During the off-season, runny nose, colds and viral infections can occur in every person. The modern rhythm of life does not always allow for the treatment of a mild cold, so it can develop into bronchitis, which is accompanied by the appearance of sputum and difficulty breathing. Folk remedies for phlegm will help restore breathing and get rid of cough, and at the same time they are completely safe and affordable. Thinning and expectorant folk remedies are an opportunity to avoid serious complications and recover faster. Therapy with folk remedies can be combined with traditional treatment or used independently.
Causes of phlegm in the bronchi
Sputum in the bronchi is formed during bronchitis.
Sputum in the bronchi most often appears during bronchitis. However, there are other diseases of the bronchi, which are accompanied by swelling, changes in the internal membranes of the organ, accumulation of fluid and cough.
When an infection enters the bronchi, a physiological need arises to remove sputum. This is why a functional cough should not be suppressed. The main goal of treatment is to destroy the infection and cleanse the bronchi of mucus. Its formation can be determined by the characteristic wheezing that a doctor can hear during auscultation.
The presence of noise when breathing indicates swelling of the bronchi and excess mucus, which prevents the normal passage of air. With a dry cough, sputum does not come out of the bronchi, which leads to its excessive accumulation. Therefore, treatment is required aimed at thinning the mucus and removing it.
Symptoms
Sputum is a bronchial secretion that is released during various viral and infectious diseases. The bronchi constantly secrete a certain amount of secretion necessary to cleanse the respiratory system. A healthy person produces approximately 100 ml of secretion per day. But for respiratory diseases, the amount of mucus can be increased to 1500 ml per day.
In a healthy person, sputum is clear and does not have an unpleasant odor. When an infection occurs, the sputum can be purulent, serous, purulent-mucous, glassy, and even bloody.
Cough with sputum production occurs with any respiratory disease. To determine the disease and the method of its treatment, an important symptom is the appearance of the mucus. If it has a purulent appearance and an unpleasant odor, then we can talk about a breakthrough of an abscess of the respiratory organs. An increase in cough and an increase in the amount of sputum indicates the transition of the inflammatory process to a chronic form.
Other effective expectorant mixtures
Expectorant pastes can also be prepared from homemade products. For one of these you will need milk and oat grains. So, you should take a glass of oats and fill it with milk (400 ml). Then place it on the stove and boil it a little. The oats should be boiled. If necessary, you can add a small amount of milk. And then you need to add a little honey to the ready-made gruel. This remedy should be drunk in small sips 5 times a day.
There is also an expectorant mixture made from radish. You should take 1 large and preferably round radish, cut off the top from it, that is, “remove the lid”. Using a spoon and knife, you need to carefully remove the core of this component so that the radish resembles a container. A little honey should be placed here (no more than one teaspoon), and then the fruit should be placed in water, but this should be done with the root down. After 5 hours, you will already notice how the radish releases juice, which is very healing. It works great as an expectorant.
Folk expectorants
Folk remedies for sputum discharge can be used as primary or additional treatment. To liquefy mucus and remove it from the body, it is recommended to use such products.
First group of recipes
Elderberry decoction. Pour a teaspoon of dry berries into a glass of hot water and leave for several minutes. Strain the resulting drink and drink 2-3 times in small sips. The bead reduces the viscosity of sputum and improves its discharge.
Nasturtium decoction. To prepare the medicine you will need dry leaves and flowers of nasturtium. Two teaspoons of the medicinal mixture must be boiled in 300 ml of water for half an hour. Take the resulting product 50 ml four times a day. In addition to the expectorant effect, the drug improves immunity and has anti-inflammatory properties. Thinning sputum with folk remedies using nasturtium decoction is recommended for dry and wet coughs.
Honey and garlic. 100 ml of honey should be mixed with a chopped head of garlic. The resulting paste should be heated in a water bath. Then take it several times a day, adding a teaspoon to a glass of hot milk.
Aloe juice, honey and nuts. A universal remedy for wet and dry coughs. Stimulates mucus discharge, improves immunity and improves overall well-being. You need to mix 50 ml of aloe juice with 150 ml of honey and 100 g of crushed walnuts. Stir the mixture thoroughly and take 20 g three times a day after meals.
Second group of recipes
Carrots and honey. Carrots have excellent expectorant properties, and when combined with honey, they become a universal remedy for treating coughs. It is necessary to boil several carrots in a small amount of water, and to prepare the product, use only the decoction. Mix it with an equal amount of honey. Take 2 tsp. several times a day when a coughing attack occurs.
Onions, garlic and milk. A folk remedy that thins mucus and reduces cough. It is necessary to chop 0.5 kg of onion and a head of garlic. It is better to do this using a blender or meat grinder to obtain a homogeneous paste. Pour the resulting mixture with a liter of milk. Boil for 10 minutes, strain. Drink a tablespoon three times a day. You can add a little honey for taste.
Rosehip, chamomile and plantain leaves. These components must be mixed in equal proportions. Pour a tablespoon of the mixture into a glass of water and cook for 15 minutes. Strain. Take 100 ml three times a day.
Calendula flowers, sage and eucalyptus. All components must be pre-grinded. Five grams of the resulting mixture should be poured into 400 ml of water and boiled for several minutes. Cool the broth and strain. The product must be taken warm. The finished infusion should be drunk in small portions over 2-3 hours. Subsequently, the decoction will lose its medicinal properties, so you should not prepare a large portion right away.
Before using any folk remedies for phlegm removal, you should consult with your doctor, and also make sure that there is no allergic reaction to the components of the home remedies.
For poor sputum discharge, look for salvation in folk remedies
Any disease that causes inflammation of the respiratory tract is accompanied by a severe cough. At the very beginning, this symptom is caused by swelling, as well as inflammation of the mucous membrane. As a result, phlegm appears. There are several types of cough: wet and dry.
At the initial stage of bronchitis, patients experience a dry and sometimes hacking cough. Therefore, treatment is mainly aimed at mitigating the cough and suppressing it. After such therapy, sputum appears, which in any case must be removed from the body. Therefore, treatment is carried out so that sputum begins to be coughed up.
Recipes for better expectoration and thinning of bronchial mucus
Often, doctors in practice use not only chemicals, but also alternative medicine to treat severe coughs, as we already wrote about in the article “These recipes will help with phlegm removal.” It is worth noting that this treatment, along with medication, copes well with the presence of sputum in the patient’s respiratory tract. In addition, traditional medicine preparations are made from herbs, foods and flowers. They are available for making at home and can fully replace synthetic drugs.
Alternative medicines can be used by pregnant women and children. Most often, various decoctions are used in practice, for example, from licorice root, mint, oregano, as well as inhalations with herbs and soda. If we talk about a food-based expectorant, then we should mention a drink consisting, for example, of warm milk with soda, a decoction of oats with milk and, of course, warm milk with a spoon of honey.
Most alternative medicine products are prepared using conventional food products and at home. In addition, the use of such drugs is quite convenient. Here are some easy recipes:
Brazilian broth
To prepare this decoction, take a few ripe bananas.
Grind them into a paste. After this, add a tablespoon of sugar and a glass of water. Mix everything to form a homogeneous mass. Place the container with the balm on the fire and bring to a boil. After this, remove the mixture from the heat and let it cool to room temperature. Take the prepared balm in small portions. It is worth noting that this product is not only an effective drug for removing phlegm, but also a delicious treat.
Radish and honey
To prepare this remedy, take one radish and cut off the top, like a lid.
After this, completely remove the core from the root vegetable. As a result, you will have a container of vegetables. Place a spoonful of honey into the hole formed, and then place the radish in the water, root side down. After five hours, juice will appear inside the radish, which is considered the most effective expectorant, which has mucus-thinning properties.
Oat decoction with milk
To prepare this medicine, take a glass of oats and pour several glasses of water into it. Simmer the oats over low heat until the grains are completely cooked. If necessary, you can add a little milk to the oats instead of water. You can add a little honey to the prepared broth. Take the prepared decoction 6 times a day. The folk remedy should be taken in small sips and warm.
Baking soda
This food product is the most affordable. This is why baking soda-based mucus removers are so popular. In addition, the product does not cause side or allergic reactions. Baking soda can be used to gargle or taken orally with milk. For one glass of milk you need a teaspoon of baking soda. This product can also be used for inhalation.
Expert opinion
To effectively treat bronchitis, it is necessary to understand what stage the disease is at. If the bronchi are swollen, little mucus is secreted and the patient is tormented by a dry cough, the first step is to improve the permeability of the bronchioles, and then activate the formation of mucus (with its help the body gets rid of microbes and dead cells).
Pharmacological agents will help relieve swelling and/or spasm, but mucus production can be stimulated using traditional methods, for example, increasing the drinking regime. Take at least 3 liters of liquid daily - this can be regular compotes or teas based on medicinal herbs. Eat honey - this powerful immunomodulator activates the immune system, thus speeding up recovery.
Remedies from herbs and medicinal plants
Since ancient times, various essential oils and herbs have been used to prepare phlegm removal products.
1. Birch. An infusion of birch with herbs is considered an excellent expectorant. To prepare it, take 40 grams of birch leaves, the same amount of wild rosemary herb, 20 grams of oregano herb, as well as 10 grams of birch buds and nettle leaves. Grind all ingredients thoroughly and mix.
Pour a tablespoon of herbal mixture into half a liter of water. Place the infusion over low heat and bring to a boil. After this, remove it from the heat and let it brew for 40 minutes. Take the prepared infusion 70 milliliters three times a day.
2. Herbal infusion. This remedy can be taken not only for bronchitis, but also for pneumonia. To prepare a herbal infusion, take a few tablespoons of coltsfoot leaves, the same amount of chamomile and one tablespoon of oregano. Grind the ingredients and mix them. Pour a few tablespoons of the resulting mixture with half a liter of water.
Put everything on the fire and bring to a boil. After this, remove the infusion and let it stand for a while. Take 100 milliliters three or four times a day. To give the product a more pleasant taste, you can add a few tablespoons of honey.
Any disease should not be treated on your own, as this can only harm the patient. Therefore, before starting to take any of the medications, consult your doctor for a full consultation.
Herbal inhalations
Thinning of sputum with folk remedies can also be done using inhalation. The use of herbal infusions helps not only to thin mucus, but also to remove it from the bronchi. In addition, this therapy is safe even for small children. The most effective inhalations:
Potato. In this case, the potatoes must be boiled directly in the skins. Then immediately bend over the pan, covering your head with a towel, breathe in the healing vapors until the potatoes have cooled. It is necessary to take deep breaths through your mouth and exhale through your nose. It is recommended to carry out such inhalations twice a day. Additionally, you can add a little baking soda or a few drops of eucalyptus oil to the potatoes.
Pine buds. To prepare a decoction for inhalation, pour a tablespoon of pine buds into a liter of boiling water. Breathe the resulting solution for 10-15 minutes three times a day. A fresh decoction can be prepared once a day and warmed before each procedure.
Herbal decoctions. The most effective for inhalation are herbal decoctions. Inhalations with herbal infusions can be made based on St. John's wort, dill, clover or thyme. Herbs are brewed in the usual way. The procedure should be carried out as long as steam flows over the broth.
Soda and salt. Add 2 tbsp per liter of boiling water. l. soda and sea salt. Additionally, you can add a few drops of eucalyptus or fir oil. This solution can be used repeatedly by preheating it before use.
Steam inhalations are an excellent way not only to get rid of phlegm, but also to reduce coughing and speed up recovery. In addition, inhalations can be used as an independent treatment without the use of pharmaceuticals. Therefore, they are the best remedy for phlegm during pregnancy and for children. The best effect can be achieved if you use mucolytic folk remedies regularly. But do not forget that inhalations can only be done at normal body temperature.
The best preparations and remedies for cough treatment
For treatment by adults, it is important to brew and take herbs correctly. The following recipes are known for home use:
- Ledum infusion
. Pour half a liter of boiling water over a teaspoon of dry shoots and cover the container with a blanket. Keep it like this until the liquid has cooled completely. Take the medicine once a day, half a glass. To improve its properties, it is recommended to infuse wild rosemary in a thermos.
- Broth of coltsfoot
. Grind the grass and shoots. Pour a tablespoon of the product into a glass of boiling water and place in a water bath. Simmer for a quarter of an hour, then strain. Bring the broth to 250 milliliters with boiling water. Take a tablespoon before meals.
- Marshmallow infusion
. Pour two tablespoons of crushed root into a glass of hot water and leave for three hours. Take a spoonful of infusion up to six times a day, regardless of your meal schedule.
- Elecampane
. Pour the crushed root (one tablespoon) into two glasses of water and place the mixture in a water bath. Simmer for an hour, then cool and strain. Take a spoonful every two hours. Helps treat colds, bronchitis and bronchial asthma.
- Lanceolate thermopsis
. Pour a glass of boiling water over a tablespoon of fresh or raw crushed raw materials. Leave for ten hours. Take one spoon five times a day.
Before use, it is necessary to conduct a test for intolerance to the components. Herbal treatment takes up to five to seven days. If after this period there is no improvement, you should consult your doctor for advice.
Compresses
You can also use compresses to cleanse the bronchi of mucus. This treatment is absolutely safe for health, so it is recommended even for small children. The most effective compresses:
Cottage cheese, sour cream and soda. To prepare a compress, mix cottage cheese and sour cream in equal proportions and add a little soda. Heat the resulting mixture in a water bath. Apply to chest and wrap with cling film. Then cover yourself with a blanket or warm blanket. Leave the compress for 20-30 minutes. Rinse off and apply a warming or nourishing cream to the skin.
Potato. An effective folk remedy that dilutes sputum, which can be used not only for inhalation, but also as a compress. Boil the potatoes and add vodka to it. Place the resulting mass on the chest and wrap it with cling film. Leave the compress on for an hour. Rinse off and apply moisturizer to skin.
Cabbage. Using cabbage helps thin mucus and encourage coughing. It is necessary to remove the top layer of the cabbage leaf so that it releases juice. Then apply it to your chest and wrap it with film. You can apply a little vodka and honey to the leaf to enhance the effect. Leave the compress for an hour.
Compresses, like inhalations, are prohibited at elevated body temperatures. This can lead to poor overall health and serious health consequences.
Drinking decoctions and teas
Alternative medicine offers many recipes based on medicinal herbs and plants that help cure dry cough at home.
A folk remedy using eucalyptus is prepared according to the recipe: two tbsp. l. pour eucalyptus leaves with a liter of boiling water. Let the medicine sit for two hours. Take 100-150 ml three times a day between main meals.
An expectorant infusion of burda leaves treats cough and phlegm. 3 tbsp. l. pour medicinal herbs with a liter of boiling water. Let the remedy brew in a thermos for 5-7 hours. We use the infusion 50 ml 4-5 times a day. Burda has an expectorant effect, eliminates inflammation, removes phlegm and improves the body's protective functions.
A decoction of licorice root is beneficial. It is prepared as follows:
- Grind the licorice root.
- Pour 10 g of raw material into 200 ml of boiling water.
- Place on low heat.
- Cook the medicinal decoction for about 20 minutes.
- Leave for two hours, then strain.
- Add the boiled amount of liquid.
- We use a medicinal decoction of 1 tbsp. l. four times a day.
Steam catnip in a thermos in one liter of boiling water in the amount of 3 tbsp. l. Let it brew all night. We take the infusion four times a day. The course of treatment is 5 days.
can also be prepared at home. 1 tsp. crushed plantain leaves, pour 250 ml of boiling water. Let it brew for 30 minutes. We take the product 100 ml 2-3 times a day.
Linden flower tea is prepared using 1 tsp. linden flowers 200 ml boiling water. Cover with a lid. Let it sit for 30 minutes. We drink tea 2-3 times a day with the addition of 1 tsp. natural honey.
A decoction of elecampane roots is an effective and affordable remedy for coughs and for the effective removal of phlegm. To prepare the decoction you need:
- 1 tbsp. l. crushed roots, pour 0.5 boiling water.
- Place the mixture in a water bath and bring to a boil.
- Cook over low heat for 15 minutes.
- Then remove the broth from the heat and let it cool on its own.
- Strain and consume 1 tbsp every hour. l.
Infusion of fir cones. 2 tbsp. l. crushed fir cones, pour 250 ml of boiling water. Let it brew for one and a half hours. We consume 50-70 ml with the addition of honey 2-3 times a day.
prepared in the same way. 1 tsp. Pour dry leaves into an enamel container and fill with half a liter of water. Strain and add the boiled amount of liquid. We take a medicinal decoction of half a glass three times a day before meals.
Breathing exercises
To speed up recovery and stimulate the process of clearing the airways, it is recommended to perform special exercises. In addition, performing breathing exercises stimulates metabolic processes in the body, which helps to quickly get rid of harmful microorganisms.
Effective exercises for removing phlegm:
- take a deep breath;
- hold your breath for 2-3 seconds;
- press your lips tightly and move them forward;
- blow out some of the air and hold the rest of the air for 2-3 seconds;
- exhale a small amount of air again;
- repeat the procedure until all the air is released.
It is recommended to perform breathing exercises for 10-15 minutes several times a day. It will help clear the bronchi faster and normalize overall well-being.
Sputum thinning has been used by folk remedies for a long time in the treatment of dry and wet coughs. Therefore, folk remedies can be trusted to treat even small children, but this must be done wisely. Before using any product, you should consult your doctor and also check your body’s reaction to avoid allergies.
Related video: Folk remedies for removing mucus from the lungs and bronchi
Expectorant herbal teas
In any pharmacy you can buy herbs for phlegm, are called “ chest teas ”, to relieve the symptoms of colds and bronchitis. Most of them are offered in convenient packages that greatly simplify their use .
But you can make such mixtures yourself; most of the herbs go well together and give a pleasant original taste and aroma .
Taken together, they are much more effective; thinning sputum with folk remedies will make the treatment tasty, help both heal and strengthen the body.