Suffering through ongoing coughing bouts and going through boxes of tissues blowing your nose? Well, you can wait it out or you could use some home remedies to get rid of phlegm and mucus in chest and throat.
Phlegm is the thick viscous substance secreted by the mucus membrane of your respiratory tract in an attempt to fight an infection, especially when suffering from a severe cold. It tends to collect in your throat and chest to cause congestion and is usually expelled through coughing.
Excess phlegm is a common symptom associated with a cold, flu, sinusitis or some other viral or bacterial infection. It can also be caused by an allergic reaction to irritants as in hay fever, asthma or damaged vocal cords. It is often accompanied by a runny nose, constant cough,fever and weakness, and difficulty in breathing.
While phlegm is not a serious health concern, if not treated timely it can clog the bronchial tubes, thus causing a secondary upper respiratory infection.
Dealing with phlegm is extremely frustrating and annoying, as it seems to be never-ending. However, there are excellent natural herbs and remedies to get rid of phlegm and mucus in chest and throat instantly.
Use Ginger
A natural decongestant and antihistamine, ginger also has antiviral, antibacterial and expectorant properties that help ease congestion in the chest and throat by drying out excessive mucus and stimulating removal of the buildup.
You can drink ginger tea a few times a day. Alternatively, you can chew on 3 or 4 raw ginger slices several times a day.
Things you’ll need:
Ginger (natural decongestant) – 6 or 7 pieces
Black peppercorns (helps fight infection) – 1 teaspoon
Honey (contains antiseptic properties) – 1 tablespoon
Water – 2 cups
Heat water in a pan
Pour 2 cups of water into a pan.
Turn on the heat.
Throw in ginger chunks and peppercorns
After the water starts to simmer, throw 6 or 7 ginger chunks into the water.
Add 1 teaspoon of black peppercorns as well.
Cover, boil and simmer
Cover the pan with the lid.
Allow the water to boil for 1 minute.
Lower the temperature and allow it to simmer for 5 to 7 minutes. You will observe the color of the water changing to pale yellow.
For a stronger flavor, simmer for 15 to 20 minutes or more, and use more ginger slices.
Strain the tea
Strain the tea into a cup to remove the ginger pieces and peppercorns.
Be careful while straining, as the steam can be extremely hot and can burn you.
Add sweetener
Finally, add in 1 tablespoon of honey.
Mix and sip the tea
Drink your tea in small sips while it is still hot to ease your congestion instantly.
Consume 2 to 3 ginger infusions each day to de-congest your phlegm.
Use Turmeric
Turmeric contains curcumin, a compound that has antiseptic and healing properties. It helps reduce phlegm by killing the bacteria that cause excessive mucus production.
Things you’ll need:
Turmeric (kills the bacteria causing phlegm) – 1 tablespoon
Salt (contains antibacterial properties) – ¼ teaspoon
Warm water (soothes irritated throat) – 1 glass (8 to 10 ounces)
Add turmeric and salt to water
Add 1 tablespoon of turmeric to a glass of warm water.
Add a pinch of salt (approximately ¼ teaspoon) to the solution.
Mix it well and gargle with the solution
ix the ingredients well.
Gargle with a small amount of the solution to get quick relief.
Repeat 3 or 4 times a day to loosen mucus and reduce phlegm in your throat.
Use a Salt Water Gargle
Gargling with salt water is one of the most effective ways to get rid of phlegm.
While warm water soothes your throat, salt contains antibacterial properties that fight the bacteria that cause the infection.
The salt and water combination decreases production of mucus and accumulation of phlegm.
Mix salt in water
Add ½ teaspoon of salt to a glass of warm water.
Stir well and gargle with the salt water
Stir well so the salt dissolves in the water.
Gargle with the solution to loosen your phlegm fast.
Do this 3 or 4 times every day until you get rid of phlegm from your system.
Use Steam
Steaming is another effective treatment to loosen up mucus and phlegm in your throat.
Breathing in steam allows the vapors to travel down your throat and loosen up clogged mucus, thus providing instant relief. Infusing the water with herbs adds additional healing effects.
Things you’ll need:
Water (boiling hot) (helps loosen clogged mucus) – 4 to 5 cups
Rosemary (contains antiseptic properties) – ½ teaspoon
Thyme (helps reduce excess mucus) – ½ teaspoon
Add herbs to boiling water
Pour 4 to 5 cups of hot water into a bowl. Make sure the water is boiling hot.
Add ½ teaspoon each of dried rosemary and thyme.
Inhale the steam
Drape a towel over your head to trap as much steam as possible.
Lean over the bowl of hot water so that the steam directly hits your face.
Breathe in the vapors for up to 10 minutes to get instant result.
Repeat 3 or 4 times a day to expel mucus from your throat.
Alternatively, a steamy shower 2 times a day will also provide relief from phlegm.
Use Honey and Lemon
Honey is loaded with antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties that soothes your irritated respiratory tract to provide instant relief.
Lemon, which has abundant vitamin C, is highly effective in strengthening your immunity and clearing away congestion.
Things you’ll need:
Lemon juice (strengthens your immunity) – 2 tablespoons
Honey (contains antibacterial and antiviral properties) – 1 tablespoon
Blend honey and lemon juice
Put 1 tablespoon of honey in a bowl.
Add double the amount (2 tablespoons) of lemon juice to the honey.
Stir and drink the concoction
Stir well to mix the ingredients.
Drink the solution to get instant relief from the congestion.
Repeat 3 times each day until it cures your phlegm.
Use Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)
A solution to almost all your troubles, apple cider vinegar brings your body to an alkaline state and balances the pH levels that prevent excess production of mucus in the body.
Add apple cider vinegar to water
Add 1 tablespoon of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar to a glass of water and mix well.
Drink the apple cider vinegar tonic
Drink the concoction 2 or 3 times a day until the excess mucus clears away.
Also, you can gargle with the solution to soothe a sore throat.
Tips
Use a humidifier to help control the production of mucus.
Blow your nose regularly to expel the phlegm.
Eat spicy foods like garlic and peppers to thin the mucus and break up the congestion.
Do not expose yourself to paint fumes, hazardous chemicals, and household cleaners as they may irritate your throat and nose.
Avoid smoking, as it irritates the respiratory system and leads to congestion.
Do not swallow the mucus or phlegm in your throat. Instead, gargle and spit it out to speed up the healing process.
Avoid consumption of cold foods and drinks.