A chest infection is an infection that affects your lungs and lower large airways. Some symptoms of chest infections are shortness of breath, a persistent cough, yellow or green mucus, fatigue, achiness and/or fever. Chest infection are common and often appear after or along with the flu or common cold. Sometimes the symptoms can be severe. Other times, they are mild and can go away on their own. Below are some natural chest infection treatments that you can use to help speed up the process.
Lemon and Honey
Sipping on a solution of lemon, honey and warm water is a classic home remedy that is widely used across the world. It is useful in alleviating sore throat symptoms that are caused by repeated coughing. Studies show that honey reduces cough symptoms because of its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Lemon is a rich source of Vitamin C that helps strengthen the immune system and, when combined with honey, can provide a detoxifying boost. You can take a glass of warm water and mix it with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of natural honey. Drink it first thing in the morning after waking up for the best results.
Stay Hydrated
More than 70% of the human body is made up of water. This makes it important to stay hydrated, especially when a chest infection is present. Dehydration causes the mucus and secretion in the lungs to thicken up which makes it more difficult to cough them up for removal. Also, most chest infections occur during the winter months which just so happens to be the dry season. This means that your body has to work overtime in order to maintain proper levels of hydration. Drinking at least 3 liters of water per day can help ensure that the body is getting the hydration that it needs.
Humidity and Steam Inhalation
One of the best natural chest infection treatments is humidity/steam inhalation. One reason that symptoms get worse during a chest infection is because of dryness in the nasal passages. Humidity and steam inhalation is a great way to counter this and soothe the airways. A humidifier produces steam and disperses it throughout the room so that it can easily be inhaled into the airways which provides relief and helps loosen up secretion.
Ginger
When it comes to food-based natural home remedies for a chest infection, ginger is a great one to consider. Ginger has a strong odor that is useful in clearing the nasal airways. Studies shows that ginger has bioactive components and antioxidants that reduce oxidative damage due to stress. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that can help relax the airways in the lungs and fight against fever that occurs during a chest infection. So adding ginger to your diet and taking it in the form of juice, or drinking it in your tea, can naturally help treat your body for a chest infection.
Use Natural Essential Oils
Using naturally extracted essential oils such as eucalyptus, lemongrass, rosemary and sandalwood is one of the effective natural chest infection treatments. You can use these oils either by inhalation via diffusers, vaping or by topical application in the form of natural vapor rub. Studies show that aromatherapy via the inhalation of essential oils can help treat upper chest infections by diminishing nasal congestion and reducing the spasms that occur with a repeated cough.
Remove Mucus through Postural Drainage
One of the problems that occurs with a chest infection is the accumulation of mucus and phlegm in the chest. This can lead to shortness of breath, discomfort and sometimes wheezing. The human body uses coughing as a natural mechanism to get rid of excess mucus. But sometimes, natural coughing is just not enough. This is when postural drainage can serve as an efficient way to clear the lungs simply by adjusting your physical posture. It is a technique that uses gravity to remove excess mucus and secretions. You can lie down on the bed facing upwards. Keep your hips above the chest level by placing pillows under your legs. As your body is tilted in this position, the mucus from the lower part of the lungs will start draining upwards so that it can be expelled more easily by coughing.