5 natural expectorants for colds

Mucolytic home remedies

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You have a cold and really bad mucus? Then home remedies can help you. Natural expectorants help you to expectorate.

Mucus is often an annoying side effect of colds and sore throats. Tough, it persists in the throat and pharynx even days after the illness.

It does not move forward one bit. You constantly have the feeling of being slimy.

And that's pretty nasty yellowish to light green.

But no more of that. Here come natural expectorants that will finally let you swallow and breathe normally again.

By the way, it is quite normal that you will be mucous for two to three weeks after the cold. Disgruntled mucous membranes in the nose and throat recover only slowly.

Natural mucolytics

Your body will start to clear the mucus by coughing. This is also normal. However, if the cough persists for several weeks and the viscous secretion does not clear up at all, then you should see a doctor. Especially if you have a fever or severe ear and throat pain.

If it is a normal cold, then you can rely on natural expectorants such as water, thyme, ginger, curd and sage steam baths.

Water as an expectorant

When you are sick, you should drink a lot. Especially when you have a sore throat, you must always keep your mucous membranes nice and moist. Here comes the simplest and cheapest home remedy against mucus: Water.

If you're looking for natural expectorants, you'll find them on tap.

With every sip, you thin the mucus and flush one or the other piece into the stomach, where it is broken down. So even if you have a sore throat, don't forget to drink.

The best and most gentle way is lukewarm water. This does not further irritate the mucous membranes. Herbal teas are also very suitable as an anti-mucus agent.

Thyme leaves are natural expectorants

If you have a garden or a balcony, you should definitely grow thyme. It not only tastes delicious in a whole range of Mediterranean dishes, but is considered one of the best expectorants ever.

As a medicinal herb, thyme ensures that the mucus becomes more fluid. This makes it easier for the bronchi and throat to cough up the mucus.

Thyme natural expectorant

You can take thyme as a tea, oil, essential oil for inhalation, or in capsule form.

Ginger as anti mucus home remedy

If there's one food you should always have on hand, it's ginger. Not only does it look good in many dishes, but it's a wonderful home remedy for mucus and upset stomachs.

The essential oils of the tuber have very many positive effects on our body. They strengthen the immune system and the spiciness even has an antibacterial effect.

But don't worry, you don't have to chew a whole ginger bulb right now. That would really be too much of a good thing. You can prepare a delicious drink from it.

Ginger tea with honey

  • 2 cm ginger
  • 200 ml hot water
  • 1/2 lemon
  • 1 tsp honey

Ginger tea as an anti mucus home remedy

Peel the ginger with a spoon and cut it into very small pieces. Pour hot water over it. Let it steep for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, squeeze one lemon. When the drink is no longer hot, add lemon juice and honey.

Attention: It is important not to put honey and lemon into boiling water. This will destroy the vitamin C of the lemon and the healing enzymes of the honey.

Why curd is a good home remedy for mucus

Curd not only makes you strong, but is very often used when you want to heal with home remedies. Thus, curd helps with insect bites just as with sunburn.

And natural expectorant powers are also said to him. It facilitates expectoration and has an anti-inflammatory effect.

How to prepare chest compress with cottage cheese

You'll need two dish towels and a package of cottage cheese.

Drain the cottage cheese and spread a centimeter thick swath on the center of a cloth. Wrap the curd in the cloth and place the wrap on your chest.

Put a second cloth on the wrap so you don't lick everything. Leave the chest wrap on for at least an hour. Two hours is better.

If you have a fever or a bad inflammation, the curd will warm up very quickly. Replace it when it starts to dry and make a new poultice.

Here you will learn everything about the best home remedies:

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Natural expectorants that you can inhale

Anyone who coughs, has a sore throat or wants to get rid of mucus should inhale. The water vapor moistens the mucous membranes and makes it easier to cough up.

Inhalation is a very good and natural way to remove mucous remnants from the bronchial tubes. You can repeat the inhalation every 3 hours.

By the way, it's also enough if you just inhale water. The steam is good for your respiratory tract.

How to best inhale sage

Sage is particularly well suited. It has a calming and anti-inflammatory effect.

  • For this take 2 tablespoons of sage or a tea bag sage tea
  • Bring half a liter of water to a boil
  • Add the sage, close the pot with a lid and set aside for 5 minutes
  • Bend your head over the pot and cover your head with a towel
  • Breathe in and out deeply. Alternately through the nose and mouth

Sage against phlegm in the throat

The steam liquefies the tough mucus and makes it easier for you to cough it up.

Tip: It is easier and less dangerous to use a steam inhaler. It only covers the mouth and nose, which allows you to inhale in a much more targeted manner.

Your eyes and hair will be spared from the steam. A top device on the market is the Steam inhaler from Omron, you can order it from Amazon.

What else you can do

Patience is required. Your body is working at full speed. You will not get rid of the mucus overnight. Natural expectorants help you to cough up the tough secretion.

In addition to the home remedies listed, room humidifiers help keep the air moist and make breathing easier. The drier the air, the more severe your cough will become. Make sure the humidity is at least 50%, 60% is better.

Warm showers and baths are also particularly good for your body now. On the one hand because it is relaxing and on the other hand because the steam is good for your throat and bronchial tubes.

Help with cold

Give your body some rest. Don't do any sports and only go for a slow walk. Only when you are fit again can you shift up a gear.

A walk can also help with the healing process. The fresh air has a relaxing effect and stimulates the bronchial tubes to liquefy the mucus.

Why the bronchi become slimy

Anyone who wants to get smart about why mucus happens in the first place is in the right place.

During an influenza infection, the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract swell. They are often covered with viscous mucus.

Our lungs are protected by the bronchial mucosa. It ensures that pathogens such as viruses and bacteria do not enter the lungs.

Sometimes germs overcome the defenses and trigger an inflammation. Now the mucous membranes swell and produce lots of secretion.

Mucolytic home remedies

Small amounts are normally removed by the cilia. But this is no longer possible now, because they are also completely slimy. So the mucus settles in and on the bronchial tubes. This is also called bronchitis.

Our body desperately wants to get rid of the mucus, we start coughing. And this is exactly where natural expectorants come into play. They calm the cough and liquefy the secretion so that it can be cleared more easily.

Our conclusion

If you want to get rid of mucous secretion, you need patience. Mucus is not that bad. It protects your mucous membranes from drying out and should disappear on its own in a few days. Natural mucolytics help your body cough up and liquefy it.

Get well soon!

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