MASALA CHAI

Masala chai is more than just a beverage; it’s a warm symbol of hospitality in every Indian home and a soothing escape from the chaos of daily life.

WHAT IS MASALA CHAI?

While coffee kickstarts mornings in Brazil, India greets the day with chai—a beloved traditional tea made with milk. Masala Chai, in particular, is a rich blend of black tea, spices, milk, and sugar. Though the consumption of herbal teas in India dates back centuries, the English introduced the practice of drinking black tea with milk and sugar. Over time, Indians infused this custom with their own flavors by adding aromatic spices, giving birth to masala chai.

Far more than a simple beverage, masala chai embodies hospitality in every Indian home and offers a calming escape from the fast pace of daily life. The term “masala” refers to a mixture of spices, so “Masala Chai” translates directly to “spiced tea.” While there’s no definitive recipe, the essence of masala chai lies in its core ingredients: black tea, spices, milk, and sugar.

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 ½ cups water
  • 3–4 cm piece of ginger
  • 4 cardamom pods
  • 4 tbsp black tea
  • 3–4 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 cup whole milk

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Bring water to a boil in a saucepan.
  • Crush the ginger roughly with a pestle or slice it into thin strips.
  • Lightly crush the cardamom pods using a mortar.
  • Add the ginger and cardamom to the boiling water and let it simmer.
  • Stir in the black tea and boil for an additional 2 minutes.
  • Add the brown sugar and stir until fully dissolved.
  • Pour in the milk and mix thoroughly.
  • Allow the mixture to boil for 2–3 more minutes.
  • Turn off the heat and strain the masala chai into a cup.
  • Serve hot and enjoy!

HOW TO UNCLOG YOUR NOSE INSTANTLY

You want relief from a congested, runny nose as soon as possible so that you can resume your regular breathing pattern painlessly. Sadly, drugs take time to work, and in order to effectively cure your congestion, you must correctly diagnose its source and select the appropriate active ingredients. If you are dying to know how to unclog your nose instantly, you’re in the right place.

CAUSES OF STUFFY NOSE

There are various causes of the clogged nose:

  • Bacterial, viral and fungal infection
  • Common cold
  • Sinusitis
  • Allergic
  • Asthma
  • Deviated nasal symptoms
  • Nasal polyp 

Different therapy modalities are available based on the underlying problem. You should visit a doctor if you experience nasal congestion or other stuffy nose symptoms that last longer than ten days, such as sneezing, fever, and postnasal drip. At an earlier stage, though, a stuffy nose can be easily cured with a variety of home remedies. The inflamed nasal passage can be effectively calmed with home remedies and palliative care.

HOW TO UNSTUFF YOUR NOSE INSTANTLY

HOLD YOUR BREATH

Holding your breath as long as you can is one simple and fast method for clearing your sinuses. Pinch your nose shut between your thumb and index finger, if that helps, and hold that position for as long as you can before inhaling deeply. You may notice a rapid clearing of your sinuses after taking a deep breath.

It is thought that the brain clears the sinuses when it senses a shortage of oxygen so that when you do regain access to air, there would be a clear channel from the nose to the brain. However, the precise mechanism and rationale behind this tactic remain unknown.

HOLD, TAP & LET GO

If you’re not comfortable restricting your oxygen intake to clear your nostrils, you can also use the “press, tap, release” method. You can do this anywhere, even on the metro, in bed, or in an office chair.

The tongue should be pressed and held against the roof of the mouth as the first step. Next, lightly tap your forehead, slightly above your nose, between your eyebrows with two fingers. Next, let go of your tongue and fingers and carry out the action once more. Your sinuses should feel less congested if you repeat the same movements (push, tap, release) for 20 seconds or so.

USE A HUMIDIFIER

Reducing sinus pain and nasal congestion can be achieved quickly and easily with the use of a humidifier.

The device turns water into moisture, which gradually permeates the atmosphere and raises the relative humidity of a space.

In your nose and sinuses, breathing in this wet air helps relieve inflamed tissues and enlarged blood vessels. Some people assert that clogged mucus can discharge more effectively when the air is warm and humidified.

Humidifiers can still be beneficial if you have nasal congestion symptoms and want to place them throughout your home or workplace.

TAKE A HOT SHOWER

Shower steam might help thin down mucus and lessen inflammation in your nose. For a short while, at least, taking a hot shower can help your breathing return to normal.

Inhaling steam from hot water in a sink will have the same effect. Here’s how to do it:

  • Switch on the hot water in the sink in the bathroom.
  • When the temperature is appropriate, cover your head with a towel and position it over the sink.
  • Breathe deeply while letting the steam rise.
  • Take care to avoid getting steam or hot water burns on your face.

STAY HYDRATED

If you think you may have the flu or think you could have a cold, it’s crucial to stay hydrated.

By keeping your body at its optimal level of hydration, you can help thin the mucus in your nasal passages, which will force fluids out of your nose and lower sinus pressure. Reduced pressure equals reduced discomfort and inflammation.

Warm beverages, such as tea, may also help relieve sore throats.

DRAIN YOUR SINUSES

Using a Neti pot to clear your congested nostrils is not glamorous, but it works. An apparatus called a neti pot is intended to remove fluids and mucus from your nasal passages.

Instead of utilizing tap water, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises using distilled or sterile water:

  • Position your head above a sink.
  • Insert the neti pot’s spout into one nostril.
  • Once the water starts to enter your nasal canal, tilt the neti pot.
  • After entering your nostril, the water will exit via the other nostril and drain into the sink.
  • After about a minute, switch sides and repeat.

DECONGESTANTS

When you’re unwell, why do you feel stuffy? because your nose’s blood vessels enlarge and obstruct your airways. Decongestants available over-the-counter can constrict these arteries and facilitate breathing. Look for the components of pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine on the label. Nasal spray decongestants function in the same manner. But exercise caution! If you wear them for more than four or five days in succession, your nose may become even more congested. These products may occasionally cause you to feel anxious or agitated.

PEPPERMINT

Being a natural decongestant, peppermint and its primary active component, menthol, may even help thin out the muck in your chest. They are present in numerous cough drops and chest massages. Additionally, peppermint tea is available. Purchase it from the store or create it yourself: For ten minutes, steep one teaspoon of dried peppermint in one cup of hot water. Up to five cups should be consumed daily.

HONEY

Honey is useful for treating stuffy noses because it is adaptable and good for many different health issues. It contains a plentiful supply of essential nutrients, including minerals and vitamins. Additionally, it possesses antimicrobial qualities that aid in the defense against a range of bacterial illnesses. Honey has the ability to soothe inflamed throats, nasal passages, and remove mucus buildup. A cup of lukewarm water mixed with two tablespoons of honey will help unclog your nasal passages. In order to alleviate your symptoms, you can also add honey to milk or tea. 

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR

Apple cider vinegar contains all the key elements required to relieve stuffy noses. It also possesses antifungal and antibacterial qualities. Take two tablespoons of cider vinegar mixed with a cup of warm water three times a day. A tablespoon of honey can also be added to this beverage.

GINGER

Due to its strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory content, ginger may help relieve stuffy noses. It works incredibly well to clear congested noses. Ginger can be applied as a compressor. You can boil two cups of water with chunks of ginger in it for the compressor. After soaking a clean washcloth in the mixture, gently apply it to your face for fifteen minutes. In addition, you can prepare a cup of ginger tea and consume it three times a day to get immediate relief from stuffy noses.
A blocked nose may be a genuine pain in the ass, no matter the season.  Allergies, a cold, or even some long-term illnesses can result in nasal congestion. For those who have been searching “How to unstuff your nose” on the internet for a few days straight, our article will provide you with everything you need to know that can help you treat your stuffy nose.