Mucus is unpleasant, disgusting, and sometimes doesn't go away for much longer than expected. You want to get rid of it so it doesn't run rampant, but you don't know how. Keep reading for more information on how to clear mucus and phlegm from the throat.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Performing Basic Maintenance
Step 1. Clear the throat of mucus or phlegm by coughing
If mucus has accumulated in your throat, you can safely expel it by coughing. Find a quiet location, such as the bathroom, and try to get the mucus out of your throat by coughing. Do not cough too loudly or excessively, as this can be dangerous for you.
Step 2. Gargle with warm water that has been mixed with salt
Mix one teaspoon of salt in 236 ml of warm water. Put the water in your mouth, then tilt your head, and without swallowing, gargle with the salt water at the base of your throat.
Step 3. Drink plenty of fluids in a day
The right fluids can help remove mucus from the throat as it passes through the esophagus. Try some of the fluids below that have been shown to reduce mucus:
- Hot tea mixed with honey and lemon. This can be used as one of the mainstays. The acid in the lemon is great for loosening mucus, while the honey provides a pleasant aftertaste in your throat.
- Warm soup. Chicken soup is a favorite because the broth is watery and can reduce mucus. Always try to use a light broth instead of a thick, creamy soup.
- Cold water. If you are thirsty, drink as much water as you need until your stomach is full.
Step 4. Try steam therapy
Do steam therapy and allow the warm steam to enter your sinuses and throat, thereby softening the mucus that builds up there. Try doing some of the things below to clear your throat:
- Wrap your head in a towel and inhale the steam coming out of the warm water. Better yet, soak the tea (preferably chamomile tea) in a large container, then carefully lower your head over the container and inhale the steam.
- Take a bath with warm water. If you take a long warm bath, don't forget to apply moisturizer afterward, as warm water drains essential oils and moisture from your skin.
- Use a humidifier. This tool will pump moist air into your room. Be careful not to pump too much moisture into the air. Just a little is enough.
Step 5. Use medications that can limit mucus production
You can use generics, such as Mucinex, to reduce and thin mucus. Look for medications that are labeled "expectorants" which means they remove mucus and phlegm.
Method 2 of 4: Using Herbal and Natural Medicine
Step 1. Use eucalyptus oil
This oil has long been used as an herbal remedy to reduce mucus. A very effective way to use eucalyptus oil is to apply coconut oil on the upper chest, then rub the area with a few drops of eucalyptus oil. At first, this may make you cough more often than expected, but after a while it will help clear mucus from your throat.
Add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to your humidifier to try another effective therapy. Never drink eucalyptus oil
Step 2. Add turmeric powder to the drink to keep your digestive tract functioning properly
Turmeric also functions as an antiseptic. Mix one tablespoon of honey and one tablespoon of turmeric into 236 ml of hot water, then stir until dissolved. Drink this mixture, and repeat for best results.
Step 3. Eat spicy food so that the mucus is thin and drains out
There are many spicy foods that can help remove mucus. Some of the foods you can eat include:
- Horseradish (horseradish) or wasabi
- Chili peppers, such as jalapeno or Anaheim types
- Ginger and even garlic
Method 3 of 4: Avoiding Foods and Irritants That Cause Mucus
Step 1. Avoid milk and dairy products
Although the opinion that milk can make mucus worse is still debated, it's best to avoid it if you think that the mucus gets worse after consuming milk. This is because milk has a high fat content, so the mucus becomes thicker and more annoying.
Step 2. Avoid products made from soy
Although high in protein, products made from soy, such as soy milk, tempeh, and tofu can increase the thickness of mucus and cause mucus to build up in the chest. If there are other options, you should eat safe foods and avoid soy products.
Step 3. Quit smoking
This can be one reason (of many other reasons) to quit smoking if you haven't already. Smoking can irritate your throat, worsen your respiratory function, and make your nose stuffy.
Step 4. Avoid other irritants such as paint or strong-smelling chemicals
Paint and household cleaners such as ammonia can irritate your nose and throat, increasing mucus production.
Method 4 of 4: Diagnosing the Problem
Step 1. Find out if you have a cold or not
Maybe you'll know if you have a cold. But do you know why colds are always accompanied by mucus that seems to never run out? Slime performs two functions:
- Mucus coats the organs of the body, which keeps them moist and prevents them from drying out.
- Mucus serves as the first line of defense against bacteria and pollution, which are often trapped in mucus before they enter other parts of the body.
Step 2. Find out if you suffer from post-nasal drip or not
Post-nasal drip is a condition when the body produces excessive mucus, and the mucus flows down the throat instead of out through the nose. Post-nasal drip can be caused by allergies and colds, certain medications (including medications for hypertension), a deviated septum, and smoke that can cause irritation. Go to the doctor if your mucus smells bad or keeps coming out for more than 10 days.
Step 3. Find out if your mucus is the result of an allergic reaction or seasonal allergies
Allergies can stimulate the body to produce mucus. Mucus caused by the flu or cold is usually greenish yellow, while mucus caused by allergies is usually clear. If you are prone to allergies, do not go outside when there is a lot of pollen in the air, and avoid the following:
- Mold
- Animal hair
- dust mite
Step 4. Recognize that pregnancy can increase mucus production
If you are pregnant, then this is what is causing you to have problems with mucus. While you don't need to do anything other than take a decongestant like Claritin, it's certainly a relief to know that the increased mucus production won't last forever.
Tips
- Drink lots of water.
- Avoid paint and fumes as they can clog your throat and make your condition worse.
- Try eating spicy food.
- Get enough sleep.
- Start the day by drinking a glass of warm water mixed with a tablespoon of honey.
- Rest well and enjoy a cup of warm herbal tea.
- Drink tea or other hot drinks.
- A good drink to drink is a mixture made of hot water, lemon juice, honey, and a little cinnamon.
- Gargle with warm salt water every hour or half an hour if necessary.
- Take a long hot shower, every morning and night.
- Take a warm bath every day. The steam can make your breathing better.
- Do not consume dairy products at all, such as milk and chocolate milk.
