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4 Super Home Remedies For Throat Congestion

By Archana Mukherji

What is throat congestion? We have heard of this term very frequently. Well, a congested throat is basically a sore throat; and throat congestion is a very common problem that could affect both adults and kids.

It is either caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Cold, flu, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, sinusitis, etc, are some of the common causes of throat congestion.

However, it may also be associated with other viral infections such as measles, chicken pox or whooping cough.

Also Read: 8 Healing Superfoods To Cure Throat Pain

The throat becomes congested when the mucous membranes that line the lungs are irritated and as a result secrete more mucus.

Several environmental factors such as smoking, breathing secondhand smoke (passive smoking), consuming large amounts of alcohol, inhaling polluted air or chemical fumes may also contribute to the acumulation of thick or excessive mucus or phlegm in the throat.

remedies for throat congestion

Some of the symptoms of throat congestion are severe throat pain, dry cough, inflammation, swelling, itchy or scratchy feeling in the throat, difficulty in swallowing, increase in mucus production, burning sensation in the windpipe, coughing up of mucus which can be clear, green or yellow in colour, runny rose or ear pain.

Also Read: Tricks To Soothe A Sore Throat

If a person has asthma, wheezing and dry cough can cause a congested throat.

A normal sore throat can easily be treated with home remedies; however, when it is related to a bacterial infection or chest congestion, it is good to consult your doctor and take an appropriate treatment.

In this article, we shall discuss about 4 simple home remedies that can cure the throat congestion, take a look.

remedies for throat congestion

1. Salt Water Gargle
One of the easiest methods to treat congested throat and phlegm is gargling with warm salt water. When your throat is irritated and needs frequent clearing, warm water helps to soothe it. Salt has the ability to destroy the bacteria that cause an infection, thereby reducing the production of phlegm.

Mix about a quarter spoon of salt in a glass of warm water and gargle with this solution several times in a day to get best results. Alternately, you can add one tablespoon of turmeric and a pinch of salt to a glass of hot water and use it to gargle several times in a day.

remedies for throat congestion

2. Hot Water Steam
Another most simple, easy and effective way to get rid of phlegm is steam inhalation. When you inhale steam into the nasal passages, the phlegm comes to a liquid form, so it becomes easier to eliminate it from your system. You can either take a steam shower or inhale hot water steam.

Just pour hot boiling water in a large bowl. Hold a towel over your head to avoid the steam from escaping. Inhale the steam for 5 to 10 minutes, in order to loosen the secretions in your lungs. Follow this simple remedy, several times a day, to get rid of a congested throat.

remedies for throat congestion

3. Honey & Lemon
Lemon is rich in vitamin C with antibacterial properties. Mix 2 teaspoons of lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of honey to a glass of hot water. Drink this at least three times in a day to soothe your throat and reduce the phlegm production.

remedies for throat congestion

4. Drinking Warm Water & Liquids
Frequently drinking warm water soothes the throat and loosens the phlegm. Warm chicken soup can also help treat phlegm. Drinking hot chicken soup will help to moisturise the airways and reduce the phlegm consistency and production.

Story first published: Wednesday, July 20, 2016, 15:24 [IST]
Read more about: throat remedies natural