25 Home Remedies for Phlegm

Feeling a kind of blockage in your nasal passage or throat? Annoyed with frequent bouts of sneezing and coughing? All these conditions indicate towards phlegm. Other common symptoms that lead to this health problem are runny nose, fever and difficulty breathing. While phlegm is not dangerous at all, but if ignored for long, it can clog the bronchial tubes that can cause a secondary upper respiratory tract infection.

There are several reasons that can cause phlegm such as cold, flu, viral infection, sinusitis, excessive smoking, etc. It is very irritating and uncomfortable. But, fortunately, there are excellent natural herbs and home remedies that can cure phlegm.

Home Remedies to Cure Phlegm

1. Ginger and Honey

Ginger has abundant medicinal properties that can treat various diseases. The compounds present in ginger help minimize the symptoms of cold and cough and soothes the respiratory system. Take 100 grams of fresh ginger root and remove the outer skin. Crush it. Don’t add water to it. Take 2 tbsp of raw honey and microwave it for 15 seconds. Now add one teaspoon of grated ginger to honey. Consume two tablespoons of this concoction. Take it two times a day for three days.

• Alternatively, add one tablespoon of honey to a glass of lukewarm water. Drink this several times a day. The medicinal properties of honey will surely make you feel better.

2. Pepper

Grind half teaspoon white pepper and add 1 tablespoon of honey to it. Microwave this mixture for 10-15 seconds. Now, chomp it. You will feel an instant relief. This mixture should be taken at least thrice a day for a week to keep phlegm completely at bay.

• Alternatively, cut the lemon into two halves. De-seed them. Sprinkle a dash of salt and black pepper over one-half of lemon. Consume its juice directly to dry up the phlegm.

3. Chickpea Powder

Take one tsp of oil in a pan and fry two tablespoons of chickpea powder until it turns light brown. Add one teaspoon of honey and powdered almonds along with thirty ounces of water. Stir it properly and remove it from the heat. Consume it two times a day for 4-5 days.

4. Onion and Lemon

Peel an onion and grind it in a juicer. Now, squeeze the juice of one lemon in onion juice. Then, pour this blend into one cup boiling water and let it boil for 2-3 minutes. Remove it from heat and add one teaspoon of honey after it cools down. Drink one cup of this mixture three times a day until you feel relieved.

• Alternatively, finely chop an onion and add two big spoons of sugar. After half an hour, this mixture will transform into liquid. Consume one large spoon of it after every few hours.

5. Grape Juice

Grapes are expectorant in nature and, thus, help soothe your lungs and unclog the phlegm. Take 2 tablespoons of grape juice and add 2 tablespoons of honey to it. Have this concoction thrice a day for a week.

6. Lemon Tea

The citric acid in lemon and antiseptic properties of honey helps loosen the phlegm and soothes the throat. While making black tea, add a spoon of fresh lemon juice and honey to it.

7. Gargle

In a glass of warm water, add a tablespoon of salt. Tilt your head lightly towards back and gargle with this salt water. Don’t swallow it. After a few minutes of gargling, you will definitely feel better. Alternatively, add a dash of salt and one tablespoon of turmeric to a glass of hot water and gargle 3-4 times a day.

8. Carrots

Carrots are the tremendous source of vitamin C and boost the immune system because of its antioxidant properties. Moreover, it is crammed with several vitamins and nutrients that reduce symptoms associated with cough and phlegm. Extract the juice from 3-4 fresh carrots. Add a little water and 2-3 teaspoons of honey in the juice. Mix it well and drink it 2-3 times a day to clear the phlegm.

9. Garlic and Lime

Anti-inflammatory properties of garlic and citric acid in the lime clears the phlegm. Boil a cup of water. Remove it from flame and squeeze 3 lemons in it. Now, add 2 crushed garlic cloves, half teaspoon of black pepper powder and a pinch of salt. Stir all ingredients properly and sip this drink. This remedy will provide instant relief from phlegm.

10. Chicken Soup

Hot chicken soup helps treat phlegm and moisturize your airways. This warm soup can thin the consistency of phlegm and breaks the mucus. Drink it at least 2 -3 times in a day to clear your throat. You can also add ginger and garlic in it to make it more appetizing.

11. Shallots

Sulphur in shallots clear the infection of the airways and reduces the irritation of the mucous membrane. Peel 6-8 shallots and eat them with sugar.

Note – If you feel burning sensation in your airways, it means this remedy is working.

12. Cayenne Pepper

The stimulating properties of cayenne pepper reduce phlegm and relieve an irritated throat. Mix one-fourth teaspoon each of grated fresh ginger and cayenne pepper. Now add 1 tablespoons of honey and apple cider vinegar and two tablespoons of water. Consume it 3-4 times a day. Cayenne pepper can also be used in cooking your dishes.

13. Turmeric

Turmeric is one of the most effective antibiotics for curing phlegm. It acts as an antioxidant and contains curcumin which is used to treat various internal and external problems of the body.

• Add half teaspoon of black pepper and turmeric powder to a glass of warm milk. Now mix one teaspoon of honey in it. Drink it daily, in order to get rid of phlegm.
• Or else, mix 2 tablespoons of turmeric powder and apple cider vinegar. Mix properly and consume it.

14. Anise Seed

Boil 1½ cups of water and add crushed anise seed to it. Allow it to boil on low flame for 30 minutes. Then strain and simmer the remaining liquid till it reduces to 1 cup. Mix 2 cups of honey in it and let it cool. You can store it in the refrigerator, and utilize it for 2-3 months.

Herbal Remedies to Cure Phlegm

15. Wild Cherry Bark

It is an excellent herbal expectorant that loosens the phlegm and drive it out from the chest, throat and lungs. Prepare a tea from this fragrant bark or its powder. Alternatively, two teaspoons of its syrup can also be consumed that is easily available in the market.

Note:

• Expecting and nursing women should not use it.
• The fruit pits and leaves of wild cherry have poisonous hydrocyanic acid, so they should not be consumed.
• Don’t use it for a long time.

16. Spikenard Root

Spikenard root has antiseptic, diaphoretic and depurative properties that can effectively treat phlegm. Prepare an herbal tea with its roots and drink it 2-3 times a day.

Alternatively, one can gargle from its decoction.

Note – Expecting women should avoid its use.

17. Bay Leaf

Take a handful of fresh bay leaves and pour them in one cup of boiling water. Let it soak for a few minutes and strain afterwards. Consume this decoction to get an instant relief.

18. Horehound Leaves

Boil ½ pint of water in a pot and remove it from the heat. Now add 1 ounce of dried horehound leaves and put a lid on the pot. After 10 minutes, strain this solution and mix 1 pound of honey. It can be stored in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 months.

19. Couch Grass

Couch grass is very high in mucilage and contains iron, magnesium, fiber, calcium, selenium, protein and vitamins A and B.  Being an excellent anti-bacterial, it soothes the sore throat and assists the phlegm to become more slippery and easier to expel.

Boil 2 tablespoons of dried couch grass roots in two cups of water for 5 minutes. Strain this solution and drink it 2-3 times a day.

20. Oregano Oil

The antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of oregano oil treat various infections in the respiratory tract. Being a natural expectorant, it effectively reduces phlegm. Intake a few drops of oregano oil or add it to your food. Moreover, oregano capsules can be consumed that are easily available at health stores.

21. Licorice

Prepare a decoction by boiling licorice roots in a cup of water. Strain this solution and drink it thrice a day. It effectively reduces phlegm from your chest and provides relief from sore throat as well.

22. Slippery Elm

The soluble fiber in slippery elm forms a gel-like substance when dissolved in water that helps reduce the inflammation. Boil two cups of water and add 2 tablespoons of slippery elm bark powder in it. Drink this two times a day in order to reduce phlegm.

• Moreover, 5ml of its tincture can also be taken thrice a day.
• A poultice prepared from elm can be applied over the chest to decrease the formation of phlegm.

23. Eucalyptus Oil

It is one of the most effective herbal oils which are used in treating phlegm. Mix some coconut oil with it and massage over the chest area. A rub with this oil will definitely expel the phlegm from your body.

Note:

• This oil should not be applied directly on the skin.
• It should not be swallowed.

24. Herbal Tea

The hot solution helps slacken the stubborn mucus. There are wide varieties of herbal teas which can be used for this purpose. You can drink a cup of mint tea, lavender tea, green tea, Echinacea or chamomile tea. To increase their flavor, add a teaspoon of honey. You can also prepare herbal tea from some other herbs such as hyssop and calamus root.

25. Mint and Eucalyptus Leaves

Boil a handful of mint and eucalyptus leaves in a pot full of water for 10 minutes. Afterwards, remove it from the heat and keep it on the table. Now bend your face towards the pot and inhale the water vapors. This will dehydrate the mucus, open your sinuses and expel out your phlegm.

• Alternatively, if you don’t find these leaves, pour hot boiling water in a bowl. Put a towel over your head and inhale the steam for 5-10 minutes. This will also loosen the phlegm.

Do’s

• Use a humidifier
• Use steam inhalation, in order to slack the phlegm.
• Keep your body hydrated.
• Consume hot beverages more and more.
• Blow your nose regularly.

Don’ts

• Avoid dairy products; meat; excessively sugary, fried and highly processed food items.
• Quit smoking and drinking alcohol.
• Don’t expose yourself to paint fumes, chemicals, and household cleaners that may cause irritation to your respiratory tract.
• Don’t swallow the phlegm.
• Don’t overlook the urge to blow nose or cough up mucus.
• Minimize the use of cold foods and drinks.