The cough can be non-productive, that is dry, or productive, also called greasy. When you have a fat cough with phlegm, it usually means that you have contracted an infection or have inflammation in the respiratory system. to soothe it you have to expel the phlegm. While the effectiveness of many home remedies isn't backed up by scientific evidence, you can still find them helpful in relieving symptoms.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Home Remedies
Step 1. Follow your doctor's directions for treatments
When you have a cough, you may need to take pain relievers, antifungals, antibiotics, or follow other treatments indicated by your doctor to overcome the infection. always follow the instructions it gives you.
The natural remedies described in this article should be put into practice for one to two weeks; if you don't see any improvement or your symptoms get worse, see your doctor right away
Step 2. Breathe in moist air
Use a vaporizer or humidifier to help clear the phlegm out. To get the same benefit, you can also take a hot, steamy shower; in this way, you loosen the mucus and you can expel it more easily.
Step 3. Drink warm liquids
They are excellent in the presence of a lot of phlegm, since they help dissolve congestion by facilitating the expulsion of mucus; you can drink hot water, boiling herbal teas, juices, chicken or vegetable broth or even chicken soup.
To obtain greater benefits, you can add honey and lemon to water and herbal teas; both of these substances strengthen the immune system: honey has antiseptic properties, while lemon has antibacterial properties. Honey also helps you get rid of mucus
Step 4. Use menthol ointments
Products such as Vicks Vaporub and other topical ointments based on camphor and menthol are useful for combating coughs; menthol is an expectorant and dissolves mucus in a natural way, facilitating its expulsion.
It is enough to rub a small amount on the chest and around the nose; its scent thins the mucus
Step 5. Seek immediate medical attention
There are some situations in which it is necessary to go to the doctor immediately, especially if you suffer from some other medical condition or if the patient is a child. Contact your doctor immediately if you or your child have the following symptoms:
- Thick green, yellowish or red phlegm, indicating infection
- Wheezing or whistling breathing when you cough or breathe in both cases it means that the infection has affected the lungs;
- Strange sounding cough
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath after coughing
- Tussive crisis;
- Fever above 38 ° C.
Step 6. Get cough treatment
Controlled cough is a technique for expelling phlegm. Sit in a comfortable area, cross your arms across your chest, and place both feet on the floor. Inhale slowly through your nose, leaning forward slightly as you press your abdomen and do a couple of intense, short coughing beats. After coughing for a while, the phlegm should have partially dissolved and you can get rid of it.
Try panting coughing. Start the sequence from the sitting position; lift your chin and breathe slowly using your diaphragm. Inhale, hold your breath for a few seconds and then quickly exhale from your mouth. Repeat a few times and then return to breathing normally; when you feel the phlegm reach the back of your throat, you can expel it. You will likely have to repeat this procedure several times to get rid of the mucus
Step 7. Try chest percussion
This is a different remedy to use when you are lying down. Make sure your chest is tilted 45 degrees, cupped a hand and gently tap the left side of the chest, in the area between the nipple and collarbone; continue tapping gently, but with firm pressure, for about two minutes and then repeat the same procedure on the other side. At this point sit down, lean forward and strike the back shoulder blades with the same technique; help from your partner may be needed at this stage.
Lie on your back again and tap both front sides, then lie on your side with your arm over your head and gently hit the side of the rib cage; then repeat on the other side. Lie on your back and ask a friend to hit your back just above the ribs on either side
Method 2 of 3: Herbal Remedies
Step 1. Get some aromatic plants with expectorant properties
They are able to loosen mucus, loosening and reducing congestion. Among those readily available are:
- Eucalyptus;
- Elecampane;
- Red elm;
- Fennel seeds;
- Camphor;
- Garlic;
- Officinal hyssop;
- Lobelia;
- Mullein;
- Thyme;
- Green mint;
- Ginger;
- Cayenne pepper and black pepper;
- Mustard seeds.
- Do not take eucalyptus or peppermint oil by mouth.
- Some of these herbs, such as Lobelia, can be toxic if ingested in large quantities; consult your doctor before taking Lobelia.
- If you are pregnant, you must get the favorable opinion of the gynecologist before using any of these plants, as some have adverse effects.
- Talk to your pediatrician before giving them to children; you should also consult your family doctor before ingesting herbs if you are already taking any medications.
- Keep in mind that some of these herbs can cause allergic reactions; try them by taking only a small amount before deciding to use them more intensively.
Step 2. Make an herbal tea
It is a useful remedy to dissolve phlegm, also because it does not contain caffeine which can increase the production of mucus. Not only does it help soothe congestion because it is a hot drink, but it also allows you to add expectorant herbs to amplify the beneficial effects. Chamomile and lemon tea are great for this, but you can also make a drink with spearmint, peppermint, and ginger.
- Take one teaspoon of dried herbs or three of fresh herbs, add them to 250ml of boiled water and let them steep for 5-10 minutes, then drink several cups a day.
- To improve the flavor, you can add a little honey and lemon. Herbal teas with cayenne pepper, garlic, mustard seeds, black pepper and onions are among the strongest and rather irritating, so they should be sipped slowly.
- If you want to give these drinks to a child, cut the amount of herbs in half or double the amount of water.
Step 3. Inhale the herbs
Expectorant plants and essential oils can also be inhaled to ease coughing and thin out mucus. You can chop and boil aromatic plants in a pot and breathe in the vapors or put them in a diffuser. Essential oils represent the simplest format to exploit their properties; you can heat them in a specific burner, add them to hot water or put them in a diffuser.
- You can also smell a cloth impregnated with these herbs; proceed by pouring essential oils on the fabric or dip the towel in the water in which you boiled the aromatic plants.
- Use moderation when choosing this method, as excessively inhaling some substances can irritate the lungs.
Method 3 of 3: Steam
Step 1. Use the right herbs
If you want to expel the phlegm, you have to act on the lungs; To prepare a steam-based remedy, you need to choose the correct aromatic plants to add in the form of oil, dried or fresh leaves. Thanks to the steam, the beneficial properties of these herbs go directly into the lungs, acting faster and more effectively; They also help expand the sinuses and airways where there is fluid mucus. Some plants have antifungal and antibacterial properties as well as expectorants and can therefore kill bacteria and other microorganisms. Here are some tips:
- Eucalyptus;
- Roman or peppermint, which contains menthol;
- Ginger;
- Camphor;
- Thyme;
- Officinal hyssop;
- Fennel seeds;
- Mullein;
- Lobelia;
- Other plants, such as common toxicology, common marshmallow, red elm.
Step 2. Add the herbs
Fill a pot with water and bring it to a boil; once the right temperature is reached, add a drop or two of any of the essential oils listed above; you can also add a teaspoon or two of dried herbs and leave them to infuse.
Step 3. Breathe in the steam
After adding the oils or herbs, boil the water for another minute; turn off the heat and remove the pot from the stove, placing it on a counter or table at a comfortable height for you. Wait for the water to cool slightly for a few minutes and cover your head with a towel or cloth, close your eyes and bow your head over the pot.
- Inhale the vapor through the nose for 5 seconds and then exhale through the nose for another 5 seconds; repeat from the mouth for two seconds with each breath.
- Do this for 10 minutes;
- During the treatment, keep your face 30 cm from the surface of the water. The steam rises to the top and staying too close to the water could cause a face burn.
Step 4. Repeat the treatment
Once it's done, you need to repeat it. You can proceed every two hours in the acute stage of the disease; you should also cough and blow your nose as much as possible between treatments.
If you can't get the results you want, try using a pinch of black pepper or cayenne, but avoid adding too much to avoid irritation
Step 5. Make an effort to cough
Once the steam treatment is over, try coughing, if you haven't done so before, to better expel the phlegm; after coughing, however, avoid ingesting the mucus, you must instead spit it into a handkerchief or tissue.
