms.
14. How long does PND usually last?
It depends on the cause. Viral causes improve in 1–2 weeks, but allergy-related or chronic sinus-related PND may last longer.
15. Can children get PND?
Yes, children commonly experience PND, especially with allergies or frequent colds.