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What are the Different Types of Chest Congestion Remedies?

Helen Krasner
Helen Krasner

Chest congestion is a common complaint, particularly in the wintertime. It commonly manifests after a person has had a cold or the flu. If the congestion is serious or persistent, or if the person is elderly, a doctor may prescribe antibiotics to cure it. More often than not, however, it is a minor medical problem for which many people do not even seek medical assistance. The congestion can be uncomfortable and can often be relieved by one of a wide variety of chest congestion remedies which typically are easy to obtain.

Generally, chest congestion remedies can be divided into three types: remedies that can be obtained over-the-counter from a pharmacy, those which are recommended by homeopaths or herbal practitioners, and types of home congestion relief. All of the remedies provide relief from chest congestion for some people, although some work better than others. Sufferers might try a variety of remedies until one is found that provides relief.

Hot beverages can help break up chest congestion.
Hot beverages can help break up chest congestion.

If a sufferer goes to a pharmacist, he or she may simply be told to rest, drink plenty of water, and allow the chest congestion to go away in its own time. There are a number of over-the-counter chest congestion remedies, however, and some of them may be helpful. Most of them are liquid cough mixtures of various types, although they sometimes come in the form of lozenges or pastilles. Each works by making it easier for the sufferer to cough and bring up phlegm, which can relieve the chest congestion.

Rubbing apple cider vinegar on the chest can help relieve congestion.
Rubbing apple cider vinegar on the chest can help relieve congestion.

Herbs with expectorant properties might help clear chest congestion. These are best taken with hot water as a tea; the heat of the hot tea will have soothing properties, as well. Remedies which are said to be effective include caraway seed tea, anise tea, cardomom steam decongestant, cayenne pepper tea, and spearmint tea. There also is a wide variety of homeopathic remedies for chest congestion. Some of them are drosera, kali bich, pulsatilla, ant tart, and kali carb.

Inhaling steam vapors will help loosen congestion.
Inhaling steam vapors will help loosen congestion.

Well-known home remedies for chest congestion include taking a hot shower, drinking hot beverages, or inhaling steam. Heat in any form seems to be a good chest congestion remedy. Other effective chest congestion remedies are chest massage, drinking green tea, rubbing apple cider vinegar on the chest, or placing a heating pad on the area. Some people also claim that reducing dairy products in the diet and eating a large amount of raw fruit and vegetables can be helpful, as well.

Discussion Comments

Mae82

@Sara007 - Some of the best remedies for chest congestion and cough in infants are the simplest ones. The first thing you need to do is buy a quality humidifier to keep your baby's room nice and moist. Having enough humidity in the air will make your baby feel a lot more comfortable.

Another thing you can do is add a bit of eucalyptus oil to your humidifier so that the scent gets into the air. It is a natural solution for chest congestion.

Finally look into baby saline solutions that can help to break up mucus. A bit of physical therapy can also help your baby sleep better. There are lots of videos available showing you how to hold a baby to help with chest congestion.

Sara007

My daughter is always getting sick and I was wondering if anyone knew any good baby chest congestion remedies?

I have tried some over-the-counter infant chest congestion remedies and I am getting the impression that my daughter really doesn't like those. I honestly prefer natural remedies myself because you never really know what drug companies are putting into the medicine they sell all of us. I have watched a few news programs that have really made me worry about the safety of medication and how it is produced. I suppose one of the sacrifices we make for convenience these days is the quality of the goods we are forced to use.

popcorn

The best chest congestion home remedy I have ever found is actually very simple. Though it does take a bit of preparation work and you have to be careful not to burn yourself.

What you can do if you want one of the best natural remedies for chest congestion is to cook sliced onions in a frying pan until they have started to caramelize. Once this is done move the onions onto some plastic wrap and carefully wrap them. Put this package in the center of a towel and wrap it again. Once you have your towel package rest back and lay it on your chest. The combination of the heat and onions will do wonders for your chest.

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    • Hot beverages can help break up chest congestion.
      By: food pictures studio
      Hot beverages can help break up chest congestion.
    • Rubbing apple cider vinegar on the chest can help relieve congestion.
      By: Comugnero Silvana
      Rubbing apple cider vinegar on the chest can help relieve congestion.
    • Inhaling steam vapors will help loosen congestion.
      By: Gina Sanders
      Inhaling steam vapors will help loosen congestion.
    • A well-known chest congestion remedy is taking a hot shower.
      By: carol_anne
      A well-known chest congestion remedy is taking a hot shower.
    • Chest congestion typically occurs after a person has had a cold or the flu.
      By: Aleksandar Todorovic
      Chest congestion typically occurs after a person has had a cold or the flu.
    • Expectorants can help relieve chest congestion.
      By: rudisetiawan
      Expectorants can help relieve chest congestion.
    • Drinking green tea can be effective for chest congestion.
      By: tankist276
      Drinking green tea can be effective for chest congestion.