Chest Cold: Top 13 Natural Remedies [Exciting New Findings]

A chest cold is one of the worst ways to spend winter. How can you enjoy all that snow and the holiday season if you’re suffering from a debilitating cough? And unfortunately, chest congestion is a malady most people will experience numerous times in their life.

The usual causes of chest congestion?

• The Common Cold
• Fungi
• Bacteria
• Allergies
• Pneumonia
• Asthma
• Broncitis
• The Flu
• Tuberculosis

Chest colds are rarely confined to a specific seasons which means that if not properly addressed, the condition might well follow you as the old year ends and the new one begins.

What Exactly is a Chest Cold?

First things first – what is a chest cold and why does it happen?

Chest cold is actually a symptom of an infection of the respiratory tract. It also goes by the name acute bronchitis but don’t let the ‘acute’ part fool you.

The truth is that the condition is easily cured if you address it early enough with natural home remedies.

The condition is characterized by extra mucus lining the airways due to a viral infection. The sudden increase in mucus production is usually the body’s way of fighting off the invasion. Not only do you find it harder to breathe, but you cough more as the body tries to ‘expel’ the irritant.

You’ll find that the coughing is not only exhausting; it’s incredibly distracting, especially if you work in an office.

All-Natural Remedies To Get Rid of A Chest Cold

Following are some tips and techniques on how to get rid of a chest cold fast with natural and/or herbal remedies.

Lemon Juice

Not exactly an herbal medicine, lemon juice does the trick in helping get rid of the mucus and eventually addressing the infection itself. By consuming 2 or 3 glasses of this each day, you’ll be able to ‘melt’ the mucus and make it easier for the body to either swallows the problem or cough it out.

The beauty here is that lemon juice also helps boost the immune system thanks to its vitamin C overload. Thus, you’ll be able to fight off the infection faster. Make sure you drink warm lemon juice to relax the muscles and provide relief after coughing for hours on end.

Turmeric

Why is turmeric root one of the best home remedies to get rid of a chest cold fast?

Well, it just so happens that turmeric root has a compound called curcumin that helps you expectorate the mucus causing so much misery.

Mix a healthy pinch of turmeric power in a glass of warm water. Gargle with it first then swallow the mixture several times daily and you should enjoy quick benefits!

Garlic Tea

While it might sound unappetizing, garlic contains antimicrobials called allicin and anti-viral properties that will address the infection itself, thereby speeding up the healing process. It’s also an anti-inflammatory which will address the mucus lining, allowing it to thin out and give you better chances of breathing properly.

There are several ways you can take garlic but the best is through tea. Smash 4 cloves of garlic and boil them in approximately 3 to 4 glasses of water. Allow the mixture to cool into a lukewarm temperature and drink. The warmth of the liquid will help relax your throat muscles.

Note though – this is an acquired taste so don’t expect it to taste as good as lemon juice. If you find it particularly unappealing, adding extra raw garlic to meals is also very beneficial and not just for chest colds.

Ginger Tea

Ginger works basically the same way as garlic in getting rid of the mucus and helping your body fight off the invasion. The Ginger Tea actually makes your body hot in such a way that it ‘melts’ off the mucus – plus it’s an excellent way to boost your immune system and it’s anti-inflammatory.

What is it’s mechanism of action? The polyphenols in ginger root help inhibit the secretion of mucus!

Note though that after taking some ginger tea, there’s a good chance most of the mucus will flow out of your nose – but it will be well worth it. To create ginger tea, just use roughly 2 inches of smashed ginger per glass of water. Drink a glass 4 times a day and expect relief the next day.

You can also just chew and swallow chunks of raw ginger root throughout the day to experience it’s many and varied health benefits.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar is another beneficial, natural remedy for chest congestion that is also very affordable. Apple Cider Vinegar aids in thinning chest mucus, helping you to breathe better.

Add 2 teaspoons of raw organic unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar to a cup of warm water (or more if you can tolerate the taste well). Mix in 1 teaspoon of raw honey to balance the taste and aid in healing.

“The Onion Trick”

Another excellent item for chest cold, simply add onion in your usual food and enjoy chewing or eating on them to get the juices out. However, not everyone likes this approach.

You can try running the onion through a blender or a juicer and adding a few teaspoons to a glass of lukewarm water. Drink the resulting mixture and you should be able to address the chest cold in just a few days. Ideally, you should drink roughly 3 to 4 glasses each day.

If the taste is not to your liking, you can always add a small amount of sugar or for better results – honey. Honey will also with the viral infection as well, speeding up the healing process better.

Thyme

Thyme is an herb best used if you suffer from chest colds often since they work mostly as a preventive but still provide a sufficient cure for the condition. You should be able to easily find thyme in practically all stores today. To use this herb, just boil thyme in water to make tea out of it. If you don’t like the flavor, add a little honey to make it more palatable.

Thyme works well in boosting the immune system, specifically towards the improvement of the lungs. You can also try applying thyme essential oils directly on the throat, but this won’t work as well as directly drinking the tea.

Basil Leaves

Another incredibly useful herb that can cure an array of health problems, basil leaves are again taken as a tonic. You should be able to maintain a 4 to 1.5 ratio of leaves to cup which means that for every 4 leaves of basil, you should boil it in 1.5 cup of water. This should churn out something a little more than a cup since evaporation will be in operation. Drink the basil leaf tonic and add a little bit of honey if you wish.

Rosemary

Unlike the other herbs against chest cold listed here, rosemary isn’t something you can make a tea of. Instead, purchase some rosemary essential oils and add a few drops of them in water. Bring that water to a boil and slowly inhale the steam coming from the mixture.

Beware: Don’t inhale too soon! Ideally, you should put the fire in medium heat after it reaches boiling point so that the steam doesn’t burn when you inhale. This also works for basil and thyme essential oils.

Honey and Pepper

Pepper produces a hot sensation that helps melt the mucus in a matter of seconds. Use this relief by mixing honey and powdered pepper, creating a thick paste that you can swallow in one gulp. The honey helps with any taste problems you might have. Follow this up with lemon tea and you should feel infinitely better afterwards. Ideally, you should do this 3 times a day for several days until the problem is gone.

Peppermint

Lastly, we’ve got the peppermint herb which can be used the same way as rosemary. Add a few drops of this in water and slowly inhale the steam, allowing it to work its magic on your skin and melt the mucus lining your respiratory system. Peppermint leaves may also be chewed directly, that minty flavor doing it work directly – plus you get a really good breath afterwards. Peppermint tea is also a popular derivation for this herb so you should be able to choose one depending largely on what works best for your needs.

Of course, those are just some of the herbal remedies for getting rid of chest cold. Note that there are also other remedies that do not require the use of any herbs. For best results however, following those mentioned here will give you faster relief.

Salt Water

Gargling with hot salt water several times a day is an effective treatment for chest congestion. Why? The salt will help remove mucus from the respiratory tract while the hot water reduces irritation in the throat.

How do you prepare it?

Just add one teaspoon of salt to a cup of water as hot as you can stand. Mix it well until the salt has thoroughly dissolved. Then gargle with it several times throughout the day until your systems of chest cold and congestion improve.

Steam with Essential Oils

Steam can bring quick relief because steam’s heat and moisture very effectively break up and dissolve the excess mucus causing so much of the suffering.

How can you benefit from this all-natural home remedy?

Fill a bowl with very hot water and add a few drops of peppermint or eucalyptus essential oils. Then place your face over the bowl and a towel over your head and inhale the steam and essential oil for as long as you can.

It’s not as effective, but you can also take a hot shower and breathe the steam vapors.

Important Note: Ask a Doctor

One thing though: always asks your doctor before pursuing any herbal or natural chest cold relief. Learning how to get rid of a chest cold with herbal remedies may seem easy, but you’ll never know if you happen to be allergic to any of them. Generally speaking, the herbs mentioned here are safe for everyone to use. If you have pre-existing health conditions however, it’s best to err on the side of caution and consult your doctor beforehand.

How to Get Rid of a Cold Quickly

The common cold is called such because it is one of the most common medical conditions around. The common cold usually goes away after a week or so but it certainly helps to get relief from the symptoms. Below are some popular ways how to get rid of cold quickly.

Drink Plenty of Fluids

Probably the best and easiest remedy for cold is to stay hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids especially water. You can also consume fresh juice, honey-lemon water, ginger ale, and herbal teas. Do away with caffeinated and carbonated drinks such as coffee, caffeinated teas, and sodas. Of course, alcoholic drinks should be avoided as well. By drinking plenty of fluids, you break up the congestion allowing you to breathe easier. Staying hydrated also keeps the throat moist and providing relief from sore throat.

Get Some Rest

In order for your body to heal, you need to get plenty of rest and sleep. By resting, you allow your body to rejuvenate and focus its energy on fighting the virus. It’s better if you stay warm while resting so put a blanket over yourself.

How To Blow Your Nose Correctly

One of the annoying symptoms of cold is a runny or stuffy nose. To deal with this, you need to blow your nose often. This will prevent mucus to be sniffed back into your head. However, if you don’t do it the right way, you’ll only make things worse. Blow gently while pressing on one nostril. Use a clean tissue to catch the mucus. If you blow too hard, the pressure may transmit mucus and the germs in them into your ear canals. It may also cause damage to your eardrums. Wash your hands after blowing so you won’t spread the cold.

Steam Bath

Wouldn’t it be great to pamper yourself with a visit to the spa and spend some time in the sauna. However, a visit to the spa may help spread the virus. If you don’t have a personal sauna at home, you make do with a warm shower. Just keep the bathroom door closed and the warm water flow. In a little while, steam will rise and help provide relief for your clogged nose. The steam causes the mucus to thin or lessen, opening up your sinuses as well as your air passages.

Steam Inhalation

imilar to steam baths, you can use steam inhalation to loosen up stuffy nose. Boil a pot of water and place it below you. Inhale the steam coming from the water. Another option is to cover your head and pot of boiling with a towel so the steam won’t dissipate fast. This will allow you to take advantage of the steam before the water loses its steam, so to speak. But be careful not to burn your face. Add some drops of essential oil for better relief. Eucalyptus essential oil helps decongestion while peppermint oil works well against headaches.

Saline Solution

For congested noses, use a saline solution to make a saline spray. Mix three teaspoons salt and a teaspoon of baking soda in a container then seal tight. When it’s time to decongest, get a teaspoon of the salt and baking soda mixture and add it to eight ounces of distilled water. If you don’t have distilled water readily available, you can boil water and wait until it is lukewarm before adding the mixture. Dissolve thoroughly then use a bulb syringe to apply it into your nose. Pinch one nostril lightly before squeezing the mixture into the free nostril. Make sure you have a basin or any container to catch the drippings.

Nasal Irrigation

You can use the same saline solution described above for nasal irrigation. Pour the solution into a Neti pot and position yourself over the sink or place a basin below your face. Pour the solution into one nostril through the spout of the Neti pot. The solution will push the mucus out through the other nostril. Then do the same with the other nostril. This method has been used for centuries but still has some skeptics because of the perceive risks. If you are new to this method, it is better to do more research or to ask help from someone who has done this before.

Menthol Salves

For a quick relief from a congested nose, apply some mentholated salve just under it. Camphor, one of the main ingredients of over-the-counter salves, helps relieve the discomfort.

Gargle With Warm Salt Water

Another infuriating symptom of the common cold is sore throat. Get some relief by gargling with warm salt water. Simply dissolve ¼ to ½ teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. Gargle to relieve itchy throat.

Oil Pulling

A staple in Ayurvedic medicine, oil pulling is recommended for oral health and detoxification. It also works as a remedy for colds as it gets rid of bacteria and germs in the mouth. Swish a tablespoon of coconut oil in your mouth for a minute or so. Don’t swallow and don’t spit it out into the sink to avoid clogging.

Humidifier

When you have a cold and the air in your home is dry, you feel a little more uneasy. It may also keep you from getting well fast. Fill your home with plants like aloe vera and Chinese evergreen. Houseplants are natural humidifiers. If you have a humidifier, use it at night while you sleep. You can also use it during daytime. This simple gadget will keep the air moist and allow the nasal passages to become lubricated. The problem with humidifiers is that mold and mildew can easily develop if you fail to clean it regularly. To prevent matters getting worse, clean it often.

Raise Your Head

Sleeping with a cold is something everyone hates to do. The clogged nose prevents you from breathing properly thus making it harder to sleep. Raising your head by adding more pillows under it may help.

Natural Remedies

There are tons of herbs, plants and plant products that heal colds naturally. Some of them are garlic, ginger, Echinacea, elderberry extract, eucalyptus, peppermint, and raw honey. These herbal remedies work against colds by strengthening the immune system, killing viruses and free radicals, and decreasing inflammations. If you are unsure of how to properly use such herbs, consult a doctor or a certified practitioner of herbal medicine.

Aromatherapy

Through aromatherapy, your mind and body relaxes allowing you to rest and revitalize. The right kinds of essential oil will help provide relief against the symptoms of cold. Some of the more popular ones are lavender oil, chamomile, and lemon balm.

Vitamin C

Once you get the sniffles, load up on vitamin C which is an antioxidant. Vitamin C boosts the immune system aiding in treating colds. Fruits such as oranges and kiwi and vegetables like spinach are high in vitamin C.

Eat Some Soup

Grandma’s old chicken soup recipe will come in handy when you’re down with a cold. Any hot soup provides relief for your sore throat and helps decongest the nose. Plus, it is mostly water so your body is hydrated. Make your soup healthier and more adept in getting rid of a cold by adding more garlic, onion and ginger.

After watching the video, we’d love to hear from you! Have any questions or maybe tips and suggestions for other good home remedies for getting rid of a chest cold quickly? Please, share them below. We’d love to hear from you!