Home Remedies and Herbs for Chest Congestion

Chest congestion is a very common condition that most people experience at some point in their life. Chest congestion is the buildup of fluids in the lungs that causes difficulty in breathing. It also causes a heavy uncomfortableness in the thorax which is accompanied by coughing, wheezing and expectorating. ^2,3
 
Mucus is the primary fluid associated with chest congestion. Mucus is a watery, slippery substance normally found throughout the body. Its purpose is to protect membranes and help fight infection. When the body is stressed by an infection or respiratory disease, too much mucus is produced and accumulates in the lungs. ³
 
Left untreated, chest congestion from excessive mucus can lead to serious health problems including bacterial and viral infections leading to death. ^1,4
 
Chest congestion and cough are intrinsically linked. ¹
 
What Causes Chest Congestion?
 
Chest congestion causes are due to excessive fluid accumulating in the lungs. The most common chest congestion causes are from the common cold due to a virus. Allergens, fungi and bacteria can also cause chest congestion. ⁴
 
Chest congestion causes are also the result of pre-existing diseases:

• Bronchitis is a bacterial or viral inflammation resulting from infection in the lungs’ bronchial tubes. This can be acute or sudden bronchitis brought on by a cold or chronic bronchitis due to long-term lung irritation from smoking or exposure to air pollutants.
• Pneumonia is a lung disease due to bacterial, viral, fungal or parasitic infections. Chest congestion is an early symptom of pneumonia.
• Tuberculosis is an infection in the lungs caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis that results in mucus buildup and difficulty in breathing from chest congestion.
• Emphysema is a disease where alveoli or tiny air sacs in the lungs lose elasticity and become inflamed. Fluid buildup from emphysema is a common cause of chest congestion.
• Congestive Heart Failure occurs when the heart is not able to effectively pump blood through the body. Chest congestion occurs due to fluids accumulating in the lungs.
• Cystic Fibrosis is an inherited disease that makes lung mucus abnormally thick and sticky. This mucus is difficult to expectorate and causes chest congestion.

Chest Congestion Symptoms
 
Chest congestion symptoms are excessive and prolonged coughing, chest pain, heaviness in the chest and difficulty in breathing. Expectorated mucus can be green, yellow or bloody due to an infection. Sore throat, fever and fatigue are also chest congestion symptoms. ^1,2,3
 
Natural Remedies and Herbs for Chest Congestion
 
Chest congestion natural remedies work to fight infection, decrease mucus, open airways and reduce the uncomfortable symptoms caused by chest congestion. Some of the best chest congestion natural remedies include:

• Onion Juice - Onions contain quercetin and sulfur that help dissolve mucus and reduce chest congestion. Onions also contain antimicrobial properties that fight and prevent infection.
• Ginger - Ginger is an excellent natural remedy to relieve chest congestion and cough. Ginger has natural anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting benefits and contains polyphenols that inhibit mucus secretion.
• Labrador Tea - Labrador tea is a natural treatment for colds and chest congestion. Labrador tea thins mucus and relieves cough and other chest congestion symptoms.
• Benzoin Oil - Benzoin oil works as a natural expectorant to relieve chest congestion through coughing out liquefied mucus.
• Honey - Natural pure and organic honey is well-known as a home remedy for treating chest congestion and cough. Honey has antiviral and antibacterial qualities that help reduce mucus thickness and fight infection.
• Turmeric - Turmeric contains the active compound curcumin that helps expectorate mucus. Turmeric also has anti-inflammatory ingredients that relieve other chest congestion symptoms like breathing difficulty and chest pain.

References

1. http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/condition/bronchitis
2. https://draxe.com/bronchitis-natural-remedies/
3. http://www.livestrong.com/article/252587-what-are-the-causes-of-chest-congestion/
4. http://www.top10homeremedies.com/home-remedies/home-remedies-chest-congestion.html