(44)Chest congestion is a very common condition that most people have at some point during their lifetime. It is characterized by a buildup of mucus in the trachea and the respiratory tract that leaves your chest feeling heavy. If not treated timely, it can cause an infection in your respiratory tract.
The most common cause of chest congestion is the common cold. Allergens, bacteria and fungi can also cause chest congestion and infection. Some other causes include asthma, bronchitis, the flu, pneumonia and tuberculosis.
Symptoms of chest congestion can make you very uncomfortable and tired due to the short supply of oxygen. Common symptoms include a tightened chest, irritation in the throat, mild chest pain, cough, shortness of breath, dizziness and difficulty breathing.
Both over-the-counter and prescribed medicines can help treat chest congestion. You can also use some simple, natural home remedies to get rid of chest congestion.
Here are the top 10 home remedies for chest congestion.
1. Salt Water
Gargling with salt water several times a day is an effective treatment for chest congestion. While the salt helps remove mucus from the respiratory tract, the hot water reduces irritation in the throat.
- Add 1 teaspoon of salt to a glass of warm water.
- Mix well until the salt is dissolved thoroughly.
- Gargle with it 2 or 3 times daily until your congestion clears.
2. Steam
Inhaling steam is another very effective way to get quick relief from chest congestion as the steam’s heat and moisture help break up and dissolve mucus.
- Fill a bowl with very hot water. Add a few drops of eucalyptus or peppermint essential oil. Place your face over the bowl and a towel over your head. Inhale the steam for as long as you can and breathe deeply.
- You can also take a hot shower and breathe in the steam vapors for 5 minutes.
Follow either of these remedies 2 or 3 times daily until the congestion goes away.
Note: These remedies may not be suitable for young children, pregnant women and people suffering from high blood pressure or heart conditions.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is another effective remedy against chest congestion. It helps thin the mucus in the chest, thus relieving congestion and helping you breathe better. Apple cider vinegar also boosts your immunity, which greatly helps prevent chest congestion in the first place.
- Add 2 teaspoons of organic raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar to a cup of warm water.
- Mix in 1 teaspoon of raw honey.
- Drink this solution 2 or 3 times a day for a week.
4. Turmeric
Turmeric has an active compound called curcumin that helps expectorate the mucus and give you quick relief from chest congestion. Also, its anti-inflammatory property helps deal with cough, pain and other symptoms of chest congestion.
- Mix a pinch of turmeric powder in a glass of warm water. Gargle with it a few times daily.
- You can also add ½ teaspoon of turmeric powder to a glass of milk and boil it. Mix in 2 teaspoons of honey and a pinch of black pepper. Drink it hot 2 or 3 times daily.
- Alternatively, thoroughly mix 2 tablespoons each of turmeric powder and apple cider vinegar. Take it 2 times daily.
Follow these treatments until the symptoms of chest congestion go away.
Note: Turmeric is not recommended for people who have gallstones, hyperacidity or stomach ulcers.
5. Ginger
Ginger can also help with chest congestion due to its anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties. The polyphenols present in ginger help inhibit the secretion of mucus. Plus, ginger fights infection to get rid of the underlying cause of chest congestion.
- Add 1 tablespoon of freshly chopped raw ginger pieces to a cup of hot water. Cover and allow it to steep for 5 minutes. Strain, then add a little honey. Drink up to 3 cups of this warm tea daily.
- Alternatively, grind together 1 teaspoon each of dry ginger, black pepper and cloves to form a powder. Divide it into 3 doses and take it 3 times a day with honey or milk.
- You can even chew small ginger pieces or ginger candies throughout the day to get rid of congestion.
Follow these remedies for a few days or until your chest congestion is treated completely.
6. Onion
Onion is a good remedy for chest congestion. It has quercetin that helps dissolve the mucus. Plus, it prevents further buildup of mucus in the chest. Its antimicrobial properties also help prevent infection.
- Extract the juice of 1 onion. Add equal amounts of lemon juice, honey and water. Heat this mixture until it is lukewarm. Drink this solution 3 or 4 times a day.
- Alternatively, chew and swallow 5 or 6 small onions or shallots along with sugar before you go to bed at night.
- You can also eat raw, baked or cooked onions to help mucus flow easily.
Follow these remedies daily until the chest congestion is gone.
I love and learn a lot with your tip. Thanks!!!!!
Love your tips, will be trying them out!
Good home remedies,it really works I love all ur tips.awesome site..
Thank you very much.ur tips are very usefull to us.
Osm tips and specially this post regarding congestion was much of requirement for me.
Great remedies
nice to have tips of daily ailments–it provide protection to unnecessary medicine ,thus saving from further complications——thanks.
Please help me out for chest congestion and infection. love your tips
thanks.
Thanks for the tips really helpful…
Thank you
thks for all d lessons, really nice tips
thanx a lot,this really works.
Thank u for given a uasefull tips
My mum used to get a large onion or two smaller ones and either chop them up, or make cuts in them. She would then either pour two tablespoons of honey or brown sugar (even white can do at a pinch), and grill it. What is left is actually a delicious dessert style caramelised onion, which you then eat and it is guaranteed to get rid of cold and flus. If your chest is really bad, do this twice a day for a day and everything starts moving out. Works every time.
Worked beautifully. Thanks
I tried this remedy last night and the results were amazing! Chest clearing after months of congestion and difficulty in breathing.
I used this and got results almost immediately! I could feel the pressure on my chest decrease and the wheezing subsided tremendously! My stuffy nasal passages even began to open up! Thanks for sharing!
Going to try this! Thanks!!
The remedies are quite helpful,thanks
Im currently feeling sick, I think I will try…boiling some water and fresh ginger, honey, and a squeeze of lemon. Sounds a little more palletable.:)
Thanks it works!
Thnx helpful tips.
The vinegar and tumeric (with honey) works wonders. I couldn’t believe in just one day my cough was under control and chest congestion aleviated. Good bye prescription drugs!
very useful remedies. thank you so much.
very useful and effective remedies. thank you so much
I would like to know WHICH remedy worked. To say the tips are helpful,doesn’t let a person know WHICH one worked!
This tips are marvellous. Last night my 11 year old was coughing and heating up so I prepared one of ur tonics for him….ginger, turmeric, lemon and bcs I didn’t have honey so I used a bit of sugar instead…..I’m telling you it worked like a charm. This morning, no coughing nor heating just congestion so I’ll keep her on the ginger for the whole day
Only one person told us wich remedy works, hello knock knock is there any body out there , the lights on but know body is home…….
Thanks it really works
Does this help for congestion in chest and throat due to allergy?
I was suffering from chest congestion and suffered a lot during day and night …..and God send I came across these home tips and there in a day I was relieved T. H. A. N. K. S.
All of them work but as we are all individuals you have to find the one that works best for you. Start with the one that sounds most palatable to you but all of them will alleviate your symptoms. No need to be rude, no one would post 5 remedies where only one works and you have to puzzle it out. A good chicken soup has also been scientifically proven to help with congestion.
Very good tips indeed. May God bless you.
Good tips indeed, mwaaaaaaaaaaa
My son started sneezing frequently n a month,then it leads to cough severely..some times he breath through mouth..give me some remedies…
Good tips but while I eat onion in night definitely my throat will get pain in the morning how it works for cold can u expline because Ihave cold often
Hot ginger/lemon tea is very good for breaking up congestion, not to mention hot/sour soup and of course vick’s rub under the nose and on the chest..
I ad a bit of sliced red onion to my bowl of hot water before I deep breath it. The harsher the onion the better it seems to help.
Drink 3 liters of water everyday and free from allergy and chest congestion. I had chest congestion for 4 years and tried all possible option. Started drinking 3 liters water everyday and now free from congestion and allergy.
Thank u so much I will try ur Home Remedies.
This!!! Thank you for sharing😍
Have yet to try any of the remedies.but will do so tonight. thank you very much for these remedies.for the past two weeks I’ve waste money on chest congestion medicines, I’m still congested..
What do I need to do to relieve chest congestion and sinus pressure and nose bleed and swollen legs and feet and swollen sinuses on my face
Flush your nose with Saline solution to start with..go to your doctor and get a culture done to make sure you dont have an infection, and if you have recurrent sinus problems, get a referral to an ENT specialist.