Garlic and onions
These vegetables are part of a group called alliums (which also includes scallions, shallots, chives, and leeks), and they're known for their anti-inflammatory properties. “They can all have a beneficial effect on reducing the amount of excess mucus that builds up,” Dr. Kansal says.
Mucus may become thinner with vitamin C, making it easier to remove from the airways.
If your body produces an excessive amount of phlegm on a consistant basis, you might have a rare genetic condition called Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency. Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (Alpha-1) is a genetic condition passed from parents to their children through their genes.
It is a common symptom of conditions such as the common cold, sinusitis, and allergies. The excess mucus can be caused by inflammation or swelling of the nasal passages, which can be due to a variety of factors such as viral or bacterial infections, allergies, or irritants in the air.
Additionally, the citric acid also helps to break up mucus. When you have a sore throat it can often become irritated by thick mucus, making the pain worse. By breaking up the mucus, lemon can help to ease that pain and inflammation and get you feeling better quicker.
Hold your breath for 3 to 5 seconds. Then—as you let that breath out [coughing]— cough 2 or 3 times. Push on your belly with your arms as you cough. [coughing] Breathe in slowly and gently through your nose, and repeat the coughing if you need to.
Peppermint Tea
Peppermint helps by bringing up mucus that would be otherwise stuck in your lungs, bronchi, and trachea when you have a cold, relieving your throat pain with a refreshing effect. It also helps by reducing your fever.
Overview. Bananas can help relieve an upset stomach by stimulating the production of mucus from the stomach lining. The mucus creates a barrier between the stomach lining and the acidic gastric substances that cause heartburn and stomach upset.
So here's the big question: Should you spit or swallow your phlegm? Even though it might taste nasty, “there's nothing wrong with swallowing it,” Dr. Comer says. In fact, that's probably what your body expects you to do, which is why phlegm naturally drains down into the back of your throat.
I'm occasionally asked whether swallowing mucus produced with a respiratory infection is harmful. It's not; luckily the stomach works to neutralise bacteria and recycle the other cellular debris. Some people do report a queasy feeling in the stomach during such infections.
Though they're always at work, you typically only notice the sticky substances when you're sick. Mucus and phlegm are similar, yet different: Mucus is a thinner secretion from your nose and sinuses. Phlegm is thicker and is made by your throat and lungs.
On the top of my list are (surprise, surprise) high sugar and processed foods as they impede immune function and promote inflammation (especially those containing vegetable oils). It is also worth avoiding dairy and soy products for the time being as both can be mucus forming.
Steam: Inhaling warm, moist air can do wonders for a persistent cough. The steam can help loosen the mucus in your airway. Take a long shower or use a humidifier to get extra moisture into your lungs. Honey: Honey may help loosen up mucus and relieve your cough.
Smoking or exposure to an irritant in the air may cause you to produce more mucus than usual. If the mucus is clear, you might have allergies. Other conditions that could cause excess mucus include bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cystic fibrosis.
Postnasal drip
The sinuses, throat, and nose all produce mucus that a person usually swallows unconsciously. When mucus starts to build up or trickle down the back of the throat, this is known as postnasal drip. Causes of postnasal drip include infections, allergies, and acid reflux.
Used as an expectorant widely, the acidity of apple cider vinegar can loosen out the phlegm from the throat. Moreover, it thins out the mucus from the respiratory system and helps in breathing more freely. In addition to this, the vinegar also kills various pathogens responsible for the infection.
“Normally, mucus is clear. When you have a cold or infection, it might turn green or yellow,” said Alyssa. Clear snot usually signals allergies or some kind of environmental factor that is triggering your nose to start running, such as inhaling dust or allergens. Clear snot is nothing to worry about.
Phlegm is a thick mucus from the lower airways due to lung inflammation or injury. Infection is a common cause, but other conditions like allergies, lung disease, and GERD can cause a productive cough. Treatment depends on the underlying cause and includes supportive care and medications.
Bronchiectasis is a long-term condition where the airways of the lungs become abnormally widened, leading to a build-up of excess mucus that can make the lungs more vulnerable to infection. The most common symptoms of bronchiectasis include: a persistent cough that usually brings up phlegm (sputum) breathlessness.