12 Natural Ways to Get Rid of One Very Disgusting Problem

Young woman has a flu. Coughing.

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If you have ever had the flu or a chest cold, then you are very familiar with coughing up phlegm. Sometimes, it simply won’t come up. Many times this is due to inflammation or some other sort of infection.

However, what happens when you are coughing up mucus most of the morning? Or even all day? If you really have no idea what we are talking about, then you probably know someone who does. It’s that disgusting and annoying sound people make as they are coughing up a loogie, otherwise known as phlegm or mucus. You know the sound. Everything is peaceful and quiet when suddenly “hhhhaaaacccccckkk,” and then they spit. Absolutely disgusting! Unless you are the one who has phlegm and needs to deal with it, of course. What else are you supposed to do? You don’t want to gag on that wad of phlegm in your throat, so you need to get it out.

Our respiratory system makes mucus naturally. It keeps our tissues moist and traps dust, pollen, and other foreign particles that shouldn’t be there. We excrete excess mucus through the nose and mouth. Unfortunately, some people seem to have more than their fair share due to allergies or acid reflux or simply just the way they are.

Mucus is a normal body function. If what you are coughing up is yellow or green, you probably have an infection. If what you are coughing up is brown or black, you are most likely a heavy smoker.

If you are one of the offenders that are constantly hacking up loogies, we have 12 natural remedies that can help you stop this annoying (to you) and disgusting (to everyone else) habit. Keep reading and find out how to keep your loogies to yourself.

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Photo credit: bigstock.com

Photo credit: bigstock.com

1. Ginger

This herb is a natural decongestant that has been used for centuries to fight off respiratory tract infections and throat problems. Ginger has antiviral, antibacterial and expectorant compounds that can ease the mucus buildup in the throat and chest, to help you breathe better. Drink ginger tea two or three times each day for best results.

 

2. Carrots

This might sound like a strange home remedy for excess mucus, but with tons of vitamin C and antioxidants, carrots are one of the best remedies. Vitamin C can help clear the nasal passages of mucus and reduce coughing while the antioxidants help improve the immune system.  Juice a few organic carrots and mix two teaspoons of raw, organic honey into the juice. Drink this at least twice a day and you will be surprised at how quickly your loogie problem goes away.

 

3. Green Tea

Green tea is loaded with special antioxidants and is very healing to the throat and respiratory tract. It can fight infection, and it clears out throat and nasal mucus. Try to drink two or three cups of green tea each day, making a special effort to breathe in the steam.

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Eucalyptus Still Life

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4. Eucalyptus Oil

This is one of the most powerful essential oils when it comes to fighting phlegm and mucus overload. Do not apply this oil directly to the skin, as it can irritate and even burn. Add about three drops of eucalyptus oil to a tablespoon of coconut or grape seed oil and massage the chest, neck, and upper back area. Excess mucus and phlegm should vanish within just a few applications. Apply this every other day before bedtime to keep your problem under control.

 

5. Turmeric

This is another good choice for clearing out phlegm and mucus from the throat and nasal passages. Add one teaspoon of ground turmeric to one cup of warm milk. Drink each night before bedtime, and you should have almost instant relief from phlegm and mucus.

 

6. Salt Water

Gargling with warm salt water can also provide relief and dissolve phlegm and mucus in the throat. This is an excellent remedy for those who find that lump in the throat simply won’t go away. Put a half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water, and gargle two or three times each day.

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Photo credit: bigstock.com

Photo credit: bigstock.com

7. Herbal Tea

Herbal teas are used around the world for numerous health problems, inducing relieving excess mucus and phlegm. Most herbal teas will help cut through the mucus and phlegm. Be sure to breathe the steam from your herbal tea so that you get all the benefits your tea has to offer.

 

8. Lemon, Lime, and Cayenne Pepper

This mixture is a sure-fire way to clear out the mucus and phlegm from the throat and respiratory tract. Lime and lemon have tons of vitamin C, and their acidic juice will help to cut through the mucus. Cayenne pepper will also dissolve phlegm. To make this solution, add just a pinch of cayenne pepper to a glass of warm water, plus with the juice from half a lemon and half a lime. Mix well, and drink this twice a day until your problem is resolved.

 

9. Black Pepper

This common table spice has some little known health benefits, such as clearing out unwanted mucus. Grind one teaspoon of fresh ground pepper (but don’t sneeze!). Add this to one tablespoon of honey and swallow it. You can also use white pepper if you like. Do this once each day until the mucus and phlegm in your chest has decreased.

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Chicken Soup

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10. Lemon and Onion

This is a potent remedy to fight phlegm and mucus while helping the throat heal. Onion will really clear out the nasal passages and the throat from excess mucus. Peel one small, white onion and place it in a bowl. Add two tablespoon of sugar and the juice from one lemon. Allow to sit for 30 to 45 minutes, and then drink the liquid. Do this twice each day until the phlegm and mucus in your throat and nasal passages is reduced.

 

11. Grape Juice

This is a little known remedy that has powerful healing compounds. This remedy was even used by the Romans to help heal sore throats and other respiratory problems. Add two tablespoons of honey to a glass of pure, organic grape juice and drink this twice each day. There isn’t a better-tasting way to get rid of mucus anywhere!

 

SEE ALSO: How to Naturally Quiet a Cough: 7 Easy Tips

 

12. Chicken Soup

Your mother or grandmother probably gave this to you to help clear out mucus and phlegm when you had a cold or the flu. Chicken soup can warm the body, which will help dissolve phlegm and open up nasal passages. Although you might not want to eat chicken soup every day, if you only have excess mucus or phlegm once in a while, such as in the case of seasonal allergies, you might want to try having a cup each night before bedtime to help clear out your throat and nasal passages before bedtime.

Do’s and Don’ts

  • DO – use a humidifier in your bedroom.
  • DON’T – smoke or consume excessive amounts of alcohol.
  • DO – inhale steam whenever you can: in the shower, cups of tea, bowls of soup.
  • DON’T – swallow that loogie — it could contain bacteria or other toxins.
  • DO – use a nasal aspirator to remove phlegm if the buildup is severe.
  • DON’T – consume large quantities of dairy products as these make it more difficult to remove mucus from the body.

Try one of these simple remedies the next time you are suffering from excessive mucus or phlegm. If you cough up phlegm that is yellow or green, you probably have an infection and should consult a physician to solve the problem.

References:

Mayoclinic.org

Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

News.harvard.edu

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One Comment

  1. Benni

    Feb 5, 2017 at 5:04 am

    Number five says turmeric in warm milk. DO NOT have dairy when you have a chest infection!! Dairy creates MORE mucus!! Whoever wrote this is moron.