Home #Remedies for Phlegm

Phlegm often accompanies colds and other upper respiratory infections. While not a serious health problem, if phlegm is not treated timely, it can clog and irritate the bronchial tubes and in turn cause a secondary upper respiratory infection.

The presence of phlegm is usually indicated by a constant need for throat clearing, constant cough,runny nose, difficulty breathing, feeling weak and, in some cases, fever. Phlegm tends to collect and congest in the chest and throat and is usually expelled through coughing.

Phlegm contains the bacteria, virus or inflammatory cells produced in response to an infection. In addition to infections such as the common cold, flu and bronchitis, phlegm can be caused by an allergic reaction to irritants such as in asthma and hay fever, damaged vocal cords, and excessive smoking.

Dealing with phlegm can be incredibly frustrating and seemingly never ending. But there are effective, natural home remedies that work quickly and without causing side effects.

Here are the top 10 home remedies for phlegm.

1. Steam

Steam inhalation is the best and the simplest way to get rid of phlegm. Inhaling steam into the nasal passages helps keep phlegm in liquid form so it is easier to eliminate from your system.

• Take a steam shower twice daily. Turn your shower to full heat and stay in the closed bathroom for 10 minutes to help break up the mucus. Be sure to moisturize your body after, as warm water robs your skin of essential oils and moisture.
• Alternatively, pour hot boiling water in a large bowl. Hold a towel over your head and inhale the steam for five to 10 minutes. This will help loosen the secretions in your lungs. You can use this simple remedy several times a day.

2. Salt Water

Gargling with warm salt water is another easy way to treat phlegm. While warm water is soothing for an irritated throat, salt helps destroy bacteria that may be causing your infection and therefore reduces production of phlegm.

1. Mix one-fourth teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water.
2. Gargle with the solution.
3. Repeat this remedy several times a day.

3. Lemon Juice

Lemon is a great ingredient for loosening mucus and phlegm. Plus, lemon’s antibacterial property and high vitamin C content improves the body’s resistance to infections.

• Add two teaspoons of lemon juice and one tablespoon of honey to a glass of hot water. Drink this at least three times a day to soothe your throat and reduce phlegm production.
• Another simple option is to cut a slice of lemon, sprinkle a little bit of salt and pepper on it and then suck on the lemon slice. It will help force the phlegm out of your throat. Do this two or three times a day.

4. Ginger

Ginger is a natural decongestant and has been used to fight off throat and respiratory tract infections for ages. Also, the antiviral, antibacterial and expectorant properties present in ginger ease congestion in the throat and chest to help you breathe easier.

• Add one tablespoon of fresh ginger slices to one cup of boiled water. Steep for a few minutes and then add two teaspoons of honey. Drink this soothing ginger tea several times throughout the day.
• Alternatively, chew raw ginger slices several times a day and add ginger to your dishes.

5. Turmeric

Turmeric has strong antiseptic properties that help reduce phlegm by killing the bacteria that cause excessive mucus production. Also, turmeric helps strengthen the immune system.

• Add one teaspoon of turmeric to a glass of hot milk. Drink it once in the morning and again before going to bed.
• Swallow one-half teaspoon of turmeric with a glass of water two or three times a day.
• Add one tablespoon of turmeric and a pinch of salt to a glass of hot water. Use it to gargle several times a day.

6. Chicken Soup

Warm chicken soup can also help treat phlegm. Hot chicken soup will help moisturize the airways and thin the consistency of the phlegm. It will also soothe an irritated throat and induce relaxation.

Have some chicken soup at least two or three times a day to clear phlegm from your throat. For increased benefits, add ginger and garlic to the soup. Homemade soup is often more effective than canned soup, which has preservatives.

7. Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne pepper helps the body release mucus built up in the nasal passages and throat. The warm and stimulating nature of cayenne pepper also helps reduce pain in your chest and soothes an irritated throat.

1. Mix the following ingredients: one-fourth teaspoon each of cayenne pepper and grated fresh ginger, one tablespoon each of honey and apple cider vinegar, and two tablespoons of water.
2. Drink this mixture two or three times a day to help reduce phlegm production.

Note: Also include cayenne pepper in cooking your dishes.

8. Honey

Honey has antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties that make it a great home remedy for soothing an irritated throat and eliminating phlegm. Plus, it has antiseptic properties that help boost the immune system to fight off infections faster.

• Add a pinch of white or black pepper powder to one tablespoon of honey. Pepper will help treat a throat infection, while the honey will soothe the mucous membranes. Have this mixture twice a day for a week.
• Add one tablespoon of honey to a glass of warm water. Drink this several times a day. You’ll get the benefits from honey’s medicinal properties and the water will help thin the mucus.

9. Onion

Onion has excellent antibiotic, anti-inflammatory and expectorant properties that help relax your throat and get rid of phlegm. Also, onion helps boost the immune system and speed up the healing process. You can make a tonic with onion and sugar to increase the fluidity of the phlegm so it is easier to expel.

1. Wash and finely chop a small onion.
2. Toss the onion with two tablespoons of sugar and set it aside for half an hour. The mixture will develop a liquid texture.
3. Take one tablespoon of this tonic every two to three hours or when needed.

You can store the extra tonic in the refrigerator for one to two days.

10. Carrots

Carrots have been found to be very effective in treating phlegm and other similar conditions. Carrots are an excellent source of vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that boosts the immune system and builds resistance to various kinds of infections. Plus, carrots are packed with many nutrients and vitamins that help reduce cough symptoms as well as phlegm.

1. Extract the juice from four to five fresh carrots.
2. Add a little water to dilute the juice. Then add two to three teaspoons of honey and mix it well.
3. Drink this juice throughout the day to clear phlegm from your throat.

Try these simple remedies the next time you are suffering from the annoying problem of phlegm. However, if you notice blood in the phlegm or you cough up phlegm that is yellow or green, consult a doctor.

http://www.top10homeremedies.com/home-remedies/home-remedies-phlegm.html

10 Reasons Why Cayenne Pepper Can Revolutionize Your Health

Cayenne pepper is one of my favorite spices. It has been used for culinary and medicinal purposes for thousands of years. It not only provides heat and flavor to your dishes, but it has also been credited with many health benefits.

This popular spice was originally grown in South and Central America, and is a member of the Capsicum family of vegetables, which are more commonly known as chili peppers. The spicy heat produced by cayenne is caused by its high concentration of a substance called capsaicin.

Below you will find how you can enhance your health with cayenne pepper, including some of the side effects that you should be aware of:

1. Reduces muscle and joint pain and inflammation

Applying topical applications of cayenne pepper can reduce muscle and joint pain and inflammation significantly. This is because cayenne has counter-irritant effect: if you rub cayenne on the affected area, it will cause a mild irritation to the tissue to which it was applied, thus distracting from the original more severe joint pain. The active ingredient in cayenne is a substance known as capsaicin. This chemical relieves pain by acting on the sensory nerves by hindering the transmission of a neurotransmitter responsible for transmitted pain signals to your brain. Find here a recipe for cayenne warming oil for joint, muscle and arthritis pain relief.

2. Relieves migraine

When cayenne pepper hits your stomach your brain starts to release endorphins, which are our body’s natural painkillers. So if you can bear the taste, add 1 to 3 teaspoons of cayenne pepper to a glass of water (8 ounces) to get instant relief of migraine headache. You can find here more natural tips and treatments to relieve migraine.

3. Increases metabolism

The capsaicin in cayenne pepper is known to increase metabolism by increasing the internal heat of the body. In order to increase heat, energy is needed, and thus cayenne pepper contributes to increased metabolism. Another theory by a South Korean research suggests that capsaicin might raise the metabolism by positively affecting proteins that help break down fat. You can find here more foods to increase your metabolism.

4. Improves blood circulation

Cayenne has been used to improve blood circulation in traditional Asian medicine as well as in the Indian medicine of Ayurveda. To improve blood circulation, some herbalists suggest taking a quarter-teaspoon three times a day or placing a poultice made with cayenne to boost circulation in a troublesome area. Eating spicy foods, which contain capsaicin from hot peppers increases blood flow throughout the body, and this is why many people become flushed when they eat certain spicy foods. Read here how to improve blood circulation and why it’s so important, and how to recognize symptoms of poor blood circulation.

5. Treats psoriasis

Applying a topical cream, ointment or gel containing capsaicin can help to relieve psoriasis symptoms. According to one study, applying capsaicin cream to the skin relieved itching and skin lesions in people with psoriasis. The concentration of capsaicin in these applications can vary. Higher concentrations can cause a burning sensation to the skin, which improves the longer you use it. Don’t apply it to the sensitive areas near the eyes and mucous membranes and don’t forget to wash your hands well and avoid touching your eyes after using capsaicin. It’s always a good idea to test capsaicin cream on a small area of the skin before extended use. 

6. Treats ulcers

Cayenne pepper may prevent the development of gastric ulcer or eliminate the pain caused by it. While hot spices have a bad reputation in the context of an ulcer, the truth is that capsaicin in cayenne pepper has the ability to destroy invasive bacteria in the digestive system and reduce inflammation in the body. A 2006 review published in the journal “Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition” reported that capsaicin slows the production of acid in the stomach, stimulates blood flow to the stomach lining and enhances the release of mucus in the stomach, and all these aid in healing. The capsaicin in cayenne pepper has anti-bacterial properties that also actively fight the Helicobacter pylori bacteria that can cause stomach ulcers. You can find here more information in my other post on how to treat stomach ulcers.

7. Reducing nasal mucus

Capsaicin effects tissue lining mucous membranes in the nose, sinuses and lungs. Cayenne pepper thins mucous in the nasal passageways and sinuses and makes breathing easier when you are suffering from seasonal allergies, a sinus infection and even the common cold. You can, for example, add cayenne pepper to a tea if you have a cold, as it stimulates drainage of nasal mucus and reduces cold symptoms.

8. Improves heart health

Research available from the U.S. National Library of Medicine shows that capsaicin can lower blood pressure. Also a comparison between different cultures shows that those which use a lot of cayenne pepper in cooking have lower rates of heart attacks and strokes.

Cayenne pepper has been shown to reduce plaque in the blood vessels. It does this by helping break up the fibrin networks that hold the plaque in place. It also reduces the formation of blood clots, and thus keeps blood flowing freely through the blood vessels. This may help prevent or reduce the risk of heart disease.

9. Aids digestion

Cayenne pepper can improve your digestive process and make it more effective and fast. It stimulates the digestive tract, and increases the flow of enzyme production and gastric juices, thus improving the body’s ability to metabolize food. You can make a drink of ¼ – ½ teaspoon cayenne powder with the juice of half a lemon, mixed with warm purified or distilled water. To improve the taste, you can add a teaspoon of honey or other sugar substitute. If you suffer from digestive problems, you can read my previous article about the 8 best natural methods to treat digestive problems.

10. Possible anti-cancer agent

According to the American Cancer Society, the capsaicin in cayenne pepper has the ability to stop the growth of prostate cancer cells. However, the research that supports cayenne pepper as a treatment for prostate cancer was conducted only in laboratory and it was tested only on animals. Researchers are still investigating the potential use of cayenne pepper to treat cancer in humans.

How to use cayenne pepper

Cayenne pepper is available as a fresh or dried pepper, ground spice, in capsule form and creams for external use. You can drink cayenne pepper tea (about one quarter to half teaspoon of cayenne pepper steeped in a cup of hot water). You can add it to food, or stir it into juice, tea or milk. Capsaicin isn’t destroyed by heat, so you can use it in cooking as well.

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center website, topical applications contain 0.025% – 0.075% capsaicin and may be applied directly to the affected area up to 4 times a day. Pain may get slightly worse at first, but then may get better over the next few days. Capsaicin should be applied regularly several times a day, and it usually takes 3 – 7 days before you notice substantial pain relief.

Precautions when using cayenne pepper

1. Cayenne pepper can interact with certain medications (such as aspirin and blood thinners). Therefore if you are currently taking medications, talk to your doctor before you include large amounts of cayenne pepper in your diet or take cayenne supplements.

2. Eating too much cayenne pepper can result in stomach irritation as well as stomach pain.

3. Don’t apply capsaicin cream to cracked skin or open wounds.

4. Eating cayenne in food is considered safe during pregnancy, but pregnant women as well as breastfeeding women, should not take cayenne as a supplement.

http://www.healthyandnaturalworld.com/top-10-uses-cayenne-pepper-medicine/