Mucus is a sticky substance produced in some parts of the body, such as the nose, it is also known as snot or phlegm, which may annoy you when you are not well, especially when you suffer from a cold, but somehow, this is good for your body to stay healthy, it is produced by the membrane in the lungs and sinuses it works against bacteria viruses and allergens like dust or pollen, the mucus prevents them from spreading. It saves you from sickness. The respiratory mucus is gelatinous material that covers your lungs, throat, mouth, nose and sinuses.
The mucus glands produce it. Its structure depends on the purpose and the area of the body where it is found. It is made from Mucin, a substance that your body produces, which is almost water. 90% of mucus is made from water.
Mucus works to keep you healthy, and there are different ways for different parts of the body, for the lungs and nose. The mucus does not allow bacteria to grow or stick to the lungs. It is difficult for bacteria to get stuck to mucus to propagate, but when there is mucus in your lung, the bacteria cannot live there for long, and that’s why it helps reduce the risk of infections.
Mucus drips down to clear the nostrils removing dirt, allergies and other foreign agents. When you have mucus in your throat, it provides the lubrication required to swallow and speak without any discomfort. The cervix mucus filter prepares except and releases sperm for successful transport to the egg and fertilization.
Symptoms of mucus in your respiratory system
Mucus serves a healthy purpose: it protects the tissues that line your lungs, nasal sinus passages and throat and keeps them from drawing out. It also contains antibodies and enzymes that help in killing harmful bacteria. Mucus protects you from respiratory diseases.
Having no mucus means your body is working smoothly, but when you get a lot of it, it means that you have allergies or infections, and your body is coping to get rid of the foreign agents from the lungs.
Different colours of mucus define different stories about your health. Clear mucus is a sign of good health, then. A person with thin and clear mucus means his respiratory system is healthy.
The yellow mucus is a clear indication that you are dehydrated as here the condition of mucus is thick and yellow in colour and also an indication of a mild cold.
When the mucus is richly green in colour, It’s a sign that you have a bacterial infection, and you must see your doctor immediately to get rid of this type of mucus.
Red or brown mucus is an indication that you have blood or dirt in it.
Mucus alone cannot define the infection. You also need to consider other symptoms, but if you find any abnormalities in the mucus, you need to consult with your medical help provider.
We tend to feel disgusted when we notice mucus, but it’s a vital liquid your body produces to protect the lining of organs and any cavity. It descends down to the oesophagus to keep your airways moist and functioning properly. The moisture present in the mucus allows it to trap bacteria and foreign agents. It contains enzymes or antibodies that throw away unwanted bacteria and viruses.
Why do you need to remove mucus from your lungs?
To save yourself from a breathing crisis, you must get rid of the mucus in your lungs.
When mucus builds up in your airways, it becomes difficult for you to breathe. This may also increase the infection in your lungs.
When the lungs get exposed to pollutants and other foreign agents, chest congestion takes place; a person may feel full, congested or inflamed, mucus gathers in the lungs to trap pathogens and microbes to clean the infection, which causes fullness in the lungs, and that’s why you need to get rid of the mucus so that you can breathe properly.
Breathing in toxic agents through air pollution or smoking can have bad effects on the health of the lungs. You can try various methods and techniques to get rid of mucus to maintain the health of the lungs and the proper functioning of the body
Let’s read further in the article to learn how to get rid of the mucus from the lungs naturally
How to Remove Mucus from Lungs Naturally
Turmeric is the most powerful natural medicine that helps cure several diseases. It contains a substance known as curcumin that has anti-inflammatory, anticancer and antioxidant properties.
It is the most nutritious substance in the kitchen; among many health benefits, one is getting rid of mucus naturally. It’s efficient to manage cough and chest congestion. You can make turmeric tea with carom seeds. Take a saucepan, add a glass of water, a pinch of turmeric and a few grains of carom seed, and boil until it reduces to half. Drink this solution twice a day to get rid of the mucus.
To increase the taste, you can add some honey to it. Burning dried turmeric root is the best remedy for how to remove mucus from the lungs naturally. You can inhale the smoke coming out from it to manage the cold, cough and chest congestion.
1. Thyme
Other than a spice, thyme is also used for medicinal purposes, containing chemicals that help fight bacterial and fungal infections. Using thyme helps relieve mucus and coughing; the antioxidant effects help manage many respiratory problems. Flavonoids present in thyme leaves reduce inflammation, relax the muscles of the lungs and open up the air passage. In a glass of boiling water, add a few crushed leaves of thyme and boil it for 5 minutes. Cover the pan for a few minutes and strain the water afterwards. Drink this water regularly to get rid of the mucus.
2. Lemon
It has magical properties that help cure ailments and numerous health benefits. One of the most amazing health benefits is that it helps fight infections. It contains vitamin C in ample amounts. Consuming lemon water regularly helps in reducing swelling and inflammation. You can make a syrup with lemon juice and honey to help fight coughs; drink this solution to get rid of chest congestion, as honey also works magically to get rid of mucus.
3. Jaggery
It is a common food item found in Indian kitchens. It’s used as a natural sweetener, but the amazing fact is it has several natural health benefits, and it is good for preventing respiratory problems. Consumption of jaggery helps in relieving cough and chest congestion. Boil a glass of water with black pepper, cumin seeds and some jaggery. Drink this solution when it is lukewarm to attain the benefit of mucus expulsion from the chest.
4. Liquorice
It contains properties that help treat mucus, relieving inflammation, irritation and swelling. It relieves you from chest congestion by thinning the mucus and relaxes the airways. You can use liquorice by making herbal tea. Drink this tea to get the benefits of liquorice.
How To Remove Mucus From Lungs Naturally With Essential Oils
1. Lavender oil
It’s the most powerful and popular essential oil for eliminating bacteria. Try inhaling the steam from lavender oil. Put a few drops on a diffuser or dilute it in warm water to inhale the steam. It will help you cough; it is an effective remedy for colds, bronchitis and asthma. It helps in releasing mucus and opening air passages.
2. Peppermint oil
It has several health benefits and aids in relieving nausea and pain. It is also known for treating cough colds, reducing pain, and treating mucus. Inhaling peppermint oil helps in opening the airways and clears the mucus. After inhaling, you will feel good as your blocked sinuses open, and it gives a cooling effect. You can drink peppermint tea or inhale peppermint vapours by putting a few drops of oil in hot water. The magical properties of peppermint oil provide great relief from mucus.
3. Eucalyptus oil
it is the most common ingredient that is used for treating mucus. It contains a compound that helps in treating headaches and clearing mucus build, relieves running noses, and suppresses coughs. It helps in killing bacteria that are around the nasal passageway. Only inhalation of Eucalyptus oil is recommended to treat or get rid of lung mucus naturally.
4. Rosemary oil
It contains anti-inflammatory properties that help in reducing swelling and inflammation. Its properties remove antigen and bacteria that lowers your health. Inhaling reduces the inflammation in the respiratory system, add a few drops of oil to hot steaming water and carefully inhale the steam or vapour.
5. Lemon oil
The primary function of this oil is to open airways and reduce irritation in the respiratory system. It is an antibacterial that helps clean the foreign agents in your lungs. Add a few drops of lemon oil to your infuser to spread the antibacterial agents around your home.
Essential oil treatment is best for how to remove mucus from the lungs naturally, as it relieves congestion and helps in fighting headaches, pain and inflammation. Inhaling essential oils relieves the mucus and makes you feel good and light. It also helps in easing up the discomfort you feel when you get sick.
Natural ways to reduce mucus from lungs
1. Cool mist humidifier
The dry air in your room or the area where you are irritates the nose and throat, which promotes coughing and congestion. Placing a cool-mist humidifier reduces coughing and congestion due to a cold, making your dry indoor room more comfortable. It helps improve your sleep, clears the nasal passage, releases mucus and prevents sore throat.
2. Try to consume plenty of fluids
You must keep yourself hydrated when you suffer from a cough and cold. The hydration keeps the mucus thin and drains the sinuses. You can drink hot soup, decaffeinated black tea, green tea and warm water. You may also sip warm water, apple juice, chicken soup, decaffeinated black tea, or green tea.
3. Steam inhalation
This is the primary method to get rid of mucus from the lungs. Naturally, breathing from heated water treats sinus infections, and the warm moist air releases mucus. Improving breathing, inhaling water vapours is an immediate relief for the congestion in your lungs.
4. Spit it out
When mucus accumulates in the lungs, the body tries to remove it. Therefore, spitting is better than swallowing.
5. Nasal spray
It is the easiest option to try when mucus accumulates in your lungs. Spray it, and the allergens and mucus clear up from the nose and sinuses.
How food removes mucus from lungs naturally
1. Ginger
It’s an active natural decongestant and antihistamine. It contains antiviral and antibacterial properties that ease lung congestion by dying up the mucus and stimulating its removal. Add grated ginger to a glass of water, boil it, and drink it when it’s warm. You will find effective results in two days.
2. Cayenne pepper
Excessive cough and mucus can be eliminated with the help of cayenne pepper. Capsaicin is a compound in cayenne pepper that helps in thinning of mucus.
3. Garlic
It’s a natural expectorant and breaks down phlegm build-up. The anti-microbial properties of garlic help fight against foreign agents in your respiratory system, such as viral, fungal and bacterial infections, which cause respiratory glands to produce more phlegm. Include garlic in your diet regularly to eliminate excess phlegm from the body.
4. Pineapple
Pineapple juice contains an enzyme called bromelain which helps get rid of lung mucus naturally. The strong anti-inflammatory properties treat respiratory problems such as asthma and allergies. Pineapple juice also contains mucolytic properties, which can help expel and break up mucus.
5. Onion
It’s the star element of any food, but you will be amazed to know that it’s been used to treat respiratory ailments and deals with colds, coughs, fevers, low immunity and a sore throat. It also helps in removing excess mucus. Grate an onion and soak it in water for a few hours, then strain it and drink 3 to 4 tbsp of this water twice a day to improve your respiratory health and eliminate mucus.
6. Cardamom
reduces the buildup of excess mucus in the body. Cardamom is useful for several health ailments. It is taken for digestion and plays a vital role in managing cough and cold It is a natural expectorant antibacterial anti-inflammatory that helps in losing the mucus and its expulsion from the respiratory tract.
You can take a few cardamom bulbs, crush them, mix them with powdered sugar in small amounts and consume this mixture with water thrice a day to experience the benefit of cardamom.
Try the below-listed tips to get rid of mucus from the lungs naturally
- Drink plenty of warm liquid for thinning up the mucus in your lungs, and consume a warm soup, hot lemon tea, ginger tea or lavender for relief and comfort.
- Gargle with warm salt water thrice daily to eliminate excess mucus.
- Elevate your head while sleeping, as this drains out excess mucus faster.
- Avoid smoking because it can increase the buildup of mucus in your airways.
If you don’t find yourself in a comfortable state and wheezing and coughing with a cold and fever, you must rush to your doctor immediately for medical care. Although mucus is good for trapping bacteria and pathogens, excessive buildup is harmful.
