Everyone has experienced obstruction in the nasal passage or throat that has resulted in difficulty in breathing and persistent coughing. This happens due to the increased phlegm in the lungs. Phlegm is a thick substance that is secreted by the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, responsible for fighting infections like severe colds.
When it gets accumulated in the throat and chest, the body tries to expel it with coughing. Accumulation of phlegm in the lungs caused by cold, flu, bacterial or viral infections can be the cause for many problems.
Increased presence of phlegm in the lungs can result in fever, weakness, runny nose, persistent cough and difficult breathing. It may also block the bronchial tubes and cause much bigger problems, if you don’t expel and these problems can be very hard to treat with conventional medications.
These natural remedies can be of great help in preventing accumulation of phlegm:
Honey and Lemon
Combination of honey and lemon can help you soothe the irritated respiratory tract and it can bring you the much needed relief. Honey and lemon are both very powerful antibacterial and antifungal agents. Lemon is rich in vitamin C so it will help you reinforce your immune system and reduce congestion more easily.
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon of organic honey
Just mix the ingredients in a bowl and consume the mixture up to 3 times a day. This mixture will help you fight the congestion and relieve the infection.
Ginger
Ginger is a powerful natural decongestant and antihistamine. It has antibacterial properties that can soothe your chest and throat congestion by drying out the phlegm and eliminating it. You can eat 3-4 slices of ginger every day, or you can also drink a couple of cups of ginger tea to prevent respiratory infection and keep your health.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of water
- 1 teaspoon of honey
- 6-7 slices of ginger
- 1 teaspoon of black peppercorns
Boil the water and add the ginger and peppercorns. Boil for a minute, then cover it and lower the heat and leave it to simmer for 5-7 minutes. When it’s done, remove the tea from the heat and leave it to cool down. Strain the tea, add a teaspoon of organic honey and it’s ready for consumption. To get rid of the congestion and breathe easier, consume 2-3 cups of ginger tea every day.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is one of the most powerful natural antibacterial agents, so it can prevent the excess phlegm production and maintain a healthy pH balance. Just consume a tablespoon of raw ACV with a glass of water every day and you will see the benefits from its properties. Also you can make gargle with the liquid to soothe sore throat.
Turmeric
Turmeric contains curcumin, a compound with very powerful antibacterial properties.
Ingredients:
- ½ a teaspoon of salt
- A glass of warm water
- 1 teaspoon of turmeric
Add the turmeric in a glass of warm water, mix well, add the salt and mix again. Gargle with this mixture, for a few minutes 3-4 times a day to reduce the amount of phlegm and to fight respiratory infections. This is a very helpful solution because the warm water will help you soothe your throat, while the salt will destroy the bacteria.
Steaming
One of the best ways to reduce chest congestion is steaming.
Ingredients:
- ½ a teaspoon of thyme
- 4-5 cups of boiling water
- ½ a teaspoon of dry rosemary
Add the thyme and rosemary to boiling water in a bowl. Lean over the bowl with a towel over your head and just inhale the steam. For best results, repeat this process 3-4 times a day.
Here are some additional advices. Stop consuming cold food and drinks and blow your nose regularly in order to prevent excess phlegm in your lungs. You should definitely quit smoking, because this habit leads to chest congestion and irritates the respiratory tract. It is recommended to use a humidifier to control the production of mucus in your body and to avoid the exposure to paint fumes, household cleaners and chemical.
If you notice phlegm in your throat, don’t swallow it, instead gargle some warm water and salt and spit it out. Consuming spicy foods such as garlic and peppers can be very helpful in thinning out and breaking up the congestion.
I hope that my advices will help you get rid of the phlegm in the cold days.
