Alternative medicine offers natural healing therapies to alleviate symptoms, reduce stress and bolster the immune system. Complementary And Alternative Therapies Consult a competent specialist in each treatment modality for individual assessment or additional information. Pressure is applied with the fingers to stimulate specific acupoints to clear upper respiratory congestion and relieve middle ear pressure. Acupuncture is a core therapy of Chinese medicine and one of the oldest known techniques of healing. The acupuncturist stimulates particular acupoints corresponding to the patient 's complaint by inserting fine needles under the skin.
Aromatherapy using herbal steam can assist in reducing congestion.
Steam inhalation of essential oils such as peppermint, eucalyptus or clary sage may improve breathing and reduce cough. Take several breaths of the inhalation and then take a break and breathe room air. You may then return to the steam inhalation. Also try placing a few drops of one of these oils on a warm, wet washcloth or tissue and hold to your face with your eyes closed for several minutes. Ginger oil mixed with a carrier oil makes a great warming chest rub to help relieve congestion and cough.