Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Natural Expectorant Remedies for Phlegm

Several naturally available substances have properties of an expectorant. They help to push out phlegm.

An expectorant thins out the mucus and helps to expel it from the bronchial tubes and lungs. This helps to make breathing easier. It is very important for an affected patient to expel mucus. Coughing helps to clear the mucus buildup in the chest and the lungs. It makes breathing easier. If you have common colds, flu, bronchitis, sinus congestion or pneumonia, it is necessary to get the phlegm out of the system. 

Licorice
  Source: Wikimedia Commons: Erin Silversmith
 Licorice

Licorice is a root which has been used for culinary and medicinal purposes for centuries. Licorice tastes sweeter than sugar. It has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antispasmodic properties. It is also a very good expectorant. Licorice helps to break down the thick phlegm and push it out. It can also help to soothe the irritation due to the inflammation in the respiratory tract and throat. It is advisable to drink licorice root tea twice a day to make the best use of its expectorant properties.


Garlic


Garlic has several medicinal properties. Garlic can be used as a steam inhaler. Garlic based cough syrup can be prepared by grating a garlic and mixing it with a teaspoon of honey. It would help to thin and push out the phlegm. Garlic is a decongestant as well as an expectorant.


Onion


Onion is a natural decongestant and an expectorant. You can eat raw onion slices. It is very easy to do so if you develop a taste for it. Grated onion can be combined with grated garlic and honey to be more effective.


Eucalyptus Oil


Apply eucalyptus oil or Vicks to your chest and rub it vigorously so that some warmth is generated. This will be of great help thin out and loosen the phlegm.


Ginger


Ginger is a natural expectorant. Drinking ginger tea 3 times a day can help to loosen the phlegm and expel it. Add grated ginger to water and boil it. Strain it after it cools and it is ready for drinking. Honey can also be added to ginger tea as it is also an expectorant. It will sweeten the tea and add to its taste.


Steam


One of the best methods to get rid of phlegm is to inhale steam from a vaporizer. Moist air helps to loosen the phlegm from the air tubes and expel it.



  • Elevate your pillow so that the phlegm does not get back to the lungs.


  • Drink lots of water as it thins out the mucus and helps its expulsion.


  • Hot spicy foods like chilli peppers help to loosen the mucus.

  • Hot tea will also help to loosen the mucus.

These are some of the natural expectorants which will help you to get rid of phlegm.


Don’t


If you have phlegm in your air tubes and lungs it is essential to stop smoking. Smoke can irritate nasal passages and aggravate the problem. Certain over the counter expectorant syrups, suppress mucus are available. Don’t over use them. 


References

health911.com:  Coughs

umm.edu        :  Eucalyptus

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