Easy Ways to Remove Phlegm
Naturally produced by your body, phlegm plays a crucial role in your bodily functions. It forms a protective layer in your mouth, nose, throat, lungs, stomach, and intestines, safeguarding them against dehydration. Mucus also creates a protective barrier to prevent bacteria and viruses from entering your body, but its composition can change and thicken at times.
Microbes, allergens, and irritants are trapped in the phlegm instead of entering your body, so you have mucus to thank for keeping you healthy most of the time. Phlegm in your throat, nose, and lung passages also prevents the air you breathe from drying out these sensitive areas.
However, when it becomes excessive, it can lead to various diseases in your body. Refer to the brief explanation below for mucus treatment.
Phlegm Treatment
Use Ginger and Honey
Ginger possesses potent healing properties and is frequently used to treat the common cold. It can alleviate coughs and works wonders in loosening stubborn mucus, easing your respiratory passages. Honey has antibacterial and antifungal properties, so it’s invaluable if you have a sore throat or a cold accompanied by mucus. Honey forms a protective layer in your throat, reduces irritation, and aids in the healing of your mucous membranes.
Salt Water and Honey
Like lemon, salt water and honey are excellent for sore throats because they can help break down mucus and alleviate pain. Lemons are packed with vitamin C, which strengthens the immune system and empowers it to combat your infection. Mix a teaspoon of lemon juice with a glass of warm water and drink for quick relief.
Warm Water
Drinking all kinds of liquids, especially warm water, chicken soup, and tea, is another home remedy beneficial for coughs. Many people with a cough suffer from dehydration. Besides hydration, fluids also help your immune system fight the source of infection or virus causing your cough and soothe the common sore throat that accompanies a cough.
Drink Plenty of Water
Stay well-hydrated. It helps keep the mucus thin and manageable. Studies show that chicken soup has anti-inflammatory properties and can alleviate symptoms of the common cold, including relieving nasal congestion.
Peppermint Tea
Peppermint tea is rich in menthol, an essential oil that can help alleviate symptoms common in colds and flu, such as cough, mucus, nasal discharge, congestion, and headaches. This tea also possesses antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that assist the body in combating and recovering quickly from a cold.
Consume Adequate Fluids
Not drinking enough fluids can facilitate the buildup of excess mucus in your respiratory tract. Sipping water, juice, or chicken broth can help loosen the mucus and facilitate its movement, aiding the expulsion of excess mucus from your respiratory system.
Elevate Your Bed’s Head
Sleeping with your head elevated on a pillow can help reduce discomfort caused by mucus accumulation at the back of the throat.
Gargle with Salt Water
Mix half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and gargle with it before spitting it out. This can help loosen the mucus at the back of the throat.
Use Eucalyptus Oil
Applying diluted eucalyptus oil to the chest or using it in a warm bath or diffuser can help reduce phlegm and suppress coughing.
Avoid Smoking
Smoking directly increases the amount of mucus produced due to its irritant effect on the airways and significantly raises the risk of conditions like lung cancer.
Always Gently Blow Your Nose
While forcefully blowing your nose to expel any mucus can be painful, vigorously blowing can cause discomfort and lead to sinus irritation.
Keep Caffeine to a Minimum
Both can cause dehydration if consumed in excess, and it’s best to hydrate with water or warm, caffeine-free beverages.
Eat Plenty of Fruits
A diet rich in fruits and vegetables boosts the healthy antioxidant levels in the body and aids the immune system in fighting off colds and other infections.
Try Using a Saline Nasal Spray
These can help clear mucus from the nasal passages. Ensure they use only sterile or distilled water and that the sprays contain only sodium chloride.
Avoid Foods That Cause Excess Acidity
If you suffer from heartburn or acid reflux, you’re more likely to produce excess mucus, so monitor your diet carefully.
Try Applying a Warm, Wet Cloth to Your Face
This can help alleviate sinus headaches and nasal congestion and breathing through it can moisturize the throat and nose.
Address Allergies
If you have seasonal allergies, ensure they are treated properly to reduce the likelihood of allergy-induced mucus.
Perfumes
Check if the perfumes, scents, or chemicals you use irritate your respiratory tract and cause excessive mucus production.
Use Cough Suppressants Sparingly
Coughing is the body’s way of eliminating excess mucus, so suppressing it is generally not recommended.
Lemon Water
Mix the juice of half a lemon and a tablespoon of honey in a glass of warm water. Give this warm liquid to your child twice a day. Honey is a natural decongestant and can help alleviate your child’s sore throat. Vitamin C in lemon helps to boost immunity.
Sleep Routine
If chest congestion is disrupting your child’s sleep and causing nighttime coughing, alter the child’s sleeping position. Elevate your child’s upper body with a soft pillow. Elevating the upper body helps prevent chest mucus from irritating the throat, facilitates mucus expulsion, and alleviates coughing and discomfort.
Eat More Garlic
Garlic has strong anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties and is also great in taste. If you’re battling an infection, garlic is one of the best additions to your diet. If eating raw garlic is challenging, you can add it to your dishes.