Even though medical institutions have issued repeated warnings, many people do not take chest congestion seriously. It affects the mucus lining of your respiratory system. This inflammation causes an excessive amount of mucus to be produced. When the mucus is expelled as phlegm, it is usually a good indication since it means the body is safeguarding itself by eliminating hazardous irritants and bacteria mixed with mucus. However, chest congestion occurs when high mucus output does not return to normal levels. We have discussed the signs, causes, and symptoms of chest congestion, as well as some home remedies for it, in this article. Take a look!
What Causes Chest Congestion?
Some common irritants and health problems that lead to excessive mucus production and chest congestion are:
Cigarette smoke Diseases like flu, bronchitis, tuberculosis, and pneumonia Gastroesophageal acid reflux (GERD) Allergies Asthma
Congestive heart failure is a rather uncommon but serious condition that is characterized by lung congestion due to the accumulation of fluids. More often than not, simple upper respiratory tract infections are the cause of chest congestion. Here are the symptoms associated with it.
Signs And Symptoms Of Chest Congestion
If you are suffering from chest congestion, you will probably experience
Chest pain while coughing Wheezing or rasping Coughing fits Headache Shortness of breath Phlegm Postnasal drip Tiredness due to lack of sleep Coughing up blood (in extreme cases) (1)
Though these symptoms seem minor, it is not wise to allow them to linger for too long. Chest congestion that lasts for more than 14 days can indicate some serious underlying illnesses. It is best to treat it with home remedies, starting from day three or four itself. However, consult a doctor without delay if the congestion continues even after 14 days. Here are some home remedies to get you started on the easy road to recovery. Easy because they are easy-to-make and affordable.
How To Get Rid Of Chest Congestion
Home Remedies For Chest Congestion
1. Apple Cider Vinegar For Chest Congestion
You Will Need
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar A cup of warm water
What You Have To Do
Dilute the vinegar in water and gargle with this.
How Often You Should Do This
Repeat this twice a day for best results.
Why This Works
The vinegar attracts the excess phlegm, and you will soon find yourself expelling it after the gargle (2).
2. Essential Oil For Chest Congestion
You Will Need
2-3 drops eucalyptus oil OR tea tree oil OR peppermint oil 1 tablespoon coconut oil OR castor oil
What You Have To Do
How Often You Should Do This
Repeat this once every day, preferably before going to bed.
Why This Works
No matter which essential oil you decide to use, all of them possess a certain set of similar properties that can help relieve chest congestion. These properties include mucus reduction, anti-inflammatory for the inflamed respiratory passages, and antimicrobial against the infection causing the congestion (3, 4, 5).
3. Fenugreek Tea For Chest Congestion
You Will Need
1 teaspoon fenugreek seeds A cup of water 1 teaspoon honey
What You Have To Do
How Often You Should Do This
Drink a cup or two of this every day until the congestion goes away.
Why This Works
The anti-inflammatory properties of fenugreek help to reduce the inflammation in the respiratory tract. The antimicrobial compounds present in it deal with the infection-causing organisms and eliminate them (6).
4. Honey For Chest Congestion
You Will Need
1 tablespoon honey 1 tablespoon lemon juice A glass of hot water
What You Have To Do
Add the honey and lemon juice to the hot water and drink this mixture.
How Often You Should Do This
Have one glass in the morning and one glass in the evening to relieve chest congestion quickly.
Why This Works
Honey is antimicrobial in nature and can help you get rid of the respiratory tract infection. It also soothes the irritated throat and reduces coughing (7).
5. Heating Pad For Chest Congestion
You Will Need
A heating pad or hot water bottle
What You Have To Do
Place this on the chest for 10-15 minutes.
How Often You Should Do This
Repeat if required.
Why This Works
The warmth from the heating pad can help break down the accumulated mucus so that it can easily be eliminated.
6. Ginger For Chest Congestion
You Will Need
1-inch piece of ginger A cup of boiling water 1 teaspoon honey
What You Have To Do
How Often You Should Do This
Have 2-3 cups of ginger tea in a day.
Why This Works
The hotness of the tea can alleviate the symptoms of chest congestion by clearing up your airways. Ginger acts as an expectorant and antimicrobial agent. It reduces the phlegm to a great extent, and in cases where this congestion is due to a respiratory infection, the active phytochemicals found in ginger kill the harmful microorganisms (8).
7. Mustard Poultice For Chest Congestion
You Will Need
1/4 cup mustard powder 1 cup flour 2 pieces of cloth (big enough to cover the chest) Hot water Coconut oil OR olive oil
What You Have To Do
How Often You Should Do This
Repeat this after a day or two if required.
Why This Works
Mustard stimulates circulation and increases perspiration, causing the airways to clear up and relieving chest congestion (9).
Caution
If you feel any discomfort, irritation, or burning sensation, remove the poultice immediately.
8. Onion Remedy For Chest Congestion
You Will Need
1 small onion 1 teaspoon lemon juice 1 teaspoon water 1/2 teaspoon honey
What You Have To Do
How Often You Should Do This
Have this mixture thrice daily.
Why This Works
Never imagined you’d read about onions here, did you? Well, onion immediately soothes your aching throat and relieves chest congestion (10). [ Read: Health Benefits Of Onions ]
9. Epsom Salt Bath For Chest Congestion
You Will Need
1-2 cups Epsom salt Warm water A bathtub
What You Have To Do
How Often You Should Do This
If you do not get relief after soaking in this after the first time, do it once again after a day.
Why This Works
Epsom salt draws out all the toxins from the body and relaxes your muscles and joints (11). The warmth of the bath water will decongest the mucus.
10. Pineapple Juice For Chest Congestion
You Will Need
1 glass fresh pineapple juice
What You Have To Do
Drink this with your meals or in between meals.
How Often You Should Do This
Have a glass or two of pineapple juice every day.
Why This Works
Pineapple is known to clear up the airways with its anti-inflammatory, detoxifying, and cleansing properties (12).
Caution
Do not drink canned pineapple juice as it is stripped of the wonderful vitamin C content that this fruit originally contains.
11. Steam Inhalation For Chest Congestion
You Will Need
A bowl of hot water A few drops of eucalyptus oil (optional) A towel
What You Have To Do
How Often You Should Do This
Do this preferably before going to bed. Repeat 1-2 times during the day.
Why This Works
Deep inhalation of steam is an easy and more convenient alternative to a hot, steamy bath. You will experience immediate relief from congestion, headache, and postnasal drip (13). This is a good way to end a day full of chest congestion.
Caution
When you sleep after steam treatment, cover your head and forehead as it will prevent cold air from coming in contact with the face and creating discomfort. [ Here Is A Video For “>Chest Congestion Relief ]
12. Turmeric For Chest Congestion
You Will Need
½ teaspoon turmeric powder ½ teaspoon black pepper powder 1 tablespoon honey
What You Have To Do
Make a thick paste by mixing the above ingredients and lick it to ease the discomfort of chest congestion.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this whenever you experience discomfort.
Why This Works
Turmeric has strong antibacterial properties and is an excellent healing agent (14). Black pepper acts as an expectorant and a decongestant (15). This mixture is very convenient to carry around in a small bottle or jar and can be of great help during the day.
13. Thyme Herb For Chest Congestion
You Will Need
2 teaspoons dried thyme A cup of hot water
What You Have To Do
How Often You Should Do This
Drink 2-3 cups of thyme tea in a day.
Why This Works
Thyme is an expectorant and antimicrobial agent that is commonly used to treat cold symptoms like chest congestion (16). How long does chest congestion last? Chest congestion rarely goes away by itself. Using remedies, hot soups, and herbal teas speeds up the process. If the congestion lasts longer than 14 days, consult a doctor immediately. Foods to avoid chest congestion? • Dairy products • Foods high in sugar and salt • Junk and fried food • Fatty and processed meat • Preserved foods • White pasta and other refined grains Can sinus infections cause chest congestion? Sinus infections caused due to bacteria or viruses often have chest congestion as an associated symptom. Despite using the chest congestion remedies listed above, if there is no improvement in your condition after two weeks, consult a doctor if your chest congestion is accompanied by any or most of the following symptoms: • Sudden appearance of reddish or yellow sputum • Fever and chills • Gasping for breath • A feeling of tightness in the chest How do you sleep with chest congestion? If you have chest congestion, try to sleep on your side and keep your pillows at a slightly higher angle to elevate yourself and prevent congestion from disrupting your sleep. Why is chest congestion worse at night? Chest congestion often worsens at night while lying on the bed as the mucus pools in the back of the throat and causes coughing. Is it better to lie down or sit up with chest congestion? It is best to sit up if you have chest congestion as it prevents the mucus from building up in your throat. Is chest congestion contagious? No, chest congestion is not contagious. However, if you are coughing and sneezing along with congestion, you can pass it on to others. Chest congestion accounts for the loss of millions of man-hours each year. Sadly, most people continually choose to consider it as just a seasonal annoyance without giving a single thought to its possible consequences. The simple remedies in this article work for most people by providing quick relief. But, it is best to adopt the home remedies that work for you as lifelong practices to prevent chest congestion even before it occurs. Do you know of any of any other remedies on how to get rid of chest congestion? If yes, do share with us by leaving a comment below.
