Chest congestion is a symptom of the common cold, respiratory infections and more serious illnesses, such as pneumonia and tuberculosis. Natural remedies for treating chest congestion may include ways to loosen mucus, reduce coughing and make breathing easier. People considering natural remedies for chest congestion should first consult their doctors to make sure their condition is not serious or life-threatening.
Lemon
According to the Mayo Clinic, lemon can reduce the production of mucus and, when added to warm water with honey, can soothe the throat and ease pain from coughing.
Chicken Soup
Chicken soup is a traditional natural remedy for relieving congestion in the chest and nose due to the common cold. It works by reducing inflammation and loosening mucus.
Fluids
Keeping hydrated with water and non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated beverages can loosen and thin mucus so you can cough it up from the chest and blow it out of the nose.
Steam
Using a humidifier or breathing steam from a warm shower or bowl of hot water can loosen mucus in the lungs and nasal passages, reducing congestion.
Bitter Orange
The bitter orange tree is grown in Florida, California and Asia. All the parts of the fruit as well as the leaves of the tree and can be taken as a pill or used in oil form and rubbed into the skin to relieve congestion.
Cayenne pepper
A gargle made of a teaspoon of dried cayenne pepper powder added to an 8 ounce glass of water may reduce congestion by increasing blood flow to the chest and throat.
Warning
Bitter orange can raise blood pressure to dangerous levels, which can cause a sudden heart attack or stroke, and should not be used by pregnant women or people with heart conditions.
Tags: chest congestion, common cold, loosen mucus