You’ll need:
Several thin slices of fresh ginger
1–2 cups of water
Honey, if desired A little lemon, if desired
Simmer the ginger in water for several minutes, allow it to cool to a comfortable drinking temperature, and add honey or lemon if you like.
Think of ginger tea as a comforting warm drink, not a treatment for the underlying cause of chest congestion.
Gargle With Warm Salt Water
If mucus and irritation are concentrated around your throat, a salt-water gargle may provide temporary relief.
Mayo Clinic recommends dissolving approximately ¼ to ½ teaspoon of salt in an 8-ounce glass of warm water to soothe a sore throat.
Gargle the solution and spit it out rather than swallowing it.
This is more useful for throat discomfort than mucus located deep inside the lungs.
Young children who cannot gargle safely shouldn’t use this method.
Add Moisture to Dry Air
Dry air can make your nose and throat feel even more irritated.
A clean cool-mist humidifier can add moisture to the air and may help ease stuffiness.
There’s an important catch: humidifiers need to be cleaned properly.
Dirty humidifiers can grow mold and bacteria and release them into the air. Excessive indoor humidity can also encourage mold and dust mites. Mayo Clinic recommends keeping indoor humidity roughly between 30% and 50%.
Follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions and change the water regularly.
Take a Warm Shower
