To remove phlegm from your throat, there are some simple tips such as drinking plenty of fluids, drinking lemon tea with honey and gargling with water and salt. These tips reduce throat irritation and thin mucus, making it easier to eliminate.
Clearing your throat appears when there is excess mucus in the throat, which can be caused by inflammation in the throat or an allergy, for example, resulting in an increase in the production of mucus, which can become trapped in the throat. Find out the main causes of throat clearing.
Check out the following video for some simple ways to stop clearing your throat:
10 ways to get phlegm out of your throat
Some tips for getting phlegm out of your throat are:
1. Gargle with warm water and salt
Gargling with warm water and salt helps reduce phlegm in the throat, because the salt dissolves mucus, relieving throat clearing. Furthermore, salt also has bactericidal properties, eliminating bacteria that may be causing the formation of phlegm.
To do this gargle you must:
- Mix 1 tablespoon of salt in 1 cup of warm water;
- Stir the water well until the salt dissolves completely;
- Put the mixture in your mouth and tilt your head back;
- Gargle with water for as long as you can;
- Repeat gargling until all the water is gone.
This gargle causes quick relief and, therefore, can be used whenever the discomfort is very intense, up to 3 to 4 times a day.
2. Wash your nose
Washing your nose with saline solution is a great option to make secretions more fluid and encourage their elimination. To do this, you can use a nasal irrigator or a syringe without a needle. You must fill the syringe or nasal irrigator with saline solution and then leave your head aside and position the syringe or irrigator at the entrance to the nostril and apply the serum, letting it exit through the other nostril.
Nasal lavage can be performed 3 to 4 times in each nostril, depending on the amount of accumulated secretion. Check out more details about how nasal washing is done.
3. Take honey syrup with watercress and propolis
Honey syrup with watercress and propolis promotes expectoration, helping to remove phlegm from the throat. This syrup must be prepared as follows:
Ingredients:
- 250 ml of watercress juice;
- 1 cup of honey tea;
- 20 drops of propolis extract.
Preparation mode:
In a pan, add the watercress juice and honey and place over medium heat. Stir carefully and let the mixture boil until it reaches a syrup-like consistency. Let the mixture cool and add the propolis drops, mixing well. It is recommended to take 1 tablespoon of this remedy 3 times a day.
Care: This syrup is not recommended for children under 2 years of age, people with fructose intolerance, pregnant women and people with allergies to bees or propolis.
Breastfeeding women and people using medications such as warfarin, lithium and chlorzoxazone should only use this syrup under the guidance of a doctor. People with diabetes or irritable bowel syndrome should consume this tea in moderation.
4. Apply eucalyptus essential oil to your chest
Eucalyptus essential oil is a natural way to eliminate phlegm and relieve throat irritation, in addition to opening the airways, improving the discomfort caused by throat clearing. Discover all the medicinal properties of eucalyptus.
To use this essential oil, you must dilute 2 drops of eucalyptus essential oil in a tablespoon of coconut oil or other vegetable oil and then rub the mixture on your chest.
Care: This massage should not be used by children under 12 years of age, during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or by people with gallbladder or liver problems.
5. Drink lemon tea with honey
As it is astringent, lemon stimulates salivation, improving lubrication and helping to eliminate phlegm from the throat. Honey creates a protective layer, reducing throat irritation.
To take this home remedy, mix 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and 1 teaspoon of honey in 1 cup of boiling water. Mix well and drink while still warm. Drink 2 to 3 cups of this tea per day.
Care: As it contains honey, this tea should not be consumed by children under 2 years of age and people with fructose intolerance. People with diabetes or irritable bowel syndrome should consume this tea in moderation.
6. Nebulize with water vapor
Nebulization with water vapor is great for hydrating the respiratory tract, helping to dilute the phlegm stuck in the throat and facilitating its elimination. To carry out this nebulization it is recommended:
- Place 1 to 2 liters of boiling water in a basin;
- Place a towel over your head, covering the basin as well;
- Breathe in the steam coming out of the basin.
In addition, you can also mix 2 drops of eucalyptus or mint essential oil in water to obtain the benefits of relieving irritation and reducing coughing, if present.
This nebulization can also be done with a nebulizer, which is a device in which steam is released directly through a face mask. Learn how to use the nebulizer.
7. Humidify an ar
Humidifying the air is a good option for hydrating the airways and can be used in regions with drier climates or when using air conditioning. This is because dry air promotes irritation and can cause phlegm to form in the throat.
A simple way to humidify the air at home is to place half a bucket of boiling water inside the bedroom and near the head of the bed at bedtime. See other ways to humidify the air.
Care: This technique should not be used in children’s rooms, as hot water can result in burns, especially when parents are not supervising.
8. Drink plenty of fluids
Although it’s a simple tip, drinking plenty of fluids is one of the most effective ways to relieve phlegm and the feeling of a throat clearing in your throat. This is because water hydrates the secretions that are trapped, allowing them to be eliminated through coughing.
You can drink between 1.5 and 2 liters of pure water, and can also include teas or coconut water, for example, which should be distributed throughout the day. Know the recommended amount of water per day.
9. Drink apple juice
The apple has astringent effects, helping to hydrate and reduce mucous membrane secretion. Thus, apple juice helps to remove phlegm from the throat and relieve throat clearing.
To drink apple juice, simply wash and chop 1 small apple with the skin into cubes. Afterwards, place in the blender with 1 glass (200 ml) of filtered or boiled water and blend until a homogeneous mixture is obtained. Transfer to a glass and drink immediately. Drink 1 glass of this juice per day.
10. Take expectorant medications
Expectorant medications are capable of acting directly on the respiratory tract, promoting the dilution of accumulated secretions and, thus, favoring their elimination. In general, expectorants can be found in pharmacies in the form of syrup, but it is also possible to find some options in tablet form.
It is important that the expectorant is recommended by the doctor, as this way the best syrup for the situation is indicated and adequate guidance is given on its use. Check out some options for expectorant syrups.
Possible causes of throat clearing
Clearing your throat is caused by excess mucus in the throat, which can happen due to throat irritation or allergies. Some of the most common causes include:
- Flu or cold;
- Allergy;
- Bronchitis;
- Inflammation of the larynx or pharynx;
- Sinusitis;
- Pneumonia.
Some signs that may indicate that the clearing of the throat is being caused by another problem and that it is necessary to go to the hospital, include the presence of yellowish or greenish phlegm, difficulty breathing, sore throat or low-grade fever, for example.
Therefore, if the throat clearing does not improve after 3 days, it is important to go to the general practitioner or pulmonologist to identify whether there is a problem that should be treated with specific medications.
