Home Remedies and Herbs for Snoring

Snoring is a condition that occurs during sleep when the breathing becomes partially obstructed. It then produces a loud and hoarse sound.¹ Snoring is a condition that may come and go throughout one’s adult life. As many as 50 % of the adult population snores.¹ While snoring is not usually serious, in some people it may be the sign of a more serious condition called sleep apnea.²

What Causes Snoring?

The sounds made from snoring are caused when the tissues at the top of your airway hit each other and vibrate. Snoring causes stem from these tissues hit each other when your throat becomes relaxed during sleep and it therefore narrows and blocks your airway. ³ The narrower the airway becomes, the more the tissues hit against each other and the louder the snoring sounds become.³ Risk factors for snoring include:^1,3

• Being overweight
• Older age
• Allergies
• Cold, flu and nasal congestion
• Mouth swelling including the roof of the mouth or the uvula
• Swollen adenoids and tonsils that block airways
• Abnormalities in the bones of the face, including broken or bent nose
• Swelling of tissue during final month of pregnancy

Snoring Symptoms

Snoring generally causes the following symptoms in adults who snore:¹

• Loud noise produced during sleep
• Sleeping with your mouth open
• Restless sleep
• Feeling unrested and drowsy during the day
• Difficulty concentrating
• Morning headaches
• Sore throat

If the condition is more severe and is associated with sleep apnea, then symptoms may include:

• Choking and gasping for air at night
• Waking yourself up from choking or blocked breathing
• Chest pain
• High blood pressure

Natural Remedies and Herbs for Snoring

There are several snoring remedies you can try to help treat this condition naturally. Here are the top snoring herbs to help prevent this condition from continuing:

• Turmeric - Turmeric has naturally anti-inflammatory health benefits that can help to reduce tissue inflammation in the throat that may cause increased instances of snoring.
• Olive Oil - Olive oil can naturally soothe airways and fight inflammation so as the prevent snoring during the night.
• Apple Cider Vinegar - Apple cider vinegar can help to restore the body’s pH levels which can reduce symptoms of snoring.
• Cardamom - As a natural expectorant and decongestant, cardamom can help to open up the airways and allow for better breathing during the night and reduce instances of snoring.
• Sage - Sage is a natural snoring herbal treatment. It has anti-diabetic, anti-hypertensive and anti-inflammatory health benefits that can help open up air passages and allow air to flow through. This can help reduce snoring and help ensure a restful night’s sleep.
• Chamomile - When snoring causes restless sleep, chamomile is one of the best snoring natural remedies to help relax and rest better. Chamomile also has natural anti-inflammatory benefits. By using chamomile essential oils can help open the air passage and allow for deeper breathing which can improve sleep quality.

References

1. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/snoring/basics/definition/con-20031874
2. https://medlineplus.gov/snoring.html
3. http://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/ug2414