Natural Remedies for Chest Congestion

The feeling of tightness, pressure or heaviness in the region in and around the chest is termed as chest congestion. It is caused due to the accumulation of excess mucus or fluids in the lungs or trachea. It is an infection in the respiratory system that involves inflammation of the lower tract and results in difficulty in breathing.

Common cold, bacteria, fungus, allergens, flu, tuberculosis, GERD, excessive smoking, heart problems, asthma, pneumonia, lung cancer, bronchitis, etc. are some of the causes of chest congestion. Tightened chest, cough, dizziness, wheezing, mild chest pain, irritation in the throat, runny nose, shortness of breath, fever, body aches, etc. are some of the symptoms experienced while suffering from chest congestion.

Here we are providing you with the best natural remedies which you can simply follow at home to get relief from the problem till you go to the doctor for diagnosis and treatment accordingly.

Method – 1: (Salt Water Gargle)

Gargling with salt water will remove the mucus from the respiratory system and also reduces the irritation in the throat.

Steps to be followed…

• Add 1 teaspoon of salt to 1 glass of warm water.
• Stir it well till the salt dissolves completely in water.
• Use this solution to gargle for few times a day.
• Be sure to spit out the mix after completing the gargle process.
• Or mix a pinch of turmeric in this water.
• Continue doing the same process daily for 2 – 3 days till your congestion got cleared completely.

Method – 2: (Steam)

Inhaling steam will provide heat and moisture which in turn helps to break up and dissolve the mucus to clear the congestion.

Steps to be followed…

• Fill a bowl with hot water and add few drops of peppermint oil or eucalyptus essential oil in it.
• Then place your face over the bowl and cover your head along with bowl with a towel.
• Now inhale the steam deeply for few minutes, as long as you can.
• This process clears your nasal passage and thereby respiratory tract to prevent the congestion in the chest.
• Repeat it regularly for 2 – 3 times a day until the congestion goes completely.

Note:

• Be sure to close your eyes while breathing, as it irritates them.
• Or simply take a hot shower or hot pack to relax yourself and breathe in the steam vapors.
• Drink hot water whenever you feel thirsty to dissolve the thick phlegm that associated with congestion.
• Also, add other essential oils or vinegar or pinch of turmeric instead of peppermint or eucalyptus oil in the water.

Method – 3: (Apple Cider Vinegar)

Apple cider vinegar thins the mucus in the chest to relieve congestion and for proper breathing. It also boosts up the immune system to prevent the occurrence of these respiratory problems again.

Steps to be followed…

• Add 2 teaspoons of raw, organic apple cider vinegar and 1 teaspoon of organic in 1 cup of warm water.
• Stir it well and drink this liquid to get rid of the problem.
• Regular follow-up of this process for 2 – 3 times a day for a week will help to cure the congestion.
• Alternatively, mix 2 tablespoons each of apple cider vinegar and turmeric and drink this mix regularly.

Method – 4: (Onion)

Onion has sulfur and quercetin that dissolves the mucus and prevents the buildup of mucus in the chest. It also has anti-microbial property that fights against the infection in your respiratory tract.

Steps to be followed…

• Take 1 medium sized onion and extract its juice.
• Then add 2 tablespoons of honey and water and 4 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice.
• Stir well and heat this mix till it is lukewarm.
• Drink this mix for 3 – 4 times a day to cure the problem.

Note:

• Or simply swallow or chew shallots (small onions either raw, cooked or baked) along with sugar or honey at night before bed time to get relief from congestion and to get proper sleep.

Method – 5: (Lemon)

The citric acid in lemon helps to reduce the thickness of mucus and vitamin C boost up the body’s immunity to prevent the problem.

Steps to be followed…

• Add 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice and 1/2 teaspoon of raw honey in 1 glass of hot water.
• Stir it well and drink it for several times a day.
• Or mix 1 tablespoon of grated lemon zest in 1 cup of hot water. Let it steep for 5 – 10 minutes and strain the mix. You can either drink it or do gargle with this mix.
• Repeat it daily until you get complete relief from congestion.

Method – 6: (Honey)

Honey reduces the thickness of the mucus and removes it easily from the respiratory tract. It fights against the infections with its antibacterial and antiviral properties. It also soothes the area with its anti-inflammatory property.

Steps to be followed…

• Mix 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper powder to 2 tablespoons of raw honey.
• Swallow this mix for 3 – 4 times daily to get relief from congestion.
• Or consume 1 teaspoon of raw honey alone or mixed with water to alleviate congestion for more hours.

Tips and Precautions:

1. Drinking strong black coffee, plenty of fluids, water, chicken soups, herbal teas like ginger tea, etc. will ease the congestion and reduces the inflammation in the lungs.
2. Use humidifier regularly to open up the nasal passage and makes you breathe normally.
3. Quit smoking and avoid drinking alcohols or carbonated beverages to reduce the congestion and damage caused to the respiratory tract.
4. Consume vitamin rich healthy diet (include spicy food that contains ginger, turmeric, garlic, chili, black pepper), sufficient sleep, stay away from weight gaining foods, dairy and frozen products and do some breathing exercises to fight against the congestion.
5. Simply prepare a decongestant salve by adding 1/4 cup of warm coconut oil, 1 tablespoon of olive oil and few drops of essential oils (8 drops of eucalyptus, 5 drops of peppermint and 3 drops of camphor). Stir well and refrigerate to harden. Apply this salve on chest and neck before bed to get rid of the problem.
6. Elevate your head by using a pillow while sleep that helps to promote the drainage of mucus rather than build up.
7. Treat your respiratory problems like sinus or nasal infections to prevent chest infections and accumulation of phlegm in the chest.
8. Use nasal sprays and neti pots to clear the nasal for preventing the congestion.
9. Keep your room and surrounding free from dust and bacteria that causes mucus to prevent the problem.
10. Make sure to consult your doctor if you didn’t find any relief from chest congestion for proper diagnosis and treatment.

This is all about Natural Remedies for Chest Congestion. Try these natural remedies at home and let me know which remedy worked well for treating your congestion by sharing your experience.