Hi everyone! Sorry about the decrease in posts lately – I just got over a pretty bad bug and I’m just now getting back into the swing of things. I’m not really sure what I had, but it involved a lot of sinus and chest congestion (I think it was on the cusp of bronchitis). I managed to entirely cure myself naturally, which I’m pretty excited about! Now I want to share the home remedies for sinus and chest congestion that I used.
There were a few key remedies that I believe really helped me feel better quickly. A bunch of them involved using Eucalyptus Oil. I had never used it before, but kept seeing a lot of pins about it being great for congestion and phlegm. Well, it was all true!
One of my favorite ways of using eucalyptus was when I steamed. Steaming is already a great way to help relieve sinus congestion and break up phlegm in your chest. Adding in 3-4 drops of eucalyptus oil helped clear up my congestion even quicker and gave me instant relief! I simply filled a large pot halfway with water, added in the eucalyptus once the water boiled, and then put a towel over my head to keep the steam in.
I breathed the steam in deeply for about 10 minutes, and I did this three times a day. I even added 4-5 drops to the bottom of my tub when I took a shower. If your shower is hot enough, it has the same effect as steaming. It made a huge difference in my morning, since we all know that when you have congestion and phlegm it builds up, making you feel worse in the morning.
I also relieved my congestion by adding eucalyptus oil into my detox baths. If you saw my original post, you know I love taking detox baths when I’m fighting a cold or flu. I used my typical base recipes and then added about 10-12 drops of eucalyptus into the bath. Oh man! I felt AMAZING after soaking for about 30 minutes!
Towards the end of this bug, the congestion started going deeper into my chest and I started developing a cough. This is when I started rubbing eucalyptus into my chest right before bed. It has the same effect as Vicks, but I read that when you massage the oil in, it actually breaks up the mucus/phlegm. Straight oil can be irritating to your skin though, so I rubbed coconut oil on my chest first, and then a few drops of eucalyptus on top of that. I massaged my chest for about 1 minute.
Also on Pinterest, I read that the best way to suppress a cough is to rub a few drops of eucalyptus oil into the soles of your feet. Because I was also rubbing eucalyptus into my chest, I’m not exactly sure which remedy attributed to preventing my cough, or if it was the combination of both. Either way, when I started doing these remedies I was able to get a good night’s sleep cough free!
Eucalyptus oil provided the most immediate relief for my symptoms. From what I’ve read: it’s antibacterial, anti-flammatory, analgesic and antifungal. So basically, not only does it relieve symptoms, but it also helps to heal them instead of just masking them. I picked up a bottle at Whole Foods, but I’m sure you can find it at any health food store.
My next remedy comes from a time when I was battling chronic bronchitis. It’s when I first moved to LA, and I think it had something to do with adjusting to a different climate, and a weakened immune system from a case of mono. It was a miserable time for me, and I was desperate to find a natural solution to cut the phlegm and minimize a whooping cough. After a few Googling attempts, I found one of my favorite remedies: Pineapple Juice.
Pineapple juice naturally thins mucus and phlegm, plus it’s packed with vitamin C, which will boost your immune system. Not to mention it’s delicious! I had a glass with every meal, and a small glass right before bed to help prevent mucus build-up while I slept.
The third remedy I used during this illness was Apple Cider Vinegar. I have to admit, I think I drove my boyfriend crazy whenever I was sick. Any time I started to feel under the weather, he suggested I have a glass of apple cider vinegar, but I always refused. And I KNOW how many wonderful health benefits it has, but I just couldn’t get pass the taste and smell. Until this bug, that is. I felt SO congested that the potent smell could not deter me, but I was determined to make it taste (somewhat) good!
Here’s what I did:
In a mug of hot water, I stirred in 2 teaspoons of Apple Cider Vinegar, 2 teaspoons of Honey, and 1-2 tablespoons of Lemon Juice.
There are multiple reasons this drink is a great remedy for congestion and mucus/phlegm: Apple Cider Vinegar, like pineapple juice, thins mucus. Honey helps fight infections and soothes your throat. Lemon also thins mucus, gives you extra vitamin c, and helps flush toxins out of your body. Warm liquids are also soothing to your throat and help break up mucus.
I had this drink three times a day, and like the other home remedies I shared, it gave me instant relief while actually helping me get better (instead of just masking symptoms).
There you have it, these were the main home remedies for sinus and chest congestion that were most beneficial for me. While I hope none of you catch the flu, if you do, I hope these remedies will help speed up your recovery!
Disclaimer: I am in no way a doctor, and these home remedies are only suggestions of what worked for me. They are not intended as a diagnosis or prescription, and should not be in place of medical treatment and/or advice from a professional. Please always consult your doctor first, before trying any home remedies.
Hey all, sorry for the lack of posts again! I’ve been fighting another flu! Ugh!
I chose to fasten buttons on each end of the beard, and then (with my uncrafty ways) pulled each button through a stitch on the hat I made. Very technical, I know. You could certainly create button holes in the hat you’re using, I chose not to in case Daniel wanted to wear it without the beard.
Daniel loved his finished beard hat! It’s incredibly warm and perfect for cold winter days!
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