Nasal mucus is a protective clear viscous liquid in the nose to prevent external harmful particles to enter your body. Sometimes, when the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract produces excessive mucus (phlegm) due to inflammation it requires attention.
It clogged the throat and drips from the nose. It is a major inconvenience and frustrating. The most common causes of excessive mucus are allergies and different types of infections.
You can get rid of the phlegm once the underlying cause is identified and treated. Irrespective of the cause, certain home remedies work well to quickly stop production of excess phlegm.
5 Universal Natural Remedies to Stop Excessive Mucus
Whether it is because of a bacterial or viral infection, or your excessive mucus production is because of some kind of allergy, these remedies are effective in giving you quick relief.
It is very much possible that your doctor gives you antibiotics particularly when you have bacterial infection. Take the medication as required and do the following as well for faster recovery.
1. Steam
Steam loosens the mucus in the nasal throat and chest so that it can be easily expelled. Boil a pot of water, keep it on a table and inhale the steam by keeping your face 6-8 inch away from the water surface.
You can cover your face and the pot by a towel to trap the steam. Do it for 5 minutes. Take your face out of the cover, breath normally for 30 seconds and go back inside the cover to repeat inhaling the steam another 5 minutes.
2. Salt Water Gargle
Salt water gargle will break the mucus in your throat and release it immediately. Boil water and pour a cup full of water in a bowl. Add half teaspoon of common salt.
Let the water cool down to acceptable warmness. Take half a sip and gargle inside your mouth. Never take a mouth full of water as it will be spilled out and you will not be able to gargle properly.
Mouth should be just half full with water so that you can squish the water inside your mouth. This will moist your throat and phlegm will be released.
3. Drinking Lots of Water
Drinking a lot of water keeps your mucus membrane moist, therefore the mucus doesn't clog the nasal passage or throat. In today's modern lifestyle of sitting job and air-conditioned environment we are always dehydrated.
This affects the immunity as well. In fact if you are fully hydrated then those viral and bacterial infections will be reduced. It is important to remain fully hydrated for many health reasons. Your skin will not age fast. Dry skin ages fast.
Since you already have excessive mucus production, hydration will help to reduce it quicker. Keep drinking a glass of water every hour during the day. Your phlegm will be expelled faster and you will not face clogging of nasal and throat passages.
4. Neti
Neti is another water based procedure to clear your nasal passages. It is a little difficult process than the above water based methods. Beginners should do it under supervision to avoid difficulties.
Boil a glass of water, add half a teaspoon of salt and stir it well. Pour the salt water in a special neti pot. Let the water cool down to acceptable temperatures so that it it is still warm but doesn't burn the skin. Stand leaning your face towards the wash basin.
Tilt your head on one side and pour the salt water in one nostril to let it our of the other nostril by gravity. Repeat the process on the other nostril. This will clear the nasal passage and you will feel instant relief.
5. Make Tea
Make ginger tea with water and ginger. Grate an inch of ginger root after cleaning the outer surface. Add it to a cup of water in a pot and boil it. Remove the pot from the heat and let it cool. Strain, fill it in the cup and enjoy the ginger tea.
You can make lemon and honey tea. In fact there are a large number of herbal tea that can get rid of your phlegm. Use the one you like the most or make them in alternation to enjoy all of them.
Avoid the irritants
If your production of excess mucus is due to any allergy, then it is sensible to stay away from the source of irritation. Een if your phlegm is not caused by allergies these irritants will increase phlegm production.
Avoid all sorts of chemical fumes, pollen, danger and other irritants. Stop smoking and remain away from smokers.