Water is necessary to thin the mucus and make it easier to cough up. Also, fighting an infection consumes energy, which increases your requirements for water. Fluids like hot tea and broth-y soups will provide the extra hydration your body needs. These hot beverages can also help soothe irritated airways.
What drinks remove mucus from the body? Water is the best choice, but herbal teas, chicken soup, and clear broths are good too. You'll want to stay away from drinks that could dry you out, like coffee, caffeinated (black) tea, wine, and alcoholic beverages.
Drink plenty of water to help thin out mucus and prevent dehydration. Gargle with saltwater. Add 1/2 tablespoon of salt to a glass of warm water. Gargle to loosen any phlegm.
But here are three techniques you can use to clear your airways. They are postural drainage, chest percussion, and controlled coughing. The first technique you can try is postural drainage. For postural drainage, you'll lie in different positions to help drain the mucus from your lungs.
Guaifenesin is used to help clear mucus or phlegm (pronounced flem) from the chest when you have congestion from a cold or flu. It works by thinning the mucus or phlegm in the lungs. This medicine is available both over-the-counter (OTC) and with your doctor's prescription.
Eucalyptus Tea: Eucalyptus oil is commonly used in over-the-counter lung decongestants. Drinking eucalyptus tea can help loosen mucus and soothe the respiratory system, making it easier to breathe.
Phlegm from pneumonia can be a dark brown or a vibrant yellow or green, and “it just looks gross,” Dr. Lindsay says. “If you look at it, and it makes you go, 'eww,' or it has a foul taste to it, there's a good chance the cause of the phlegm is from bacterial pneumonia.
There is increasing evidence that a single dose of honey might reduce mucus secretion and reduce cough in children.
Does spitting out phlegm help you get better? Coughing is one way the body gets rid of infection, but when it comes to spitting and swallowing phlegm, neither method will likely help a person recover quicker.
Quercetin-rich foods. There is some evidence from animal studies that quercetin may reduce mucus secretion for those with chronic lung diseases. Quercetin is an antioxidant flavonoid found in fruits and veggies such as apples, onions, parsley, cherries, blueberries, and blackberries.
Carrot juice, rich in beta-carotene and vitamin A, promotes lung health and reduces inflammation. Enhance its benefits by adding lemon for a vitamin C boost.
Natural Remedies
CAM therapies that may help clear mucus in the lungs include: Warm fluids: Drinking warm (not hot) liquids can help loosen thickened mucus. Try tea, warm broth, or hot water with lemon.
It is important to call a doctor if the phlegm does not improve after a few days. An antibiotic may be necessary to treat an underlying bacterial infection. Anyone with pink, red, brown, black, or frothy mucus should contact their doctor or go to the local emergency room for an evaluation.
Mucus Improves
It provides a sticky trap for viruses and bacteria, catching them, and serving as a vessel to remove them from your body. At the peak of an infection, mucus thickens to prevent "invaders" from reaching the lungs and other sensitive parts of your respiratory system.
They may also listen to your lungs with a stethoscope as you breathe in and out. The lungs of people with bronchiectasis often make a distinctive crackling noise as a person breathes in and out. You'll also probably have a chest X-ray to rule out other, more serious, causes of your symptoms, such as lung cancer.
Eat Mucus-Reducing foods
Certain foods, such as garlic and ginger,7 have natural anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce mucus in the lungs. Additionally, foods high in Vitamin C, like citrus fruits, may help boost the immune system and reduce inflammation in the respiratory system.
A 2018 study involving more than 1,000 adults in Korea reported that people who drank at least 2 cups of green tea per day had better lung function than those who drank none.
Certain essential oils, such as eucalyptus, peppermint, and tea tree oil, are known for their decongestant properties. Otolaryngologists often suggest inhaling these oils through a diffuser or steam inhalation to alleviate nasal congestion naturally.
Bacteria land on the mucus-lined surface of the lungs and get trapped. Then little hairs called cilia go to work. They push the mucus up and out of the lungs with all the trapped bacteria, viruses, and dust. “It comes up at sort of a nice slow rate to the back of the throat,” Boucher says.
You should not use Mucinex if you are allergic to guaifenesin. Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to use Mucinex if you have other medical conditions. It is not known whether Mucinex will harm an unborn baby. Ask a doctor before using this medicine if you are pregnant.
Guaifenesin is an expectorant medication that thins mucus so it's easier to clear out of your body. It won't stop you from coughing, but it'll make your cough more productive (the mucus can come out). Your provider may recommend this medication if you have a cold, flu or bronchitis. Mucinex® is a common brand name.