Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Using Home Remedies
• Method 2 of 3: Using drinks and food
• Method 3 of 3: Preventing phlegm buildup
• Tips
• Warnings

The accumulated phlegm in the throat can be very irritating. Fortunately, there are plenty of home remedies that are effective enough to help get rid of mucus! If phlegm has accumulated in your throat, try gargling with salt water or breathing steam to loosen the mucus. Also, drink hot drinks and lemon tea, soups and spicy foods. Finally, avoid anything that contributes to the accumulation of phlegm to prevent similar problems in the future.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Using Home Remedies

1. 1 Gargle with warm salt water to loosen mucus and relieve irritation. Dissolve half a teaspoon (3.5 grams) of salt in a glass (240 milliliters) of warm water. Put water in your mouth, but do not swallow it. Tilt your head back and gargle for a few seconds. Then spit water into the sink and rinse your mouth out with clean water.
   • If necessary, you can gargle your throat every 2-3 hours throughout the day.
2. 2 Use a humidifier to moisten the airways with warm steam. Fill the humidifier with distilled water up to the upper mark and turn it on. The steam will moisten the airways and loosen mucus. You will soon be able to clear your throat and feel better.
   • If desired, you can add eucalyptus essential oil, which is the active ingredient in many rubbing ointments and inhalers. Draw essential oil into a dropper and add 2-3 drops to the water before turning on the humidifier.
3. 3 Take a hot shower and inhale the steam to temporarily relieve your condition. This can help as the steam loses the mucus in the throat. Run as hot as possible, but not scalding water. Take a relaxing hot shower while breathing deeply.
   • Eucalyptus essential oil can also be used in the shower. Using an eyedropper, apply a couple of drops of oil to the bottom of your shower or tub before going under the water.
4. 4 Breathe in the steam over a bowl of hot water to break up and flush out phlegm. Pour hot water into a large bowl. Lean over the bowl and throw a towel over your head. Breathe in the steam slowly over time. Then drink a glass of water to cool and rehydrate.
   • This is the so-called steam bath for the face. It can be done 1-2 times a day to clear phlegm from the throat.
   • For added benefit, add 2-3 drops of an essential oil (such as eucalyptus, rosemary, or peppermint oil) to the water to help loosen mucus and soothe your throat.
5. 5 If you don't have a sore throat, try humming to yourself to get rid of phlegm. This will vibrate the walls of your throat to help flush mucus out.Pick your favorite song and hum it for 1-2 minutes. Then take a couple of sips of water. This will help clear your throat.
   • This method is best used when you don't have a sore throat. If it makes you uncomfortable, try other methods.
6. 6 Flush your sinuses with a neti potto clear the airways and loosen mucus. Fill the neti pot with over-the-counter saline solution or distilled water. Stand over the sink and tilt your head to one side. Bring the spout of the neti pot to your upper nostril and slowly pour water into it. The fluid should flow into the upper nostril and out of the lower nostril.
   • Flush both nostrils over the sink. Be careful not to inhale saline or water.
   • Do not rinse your nose with tap water, as it rarely contains brain-eating amoeba.

Method 2 of 3: Using drinks and food

1. 1 Maintain water balance:Drink at least 11 glasses (2.7 liters) of water a day. The liquid thinns mucus and thus prevents it from accumulating in the throat. Replenish your body fluids regularly and drink enough water, tea, and other beverages daily. Also, eat foods that contain water, such as soups and fruits. Women need about 11 glasses (2.7 liters) daily and men 15 glasses (3.7 liters) of water.
   • Try adding lemon to water or tea for flavor - it will also help get rid of phlegm. Place a few slices of lemon in the water, or squeeze some lemon juice into a glass of water.

   A warning: You should not drink too much fluids, as this can lead to oversaturation, as during illness the body tries to retain fluid. Fluid overload (hypervolemia) is accompanied by symptoms such as confusion, lethargy, irritability, coma, and convulsions.

   
   
2. 2 Drink warm liquid to loosen phlegm and clear your throat. Choose warm and hot drinks such as warm water, tea, or non-alcoholic cider to relieve congestion. The heat will soften and dissolve the phlegm and it will pass more easily. This will help you clear your throat.
   • Among other things, warm drinks are great for soothing the throat, so they will improve your condition.

   Advice: Ginger tea is popular, which soothes an irritated throat, relieves coughs and helps clear phlegm. Soak a bag of ginger tea in hot water for 2-3 minutes and sip on the tea when it has cooled slightly.

3. 3 Sip on lemon honey tea to soothe your throat and loosen mucus. Use a bag of ready-made lemon tea or add 2 teaspoons (10 ml) of lemon juice to a glass (240 ml) of hot water. Then, dissolve about 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of honey in water. Drink the tea while it is still hot.
   • The acid in lemon juice helps break down and flush phlegm, while honey soothes the throat.
   • You can drink lemon tea with honey as often as you like.
4. 4 Eat hot soup to loosen and flush mucus. The soup will help warm up and thin out the phlegm, making it easier to flush out. The broth also looses mucus and helps clear the throat. In addition, chicken broth soup, such as chicken noodle soup, has anti-inflammatory effects.
   • Soups with chicken broth are best. However, other soups are also helpful - they also warm and provide the body with fluid.
5. 5 Eat spicy foods to loosen and remove phlegm more easily. Choose dishes with spices such as cayenne pepper, chili and other hot peppers, as well as wasabi and horseradish. These spices are natural decongestants that thin mucus and clear the nose. Spicy foods will help you get rid of phlegm.
   • Spices can burn your throat, so avoid eating too spicy foods if you have a sore throat.

Method 3 of 3: Preventing phlegm buildup

1. 1 Keep your head up to keep phlegm from collecting in your throat. Mucus usually flows down from the sinuses along the back of the throat. If you lie down horizontally, phlegm will not flow further down and accumulate in your throat. To prevent this, place pillows under your head.
   • Raise your head with a few pillows as you sleep, or sleep in a chair if your phlegm is really thick.
2. 2 Stop eating food that causes you acid reflux. Acid reflux can cause phlegm to build up in the throat. If you frequently experience heartburn or a burning sensation in your throat, look at what foods are usually followed by these symptoms and try to avoid them.
   • Acid reflux is often caused by garlic, onions, spicy foods, caffeine, carbonated drinks, citrus fruits, alcohol, mint, tomatoes (including in various foods and dishes), chocolate, fried and fatty foods.
   • If you experience heartburn more than twice a week, talk to your doctor.
3. 3 Do not smoke and do not breathe tobacco smoke. Smoking leads to dryness of the vocal cords, and as a result, the body produces more phlegm and mucus to moisten them. As a result, phlegm accumulates in the throat. If you smoke, it is better to give up this bad habit. Also, ask those around you not to smoke around you.
   • If you find it difficult to quit smoking, try nicotine gum or a patch.
4. 4 Avoid dairy products as they can thicken phlegm. You may have heard that dairy products promote mucus production, but this is not true. However, they (especially fatty dairy products) can thicken mucus. Because of this, it is best to avoid dairy products if you are trying to get rid of phlegm.
   • If you don't want to skip dairy products, go for low-fat or low-fat alternatives, as they tend to thicken mucus less.
5. 5 Avoid exposure to allergens, noxious vapors, and hazardous chemicals. Paint vapors, cleaning products and other harsh chemicals can irritate the respiratory tract and disrupt the normal functioning of the respiratory system. As a result, the body can make more mucus. Try to less contact with various irritants. If you do have to do this, wear a gauze bandage and work in a well-ventilated area.

Tips

• It's okay to swallow phlegm, but you can spit it out if you want to.
• Menthol lozenges help soothe the throat.

Warnings

• If you cough up blood, are short of breath, or find it difficult to breathe, see a doctor immediately or call an ambulance by calling 103 (from a mobile) or 03 (from a landline phone).
• If you are coughing up yellow or green phlegm, see your doctor.
• Don't use apple cider vinegar to get rid of phlegm. It does not cure the infection and can burn your throat.