Persistent cough is body's response to phlegm being present in upper respiratory system organs and the necessity to expel it. A color of phlegm can tell your doctor of a possible underlying cause for your condition. For example, yellow-green mucus could be a sign of bronchi or lung inflammation, while black phlegm could signal significant environmental pollution or hazardous work environment. Brown phlegm could tell a story of years of smoking, while bloody phlegm is a dangerous symptom of possible tuberculosis or other life-threatening condition.
Phlegm is formed in the body to help coat upper respiratory passages and neutralize viral or bacterial invaders, and other types of irritants. Abundant phlegm causes upper respiratory congestion and creates ideal environment for bacteria to grow and thrive causing inflammation of the bronchi, lungs and sinuses.
If phlegm is present, it's very important to not take any cough suppressants, so the body is able to successfully evacuate it. Stagnant phlegm is a very dangerous sign leading to serious health complications.
Our Top 10 Ways to Stop Phlegm will show you how to help you thin and expel phlegm out of your body making you feel better faster.
1. Hot baths for feet with added mustard powder promote blood circulation and stimulate important body organs' meridians located on the soles of the feet and encourage healing. Make sure you wear socks after this procedure and go straight to bed to feel much better the next morning.
2. Apple cider vinegar is one of the most effective remedies to help control excessive mucus by thinning and helping expectorate it. Add 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to a cup of water and drink a couple of times daily to help break up lung and throat mucus.
3. Hang over the edge of the bed and have someone apply upper back compressions or light blows to promote coughing and move phlegm up and out of the lungs and bronchi. Let the gravity do the work for you and be surprised how much phlegm and sputum might exit your system.
4. Back and chest massages are one of the greatest ways to help stimulate expectorant properties of the body, break up the phlegm remove it from the body.
5. Stop phlegm formation in its tracks by limiting the wrong foods in your diet and eating the right ingredients. The worst phlegm-creating foods are sugar, dairy, eggs, meats, alcohol and fatty dishes. Drink plenty of water, herbal teas and consume lots of raw fruits and vegetables to super charge your immune system and leave no chance for phlegm.
6. Gargling with warm salt water in the morning will help remove throat mucus, relieve congestion and provide a mild antiseptic effect.
7. Accumulation of phlegm causes congestion and persistent cough due to irritation of airways and upper respiratory system inflammation. Put ancient Chinese medicine method called cupping to work for your phlegm removal needs. A number of small glass jars are heated and attached directly to the back. The heat creates a vacuum seal inside the glass jars that draws blood to the surface of the skin. Cupping causes a degree of bruising that is later examined to identify the level of body toxicity. Cupping is believed to remove toxins and phlegm from the body.
8. Slippery elm plant has been known for centuries for its mucilaginous properties. If you take slippery elm potion, it helps organize phlegm in larger chunks of mucus to make it easy to spit up. Brew 1 tablespoon of slippery elm in 1 cup of boiling water and sip throughout the day.
9. Aromatherapy inhalations are incredible ways to break up phlegm and move it up from each nook and cranny of the lungs and bronchi. Create your own aromatherapy heaven by putting a few drops of any of these oils in a large bowl of water: pine, eucalyptus or cedar. Pour boiling water in the bowl and immediately lower your head over it covering yourself with a large towel. Inhale for 10-15 minutes to help expel phlegm junk.
10. Acupuncture might help you fight phlegm and address persistent cough.
