6 Natural Ways To Remove Mucus and Phlegm from the Throat and Chest

Did you know that an average person produces about 1 to 1.5 liters of mucus a day? It’s a lot, right? If you’re reading this, you’re probably dealing with an excess of it, causing discomfort in your throat and chest.

It’s a common issue that can be quite bothersome.

In this article we explore six simple and effective ways to instantly remove mucus and phlegm from your throat, providing you with the relief you need.

By the end, you’ll have practical solutions to apply whenever you feel congested.

But, before we take the dive, what is mucus, what is phlegm and why this “irregular” secretion occurs..

What is Mucus?

Mucus is a thick, slimy substance that our bodies produce every day. It’s made by the mucous membranes and is primarily composed of water, proteins, and glycoproteins.

This might sound a bit gross, but mucus actually plays a very important role in keeping us healthy. It acts as a protective barrier, lubricant, and moisturizer in various parts of our body, including our respiratory, digestive, and reproductive systems.

In our respiratory system, for example, mucus helps to trap and remove foreign particles like dust and bacteria, preventing them from getting into our lungs. It also contains antibodies and enzymes that help our immune system fight off infections.

However, if our body starts to produce too much mucus, or if the mucus changes in consistency, it can be a sign of certain medical conditions.

These can include allergies, sinusitis, or respiratory infections. So, while it might not be the most pleasant topic, mucus is a crucial part of our body’s defense system.

What is Phlegm?

Phlegm on the other hand is a thick, sticky substance that our respiratory system produces.

It’s made up of mucus, dead cells, and other debris. If you’ve ever had a cold or an infection, you’ve probably experienced an increase in phlegm.

This is because our body produces more phlegm when there’s an irritation or infection in our respiratory tract. The role of phlegm is to trap and remove foreign particles like dust or bacteria from our airways.

This helps to keep our lungs clean and prevent further infection. When we cough, we can expel this phlegm from our body.

So, while it might not be pleasant, phlegm is actually a key part of our body’s defense system, helping to keep our respiratory system healthy and functioning properly.

Why Excessive production or abnormal consistency of mucus occurs?

Excessive production or abnormal consistency of mucus can occur due to various factors, including:

• Respiratory infections: Infections such as the common cold, flu, or bronchitis can lead to increased mucus production and changes in its consistency.
• Allergies: Allergic reactions to substances like pollen, dust mites, or pet dander can trigger excessive mucus production and cause it to become thicker.
• Sinusitis: Inflammation of the sinuses can result in the overproduction of mucus, leading to nasal congestion and post-nasal drip.
• Asthma: People with asthma often experience excessive mucus production as a result of airway inflammation and hypersensitivity.
• Smoking: Smoking irritates the respiratory system and can cause an increase in mucus production.
• Environmental factors: Exposure to pollutants, such as air pollution or chemicals, can stimulate mucus production and alter its consistency.
• Certain medical conditions: Conditions like cystic fibrosis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can lead to excessive mucus production and changes in its properties.

How To Remove Mucus And Phlegm From Throat

Here’s a table summarizing the methods to remove mucus and phlegm from the throat:

1. Honey and Lemon

Lemon and Honey are super good for our health, man. Lemon has a ton of vitamin C that stops congestion and boosts our immune system.

All you gotta do is mix a few tablespoons of lemon juice with a tablespoon or two of honey. Take this three times a day

Ingredients:

• 2 tbs of lemon juice
• 1 tbs of organic honey

Instructions:

1. Combine both of the ingredients in a bowl.
2. Take the resulting mixture 3 times every day.

2. Ginger Tea

Ginger tea has so many hidden benefits that most people don’t even realize. It’s not just a warm and comforting drink, it’s also a powerful decongestant that can provide relief for your chest and throat.

This incredible root is packed with amazing antibacterial, antiviral, and expectorant properties. It can help you get rid of phlegm and clear any congestion in your throat or chest. To keep your overall health in top shape, try drinking several cups of ginger tea or simply munch on 3 to 4 pieces of ginger every day.

Ginger tea is a fantastic and effective remedy for drying out phlegm.

Take a look at the video below to learn how to make ginger tea yourself. It’s super easy and will have you feeling better in no time at all.

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp of honey
• 2 cups of water
• 6 or 7 slices of ginger
• 1 tsp of peppercorn

Instructions:

1. First, heat up the water.
2. Once it starts boiling, kindly put in the peppercorn and the ginger pieces.
3. Kindly cover the pot.
4. Allow the mixture to boil for a few minutes.
5. Then, kindly let it simmer for 6 minutes on medium heat.
6. Give it some time to cool down.
7. When the mixture has cooled, add the honey.

It would be wonderful if you could enjoy this tea every day. Feel free to have 2 or 3 cups.

3. Turmeric

Turmeric is an amazing spice that has within it a special component called curcumin, which possesses exceptional antibacterial properties.

It’s truly remarkable how this natural ingredient can fight against harmful bacteria! To experience its benefits, all you need to do is simply add a teaspoon or even two, depending on your preference, of this golden spice to a glass filled with some warm water.

This soothing concoction will not only be a delight to your taste buds but will also work wonders for your overall well-being.

While some individuals may opt for the addition of milk to this mixture, the choice is completely up to you and your personal taste preferences. Both options have their own unique qualities, so feel free to go with whichever one brings you the most joy.

Additionally, click the following link you’re interested in diving deeper into the incredible benefits that turmeric has to offer.

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp of turmeric
• ½ a tsp of salt
• 1 glass of warm water

Instructions:

1. Mix the water and turmeric together.
2. Next, incorporate the salt into the mixture.
3. Ensure everything is thoroughly mixed.
4. Gargle with this solution 3 or 4 times daily, spending several minutes each time.
5. This mixture can be used to help treat respiratory infections.

4. Humidify the Air

Maintaining proper moisture levels in the air can have a miraculous effect! You can safely run your humidifier all day long, just remember to clean it as the instructions say.

This is one of the most renowned and widely used home remedies, and it’s remarkably effective at swiftly eliminating congested mucus.

You can even add some dry herbs to the water for an extra boost! Alos, click here to understand how a humidifier works when sick.

Ingredients:

• ½ a tsp of dry rosemary
• 4 to 5 cups of boiling water
• ½ a tsp of thyme

Instructions:

1. Add rosemary and thyme in a large pot and let it boil.
2. Lean over the pot and cover your head with a towel.
3. Inhale the steam that’s coming our of the pot as deeply as you can.
4. Phlegm will be eliminated soon.
5. Repeat the process of inhalation several times every day.

5. Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)

For those who may not be familiar, ACV is actually an amazing antibacterial agent. It’s a great way to prevent excessive phlegm production in your body and also promote a healthy pH balance.

Apple Cider Vinegar has many proven benefits and it’s been used as Natural Remedy for hundreds of years.

I would recommend adding a couple of tablespoons of ACV to some water and drinking it daily.

6. Salt water

So, how can salt water help? Well, gargling with warm salt water can actually help clear this phlegm.

Here’s how it works: The salt in the water can help to draw out water from your mucous membranes. This can help to clear the phlegm.

Plus, the warm water soothes your throat and reduces irritation³. So, it’s like a double whammy of relief!

Here’s a simple way to do it:

1. Mix a teaspoon of salt into a glass of warm water.
2. Take a sip of the mixture and tilt your head back slightly.
3. Let the mixture wash into your throat without drinking it.
4. Gargle for 30 to 60 seconds then spit it out.

Remember, it’s important not to swallow the salt water. Just gargle and spit it out. You can do this every hour for maximum benefit.

Final Take

Another thing you can do is to use a hot bath for 10 minutes 2 times every day. Moisturize the body afterwards since the hot water will make your skin very dry.

If you want improved effects, add some essential oils. They will destroy any germ, calm down the congestion and decrease the inflammation. The best would be tea tree oil since it has very strong antimicrobial properties.

Another one you could choose is menthol oil. It alleviates congestion and decreases the symptoms of sinus infections.

Phlegm is also eliminated through blowing the runny nose. Drink more warm beverages, avoid cold, increase the humidity at home, put warm compresses where you feel you have a problem etc. Smoking will worsen the situation, so if you’re a smoker, try to decrease practicing this habit.

Household cleaners and chemicals also irritate your throat and lungs, so mucus becomes more produced. Congestion will be soothed if you use more spiced meals. Add more peppers, chili, capsaicin and garlic especially.

With any of these, you will see results quickly. I for one use ginger tea quite frequently during the winter months and it helps me drastically. Have you given any of these a try before and how did they do for you? When it comes down to things like this ‘natural’ is ALWAYS the way to go.

Read Next

ℹ️ FoodNourish is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission without any surcharge to you.