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With the onset of winters, many people suffer chest congestion. Chest congestion is a health condition that is caused by the buildup of excess mucus in the respiratory tract. However, chest congestion is not a life-threatening condition, but it badly disrupts one’s daily life. If the congestion gets bad, it may develop into acute bronchitis, which often develops three to four days after a cold or the flu. Its usual symptoms are that it starts with a dry cough and after a few days results in building up of mucus due to cough spells. In this article, we are recommending some home remedies which are DIY and over-the-counter remedies to clear up chest congestion.
Symptoms of chest congestion
When one is having excess mucus in the chest, one tends to have throat pain, wheezing cough, dizziness, faces difficulty while having any food item, chest pain and phlegm in the lungs.
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Natural remedies to clear chest congestion
Gargle: Gargling with salt water is one the most effective remedy to clear the mucus. Add half-teaspoon of salt into a glass of warm water and gargle. Gargle loosens the phlegm and soothes the cough. Gargling should be done 3-4 times in a single day.
Hot water: 2-3 cups of warm water in a day helps in dissolving the mucus in the respiratory tract.
Lemon juice and Honey: A tablespoon of lemon juice and the same amount of honey with a glass of warm water would bring some relief. Consume this 2-3 times a day.
Ginger tea: It prevents inflammation in your respiratory tract. Also, one can try out the dry ginger powder with one spoon of honey to reduce mucus accumulation.
Steam: This is considered to be the finest remedy to cure chest congestion problem. Besides, reducing chest congestion, it is also helpful in clearing a stuffy nose.
Milk and turmeric: Mix one tablespoon of turmeric, black pepper, and honey to a glass of hot milk and consume it twice a day for better results.
Garlic and mustard oil: Add few cloves of garlic to half a cup of mustard oil and heat it. Massage the chest for a few minutes with the oil.
Black coffee and tea: It helps in dissolving the mucus and do remember to limit your coffee intake to two cups per day. Also, ginger, peppermint, chamomile or rosemary tea can be very beneficial in chest congestion condition.
Onions: One may like to stay away from onions because of the strong smell, but it can help people suffering from chest congestion. Take an onion and extract the juice out of it. Add lemon juice, honey and water with the onion juice and heat it for a while. Drink this mixture (lukewarm) for 3-4 times a day.
Other than the above-mentioned natural remedies, chewing some parsley leaves, consuming soups and having warm apple juice can also bring some relief. Also, inhaling a vapour made with eucalyptus oil relieves in coughing and congestion.
Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purposes only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a professional healthcare provider if you have any specific questions about any medical matter.
