At home, you can drink fluids, hydrate, and use over-the-counter medications to relieve chest congestion. Sometimes a prescription is needed to get a stronger medicine.
Do you have mucus coming out of your chest? Give it a try
If you have a constant cough, you may have a build-up of mucus in your chest.
Although this is not a life-threatening condition, it can affect your quality of life. If left untreated, it can cause further complications.
Before you go to the doctor, there are a few things you can do at home to help relieve your symptoms.
Read on to learn more about the various treatment options.
Home remedies to get rid of chest mucus
For many people, home remedies are an effective first line of treatment. Try these options:
Drink fluids
Drink plenty of fluids. It may sound old-fashioned, but you probably hear this advice often because it works.
Fluids help thin mucus. Warm liquids help to remove mucus from the chest and nose. This will relieve the congestion and provide some relief from the symptoms.
You can drink:
water
chicken soup
hot apple juice
decaffeinated black or green tea
Use a moisturizer
Steam also loosens mucus and helps clear congestion. Depending on your needs, you can make a steam room or a humidifier at home.
You can also pick up a moisturizer at your local drugstore. A cool mist humidifier is also an option. Often preferred in warm climates where steam may not be suitable.
You will benefit from using the humidifier at night and keeping it near your bed. It can help reduce congestion while you sleep, allowing you to sleep more easily through the night.
Be sure to close your bedroom doors and windows to keep the steam out.
If you don’t have a machine, there are several ways to make your own dehumidifier.
Let the shower become a sauna
Run the water until the bathroom starts to steam. Take a shower and close the curtains or door to increase steam.
Make sure the shower head is pointed away from you so the water doesn’t burn your skin.
Use a cup and towel
Place a large bowl in the sink and fill it with hot water for optimal steam. After it is full, it is bent over the cup.
Place a towel over your head to help trap steam around your face.
There are no set guidelines for how long to steam, so use your best judgment.
If at any time the heat becomes too much or you feel uncomfortable, remove yourself from the steam. Drinking a glass of cold water will help cool you down and rehydrate you.
How to clean chest mucus naturally
Natural remedies are often useful for mild or infrequent constipation.
Try these natural options:
Take honey
A 2007 study found evidence that buckwheat honey was more effective than traditional cough suppressants.
Scientists registered 105 children aged 2-18 years to participate. They received buckwheat honey, a honey-flavored cough suppressant known as dextromethorphan, or nothing at all.
The results show that parents have found buckwheat honey to help relieve their children’s symptoms.
You can purchase buckwheat honey at most health food stores and specialty grocery stores. Take one teaspoon every few hours as you would with cough medicine. However, honey should not be given to children under 1 year of age due to the risk of botulism.
Use essential oils
Certain essential oils can help loosen mucus in the chest.
Peppermint oil and eucalyptus oil are also used as natural decomposing agents.
You can use essential oils in one of two ways.
Spread it
If you want to diffuse the oil into the air, you can get a diffuser at your local pharmacy. You can also add a few drops of oil to a hot bath or cup of hot water so that the scent is released into the air.
For a more targeted approach, add hot water and a few drops of essential oil to a cup. Bend over the bowl and wrap a towel around your head to help hold the steam. Inhale the steam for 5-10 minutes.
Apply it externally
You should do a skin patch test first. To do this, mix your essential oil with a carrier oil like jojoba or coconut oil.
A carrier oil dilutes the essential oil and reduces the risk of irritation. A good rule of thumb is 12 drops of carrier oil for every 1 or 2 drops of essential oil. Then apply the diluted oil to the inside of your forearm.
If there is no irritation within 24 hours, it is safe to apply elsewhere.
Once it is clear that the oil is safe for your skin, you can apply the diluted oil directly to your chest. Repeat as needed throughout the day.
Do not apply essential oils on inflamed, irritated or damaged skin. You should also keep all essential oils away from your eyes.
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