Chest Congestion Remedies

Chest congestion is a common condition especially for those suffering from cough, cold and flu. The accompanying symptoms include breathing difficulty, choked or blocked nose and even wheezing at times. The condition can cause a major discomfort and curing it as soon as possible, is necessary to avoid further complications like asthma, bronchitis and bacterial infections in the respiratory tract. Though there are a number of medicines available for cold, flu and other causes of chest congestion, they only suppress the symptoms and may not necessarily relieve chest congestion. Natural and home remedies are the best chest congestion remedies that completely cure chest congestion and also provide relief from the symptoms related to the cause of chest congestion.

Chest Congestion Natural Remedies

The natural remedies for chest congestion require the use of wholly natural ingredients that are easily available and you may find some in your kitchen as well. These natural remedies help cure and relieve chest congestion, by eliminating the excessive mucus from the respiratory tracts. Following are some natural remedies for chest congestion.

Steam or Vapor Inhalation: This is the most basic and important natural remedy for chest congestion. Boil a substantial amount of water, add some cabbage or some basil or lemongrass leaves to the boiling water and inhale the steam for around fifteen to twenty minutes. Keep yourself covered, even your feet, for around half an hour, to allow the steam’s warmth to settle. Repeat this, three times at a day.

Saline Rinse: Make a mixture of two tablespoons of salt in half a glass of water and using a syringe, shoot this mixture into both the nostrils and wait until it gets down the throat. Follow it up with a glass of warm water. This will help clear the nasal passages, as well as the bronchial tract.

Olive and Eucalyptus Oil: Warm some olive oil and apply it to your chest and throat. Cover your chest and throat with something warm, so that the heat released by the olive oil can be trapped. After some time, rub the olive well, into the chest and the throat. This will help thin the thick mucus, which will make it easier to be released from the chest and the throat. Rubbing eucalyptus oil to the chest and throat will also have a similar effect.

Chicken Soup: Having a hot bowl of chicken soup is a well known remedy for cold and cough. Similarly, it also helps in relieving chest congestion by reducing the inflammation of the mucus membranes and also thins the thick mucus, allowing it to be released easily.

Hot Packs: You can make a hot pack by roasting some fenugreek, carom seeds or cloves for two minutes. Drop them into a handkerchief and bundle them together. Use this hot pack on the chest and throat by placing it there for a few seconds. This will help relieve chest congestion, especially during the night.

Home Remedies for Chest Congestion

Home remedies for chest congestion are very effective in relieving chest congestion. They usually combine herbal remedies and herbs and work to thin the mucus and ease its release from the chest.

Onions, Curry Powder and Olive Oil: Sauté two thinly sliced onions in one teaspoon curry powder and two tablespoons extra virgin olive oil. Have this preparation at least twice a day to relieve chest congestion.

Turmeric: Consuming turmeric is a very effective chest congestion remedy. Mix one teaspoon turmeric with one glass warm water or a glass of warm milk. Have this early in the morning and before going to bed at night. This not only relieves chest congestion, but also treats and prevents infections and speeds the recovery process.

Hot Toddy: This can be considered as one of grandma’s chest congestion remedies. Squeeze the juice from two fresh lemons and pour it into a saucepan kept on slow flame. Add ¼ cup honey to this and allow it to boil on the slow flame. Remove this mixture from heat and allow it to cool for a few minutes. Once it has cooled, add some rum to it and drink it when its still warm.

Ginger Root: Add a tablespoon of extracted ginger root juice to half a tablespoon honey and some lime juice, and consume this thrice a day. Ginger root juice can also be added to hot tea or warm water to relieve chest congestion.

Aromatherapy: A blend of essential oils used in aromatherapy can help considerably in relieving chest congestion. To make this blend, mix together 1 part each of lemon, rosewood, eucalyptus and lavender essential oils with three parts of ravensare oil. Use this blend as a diffuser in steam inhalation or add it to your bath water. You can also gargle with a drop of tea tree oil in warm water, but be careful not to swallow it.

Herbal Tea: To prepare herbal tea, boil together some lemongrass leaves, honey, pepper and ginger root in water. Once all the ingredients have blended well together, strain the mixture and consume when warm. Drinking herbal tea twice a day will help cure chest congestion.

These chest congestion remedies will relieve the condition, but make sure you protect yourself well against contracting the cause of chest congestion again. Get adequate sleep and rest and consume as much fluids as possible. It is advisable to consult a doctor if the symptoms persist.