Chest congestions are very common among people, and what is alarming about them is that they often indicate some other form of disease of health condition. Chest congestion may be caused by ailments in the respiratory systems. Such ailments can be an effect of common cold or heart diseases of serious nature. When a person suffers from chest congestion, the body faces an obstruction of oxygen flow into the lungs. It is important to consult a doctor if the conditions aggravate as chest conditions generally indicates serious ailments. Chest congestion is characterized by the building up of fluids or mucus around as well as inside the lungs.
Causes
- Flu
- Common Cold
- Gastro esophageal reflux
- Bronchitis
- Asthma
- Pneumonia
- Cystic fibrosis
- Pulmonary edema
- Heart problems
- Airborne Allergies
Symptoms
- Chest pain
- Runny nose
- Cough
- Wheezing
- Discomfort in chest
- Crackling in the nose at the time of breeding
- Breathing troubles
- Dizziness
- Laboured breathing
- Bloody phlegm
Let’s take a look at some of the bets home remedies to get rid of chest congestion, that you can resort to in case you are suffering from chest congestion:
1. Onions
Onions, whether raw or cooked, can be very helpful when it comes to reducing your chest congestion. The onion shallots if taken with sugar can be very effective for getting the mucous thinned. The quercetin and sulphurfound in onions help in breaking down the mucus and give you relief from the congestion.
2. Hot Water
If you make a habit of drinking hot water whenever you feel thirst, there is nothing simpler and better you can do for your health! Hot water will make sure that all the phlegm is dissolved. It will make sure that the phlegm comes out each time you cough. Keeping a hot water pack on the chest can also ease the pain and get the phlegm loosened.
3. Chicken Soup
One of the most popular and commonly found home remedies for chest congestion is chicken soup. The inflammation in your lungs can be reduced greatly by drinking up the chicken soup. The mucus production is reduced greatly with the black pepper which is used in the soup. It also helps in soothing your cough.
4. Honey and Lemon
Honey is one of the finest cough suppressants that you can use. You can either drink just a teaspoon of it or you could have it with a glass of warm water. The antibacterial qualities of the honey will work wonders for you if you mix it with a little lemon. You can also breathe the steam of the mixture so that the nasal passage can be opened up.
5. Black Coffee
Coffee is a very good home remedy to tackle chest congestion. However, it would be important to make sure that you do not have more than a couple of cups. Consumption of excess caffeine can lead to an increase in heart rate and blood pressure.
6. Ginger Tea
As far as home treatment is concerned Ginger tea works remarkably well when it comes to taking care of the inflammation of the respiratory tract. The antibacterial and analgesic properties of the ginger are perfect in such conditions.
7. Raising the room temperature
This is probably the easiest home remedy that you can come up with when it comes to chest congestion. As you activate the humidifier of the room, the added vapor will reach the lungs and eventually help in getting the mucus loosened.
8. Eucalyptus Oil
The analgesic and antibacterial properties of eucalyptus oil are very helpful for chest congestion. You can simply put a few drops in heated water and inhale the fumes. Make sure you cover your head with a cloth to get the best results.
9. Licorice
If you want an expectorant that is natural, licorice would be the best option for you. You can mix about half a teaspoon of licorice with tea and have it three times a day. It will help you immensely to get relief from the congestion. However, you must not use the remedy if you are suffering from blood pressure.
10. Consume more fluid
The congestion that is caused because of mucus can be broken by drinking enough fluid. Therefore, make sure you have a good share of juices, tea or soup so that the fluid intake can be increased. This will make sure that the mucus does not coagulate. It is to be noted that mucus when coagulated can be very tough to remove. By drinking more fluid, you can cough the mucus that is already loosened.
11. Spicy Food
Having chest congestion is a good excuse to have spicy food. Spicy food has garlic, black pepper, ginger and chili,all of which are potent decongestants. The spicy food can be quite effective when you are trying to get rid of all the unwanted bacteria in your body. The food is perfect for getting the phlegm loosened. This why your nose gets runny as you have spicy food.
12. Parsley
Parsley is one of the best natural herbs when it comes to breaking the mucus associated with chest congestion. The herb could be added to different kinds of dishes. Parsley is good for releasing histamines which in turn can help you with your condition.
13. Thyme
Another excellent natural remedy for chest congestion is thyme. The herb makes your lungs strong enough to fight against the bacteria that cause the mucus. Thyme provides as a shield against such bacteria. You can have the thyme with tea and some honey for best results. You may also go for thyme oil that is diluted to take care of your chest congestion. You can get some corn oil or olive oil mixed with the thyme and get it gently rubbed on your chest for getting relief from the discomfort.
14. Boiled Vinegar
Vinegar has properties that can be effective for a lot of different ailments. It is highly beneficial when it comes to chest congestion. You can get some vinegar boiled and inhale the vapor to find relief.
15. Herbal Tea
Herbal tea is probably one of the finest remedies when it comes to taking care of that chest congestion. Consuming tea prepared with different herbs such as ginger and chamomile is highly effective in such conditions. Herbal tea comes with anti-inflammatory properties that deal quite well with bacteria responsible for congestion.
16. Turmeric along with black pepper, honey and milk
Ayurveda says that turmeric is one of the best natural antioxidants. It is also regarded as the best of all spices according to Ayurveda. The spice has the ability of curing many external and internal problems in a body. Get a cup of milk and add only half a spoon of turmeric along with black pepper and honey. Stir it well and drink it up. You can also have the turmeric with tea to get relief from the discomfort.
17. Steamy shower
If you are suffering from chest congestion, having a steamy shower of bathing in hot water can be very helpful. It will loosen the mucus which is stuck in your lungs and throats.
18. Mustard Plaster
Mustard Plaster not only is effective for chest congestion but it can also help in other diseases such as bronchitis or respiratory infections. You can prepare the mustard plaster by mixing a tablespoon of mustard with about four tablespoons of flour. Add a bit of water so that it turns into a paste. Apply the plaster with some olive oil on your chest and you are bound to get relief from the chest pain.
These are some of the natural home remedies that you can use when you need to relieve chest congestion. Most of the items and ingredients that are mentioned above are easily available and not to mention, extremely effective. However, if matters become worse, it is best to consult a doctor.