If your throat is clogged with mucus and phlegm, there are several ways to clear it to make breathing, eating, and drinking easier. Medications, home remedies, as well as certain foods and drinks can help improve the condition of the throat.
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Part 1 of 4: Clean the Throat
Step 1. Use mouthwash
Daily use of mouthwash can help clear the back of the throat and prevent the growth of odor-causing bacteria and various oral diseases.
- Mouthwash may contain antimicrobial agents that can prevent disease, fluorite, which can reduce tooth decay, and odor neutralizers to combat bad breath.
- Some mouthwashes are purely cosmetic products, which means they can temporarily eliminate bad breath but don't have the bacteria-fighting power of more popular brand mouthwashes. Make sure you buy a therapeutic mouthwash designed to clear the mouth and throat, as well as get rid of bad breath.
- Mouthwash is available along with instructions for use. Mouthwash generally requires you to rinse your mouth and swish it for a few seconds, before draining the liquid down the sink and rinsing your mouth with water.
Step 2. Treat the tonsils
The tonsils are small collections of lymph tissue at the back of the throat that often cause infection and bad breath. Some people have had their tonsils surgically removed to prevent this from happening, but if you still want to have them, they need treatment to prevent the buildup of bacteria. Tonsil stones, which are formed from food particles and mucus, sometimes accumulate in the folds of the tonsils and cause bad breath. Tonsil stones may also make you feel suffocated, or like you need to clear your throat constantly.
- Flushing (irrigation) using the irrigation method, which can be purchased at the pharmacy, may be necessary if you have tonsil stone disease. The tonsil irrigation method works much like ear or respiratory irrigation, in that it sprays water and certain medications into the back of the throat to remove unwanted residue using a rubber spray. Make sure not to apply too much pressure or force as this can injure the tonsils and cause bleeding.
- Tonsil spray can be purchased at many pharmacies. This device is a medicated spray that is applied to the back of the throat to clear the tonsils and prevent decay.
- Taking probiotics can inhibit the growth of the tonsils if they grow too large and cause discomfort. However, check with your doctor first before trying any new medicines.
- See a doctor if tonsil stones are causing serious problems or cannot be removed on their own.
Step 3. Brush your tongue
Make sure you take the time to scrub the back of your tongue using a toothbrush when brushing your teeth every day. In addition to cleaning teeth, this method also helps clean the mouth and throat, and prevent the buildup of disease-causing bacteria or bad breath.
Part 2 of 4: Using Drugs and Doing Home Remedies
Step 1. Try taking over-the-counter medications
The quickest way to get rid of phlegm and other unwanted substances from the throat is to take regular over-the-counter medications that can be purchased at most pharmacies and supermarkets.
- Over-the-counter medications labeled as "expectorants" are designed to remove mucus and phlegm from the throat and chest. Brands of over-the-counter drugs that contain expectorants, namely Vicks, or generic drugs, such as Ambroksol.
- Always check for side effects of new drugs to be taken. Expectorants generally cause drowsiness, besides the label on the packaging even recommends users not to drive a motor vehicle while taking the drug.
- Always consult a doctor when you want to take a drug that has never been taken before, even for over-the-counter drugs, to ensure its safety against your medical history and when taken with other medicines.
- See a doctor if over-the-counter medications don't have any effect. If necessary, the doctor will give a referral to an ENT (Throat, Nose, and Ear) specialist to help find a prescription for a medicine that can clear the throat.
Step 2. Use a saline solution to clean the nasal cavity
Salt water, or saline solution, can clear the throat effectively in a short period of time by preventing nasal drip (the sensation of excess mucus flowing from the nose into the throat), reducing blockages, and removing mucus from the nose. Sterile saline solution can be purchased at the pharmacy or made at home.
- Mix tsp of baking soda and tsp of salt in a cup of room temperature water. If using tap water, boil it first to sterilize it, then let it cool.
- Dissolve the baking soda and salt in the water.
- You will need some kind of rubber syringe. Ear rubber syringes or needleless medical syringes may also be used. Spray the saline solution into your nose and let it run down the back of your throat. Remove the solution by spitting into the sink.
- Don't worry if you accidentally swallow the saline solution. The saline solution won't make you sick.
- This can help clear the nasal passages, which will reduce the buildup of phlegm in the throat. Repeat these steps while the symptoms are still experienced.
- Be sure to keep the syringe sterile by washing it with soap and water after use. Change the saline solution every few days.
Step 3. Try a lemon and honey mixture
Lemons and honey both contain antibacterial properties that can help soothe the throat and remove phlegm, mucus, and other bacteria.
- Mix honey and lemon juice in equal amounts, then mix well.
- You can drink 1 full tablespoon of the mixture right away, but most people find it too sweet. If this is the case, adding the mixture to tea, coffee, or even a cup of warm water can make it taste better.
- Do not give honey to children under 1 year of age. Honey contains botulism spores which can cause serious infections in toddlers.
Step 4. Apply eucalyptus oil
Eucalyptus oil can be applied externally to relieve blockages, which can help clear the throat.
- Eucalyptus oil can be purchased at many pharmacies, supermarkets, and health food stores. Remember that eucalyptus oil is only to be applied to the skin and should not be drunk. Always dilute eucalyptus oil first with a carrier oil, such as coconut, olive, and canola oil.
- Gently rub and massage eucalyptus oil on your chest and neck, then let it sit for a few hours to relieve the lump in your throat. This method will make the throat clear.
Part 3 of 4: Consuming Foods and Drinks That Can Clean Your Throat
Step 1. Try ginger and garlic
Raw ginger and garlic are very beneficial in relieving congestion and clearing the throat.
- Ginger and garlic both have antibacterial properties that can help treat infections that cause phlegm and mucus in the throat. Sputum itself contains various types of bacteria that can be destroyed by garlic.
- Ginger and garlic should be consumed while they are still raw for best results. If the idea of chewing it raw scares you, just chop some garlic or ginger and drink it with water like a pill.
Step 2. Drink herbal tea
Herbal teas have been known to relieve throat irritation caused by phlegm-causing infections. Green tea, ginger, chamomile, or lemon are good choices. Try a type of tea that does not contain caffeine for best results.
Herbal teas can thin mucus, relieve the feeling of lumps, and clear the throat
Step 3. Eat spicy food
Spicy foods may irritate an already sore throat, so use this method with caution. The idea is that spicy food can loosen phlegm and make it thinner, making it easier to expel through coughing and sneezing. Chilies, peppers, wasabi, and horseradish are all good choices. However, it is better to try another method if you have problems in your body's reaction to spicy foods, such as stomach acid.
Step 4. Avoid certain foods
There are certain foods that should be avoided when the throat is blocked or feels lumpy because it can make the condition worse.
- Dairy products, such as cheese, yogurt, and milk, can increase mucus production in the body. Foods that contain a lot of oil and salt should also be avoided.
- Processed sugar and other artificial sweeteners can irritate the throat and make the condition worse. Such foods should be avoided when trying to clear the throat.
- Soy products, such as tofu and soy milk, can also increase phlegm production. Therefore, cheese and milk should not be replaced with soy foods when trying to clear the throat.
Part 4 of 4: Taking Care of the Throat
Step 1. Drink plenty of water
Proper hydration can help keep mucus thin and less likely to get stuck in the throat.
- Aim to drink at least 8 glasses of water per day, but you should drink a little more when you have a cold because your body will produce more mucus.
- Water keeps the throat lubricated, this can reduce the production of phlegm. Drink water with meals instead of other drinks, and always carry a bottle of water with you when working or relaxing at home and drink it regularly.
Step 2. Don't smoke
Smoking not only causes harm to the health of others, it is also very bad for your throat. Smoking not only irritates the vocal cords, the content of tobacco makes the body more susceptible to infection, which causes colds and flu to be more severe so that mucus will increase as well. Quit smoking while trying to clear your throat and plan to quit long term.
Step 3. Don't drink too many soft drinks and alcohol
Alcohol and fizzy drinks should be avoided if phlegm is stuck in the throat.
- Fizzy drinks, even sparkling water, can irritate the throat and produce useless phlegm.
- Alcoholic beverages not only cause itching in the throat that is already phlegm, but also lowers the immune system which will make colds and flus last longer, this means that the process of clearing the throat will take longer as well.
