How to Relieve Chest Tightness From Allergies

Allergies are an unfortunate reality for about 25% of Americans, causing your body to mistakenly react to harmless substances, leading to those pesky allergy symptoms we hate so much. 

When exposed to allergens like pollen, pet dander, or dust mites, your immune system overreacts and releases histamines. These chemicals are responsible for triggering symptoms all over your body such as inflammation, a runny nose, puffy eyes, and chest tightness as your body attempts to expel what it believes to be a threat.

Allergy doctors often prescribe antihistamines or allergy shots to block the effects of these histamines, but beyond medication, there are some effective home remedies that can help alleviate symptoms. 

Home Remedies to Help With Chest Congestion

When allergy season strikes it can sometimes feel like there is no end in sight for the chest congestion you’ve been experiencing. While over-the-counter expectorants and anti-inflammatories can help, there are also natural remedies that can provide relief. 

Here are some simple and effective ways to relieve chest tightness and breathe easier during allergy season.

Make a Hot Tea 

Hot beverages do wonders to open up your nasal passages and lungs. There are tons of herbs and ingredients that can help clear congestion, suppress your cough, soothe your throat, and even have antibacterial properties. You can add just one therapeutic ingredient, or combine a few to find a tea that works for you and tastes good.  Try making your tea with;

• Ginger 
• Honey 
• Licorice root 
• Eucalyptus 
• Peppermint 
• Mullein 

Steam Your Face 

Again, the heat is key! Try boiling some water and adding your favorite essential oil. Peppermint, eucalyptus, tea tree, and frankincense essential oils are best because all have beneficial properties like being antimicrobial or anti-inflammatory. Once the water has cooled a bit, place your face over the steam–with a towel draped over your head to keep the steam from escaping–and breathe deeply. This should open up your airways and bring some temporary symptom relief. 

Try Postural Drainage

The way your body is oriented can make a difference when it comes to mucus drainage. If you’re having trouble clearing stubborn chest congestion, you can try elevating your hips over your head by putting pillows under your hips but not under your head. Gravity will help drain the mucus out of your chest so you can cough it out. 

If you’re having trouble sleeping because of a cough, try the reverse, elevating your head. This will reduce the amount you cough during the night so you can get better sleep. 

Take Some Vitamin C 

Histamines are the messengers your body uses to identify and fight allergens. Taking a daily supplement of 2,000 milligrams of Vitamin C can help decrease your histamine levels over time, potentially reducing the severity of your allergies and the reactivity of your immune system. Try Lypo-Spheric Vitamin C by LivOn Labs, which contains highly absorbable vitamin C that your body can utilize right away.

Herbal Allergy Supplements 

Allergy supplements often contain a blend of herbs, vitamins, and minerals that are known to relieve the symptoms of allergies. By providing concentrated doses of natural antihistamines, anti-inflammatories, antimicrobials, and immune boosters, these supplements may help reduce the sneezing, itching, and congestion associated with allergies. 

Mucus Relief Tablets

BHI Mucus Relief Tablets are formulated with a blend of homeopathic ingredients like Antimonium tartaricum, Belladonna, Bryonia alba, and Ipecacuanha, which help relieve chest congestion by decreasing mucus buildup, soothing irritated airways, and easing breathing. Ingredients like Lobelia inflata and Sticta pulmonaria act as natural expectorants, clearing mucus from the lungs, while Hyoscyamus niger and Pertussinum help reduce coughing fits and inflammation. 

This formulation is best if you’re looking for a solution to irritated airways and coughing.

Bronchi Pertu Oral Drops

Bronchi Pertu Oral Drops by Pekana combines Bryonia cretica, known for reducing inflammation and easing dry, painful coughs, with Coccus cacti, which helps soothe persistent wet coughing. Grindelia robusta and Guajacum are effective for clearing stubborn mucus and promoting easier breathing. Ingredients like Tartus stibiatus and Phellandrium target deep respiratory congestion, while Phosphorus works to calm irritation in the lungs. Usnea barbata offers additional support by helping to combat infections that may worsen chest congestion. 

This blends best for stubborn mucus buildup and persistent coughing, especially if there’s an underlying infection causing or worsening the congestion.

Conclusion

The best way to control allergies is to avoid your allergen, but for some – like those allergic to pollen – that’s not possible. Some experts recommend using an air purifier in your home to reduce the amount of allergens you are exposed to for at least some of your day to help decrease the severity of symptoms. Home remedies and wellness supplements can help mitigate some symptoms as well, so you can make it through allergy season without dreading it. 

If your allergy symptoms become severe or make it hard to breathe, contact a medical professional. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I get rid of chest congestion?

You can try over-the-counter expectorants, steam, or herbal remedies and supplements to reduce mucus and inflammation of respiratory passages. 

What supplements help with chest congestion? 

Bronchi Pertu Oral Drops by Pekana and Mucus Relief Tablets by BSI both have ingredients that help with inflammation, mucus, and coughing, and are naturally antimicrobial. 

What causes allergies?

When your immune system accidentally identifies something as a threat, it releases histamines that cause inflammation and create those pesky allergy symptoms.