If you have a tight chest full of mucus because of a cough or cold, a little herbal relief may be just what you need. Herbal remedies are easy to use at home, have few side effects and help heal the body naturally. Try these herbs alone or in combination to relieve chest congestion. Talk to your doctor before using herbal supplements.
Cayenne Pepper
You may be familiar with cayenne's heating action from eating spicy foods. Although it is usually a culinary spice, cayenne also has important medicinal applications. The sweating and heating action caused by cayenne can liquefy mucus to relieve a congested chest. Use it in combination with sweet herbs, such as licorice, or a spoonful of honey to make it more mild.
Ginger
Ginger is another herb that is equally at home in the kitchen as in the medicine cabinet. It has a wide variety of uses since it eases pain, stimulates circulation and is antiseptic, heating and diaphoretic--induces sweating. These attributes make it especially useful to relieve congestion. Use it medicinally in teas and soups, but avoid it during pregnancy since it may stimulate menstruation.
Elecampane Root
Elecampane is a traditional remedy for respiratory problems. Its volatile oils are anti-inflammatory, reduce mucus secretion and stimulate expulsion of mucus from the lungs. It is gentle enough for children, elderly and weak patients. Take it in a decoction or tincture to relieve bronchitis, coughs and other respiratory congestion, suggests "The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants."
Licorice
Licorice is a demulcent, meaning it has mucilaginous properties that gently clean excess phlegm from the body. Chew licorice sticks or make an infusion of licorice along with warming herbs like ginger and cayenne to help loosen mucus congestion in the lungs. Don't use it when you are pregnant; it may cause miscarriage.
Eucalyptus
The volatile oils of eucalyptus dilate the airways--bronchioles--of the lungs and stimulate coughing to help expel mucus. To relive congestion due to colds coughs and bronchitis, take eucalyptus in an infusion or powder up to three times a day or a tincture twice a day. For immediate relief, mix eucalyptus essential oil with a carrier oil, such as almond, and rub it into your chest and feet. Add 5 drops essential oil to a bowl of steaming water and inhale the vapors. According to "Aromatherapy Guide to Essential Oils," essential oil of eucalyptus is contraindicated in pregnancy.
Comfrey
Comfrey's traditional use is for rapid healing of broken bones and skin wounds. But the herb's anti-inflammatory and demulcent properties make it an excellent remedy for chest congestion as well. There is some evidence comfrey root contains compounds harmful to the liver, but these compounds are not present in the aerial parts--leaves, flowers and stems. So stick to preparations of the aerial parts to be safe.
Ayurvedic Remedy
Coriander, cinnamon and ginger are the traditional ayurvedic remedy for lung congestion. Gently brown 1/4 cup coriander seeds--be sure not to burn them--in a pan. Add a 1/2-inch-thick piece of ginger, a cinnamon stick and 6 cups of water. Bring the mixture to a boil and simmer until the liquid is reduced by one half. Drink every few hours until symptoms resolve.
References
- "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Healing Remedies"; Norman Shealy, MD, Ph.D.; 1998
- "The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants"; Andrew Chevallier; 1996
- "The Complete Book of Herbs"; Lesley Bremness; 1988
- "Aromatherapy Guide to Essential Oils"; Melissa Farris, 2001
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