Natural Expectorant Remedies for Phlegm

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

Natural Remedies for Throat Infection

Natural Remedies for Throat Infection

Throat infection is caused by virus or bacteria. Viral throat infection which is caused by a virus as the name itself suggests is more contagious. The most common types of bacterial throat infections are strep throat and mycoplasma. Strep throat is caused by bacteria called streptococcus. It infects the oral pharynx and tonsils. Symptoms of throat infection are

• Pain or irritation of the throat
• Low grade fever
• Difficulty in swallowing food and liquids
• Throat redness
• Cough

Treatment of Throat Infection


Throat infection is generally treated with antibiotics. However antibiotics are effective only against bacterial infection. The most commonly used antibiotics to treat strep throat are amoxicillin and clindamycin. Some pain killers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen are also used. Viral throat infection should not be treated with antibiotics. 


Some of these medications can lead to side effects. A variety of home remedies exist for throat infection which are equally effective but would not cause any side effects. These natural remedies for throat infection stimulate the immune system to fight bacteria. 


Throat Infection Precautions


When you have throat infection it is necessary take rest and keep yourself hydrated. You have to keep away from tobacco smoke and alcohol vapors which may irritate the throat and lungs.

Herbal Remedies for Throat Infection


Several natural remedies can help to get rid of sore throat

• Different types of herbal tea can provide relief from the symptoms of sore throat. Licorice and chamomile tea provide relief from throat irritation. Chamomile tea has analgesic properties. It also prevents dehydration.

• Take a glass of warm water. Add some honey and lemon juice to it. Drinking this mixture will provide relief from the throat pain and irritation.

• Add cumin seeds and a few pieces of garlic to a glass of water and boil it. Drink it when it is lukewarm. 

• Cinnamon is a very effective remedy for sore throat. Take a glass of hot water and add a teaspoon each of cinnamon, honey and black pepper. Consume small sips of the liquid at regular intervals. 

• Sage is a herb used to treat pharyngitis and other types of sore throat in the form of tincture. It reduces the inflammation of the mucous membranes of the throat.

• To reduce the discomfort you can drink a glass of warm milk with a teaspoon of turmeric added to it. 

• Apple cider vinegar helps to treat the bacterial infection and reduce the inflammation. Add a tablespoon each of apple cider vinegar and honey to warm water. Drink it at regular intervals, holding is as long as possible in the throat before swallowing it. 

• Cut a ginger root to small pieces and boil it in a cup of water. Add two teaspoons of honey and sip it slowly. 

• Goldenseal root will provide relief from throat inflammation. Add a teaspoon of goldenseal root to half liter of water and boil it. Drink the mixture at regular intervals.

Gargle For Throat Infection

• One of the most commonly used remedies is salt water gargle. 

• Add some fenugreek seeds to water and boil it for some time. This can be used to gargle when it cools down. 

• Add a teaspoon of cayenne pepper to water and boil it. Gargling this will not only provide relief but also cure the inflammation

• Wheatgrass juice is quite effective in treating throat infection. It contains chlorophyll which helps to reduce the inflammation and pain. 

These are some of the natural remedies for throat infection which will help to cure the disease without any side effects.