Accumulated mucus in the throat is unpleasant, annoying and sometimes lasts longer than you expect. You'd rather get rid of it ASAP than let it run its course, but you don't really know how. Read on to learn more about how to clear mucus and sputum from your throat.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: The first concern
Step 1. Clear your throat of phlegm or sputum by coughing or coughing
If too much mucus has built up in the throat, coughing can help clear the throat. Go to the bathroom and try to loosen the mucus from the throat wall by coughing and throwing up mucus.
Step 2. Gargle with warm water and salt
Dissolve a teaspoon of salt in 250 ml of lukewarm or warm water. Put the water in your mouth, tilt your head back and gargle with the salt water at the back of your throat. Do not swallow the salt water.
Step 3. Drink plenty of water throughout the day
The right fluids can help loosen mucus from the mucous membranes in the throat. Try the following remedies to get rid of the stuck mucus as quickly as possible:
- Hot tea with lemon and honey. This is the main remedy in the fight against phlegm. The acid of the lemon dissolves the mucus, while the honey coats the throat with a protective and soothing film.
- Warm soup. Chicken soup is the favorite, as the broth is not heavy and it dissolves the mucus. Stick to a light broth rather than a thicker, creamy soup.
- Chilled water. Listen carefully when your body is asking for fluids and drink as much water as you need to quench your thirst.
Step 4. Try a steam treatment
Give yourself a steam treatment and let the warm water vapor work its way through your blocked nasal passage and throat, releasing some of the trapped, accumulated mucus. Try the following as a remedy:
- Wrap a towel around your head, hang over a pan of hot water and inhale the steam. Better yet, replace the water with chamomile tea.
- Take a warm shower. If you take a long shower, then rub a moisturizing cream or oil on the skin afterwards, because the warm water rids your skin of moisture and skin fat.
- Use a humidifier. This will pump moist air into the room. Be careful not to allow too much water vapor; a little bit is enough.
Step 5. Use drugs to curb excess mucus
Look for medications labeled "expectorans," or expectorant, meant to clear the throat of mucus and sputum.
Step 6. Remove mucus from your tongue with a tongue scraper
Place the tongue scraper on the back of your tongue and slowly bring it forward. Wipe the tongue scraper and repeat as many times as necessary. This will help clear mucus from the back of your mouth.
You can get a tongue scraper at the drugstore
Method 2 of 4: Using herbs and natural remedies
Step 1. Use eucalyptus oil
Eucalyptus oil has a long history as a means to get rid of phlegm. The most effective way to use this remedy is to smear the top of the chest with a carrier oil such as coconut oil, then rub in a few drops of eucalyptus oil. This may make you cough a little more at first, but after a while it should help loosen the mucus from the throat.
Add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to a vaporizer for an effective method of treatment. Eucalyptus oil is not intended for internal use
Step 2. Add some turmeric powder to your drink to stimulate the digestive system
Turmeric also works as an antiseptic. Add a tablespoon of turmeric and a tablespoon of honey to 250 ml of hot water. Drink this several times for best results.
Step 3. Add spicy herbs to the food to get the slime moving
The list of herbs you can use for this is long. A few examples:
- Wasabi or horseradish
- Peppers, such as jalapeño or Anaheim
- Ginger and garlic
Method 3 of 4: Avoid expectorants and irritants
Step 1. Don't take dairy products for a while
While many contradict the evidence that dairy products make phlegm worse, it's best to leave it alone to prevent it from getting worse. This is because milk in particular causes mucus in the throat. There is a lot of fat in milk, which also makes the mucus thicker and more irritating.
Step 2. Stay away from soy products
Soy products like soy milk, tofu and tempeh are high in protein and may be healthy for you, but they make the mucus in your throat tougher and can cause thick mucus to build up in the chest. If you have the opportunity, it's better to play it safe and avoid soy products.
Step 3. Quit smoking
This is another reason - like so many already - to quit smoking, if you haven't already. Smoking irritates the airways, reduces lung function and causes constipation.
Step 4. Avoid irritants such as strong chemicals or paint
Paint and cleaning agents such as ammonia irritate the nose and throat, producing even more mucus.
Method 4 of 4: The diagnosis
Step 1. Learn to recognize if you have a cold
You probably know whether you have a cold or not, but do you also know why this is accompanied by stuck mucus? Slime has two functions:
- It provides a layer on the organs, keeping them moist and not drying out.
- It's kind of a first line of defense against contaminants and bacteria, which are often caught by the mucus before they can make their way through the rest of your body.
Step 2. Learn to recognize if you have snot that does not come out through your nose, but ends up in your throat
This can be caused by a cold and allergies, certain medications (including those for high blood pressure), an abnormality in the nasal septum and vapor from irritants. Consult a doctor if the mucus or snot has a foul odor or if the symptoms persist for more than 10 days.
Step 3. Learn to recognize if the mucus is caused by a pollen allergy or another allergic reaction
Mucus caused by an allergy is usually clear, while that caused by a cold or flu is often greenish or yellowish. If you're prone to allergies, avoid going out on those days when there's a lot of pollen in the air and stay away from:
- fungi
- Animal dander
- dust mites
Step 4. Know that pregnancy can also cause excessive mucus production
While there's nothing you can do about this, it's comforting to know that at least your increased mucus production won't last forever.
Step 5. Consider whether mucus on your tongue could be thrush
If the excess mucus appears to be on the back of your tongue, it could be a sign of thrush caused by candida. You will also see the following symptoms:
- White sores on your tongue, inner cheeks, gums, tonsils and palate
- redness
- Burning
- Pain
- Loss of taste
- The feeling that you have cotton balls in your mouth
Tips
- Mainly drink water.
- Do not go near paint smell and perfumes.
- Eat spicy food.
- Get enough sleep.
- Start your day with a glass of warm water or tea with a full tablespoon of honey.
- Enjoy a good rest and a warm cup of herbal tea.
- Drink tea or other hot drinks.
- Hot water, lemon juice, honey and a little cinnamon make a good drink to drink.
- Gargle with warm salt water every hour or half hour as needed.
- Take a long, hot shower every morning and evening.
- Take hot showers every day. The steam will help you breathe better.
- Do not use dairy at all, such as milk and chocolate milk.