Phlegm is a
thick, slippery and sticky substance produced by the throat, bronchial
passages, and lungs. Phlegm, also called sputum, contains mucus and sometimes
other substances, such as dead cells, pus, or foreign particles, including
dust. You may not notice that you produce much phlegm unless you cough due to a
respiratory infection, such as pneumonia, or if you have certain other diseases
or conditions in which the body produces abnormal amounts or types of phlegm,
such as cystic fibrosis and asthma.
Phlegm may
be described as abnormally thick or frothy, and clear, yellow or green in
color. Phlegm can also contain visible amounts of blood or may be pink in
color. In some cases, it may be difficult for you to clear your breathing
passages by coughing due to extremely thick phlegm.
Abnormal
phlegm symptoms can be caused by a large variety of mild to serious health
problems, including infections, malignancy, inflammation, allergy, trauma,
medications, and airway obstruction. For example, phlegm may be caused by
exposure to smoke, consuming certain foods, such as dairy products, or taking
certain medications.
Symptoms
Phlegm
symptoms may accompany other symptoms, which vary depending on the underlying
disease, disorder or condition. For example, you may have a fever and body
aches if your phlegm symptoms are caused by an infection.
Symptoms
of an infection that can occur with phlegm symptoms
Infectious
diseases, such as the common cold, flu, strep throat, and sinusitis, can cause
other symptoms that occur with phlegm symptoms including:
- Cough
- Fatigue
- Fever with or without chills and
sweats
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Nausea and loss of appetite
- Runny or stuffy nose, often with green
or yellow discharge
- Sneezing
- Swollen, tender lymph nodes in the
neck
- Throat symptoms, such as sore throat,
dry throat, enlarged tonsils, and white patches on the tonsils and throat
- Watery eyes
Allergy
symptoms that can occur with phlegm symptoms
Allergies
can cause other symptoms that occur with phlegm symptoms including:
- Eye redness
- Cough
- Itching of the nose, throat or ears
- Rash
- Runny or stuffy nose and postnasal
drip
- Sneezing
- Watery, itchy eyes
Remedies for 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 cur cumin 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.
REMEMBER
In some
cases, phlegm symptoms may occur with other symptoms that might indicate a
serious or life-threatening condition, such as acute pulmonary edema or a
serious asthma attack, which should be evaluated immediately