Natural Remedies for Chest Congestion – Updated Article With New Information

Expectorants. These are some of the best chest congestion remedies. They loosen up the phlegm in the chest and push it out of the body. This means you will be coughing more, but it is actually necessary if you want to relieve chest congestion and avoid complications. Some natural expectorants include eucalyptus, cardamom, anise, elecampane, and pleurisy root. It is recommended that you avoid cough suppressants, because by preventing you from coughing, they make you unable to get rid of the phlegm, thus actually perpetuating the illness.

Fluids and moisture. Things like eating warm chicken soup and drinking hot tea can help break up phlegm and is also soothing for your throat and chest. This is one of the most natural remedies for chest congestion, because this is something you would eat or drink when you are healthy. Humidifies may also help with the moisture and to break up that nasty phlegm.

Breathing steam. This is another one of the wonderful natural remedies for chest congestion. You can use steam from boiling water, hot shower, or a vaporizer. The hottest steam you can get at home is from boiling unpeeled potatoes and leaving them in the water after they are cooked. The steam you breathe in helps relieve chest congestion and may clear up sinuses as well.

Herbs and spices. These have always been considered great chest congestion remedies. Cayenne pepper is a useful one, because it is rich in important antioxidants and contains capsicum, which is an expectorant. Spicy food can have a similar effect. Parsley is also a good choice, because it stimulates the histamine release in the body, which happens to be the best weapon against infections that the immune system has. Thyme is also one of the best natural remedies for chest congestion. You should place two tablespoons of fresh thyme into a small cup of boiling water. The mixture should boil covered for four minutes or so. Drink it while hot.

Honey and lemon. One of the easiest chest congestion remedies is to mix fresh lemon juice with honey. The best way to prepare this mixture is to put a lemon into boiling water and keep it there for about 5 minutes. Then take out the lemon, cut it into 2 halves and drain the juice into a cup of honey.

Bee balm. This is one of the remedies to relieve chest congestion that was used by Native Americans. Bee balm contains antiseptic compounds, which can relieve chest congestion infections, and clear up your sinuses as well. What you need to do is mix a couple of teaspoons of bee balm leaves with hot water in a cup. Let it sit for about four minutes and drink immediately after. You can drink this mixture three times a day until the chest congestion clears.

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The information supplied in this article is not to be considered as medical advice and is for educational purposes only.