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Home Remedies For Lung Congestion That You Need To Know

Top home remedies for lung congestion include gargling with salt water, inhaling steam, having a healthy diet, etc. Read to know the best home remedies for treating lung congestion.

By Sravia Sivaram

Lung congestion is a common symptom in many people, including young children and adults. Lung congestion is a very unpleasant and uncomfortable condition that can cause some hazardous health issues.

A lot of people out there do not know how to use home remedies for the treatment of lung congestion. They are not aware of the natural ingredients in their kitchen that can work effectively in treating this condition.

home remedies for lung congestion

In this article, we have mentioned the top home remedies that can be used to treat lung congestion effectively. Lung congestion is a common infection in the respiratory system.

It involves the inflammation of the lower tract of the respiratory system that causes difficulty in breathing. It is also followed by chest pain and discomfort.

Lung congestion is the accumulation of excess mucus and fluid in the lungs. When we breathe, we tend to inhale several particles like dust, viruses, allergens, bacteria, etc. These particles get trapped in the mucus which covers the mucous membrane.

This mucus is then transported to the throat, from where it is either swallowed or coughed out. The presence of excess mucus results in chest congestion.

So, continue reading to know more about the best natural remedies for the treatment of lung congestion at home.

1. Gargle With Salt Water:

1. Gargle With Salt Water:

Gargling helps in breaking the mucus apart in the airways. Gargling with salt water regularly is considered to be an effective method in treating congestion. The hot water reduces the irritation in the throat and salt helps in clearing the mucus off the respiratory tract.

Mix half a cup of lukewarm water with 1-2 spoons of salt and a pinch of turmeric. Stir it and gargle this mixture down the throat for 1-2 minutes. Repeat this until the lung congestion completely clears.

2. Steam It Out:

2. Steam It Out:

Steam inhaling will help you loosen the mucus in the airways and clear lung congestion. The heat of the stream will dissolve the mucus in the throat and lungs, and this remedy gives you a quick relief.

3. Keep Yourself Hydrated:

3. Keep Yourself Hydrated:

Drinking water helps in clearing out lung congestion. Not drinking enough will cause the mucus in your lungs and throat to thicken, making it harder to get rid of it. Remember to drink enough fluids, especially warm ones, to clear out the mucus in your lungs.

4. Have A Healthy Diet:

4. Have A Healthy Diet:

Some foods can help in clearing out mucus in the lungs and reduce its production. For eliminating lung congestion, you need to eat spicy foods, garlic, ginger and vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables.

Further, you also need to avoid foods that can worsen lung congestion. Foods like dairy products, sugar, salt, frozen and fried foods can increase the mucus production.

5. Use Turmeric:

5. Use Turmeric:

Turmeric contains curcumin that helps with expelling the mucus and hence provides relief from chest congestion. It contains anti-inflammatory properties that deal with pain, cough and other symptoms of lung congestion.

Get a glass of lukewarm water and add a pinch of turmeric to it. Gargle this mixture several times in a day. This is one of the best known home remedies for treating lung congestion.

6. Use Onions:

6. Use Onions:

Onion contains quercetin that helps in dissolving the mucus. It also prevents further production of mucus in the lungs. It also contains antimicrobial properties that help prevent any infection.

Take the juice from an onion and add equal amounts of honey, lemon juice and water to it. Heat this mixture until it is lukewarm. Drink it 3-4 times every day.

7. Use Ginger:

7. Use Ginger:

Ginger contains immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties. Ginger contains polyphenols that prevent the secretion of mucus. Ginger also fights infection, which is the main reason for lung congestion.

Get a cup of hot water and add 1 spoon of chopped raw ginger to it. Cover and let it steep for five minutes. Strain this mixture and add some honey to it. Drink three cups of warm ginger tea every day.

8. Use Apple Cider Vinegar:

8. Use Apple Cider Vinegar:

ACV helps in thinning the mucus in the lungs. Hence, it provides rapid relief, helping you breathe more easily. It also boosts immunity, hence helping you to treat the condition of congestion at home.

Add 2 spoons of ACV to a cup of lukewarm water and mix 1 spoon of raw honey to it. Drink this solution 2-3 times every day for a week. It is one of the top natural remedies for the treatment of lung congestion.

9. Use Lemon:

9. Use Lemon:

Lemon contains citric acid that reduces the thickness of the mucus. Hence, it can be removed from the body more easily. Lemon is also rich in vitamin C that helps boost the body's immunity.

Add one spoon of lemon juice to a cup of boiling water along with some honey. Drink the mixture several times in a day. It will let you know how to get rid of lung congestion naturally.

10. Use Garlic:

10. Use Garlic:

Garlic contains anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that help fight respiratory infections, which can lead to congestion. It also contains nutrients like vitamins C, B, A as well as iron, calcium, copper and selenium.

Boil 2-3 cloves of crushed garlic and add ½ a spoon of honey in a cup of milk or water. Strain it and drink it twice in a day until the congestion clears.

11. Use Honey:

11. Use Honey:

Honey is an excellent home remedy, as it helps in reducing the thickness of the mucus and promotes the removal of mucus from the respiratory tract. It is also rich in antibacterial and antiviral properties that help fight any infection.

12. Use Licorice Root:

12. Use Licorice Root:

Licorice is an expectorant that helps soothe the irritated throat and also relieves the symptoms of lung congestion.

Mix ½ a spoon of licorice root in a cup of boiling water. Cover it and let it steep for 10 minutes, and then strain it. Add a few drops of honey to it and drink this tea every day for 2-3 times.

13. Use Thyme:

13. Use Thyme:

Thyme is a natural herb that helps the lungs become strong and fight against bacteria that cause the formation of mucus. Thyme also acts as a protective shield against bacteria.

Add 1/8 spoon of thyme to a cup of hot water. Let it steep for 5 minutes and then add some drops of honey to it. Drink this herbal tea every day until the congestion clears.

Story first published: Wednesday, July 5, 2017, 12:57 [IST]
Read more about: infection salt diet