Few things are as irritating as chest congestion. It is characterised by struggling to breathe, wheezing, fever, coughing, and even breathlessness.
Closely related to this is asthma, a condition in which your airways narrow and swell and may produce extra mucus. The two conditions can have you bedridden for days.
Chest congestion should never be taken lightly because it means your body is not receiving the proper amounts of oxygen.
The thing is, none of us wants to keep going to the hospital, and especially when we can treat ourselves through natural remedies. Going to the hospital is expensive, time-consuming and mentally draining.
That’s why you might want to try out these natural remedies for chest congestion and asthma. Check them below!
1. Warm fluids
During the cold season, we experience more problems to do with chest congestion. The cold season also tends to be dehydrating because sweat evaporates more rapidly in the cold dry air. If you are dehydrated, the body will produce histamine.
Asthmatics have excessive levels of histamine in their lung tissue which can cause bronchoconstriction and increased mucus buildup in the lungs. That’s where warm fluids come in. Staying hydrated thins mucus, making it easier to expel by coughing.
2. Steaming
If you are trying to ease the symptoms of a congested chest, then steaming is a very viable option. You can do it with just hot water, but adding eucalyptus oil will give you added benefits. Eucalyptus oil contains analgesic properties and antibacterial properties that ease up chest congestion.
Warm steam helps to ease feelings of irritation and swollen blood vessels in the nasal passages. The moisture may also help thin the mucus in your sinuses, which allows them to empty more easily. This can allow your breathing to return to normal.
3. Ginger
Ginger also has the ability to relieve the symptoms of chest congestion. Not only does it act as a natural decongestant, but it also has a soothing effect on your chest. It clears your chest of mucus and causes almost instant relief.
Eat a small piece of raw ginger or add it to hot water and drink it as a tea to relieve chest congestion. You can also make a dawa concoction to drink. What you need to do is boil some water with ground garlic, ginger, lemon, turmeric root and honey to taste. These ingredients contain anti-bacterial and anti-microbial properties that reduce the severity of symptoms, as well as help clear your chest.
4. Honey
Honey is a must-have in many households, and for a good reason. On top of all its health benefits, it can also ease chest congestion. Being a natural decongestant, honey soothes the throat and chest. It has antiviral and antibacterial properties.
A 2007 study tested the effects of buckwheat honey on upper respiratory tract infections in children. Parents consistently reported that honey provided the best relief from symptoms, compared with standard medication or no treatment.
5. Gargling with salt water
Gargling is one of the most effective traditional remedies for both throat and chest congestion. It can remove phlegm and mucus thereby easing the symptoms.
Add half a teaspoon of salt to a cup of warm water. Stir until the salt dissolves. Gargle with the mixture and allow it to sit in the back of the throat momentarily then spit it out. Repeat twice a day.
6. Turmeric
This spice is a staple in many of our homes. It contains a rich colour, flavour and aroma. Other than this, it can also ease the symptoms of chest congestion. Chest congestion is caused by excess mucus in the respiratory tract.
Turmeric is loaded with an active compound referred to as curcumin that helps in dissolving mucus. It also relieves chest congestion and its healing properties kill bacteria and treats cough and cold.
7. Onion extract
People may have mixed feelings about onions but one thing is for sure inions are necessary to cook most of our meals. Other than this, onion extract can ease chest congestion. Onion has quercetin which eradicates mucus and also prevents further build-up of mucus.
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 3-4 times a day.
