Do you feel a little blockage in your throat or nasal passage? Or have you been coughing and sneezing a lot lately? All these along with a running nose, heavy breathing and chest pain are symptoms of phlegm or mucus. While it’s not life threatening, if ignored for a long time, you may clog your bronchial tubes and infect your respiratory system.
What is Mucus?
Going by the definition, it is a “slippery secretion produced by, and covering, mucous membranes.” It is rich in water and glycoproteins and is generally produced from cells in mucous glands.
Different Between Mucus and Phlegm:
Many think Phlegm and Mucus are the same, however, Phlegm is produced by the lower airways whereas mucus streaming out of your nose is produced by nose and sinuses. There are some easy home remedies that can treat both mucus and phlegm.
Here is the List of Home Remedies to Get Rid of Mucus:
1. Ginger and Honey
Ginger and honey can cure phlegm with its medicinal properties and every house has these ingredients.
What you need:
- A thumb of ginger
- 1 tsp of honey
Directions:
- Remove the outer skin of ginger and grate it.
- Mix it with a teaspoon of honey and consume it every day.
How it works: The compounds in ginger minimize cold and cough and soothes the respiratory system.
Note: You may also boil chopped ginger in water, add some honey to it and drink it when lukewarm.
2. Pepper
Pepper is another great remedy that aids in curing mucus and phlegm.
What you need:
- 1 tbsp of pepper
- 1 tbsp of honey
Directions:
- Grind a tablespoon of white pepper and equal amount of honey to it.
- Chomp it and you will be relieved instantly.
How it works: Pepper is a known and accepted treatment of various throat infections and honey soothes the infection.
Note: Consume thrice a day as long as you have cough
3. Chickpeas
Chickpeas are great for mucus too.
What you need:
4. Onion
Onion can be added with lemon juice and used to treat the throat infection.
What you need:
- Half a medium size onion
- Half a lemon
- Drinking water
Directions:
- Peal an onion and grind it in a mixer, squeeze some lemon juice to it.
- Now this mash needs to be added to a cup of boiling water, and drink this concoction when lukewarm.
Source: crankingkitchen.wordpress.com
How it works: Onions will loosen up the phlegm or mucous and take it out of your system easily.
Note: Consume this solution twice daily till you are completely cured.
5. Grape Juice
Grape juice is loaded a legion of nutrients that cure every wear and tear of the body.
What you need:
- A bowl full of black grapes
How it works: Grapes are expectorant and soothes the lungs and unclogs the phlegm
Note: Don’t go overboard with eating grapes, too much can cause loose motions.
6. Anise Seeds
What you need:
- Anise Seeds
- Honey
Directions:
- Add a handful of crushed Anise seeds to 2 cups of boiling water.
- Boil the water on low flame till the water reduces to half, strain the water and add a teaspoon of honey to it.
How it works: Anise seeds loosens the phlegm which gradually gets drained out of the system.
Note: This has a longer shelf life, you may prepare a bottle full of it and store it in your refrigerator.
7. Wild Cherry Bark
You may purchase it in bark form or the powder of it.
What you need:
- Wild Cherry Bark
- Jiggery or honey
Directions:
- Boil in water and sweeten it with honey or jiggery.
- You may also add it in tea.
How it works: The herbal expectorant loosens phlegm and drives it out of your throat, lungs and chest.
Note: Avoid this totally if you are expecting or nursing mother.
8. Spikenard Root
What you need:
- Spikenard Root
- A sweetener of your choice, avoid sugar.
Directions:
- Wash the roots and dry in sun.
- Boil them in clean drinking water, add sweetener, strain and sip in like tea.
How it works: Spikenard root has depurative, antiseptic, diaphoretic properties that help treat phlegm.
Note: Again, expecting woman should avoid this solution.
9. Bay Leaf
What you need:
- Handful of clean bay leaves
Directions:
- Churn them into smaller pieces
- Boil them in water, strain and imbibe.
How it works: Another herbal remedy that cures Mucus and Phlegm by dissolving and draining them out of the system, instantly.
10. Couch Grass
What you need:
- 2 tbsp of couch grass for every dose
Directions:
- Boil few teaspoons full of couch grass and boil it in a cup full of water.
- When it shimmers, out the gas off, strain and drink it.
How it works: Couch grass is an excellent anti-bacterial herb that soothes throat and turns phlegm more slippery, making it easier to expel.
11. Oregano Oil
What you need:
Liquid Oregano oil or in the form of capsules
Directions:
- Add a few drops of Oregano oil into lukewarm water and drink the water.
- You may also consume pills containing the oil.
How it works: The anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties of this herbal oil treats many infections in the respiratory tract.
Note: If consuming the oiled water is too much, just add a few drops to your meal, it serves the purpose fine.
12. Garlic and Lime
What you need:
- 2 Garlic cloves
- Couple of lemons
- A pinch of salt
- 1/2 tbsp of pepper powder
Directions:
- Boil a bowl full of water and squeeze the lemons into it.
- Add two crushed garlics to it, pepper powder and salt.
- You may keep this concoction in your fridge and drink at regular intervals.
How it works: Both the components are rich in anti-inflammatory properties that clears phlegm.
Note: Take it out of the fridge at least 15 minutes before you drink it so it reaches room temperature.
13. Turmeric
What you need:
- Turmeric powder
- Milk
- Honey
- Black pepper powder
Directions:
- Add half a teaspoon of turmeric powder to warm milk along with a teaspoon of honey and half a teaspoon of black pepper powder.
- It acts amazingly if consumed every day.
How it works: The spice herb contains curcumin that treats various internal and external wear and tears, mucus and phlegm being two of them.
Note: Drink before hitting the bed.
14. Mint and Eucalyptus Leaves
What you need:
- Mint leaves
- Eucalyptus leaves
Directions:
- Boil a handful of mint and eucalyptus leaves in a big pot.
- Remove it from the flame and place it on a safe place.
- Lower your face to it and breathe in the steam or vapor oozing out of the pot.
How it works: Mucus will be easily dehydrated and expelled out of your system, also useful in curing sinus.
Note: Maintain safe distance from the hot water.
15. Herbal Tea
Any hot solution would help slacken the stubborn phlegm and mucus. But its always better to use some herbal teas for the purpose. You will enjoy the flavor and get treated at the same time, not to mention enjoy the goodness of herbs.
What you need:
- Lavender tea
- Mint tea
- Green tea or chamomile tea
- Honey/Sugar to taste
How it works: Hot herbal teas dissolve phlegm that easily finds its way out of your body.
Note: Herbal teas don’t cause any side effects, unless you are allergic to any particular herb.
16. Horehound Leaves
What you need:
- Horehound Leaves
- A jar of honey
Directions:
- Boil half a pint of water in a pot till its steaming, remove it off the flame and add an ounce of dried horehound leaves to it, cover with a tight lid.
- As the water cools down, strain this solution and add a pound of honey.
- You can store your fridge for months.
- Drink whenever your chest or nose feel blocked.
How it works: the solution made from hound leaves loosens accumulated phlegm by the lining of your throat.
Note: Don’t drink it straight out of the refrigerator, let it reach room temperature.
17. Slippery Elm
What you need:
- Slippery Elm leaves of bark
Directions:
- You may prepare an easy decoction by boiling 2 teaspoon of Slippery Elm bark powder in two cups of water.
- Strain and drink the cleared solution.
How it works: The soluble fiber present in the leaves or bark form a gel like substance when dissolved in water that reduces inflammation
Note: You may consume this solution twice daily till you are all better.
18. Licorice
What you need:
- Just licorice roots, washed and dried
Directions:
- Prepare a solution by boiling licorice roots in a cup of water.
- Strain it and drink it when cool.
How it works: It reduces phlegm accumulated in the chest and relieves you from sore throat.
Note: You may drink it about thrice a day to get best results.
19. Eucalyptus Oil
What you need:
- Eucalyptus oil
- Coconut oil
Directions:
- Mix 1 portion, say a teaspoon full of eucalyptus oil to 2 portions of coconut oil.
- Massage it gently all over your chest.
How it works: Eucalyptus oil when rubbed against the chest expels the phlegm from our body.
Note: Don’t apply eucalyptus oil directly to skin and make sure you don’t swallow it.
20. Lemon Tea
What you need:
- Half a lemon
- Honey
Directions:
- Boil a cup of water and add the juice of half a lemon to it, add some honey and there you are.
- Relish an delectable yet medicinal tea.
How it works: Citric acid in lemons helps loosen the phlegm thereby soothing the throat.
21. Gargle
What you need:
- Drinking water
- Table salt
Directions:
- Take lukewarm drinking water and add some salt to it.
- Tilt your head a little backward and gargle with this water.
How it works: It will dissolve the phlegm and mucus which will later be expelled from the body.
Note: But remember not to swallow the gargled water, at that point it would be gross.
[sc:mediad]
Causes For Colored Mucus And Phlegm
1. Clear or Thin White Mucus
It looks cloudy and translucent. The thin white mucus generally carries no blood or puss in it.
Causes:
- You might be seeing these if you are a former smoker. You have caused enough harm to your body but it’s going to be a while before your body heals itself.
- Inflammation of bronchi may also lead to thin white mucus along with chest pain and runny nose.
2. Thick White Mucus
It’s a thicker version of the clear mucus, just that its translucent and may at times look like milk.
Causes:
- Though milk by itself doesn’t cause mucus, consumption of it may turn thin mucus into thick white mucus.
- In many cases gastroesophageal reflux disease had led to such mucus formation.
3. Yellow and Green Mucus
Its way thicker and contains puss. Also, the yellow and green mucus is the indication of graver bacterial infection like acute bacterial bronchitis, chronic bronchitis or bacterial pneumonia.
Causes:
- As mentioned, the yellow and green mucus is caused by bacterial presence in your chest or throat.
- At times inflammatory cells also lead to its formation.
4. Brown or Rusty Mucus
Its appearance is rustier. The color brown would most definitely mean old blood, and thus rusty or brown mucus is experienced when you have suffered pink or reddish phlegm.
Causes:
- Blood from the bronchi, lungs, voice box or windpipe causes brown mucus.
- Infections like chronic bronchitis is also a root cause of rusty mucus.
5. Grey Mucus
Grey Mucus is just a stage minus the absolute black mucus that you don’t want to see dripping out of your nose.
Causes:
- At times inhaling in polluted air or smug may also be the reason.
- Smoking cigarettes, or marijuana is another cause of it.
6. Black Mucus
Absolute dark mucus, not that common, but you need to go see a doctor if you ever cough black mucus.
Causes:
- Consumption of cocaine, smoking marijuana or tobacco aggressively will lead to black mucus.
- Coal workers who suffer from pneumoconiosis or anthrosilicosis are often found coughing black mucus.
7. Blood in Mucus
Blood in mucus can be seen in shapes of reddish or brownish strikes, or plain red blood.
Causes:
- One of the reasons could be wear and tear in the respiratory track.
- Bacterial or fungal infections may also be a hidden reason, doctors must be referred to at the earliest.
8. Pink Mucus
This is a lighter variation of blood mucus, and looks like an in-between of think white mucus and blood mucus.
Causes:
- Mostly seen in patients of asthma
- Also caused by the accumulation of white blood cells in the bronchial wall
9. Frothy Mucus
It originates in the lungs, is watery and is often covered with a mass of tiny bubbles.
Causes:
- Frothy mucus is often caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease
- Alternatively, if you have inflammatory fluid on the vesicular walls you may cough some frothy mucus
Productive Coughs in Children :
- Productive cough can be reasoned by respiratory infections children often suffer.
- Common cold or fever can also resolve to formation of mucus or Phlegm.
- Dry cough, croup cough, wet cough, and even whooping coughs are types of productive cough.
Coughing, Mucus and Phlegm During Pregnancy:
- Excessive amount of phlegm is a common problem faced by many women during pregnancy.
- Drink adequate water, stay hydrated and make sure you are eating the right diet.
- Try to rid yourself of mucus or phlegm during pregnancy with the use of natural remedies like honey or eucalyptus oil.
How to Prevent and Stop Mucus and Phlegm Symptoms
- Visit your doctor whenever you feel discomfort in your chest or throat so that the condition is not aggravated.
- Always carry a shawl or a muffler if you are going for an early morning walk in the winters.
- If you get drenched in the rain, make sure you take a hot bath followed by a hot cup of tea or soup.
- Nothing compares to giving up on smoking tobacco or marijuana forever, if you are an addict.
Hope this article helped you with home remedies to tackle mucus and phlegm. Stay safe.
Recommended Articles
Home Remedies for Cough
Sore Throat Remedies
2 comments
how to get rid of phlegm stuck in throat?
Visiting the doctor would do good in this case, as the doctor would prescribe the necessary steroid nasal spray. It takes about 6 weeks for it to be fully effective, if the phlegm is too much, so be patient.