Specific types of fat, including olive oil, have been linked to a lower risk of lung cancer. Olive oil contains monounsaturated fats, which some studies have associated with a decreased risk of lung cancer.
Inhaling steam from a hot shower or boiling pot of water can open the airways and help loosen and clear mucus from the lungs. Breathing in steam may also provide temporary relief to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients who experience labored breathing.
What foods help excess mucus? Some food and drinks tend to lead to a build-up mucus, while others relieve it. Things that help include broccoli, berries, oranges and greens, fatty fish like trout, and olive oil.
[coughing] Breathe in slowly and gently through your nose, and repeat the coughing if you need to. So when it's hard to breathe because of mucus in your lungs, you have three things you can do to help move the mucus out: postural drainage, chest percussion, and controlled coughing.
Expectorant and mucolytics.
These are medications that thin mucus and help you cough it out. These are available over-the-counter or by prescription.
Rosemary essential oil
Like eucalyptus, it contains the compound cineole. A study published in the journal Cough found that cineole may help to break up mucus and reduce inflammation.
A tablespoon of plain olive oil can coat your irritated throat and help soothe your cough. For a small child, make it a teaspoon instead, and add a little sugar or other flavoring to help them swallow it.
A thin layer of tissue that covers the lungs and lines the interior wall of the chest cavity. It protects and cushions the lungs. This tissue secretes a small amount of fluid that acts as a lubricant, allowing the lungs to move smoothly in the chest cavity while breathing.
Choose the Right Kinds of Fats.
Avocados, nuts, seeds, coconut oil, olive oil, fatty fish and cheese are good choices.
Some of the very same essential oils used to help relieve cough and chest congestion, like eucalyptus or tea tree oil, can also be irritating to your skin, sinuses, and airways.
Orange, pineapple and watercress juice are rich in vitamin C, vitamin A, iron, potassium and bromelain. These substances contain expectorant, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant action, which help to get rid of phlegm and strengthen the immune system to speed-up cold and flu recovery.
And earlier this year, researchers reported in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology that people who ate more than half a tablespoon per day had lower rates of premature death from cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease and other causes compared to people who never or rarely consumed olive oil.
Olive oil is rich in Vitamin E and Vitamin K, both of which are essential for maintaining healthy skin and hair. Since extra virgin olive oil boasts higher nutrient content than standard olive oil, drinking it each day is an excellent way to replenish damaged skin and hair.
When you do cough up phlegm (another word for mucus) from your chest, Dr. Boucher says it really doesn't matter if you spit it out or swallow it.
According to Medical News Today2, common symptoms of mucus build up in your lungs may include: Wheezing. Difficulty Sleeping. Sore Throat.