How do i get rid of mucus naturally

Excessive mucus and phlegm may not be much of a conversation starter (unless you’re 14 and trying to spit the farthest). But if you have too much mucus, it can drive you crazy in search of solutions.

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First, consider that mucus has a purpose. This fluid is naturally made by your body every day, says laryngologist Paul C. Bryson, MD.

“While the exact amount your body makes isn’t known, most experts think it’s about one liter a day,” he says. (That’s half of a 2-liter bottle of soda!)

Dr. Bryson outlines some ways to get rid of your excess mucus and phlegm.

What are mucus and phlegm?

Mucus has an important role in your body. It’s made by cells in your mouth, throat, nose and sinuses. Its slippery consistency helps protect and moisturize, and traps potential irritants.

Phlegm is made of mucus membranes, but it’s produced and used by your respiratory system to combat inflammation.

What causes mucus overproduction?

Your body can go into overdrive creating mucus when you:

• Have a cold.
• Have irritated sinuses (sinusitis).
• Have allergies.
• Are exposed to smoke or pollution.

“Environmental allergies can cause excess mucus or phlegm, as can food allergies, but the latter is harder to diagnose based on this symptom alone,” Dr. Bryson explains.

If you’re healthy, your mucus tends to be thin — and you may not even notice it. But if you’re sick, your mucus can become thick and crusty.

And you may not notice phlegm until you cough it up, which can be a symptom of pneumonia or bronchitis.

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You may be concerned about the color of your mucus and phlegm, too, whether it’s yellow or green. But the color doesn’t necessarily mean you have an infection.

How to get rid of excess mucus and phlegm

If you have chronic problems with mucus and phlegm, try the following. These remedies also help if your problem with mucus and phlegm progresses to a post-nasal drip.

Hydrate more

Drink more water. Also, consider your medications or any dehydrating beverages you regularly drink like coffee, alcohol and some teas.

“A good rule of thumb is to drink enough water to make your urine pale,” Dr. Bryson advises.

Use a humidifier

This can help your body moisturize your throat and nasal passages and may help you reduce mucus and phlegm production.

Opt for a cool-mist humidifier and make sure you clean it regularly per its directions.

Check filters on heating and cooling systems

Make sure the filters are clean and functioning well to keep dust and other potential irritants out of the air.

Use a nasal saline spray

This helps rinse and hydrate tissues in your nose and sinuses. Use a sterile spray that has sodium chloride.

Gargle with salt water

Using salt water (1 teaspoon of salt per glass of warm water) can ease your irritated throat by clearing away mucus.

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Use eucalyptus

Whether it’s a eucalyptus balm or essential oil in a diffuser, the scent of eucalyptus can help loosen mucus in your chest.

Use over-the-counter medication

Decongestants (in oral form or as a nasal spray) can help reduce the swelling in your nose. There are also expectorants like guaifenesin (like Mucinex®) that help thin mucus.

“If you’re concerned about allergies, remember that the testing is easy and straightforward,” says Dr. Bryson. “You can also try over-the-counter allergy medications, which may solve your issue.”

If you’re in doubt, don’t hesitate to discuss your problem with your primary care doctor or an otolaryngologist, who can dig into your particular symptoms and history to find solutions.

Is excess phlegm a sign of a serious condition?

If the amount of mucus your body makes is uncomfortable, you might worry it’s a sign of a more serious problem.

According to Dr. Bryson, mucus isn’t typically a symptom to worry about if it’s your only symptom.

“Worrisome signs are mucus accompanied by fevers, chills and night sweats, especially if you also experience weight loss, nasal obstruction or intermittent nose bleeds for more than two weeks,” he says.

Produced naturally by your body, mucus plays an important role: working as your body’s “oil,” mucus keeps the “motor” well lubricated. It forms a protective layer in your mouth, nose, sinuses, throat, lungs, stomach and intestines to prevent them from getting dehydrated.

Mucus also creates a protective barrier to keep bacteria and viruses from getting into your body, and contains antibodies that help your body recognize and eliminate unwelcome microscopic guests. Your body has mucus all over it, and that’s a good thing!

But sometimes its composition changes and it become thicker. When that happens, its presence in your body makes itself known. It can happen in response to an allergic reaction (for instance, hay fever), after eating or drinking dairy products (if you’re lactose-intolerant) or when you’ve got a cold.

Green phlegm and yellow nasal secretions

Mucus can also change colour. Many people think that yellow or green mucus indicates the presence of bacteria, but that’s not always the case. The colour can also be due to the presence of white blood cells (neutrophils), which contain a green enzyme. Mucus that contains a lot of these enzymes can become greenish.

But the opposite is also true: mucus can be thin and clear, even if you’re suffering from a serious bacterial infection. Green mucus is typically thick and somewhat solid.

8 natural remedies to clear your airways

1. Ginger and honey

Ginger has powerful therapeutic properties, which is why it’s often used to treat colds. Ginger helps relieve coughs and soothes your airways, while working wonders to dislodge stubborn mucus.

Honey has antibacterial and antifungal properties, perfect if you have a sore throat or cold and are clogged up with phlegm. Honey deposits a protective layer on your throat, reducing irritation and allowing your mucous membranes to heal.

Home remedy recipe: Warm 2 tablespoons of honey, making sure its temperature doesn’t exceed 40°C, because hotter than that, honey loses its therapeutic effectiveness. Add a teaspoon of grated ginger. Have two tablespoons daily for three days. If the symptoms persist, consult a health professional.

2. Gargling with salt water

Stir 1 tablespoon of table salt into a glass of hot water. Gargle with the solution for a few minutes, up to three times a day, but don’t swallow! Gargling for a few minutes will make your throat feel a lot better.

3. Turmeric

Turmeric is a true super-food. It relieves pain, reduces inflammation and increases the body’s resistance—just what the doctor ordered!

Mix half a teaspoon each of black pepper and turmeric in a glass of hot non-dairy milk, and add a scant teaspoon of honey. You can drink this yummy concoction daily until the mucus clears up.

For this recipe, don’t use cow’s milk: dairy products can make mucus thicker, exactly the opposite of what you’re hoping to achieve.

4. Hot drinks

A good hot cup of herbal tea will help dilute stubborn phlegm. If you’d like to get rid of your phlegm, a nice cup of mint, thyme, chamomile or echinacea tea is a good option. Our Echinaforce Hot Drink, with echinacea and elderberry, works wonders against persistent mucus. Just add one teaspoon to a cup of hot water and enjoy!

5. Inhaling essential oils

You can keep your mucus membranes moist by inhaling steam made from lightly salted water and essential oils of plants such as eucalyptus and rosemary. You can also put a few drops of these essential oils on a handkerchief and breathe deeply to clear your nasal passages.

6. A combination of echinacea, sage and peppermint

If you’re got a frog in your throat, Echinaforce Sore Throat Spray could help you clear things up lickety-split! This unique combination of echinacea, peppermint and sage acts fast to freshen and soothe sore throats.

7. Thyme and ivy

A tincture combining ivy and thyme can help thin phlegm to facilitate expectoration and help reduce bronchial spasms. These plants work fast to dislodge secretions. If you’re still coughing, you’ll cough less, and when you do, your cough will be a productive one.

8. Spruce buds

If you find yourself with a persistent cough, spruce bud extract could do you a world of good. Indicated for the relief of symptoms associated with mucus secretions in the airways, Santasapina Soothing Syrup helps eliminate substances that can obstruct the lungs, thanks in no small part to the antiseptic and antibacterial properties of spruce buds.

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