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People often experience some kind of blockage of the sinuses, throat, or bronchi, which results in shortness of breath.
Often this is accompanied by a persistent cough caused by irritation of nerves that activate accumulated mucus in the airways.
What mucus is and why it forms
Mucus is a thick substance secreted by the mucous membranes of the bronchi or sinuses. Its job is to trap bacteria or impurities and remove them from the airways.
If mucus is thick, its movement is hindered and it subsequently becomes trapped in the air tubes, which worsens air flow.
Coughing is one of the mechanisms the body uses to get rid of this mucus.
Mucus is produced continuously and when we are healthy we don’t even notice it. During the flu, a cold or a respiratory infection its production increases dramatically.
The cause of their increased production may not only be classic infectious diseases, but also conditions such as asthma or pollen allergies.
Patients then feel symptoms similar to infections in the form of fever, a runny nose, frequent coughing and breathing difficulties.
If mucus is not given sufficient attention, it can lead to blockage of the airways and secondary respiratory infections.
Home remedies for quickly getting rid of mucus
In today’s article we will reveal several home remedies that remove mucus from the airways and also ease other accompanying symptoms.
And all of this is achieved in a completely safe and effective way.
1. Honey and lemon
Honey has strong antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal effects. Its components also soothe irritated mucous membranes of the airways very well, providing almost immediate relief.
On the other hand, lemon is rich in vitamin C and other bioflavonoids that strengthen the immune system and help to clear blocked sinuses.
You will need:
- 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon of honey
procedure
Put the honey and lemon juice into a small bowl. Mix them well together with a spoon. Consume the mixture immediately.
Do this 3 times a day for effective airway relief.
2. Ginger, honey and pepper
Ginger acts as a natural mucus dissolver. It also has strong anti-allergic, antiviral and antibacterial properties.
It very effectively clears blocked bronchi and throat of accumulated mucus and suppresses their further production.
You will need:
- 6 to 7 small pieces of ginger
- 1 tablespoon of honey (has antiseptic properties)
- 1 teaspoon of ground pepper (fights infection)
- 2 glasses (4 dl) of clean water
procedure:
1. Put the water on the stove. When it reaches boiling point, add the pieces of ginger and the pepper.
2. Turn the heat down, cover the pot with a lid (leave a small opening to prevent boiling over) and let it boil for 1 minute.
3. Turn off the heat, cover the pot completely with the lid and let it steep for another 5 to 7 minutes.
4. Strain the tea, let it cool a little and then add the honey.
Drink this tea in small sips throughout the day.
Warning: Ginger is not recommended for 4 groups of people.
We described them in more detail in this article . If you belong to them, skip this recipe.
3. Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is excellent because despite its acidic taste it has alkalizing effects on the body.
By maintaining the body’s proper pH you prevent excessive mucus production.
Simply take 1 teaspoon of raw unpasteurized apple cider vinegar, dilute it in a glass of clean water and drink it.
Repeat this 2 to 3 times a day to eliminate mucus. This solution can also be used as a gargle if you are suffering from a sore throat in addition to sputum.
4. Turmeric
Curcumin, the active substance found in turmeric, has strong medicinal effects and destroys bacteria that are the main culprits in respiratory illnesses.
You will need:
- 1 teaspoon of turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt (also has antibacterial properties)
- 1 glass (2 dl) of lukewarm water (soothes an irritated throat)
procedure:
1. Add the turmeric and salt to the glass of water. Stir it well.
2. Gargle your throat with this mixture 3 to 4 times a day.
3. Since turmeric does not dissolve in water, it is good to drink it immediately after mixing, otherwise the turmeric will settle at the bottom of the glass.
Gargling with a salt and turmeric water solution is extremely beneficial because the lukewarm water soothes the throat and the antibacterial properties of the salt and turmeric suppress bacterial growth.
5. Steam inhalation
Steam inhalation is another excellent way to loosen accumulated mucus from the bronchi and throat. Inhaling steam usually brings immediate results.
Water vapor moving down the airways softens mucus and makes it easier for it to come out.
It also helps if you mix herbs containing medicinal essential oils into the water.
You will need:
- 4 to 5 glasses of boiling water
- 1/2 teaspoon of rosemary (antiseptic properties)
- 1/2 teaspoon of thyme (reduces mucus production)
procedure:
1. Boil the water and add the herbs to it.
2. Let them steep for a few minutes and wait for the water to cool slightly so the steam is not too hot.
3. Drape a towel over your head and place your head directly over the bowl of water so the steam goes straight toward your nose and mouth.
4. Be careful not to burn yourself. If the steam is too hot, let the water cool more.
5. Breathe deeply through your nose (you can occasionally breathe through your mouth) for several minutes.
Repeat the whole procedure 3 to 4 times a day.
Additional tips for getting rid of mucus
In addition to the recipes above we have a few more tips for getting rid of mucus from the bronchi and sinuses.
- blow your nose regularly
- do not eat or drink cold foods and beverages
- do not smoke, because smoking irritates the mucous membranes and contributes to airway blockage
- avoid exposure to household cleaning products, paint fumes, varnishes and other chemicals that irritate the mucous membranes
- do not swallow mucus, but blow your nose or spit it out to speed healing and prevent the transfer of bacteria to the digestive tract
It is also recommended to eat spicy foods such as peppers, chillies or garlic, which thin mucus and remove airway blockages.
