Chest cold is very common and can affect the young and the old alike at any time of the year. Caused by virus infections, this type of cold is basically non threatening.
However, the discomfort and general malaise associated with a chest cold are sometimes very distressing and can tamper with your daily schedules.Chest cold can be treated easily with home remedies and the person can get back to normal life within a couple of days without the intake of any other medication. Here are some great remedies to try out.
13 Tips To Cure Chest Cold With Natural Remedies
Saline Nasal Spray
A saline nasal spray is one of the best and most sought after home remedies for treating chest cold and all sorts of congestions of the respiratory tract. For preparing a saline nasal spray, take 1/4th teaspoon of salt and add this to one cup of warm water.
Fill this in a Neti pot and irrigate your nose by adding a few drops inside each nostril, one at a time and removing the water through the other, repeat for not more than 3 days. This will remove all the nasal blockages and ease the breathing.
Salt Water Gargling
When you have a chest cold, you most probably have a sore throat as well and in such cases, a salt water gargle can do the trick. Take half a teaspoon of salt and add to a cup of warm water.
Gargle using this water several times throughout the day. This will help in removing the virus from your throat and respiratory tract and will also heal the infection fast.
Steam Inhale
Steam inhaling is a fast and simple way to melt the phlegm and remove the chest cold in a few days. Inhaling hot steam will melt the phlegm that is trapped in your chest and respiratory tract. Take a pot with a narrow neck and boil some water in it.
Cover the neck of the pot and your head and inhale the steam through your nose and mouth. Continue for fifteen minutes and do it 2-3 times a day. This will initiate a running nose and you will be able to remove the phlegm through blowing the nose and coughing the loosened phlegm out.
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is a natural expectorant and helps in removing mucous from your system. Lemon juice is also rich in vitamin C which is an antioxidant and immune boosting vitamin and helps in strengthening the immune system to fight off the infection. Squeeze a lemon and add one cup of warm water to this. Drink with a spoon of honey for best results. Take 2-3 cups a day.
Garlic
Garlic is anti-inflammatory and also good for removing the microbes that cause the chest cold in the first place. It is also a great way to detoxify your body after a bout of viral and bacterial attacks.
Take 3-4 cloves of garlic a day. If that is too hot for you, you can crush the cloves and add this to one cup of water. Bring to a boil by heating in a low flame. Steep for ten minutes and take this throughout the day. This will considerably reduce the symptoms and chest cold in a couple of day you will be healed.
Ginger
Ginger makes your body hot and this will help in the melting of the phlegm that is trapped in your chest and nasal passages. Take a 2” piece of ginger and crush it.Add this to one cup of boiling water. Steep for ten minutes and drink it 3-4 times a day. Ginger will cause your nose to run which could be uncomfortable, but in a few hours, you will feel very fine. Ginger can also be added to a hot cup of tea to increase its effect.
Turmeric
Turmeric is antimicrobial in nature and also an inflammation reducing herb. Take one teaspoon of freshly ground turmeric along with a glass of warm milk twice a day for treating chest cold. Turmeric powder can be burnt and inhaling the smoke that emanates from it is known to cure cold and running nose.
Basil Leaves
Basil leaves are known to cure a host of respiratory ailments. Take 3-4 leaves every day to reduce the symptoms and loosen the phlegm. A few leaves can be added to a cup of boiling water and the water taken 3-4 times throughout the day along with honey to treat chest cold.
Bitter Guard Root
The root of bitter guard can be made into a paste and some honey and basil leaves added to this in order to treat chest cold. This can be taken just before you are off to bed. This is known to improve your resistance if taken continuously for a month.
Chest Rub
Prepare a chest rub by adding one tablespoon of sweet almond oil, three drops each of thyme, peppermint, rosemary, eucalyptus, marjoram, palmarosa or hissop.
Add eighteen drops of carrier oil to these to dilute its strength. This can be used for rubbing on your chest 2-3 times a day to relieve the congestion and open up the airways, thereby easing the symptoms of chest cold.
Rosemary
Rosemary oil is known to be very effective when used on its own. It can be used for steam inhalation for easing the chest cold symptoms. Add a few drops of rosemary oil to boiling water. Cover your head and inhale the fumes for at least fifteen minutes.
Thyme
Thyme is another herb that can be used along with steam inhalation for removing the phlegm and opening the air passages, thereby curing your of the discomfort and breathing difficulty. Add a few drops of thyme oil to boiling water and inhale the fumes for a few minutes. Repeat 2-3 times a day to keep the uneasiness at bay.
Peppermint
Peppermint leaves are excellent for treating congestion. The leaves can be chewed on throughout the day or a few drops of peppermint oil can be added when you inhale the steam for great relief from chest cold. Peppermint tea too is excellent for treating chest cold.
Caution: Please use Home Remedies after Proper Research and Guidance. You accept that you are following any advice at your own risk and will properly research or consult healthcare professional.