Good to know: This helps against mucus in the throat

In the cold season you can hardly avoid a cold. An annoying side effect is mucus in the throat. We'll tell you what helps.

Where the phlegm in the throat comes from

Mucus is always produced by the body and is also necessary. Some come from the nasal mucosa, the other from the bronchial mucosa, i.e. from the lungs.

• The secretion from the nose keeps the mucous membranes moist and intact. It is transported into the throat through fine cilia and picks up dust and germs. This secretion is usually swallowed unnoticed.
• The bronchial mucus has a similar function: it keeps the mucous membranes in this area moist and transports germs and tiny foreign bodies out of the body by coughing or clearing the throat.
• A certain amount of mucus is normal and even important. With a cold, however, mucus production is increased, which can lead to an unpleasant accumulation of mucus in the throat. This is a protective mechanism that the body takes because of the disease.

These home remedies help

Even without a cold, the mucus in the throat can be uncomfortable. This means that there is a clearing of the throat and cough, especially in the morning.

• Although it sounds banal, the easiest and most natural way to get rid of phlegm in your throat is by coughing.
• If you do without fast food and unhealthy food, the mucus disappears faster - this type of diet often promotes mucus production.
• One way to get rid of the mucus in your throat is salt water. To do this, add a pinch of salt to a glass of water and drink it. Be sure to drink plenty of water again after use. The salt will otherwise dry out the throat too much.
• Sufficient hydration is important even without salt water. This makes the mucus more fluid and no longer settles in the throat.
• In winter, dry heating air promotes the lump in the throat. If you hang a wet towel in the bedroom, this increases the humidity to a healthy level. Of course, this can be done more elegantly with a humidifier.
• If you like to suck eucalyptus lozenges or anise candies, take it with courage. Both loosen the mucus in the throat and relieve scratching.
• An old home remedy for cough is ribwort. Pouring tea from two teaspoons of fresh, washed leaves of the plant with 300 ml of hot water will loosen the mucus and relieve the discomfort. Let the tea steep for about ten minutes before you strain it.
• If the secretion is really stuck, drugs with the active ingredient acetylcysteine ​​can help. These medicines liquefy the mucus so that you can cough it up better.
• However, with such severe symptoms, a visit to the doctor is recommended anyway. They can examine you closely to rule out severe bronchitis or pneumonia.

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