Feeling difficulty while breathing? Are you getting a tightening feeling in the chest? If yes, you may be suffering from chest congestion. But don’t worry we are here to tell you some simple home remedies to get rid of chest congestion quickly.
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What Is Chest Congestion?
Chest congestion is a type of infection in the respiratory system. Chest congestion is the inflammation caused in the lower tract of our respiratory system.
It is basically the accumulation of excess fluid and mucus in the lung which causes difficulty in breathing.
When we inhale air, we inhale a lot of particles like dust particles, virus, bacteria etc. These particles get stuck in mucus and cover its membrane. They further travel to the throat from where they are swallowed or coughed out. If they get accumulated in lungs, they result in chest congestion.
Home Remedies For Chest Congestion
It is very painful to go through chest congestion. It is very difficult to live with it and so here are some simple home remedies that will help you to get relief from chest congestion quickly!
1. Salt Water
It is one of the most effective home remedies when it comes to chest congestion and throat related problems. Salt should be added to warm water. Use this water to gargle 2-3 times in a day to get relief from chest congestion.
2. Onion And Honey
Onion, in combination with honey, is very useful in treating chest congestion. It has anti-inflammatory properties that prove to be very useful. It helps in the easy flow of mucus.
How To Use
Place a slice of onion in honey and let it be like that for one night. In the morning, remove the onion and have this honey 4 times a day.
3. Lemon
Lemon is very useful in getting rid of mucus causing bacteria. These form the excess mucus, which is very harmful.
How To Use
Grate the rind of lemon and mix it in hot water. Let it soak in it for 5-10 minutes. Strain it and drink it. You may also use it for gargling.
4. Bay Leaf
It is a very useful herb. It has many medicinal properties that make it useful in treating many diseases including chest congestion. For chest congestion, it can be used as a hot compress or as tea.
How To Use
For consuming it as tea, boil some fresh bay leaves in water. Let them soak in water for some time and then drink it warm.
For using it as a hot compress, boil fresh leaves in water. Strain it and dip a clean cloth in it. Place this cloth on a chest and see the relief you get!
5. Ginger
Ginger has a strong aroma and taste. It gives a soothing feeling in the throat.
It is considered as a common remedy for curing chest congestion.
How To Use
Add a small piece of ginger and some black pepper to hot water and let it strain. Now, add one tbsp. of honey to this mixture and drink this mixture twice or thrice a day to get relief from chest congestion.
6. Thyme
A natural anti-bacterial herb, Thyme builds strong immunity against bacteria. It prevents the growth of mucus causing bacteria that is it acts as a protecting shield against bacteria. Thyme oil can be sued to get relief from chest congestion but in diluted form only.
How To Use
Add one-fourth spoon of thyme to hot water and it soak for five minutes. Now, add honey to it so that it becomes sweet in taste. Drink this tea to get rid of chest congestion.
7. Vinegar
Vinegar contains acetic acid, water and some other chemicals. It has very medicinal properties that make it useful for getting relief from chest congestion.
How To Use
Boil vinegar and inhale the vapours to get relief from cough and chest congestion.
8. Hot tea with Honey And Lemon
One of the most simple and quick home remedies for chest congestion is that lemon tea with honey. This tea contains lemon and honey that gives relief from a cough, cold and chest congestion problems.
How To Use
Prepare tea and add lemon juice to it. Also, add one tsp of honey to it. Drink this tea hot and see how calm you feel in the throat!
9. Black Coffee
For treating short breaths and cough, black coffee is considered very useful. The caffeine content makes sit very useful for treating these problems.
How To Use
Drink 2-3 cups of black coffee if you suffer from the above-mentioned problems.
10. Apple Cider Vinegar
Vinegar is considered very effective in killing bacteria that produce excess mucus and are responsible for chest congestion. Apple cider vinegar is very useful in treating chest congestion.
How To Use
Though it doesn’t have a very great taste, but consuming a small glass of this vinegar will give you relief from throat irritations.
11. Steam
This is the simplest way to get rid of excess mucus. This method helps in loosening of mucus so that it can pass through the nostrils easily out of the body.
How To Use
Use a vaporiser and inhale the steam. You can add drops of some essential oils like eucalyptus to get more relief and that too quickly!
12. Herbal Tea
Prepared from various kinds of herbs which have high medicinal value, herbal tea is very useful in treating chest congestion and related problems. Herbs like ginger, chamomile, etc. are used in making herbal tea. It has anti-inflammatory properties that help in getting rid of bacteria that are responsible for chest congestion.
13. Turmeric Milk
As we all are aware of the medicinal properties turmeric has. It is very famous for its ability to treat cold and cough related problems quickly! It has anti-inflammatory properties and is a powerful anti-oxidant.
How To Use
Add half tsp of turmeric to hot milk. Add honey and little black pepper to it and stir it well. Drink this mixture and see the wonders it does to you!
14. Hot Pack
Roast some clove, carom seeds and fenugreek for 2-3 minutes and put it in a thin, clean cloth. Place this hot pack on your chest and throat to get relief from throat irritation and chest congestion.
15. Mustard
Mustard, when used as a plaster, proves to be very beneficial against many respiratory disorders. It is very useful in treating chest congestion as well. But, be careful that this plaster should not cause any burning sensation. If such a thing happens, be sure that you immediately remove the plaster.
How To Use
Mix dry mustard and flour in 1:4 ratio. Add some water so that it becomes a runny paste. Apple some olive oil on the chest. Spread the past in a clean washcloth and place it on the chest. Place it over there till it cools down.
16. Radish
Radish, a natural hydrating vegetable, is also very useful in getting relief from congestion, cough and cold. It can be used as an expectorant.
How To Use
Chop radish and put some lemon juice over it. Now, consume this radish every morning to see best results!
17. Onion
We are very well aware of the benefits onion has. The sulphur present in onions make it easy to breakdown mucus and get relief from a congested chest. It is very useful in treating inflammation. It also heals infections very quickly.
How To Use
Grind an onion into a paste and extract its juice. Now, add two tsp of water, four tsp of lemon juice and two tsp of honey to it. Mix it well and boil it till the mixture is lukewarm.
Drink this mixture thrice a day.
18. Fennel
Fennel, a popular medicinal herb is useful in treating many ailments like cancer, stomach ache etc. It is very useful in removing the mucus from the lungs, which is the main cause of congested chest.
How To Use
Fennel can be fried in a little oil quickly. Add some curry powder to it and consume it to get relief from congested chest and mucus.
19. Oregano Oil
This oil is very useful in treating most of the chest congestion symptoms. This oil is also available in the form of capsules.
How To Use
Apply some amount of oil on the chest and throat. This gives immense relief.
Quick Actions To Be Taken When You Suffer Through Chest Congestion
Chest congestion is very unpleasant to deal with. It can be as well dangerous if not cleared quickly. Here are some few quick and easy steps that can be taken in case you are feeling uneasy due to chest congestion:
1. Gargle
Gargling with saline water gives quick relief from a sore throat. It is very easy and quick method to get rid of mucus. Gargling 3-4 times a day can help you get rid of throat irritations easily.
2. Steam
Inhaling steam or having a hot steam bath helps in softening the mucus in the lungs and throat. Hot steam helps to soften the mucus so that they pass out through the airways easily.
3. Elevated Head
While sleeping, the stuffy nose can prove to be very irritating and frustrating. Elevating your head by placing several pillows below your head can help drainage of mucus, helping you breathe easily.
4. Yoga
It can be very painful to think about exercise or yoga while you are sick, but learn some yoga positions that will help you clear your airways and throw the mucus out of the body.
5. Keep Yourself Well Hydrated
Water helps you to throw out dirt particles out of the body. Drink plenty of water throughout the day which will help you to get rid of unnecessary mucus.
6. Seek Medical Help
If your body shows no signs of improvement, then it is time to go to a doctor. See a doctor and tell him/her about all the symptoms you have. They will provide you with proper medication.
We have very little idea about how useful the things that are available in our kitchen can be to get rid of various ailments quickly! But now that we know about them, let’s try them out!
Causes Of Chest Congestion
Chest congestion has a lot of causes of which few common causes are listed below:
The main cause is bacteria and virus that get stuck in mucus membranes.
- Common cold
- Respiratory infections
- Heart-related problems
- Airborne allergies
- Post-nasal drip
- Asthma
- Bronchitis
- Pulmonary edema
- Inhalation of poisonous gases
- Sinusitis
- Croup
- Tuberculosis
- Pneumonia
Symptoms Of Chest Congestion
Chest congestion is itself a symptom of various diseases. But, it is also an infection and has some particular symptoms which are very easy to detect and are listed below:
- Breathing difficulties
- Dizziness
- Chest pain
- Wheezing
- Fever
- Body ache
- Tightened chest
- Thick tongue
- Blood in a cough
- Pale lips
- Throat pain
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