Chest Congestion

Normally due to bronchitis or pneumonia, but can be caused from smoking, chronic bronchitis, or emphysema, chest congestion can be cured with a variety of natural remedies. 

Anytime you have congestion, you should increase fluid intake, and limit dairy products (since they are known to cause the body to produce mucous) get plenty of rest, and take over the counter anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen, do not smoke, or let anyone smoke around you.

Home Remedies for Chest Congestion:

Garlic:

Garlic is the most often recognized natural cure for congestion. Garlic tea may be drunk to ease congestion, or garlic cloves can be peeled and minced, put into a pint-sized jar, then add enough shortening to cover the garlic. 

Place the open jar in a pan of boiling water for three hours, add 1/8 teaspoon of eucalyptus oil, then allow it to cool. Rub this ointment onto the chest and back, and wrap with a warm, moist towel.

Vitamin and Minerals:

Taking Vitamin B6 and one magnesium capsule together every day helps to prevent attacks of asthma, bronchitis, or pneumonia. 

About one week after you begin taking these supplements, you will begin to cough up mucous. That is to be expected, and shows the vitamin B6 and magnesium are working.

Herbal Teas:

Brew chamomile tea, add two tablespoons of honey, add enough milk to barely change the color (really just a few drops) and drink a cup every night. 

Not only will it prevent mucous from building up, and work as a powerful expectorant to relieve chest congestion, it is a wonderful, relaxing sleep aid.

Make a tea of chickweed and licorice, sweeten with honey to taste, add a little lemon juice, and it will work as an expectorant to remove any mucous causing your chest congestion, and when taken daily, prevents chest congestion from building up.

An infusion of comfrey, hyssop, fenugreek, slippery elm, and thyme works as a powerful expectorant in chest congestion, digestive tract, respiratory tract, and sinuses.

Allergies:

Often conditions that cause chest congestion are due to allergies. To help keep allergies to a minimum, eliminate carpet as much as possible, clean with a vacuum cleaner that has a hepa filter, clean mold and mildew areas, such as bathrooms, and heating and cooling vents with a mixture of water (half a bucket), bleach (one cup), and plain vinegar (one cup). 

Damp mopping with this mixture will also decrease dust.

Humidifier:

Use a humidifier (cleaned thoroughly to remove any mold) with a couple of drops of eucalyptus oil, to help ease breathing.