The build up of mucus and phlegm within the bronchial tube and the lungs is commonly referred to as chest congestion. You may feel tautness in your chest, which is often caused by the concentration of the phlegm in the chest. You may also experience a low grade pain or an acute pain depending on the severity of the congestion. Exposure to a cold atmosphere along with persistent and regular bouts of common cold and cough are the primary factors responsible for chest congestion. Chest congestion and chest aches are merely symptoms and to gain relief from them it is critical that the ailments responsible for them be treated first.
One of the home remedies that have been known to be beneficial in the treatment of a cough is fresh onion juice. Have a tablespoon of the juice every morning until the congestion clears completely. Another alternative is to take fresh onion juice and honey in equal measures and keep the mixture aside for about 5 hours. Consuming a teaspoonful of this mixture, twice daily, is believed to be effective in the treatment of cough and in eliminating the phlegm from the chest. It is quite simple to prepare an effective cough tonic at home, for the treatment and prevention of cough. Take 2 teaspoons each of freshly extracted onion juice along with freshly squeezed lemon juice. Boil this mixture with some water and add 2 teaspoons of honey to it after the concoction has cooled. A teaspoon of this tonic taken twice daily is very beneficial.
The healing properties of ginger are also very effective in providing relief from chest congestion and cough. It is beneficial to drink a teaspoon of freshly extracted ginger juice twice daily. Adding some honey to the ginger will help in enhancing its taste. Drinking hot ginger tea can also work as an effective cough remedy as it helps in eliminating the buildup of phlegm in the chest. Moreover the hot tea is also beneficial in soothing the tautness and unpleasantness in the chest caused by the congestion. Another tried and tested home remedy to treat cough and colds, is to consume herbal tea. Prepare a brew by adding some grated ginger root, a couple of garlic pods and a teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice to boiling water. Strain it and add some honey to the mixture. Drinking this tea is considered beneficial as the ginger, garlic and honey helps in treating the infection whilst the lemon juice relieves the cough and aids easy respiration.
answered by G M