Mucus causes an uncomfortable sensation and often blocks the airways for a long time. Would you like to get rid of it as soon as possible, without waiting for the secretion to take its course, but you don't know how to do it? Read on to find out more and learn some ways to clear phlegm and mucus from your throat.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Basic Treatments
Step 1. Clear mucus or phlegm from your throat by coughing or clearing your throat
If you have too much mucus in your throat, there is no harm in clearing it with a little cough. Find a secluded spot, like the bathroom, then start coughing or clearing your throat to get the mucus out of your throat.
Step 2. Gargle with warm water and salt
Dissolve a teaspoon of salt in about 230ml of warm or hot water. Take a sip of this solution, hold it in your mouth, tilt your head back and, without swallowing, gargle to clear your throat.
Step 3. Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day
The liquids that go down the esophagus soften the mucus preventing the throat from being completely covered with it. Try the following tried and tested methods to feel some relief:
- Hot tea with honey and lemon. Is critical. The acidity of the lemon dissolves the mucus, while the honey coats the throat with a protective layer immediately afterwards.
- Hot broth. The best is chicken broth, because it is light, flavorful and loosens the mucus. Try to drink clear soups rather than thick creams and soups.
- Cold water. Listen to your body and drink the water you need to feel hydrated.
Step 4. Experience the effects of steam
Let the steam enter your nose and throat, softening some of the accumulated mucus. Try the following methods for some relief:
- Place a towel on your head and deeply breathe in the steam rising from the boiling water. For best results, steep some tea (chamomile tea works too) in a large pot, then lower your head to it to breathe in the steam.
- Take hot showers. If you stay in the shower for a long time, remember to moisturize your skin afterwards because the heat makes it dry by depriving it of its essential oils.
- Use a humidifier / vaporizer. It will make the environment more humid. Be careful not to make the room too humid. It doesn't take much to improve.
Step 5. Use a drug that clears you of mucus
Some over-the-counter medications, such as Mucinex, are useful for reducing and softening mucus. Look for an "expectorant," which is a medicine that helps eliminate phlegm and mucus.
Part 2 of 4: Herbal and Natural Remedies
Step 1. Use eucalyptus essential oil
It has long been used as a herbal remedy for mucus. To use it effectively, smear your upper chest with an oil, such as coconut oil, then add a few drops of eucalyptus essential oil. It will make you cough more than expected at first, but after a while it will help clear mucus from your throat.
Add a few drops of eucalyptus essential oil to the nebulizer for an effective treatment. Do not take it orally
Step 2. Add turmeric powder to liquids to aid digestion
Turmeric is also great as an antiseptic. Dissolve a tablespoon of turmeric and a tablespoon of honey in about 230ml of hot water. Drink the liquid and repeat the intake for a good result.
Step 3. Eat spicy foods to soften and loosen mucus
There are so many foods that can give relief. Among them we find:
- Wasabi or horseradish
- Hot peppers, like jalapeno or anaheim
- Ginger and also garlic
Part 3 of 4: Avoid Mucus-Enhancing Foods and Irritants
Step 1. Stay away from milk and dairy products
Not everyone agrees that dairy products make mucus secretion worse, however it is best to avoid them if you are concerned that the situation may get worse. Basically, milk is high in fat that could make the mucus thicker, irritating the airways.
Step 2. Avoid soy products
These foods, such as soy milk, tofu, tempeh which are rich in protein and generally healthy, in this specific case increase the viscosity of the mucus causing accumulations in the chest. If you have a choice, it's best to play it safe by avoiding soy.
Step 3. Stop smoking
Here is another reason, among many, to quit smoking if you haven't already. Smoking irritates the throat, worsens the functions of the respiratory tract with congestion.
Step 4. Stay away from irritants, such as paints and chemicals
Paints and cleaning products, such as ammonia, can irritate the nose and throat causing increased mucus production.
Part 4 of 4: Diagnosing the Problem
Step 1. You need to know if you have a cold
You probably already know. But are you also aware of why colds cause constant discharge? Actually, mucus has two functions:
- It covers the organs, keeping them hydrated to prevent them from drying out completely.
- It acts as a primary defense against pollutants and bacteria, which often get trapped in the mucus before being able to infiltrate the body.
Step 2. You need to know if you have a nasopharyngeal drip
Nasopharyngeal drip occurs when the body produces an excessive amount of mucus that slips through the throat rather than from the nose. It can be caused by colds and allergies, certain medications (such as those for hypertension), a deviated septum, and fumes of irritants. Contact your doctor if you smell bad or the problem lasts for more than 10 days.
Step 3. You need to figure out if the mucus is caused by seasonal allergies or an allergic reaction
Allergies can cause mucus secretion. In these cases, it has a transparent appearance, while the mucus caused by a cold or flu generally tends to a greenish yellow. If you have allergies, avoid going outside on days when pollen counts are particularly high. Also, stay away from:
- Mold
- The fur of animals
- Dust mites
Step 4. Pregnancy can increase mucus secretion
If you have recently found out that you are pregnant, pregnancy may explain the problem. There is not much to do in this case, you cannot take medication, except for a certain type of decongestant. Ask your doctor for more information. Either way, it's comforting to know that the problem won't last forever.
Advice
- Drink mostly water.
- Try eating spicy foods.
- Stay away from fresh paint fumes as the throat will become more clogged.
