Consumption of cough medicine is one way to get rid of phlegm in the throat. However, this condition can not only be overcome with drugs from doctors. There are several natural ingredients that you can also use to soothe your throat from phlegm.
Phlegm usually appears when you are coughing or it is also known as coughing up phlegm. In addition, the production of phlegm can also increase if you have flu, asthma, sinusitis, allergies, COPD, and stomach acid.
Although almost similar, phlegm is different from mucus. Mucus is mucus that is produced naturally by the nose or sinuses, while phlegm is produced due to certain conditions such as infection.
Therefore, phlegm generally contains inflammatory cells, foreign body particles such as dust, white blood cells, to bacteria or viruses.
The color of phlegm can be a picture of a person's health condition. Sputum that is green or yellow indicates a person is infected with bacteria, while a viral infection is characterized by white phlegm.
Sputum that is red or pink in color indicates the presence of blood. This can be a sign of a serious condition and it is best to see a doctor immediately.
One way to get rid of phlegm in the throat is to take cough medicine with phlegm. However, there are also natural ways that you can do to get rid of annoying phlegm.
How to get rid of phlegm in the throat naturally
There are several natural ingredients that can be used to get rid of phlegm, especially when you have a cough with phlegm. The following are ways to get rid of phlegm in the throat naturally that you can try:
1. Drink lots of water
Drinking lots of water, especially warm water, can loosen phlegm and clear the airways. In addition to water, a mixture of warm water and lime can also be an option.
2. Consumption of spicy food
How to get rid of phlegm in the throat can also be done by eating spicy food. Spicy food contains capsaicin which is thought to be able to expel phlegm, so that the breath feels easier.
3. Consumption of hot soups and drinks
Drinks or hot soupy foods can also be a way to get rid of phlegm in the throat. Hot tea and chicken soup are simple examples that can be used as an option to expel phlegm. You can also inhale the warm steam from tea and soup to ease breathing.
4. Drink a mixture of honey and lemon water
Honey is known to have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that are useful for expelling phlegm in the throat.
To get rid of phlegm, you just need to mix lemon juice and 1-2 teaspoons of honey in warm water. This mixture of honey and lemon has the same effect as cough medicine.
5. Gargle with salt water
A cup of warm water mixed with half a teaspoon of salt can also be used as a way to get rid of phlegm in the throat. Just use salt water to gargle for 30–60 seconds while tilting your head. You can repeat this method as needed.
6. Take herbal supplements
Several studies reveal that supplements containing herbal plants, such as ginseng, ginger, garlic, echinacea, liquorice, pomegranate, or berries, can prevent and treat respiratory disorders due to viral infections.
7. Breathe in the warm steam
One way to relieve breathing and at the same time loosen phlegm is to inhale warm steam. You can also use a humidifier or humidifier, take a warm steamy shower, or breathe using a warm wet washcloth to achieve a similar effect.
If the natural way to get rid of phlegm in the throat is not effective, you can take cough medicine with phlegm. However, if the cough with phlegm does not improve after taking medication or is accompanied by other symptoms, such as chest pain and shortness of breath, consult a doctor for proper treatment.