Remedies for a Congested Chest

Chest congestion slows you down and wears you out. When you are having trouble breathing, your whole body suffers for the restriction of oxygen. Your brain is more sluggish and your limbs feel heavy. You are troubled by chest rattling and coughing that often results in sore muscles.

Clear Liquids

Your body requires hydration to heal. Clear liquids like water, juice and tea will keep you hydrated, which will help your tissues do their jobs to heal you more effectively. Increasing your liquid intake will also help ensure that your cough brings up the phlegm that needs to come out of your lungs. Try to avoid milk and thicker drinks, though, as these have a more congestive effect.

Herbal Teas

An herbal tea made with plantain leaf is extremely effective at clearing up chest congestion. Steep a teaspoon of the leaf in a cup of boiling water for five minutes and then drink. Don't add milk or sugar, as these can add to your congestion. Peppermint tea, prepared in the same manner, also produces very favorable results.

Steam

Take a hot shower and breathe deeply of the steam to relieve chest congestion. You can also bring a pot of water to a boil on the stove, turn off the heat and hold your head over the steaming water. Use a towel to help trap the steam, but be sure to give yourself moments of relief in order to avoid steam burns. You can also add two to three drops of peppermint or eucalyptus essential oils to the water for added benefit.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Prepare a warm bath and add a cup of apple cider vinegar to the water. Soak in the water for a while. Apple cider vinegar has a detoxifying effect that eases and soothes a number of ailments, including colds and congestion.

Hot Toddy

If you're of legal drinking age and have no problem with alcohol, mix up a hot toddy or have half a glass of wine before bed. For the hot toddy, mix together a half-shot of warmed whiskey and as much warmed honey as you want for the taste. The honey isn't for taste alone, though. It actually has quite a few healing and nutritive benefits. The amount of alcohol used should be small, like you would get from cough syrup. Too much alcohol will stress your system and may actually cause difficulty with sleeping.