Phlegm is a thick mucus or gel that clogs the throat and nasal passages, usually when there is a viral or bacterial infection in the respiratory system. Your body produces phlegm when there are excessive toxins in your body. The natural reaction is to try to cough it out. However, excessive coughing can damage the lining of the throat. Some people prescribe honey and lemon drinks, others take bitter herbs or gargle with salt water when they have a sore throat. What about the nuts; some people say they are too dry, but they have many beneficial oils. What remedy is the best to get rid of phlegm and soothe the throat?
First, honey and lemon have strong antibacterial and antiviral properties. (Only buy organic honey as most non-organic honey is processed at high temperatures which kills most of the enzymes it contains.) Honey and lemon juice added to boiling water initially soothes the throat and then continues the healing process by killing the virus or bacteria. that’s causing the mucus.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) says that excess phlegm is a condition of the lungs, kidneys, and spleen. When your immune system is weak and cold air enters your lungs or kidneys, the cold moisture in your body condenses and thickens to form phlegm. Bitter herbs and foods strengthen the lungs, kidneys, and spleen so they can work together to get rid of phlegm. Alfalfa, bitter melon, romaine lettuce, citrus peel, asparagus, fennel, and celery are some common vegetables that help loosen phlegm, push it down the throat and through the digestive system to the manure. Other more potent bitter herbs include chamomile, dandelion (leaf and root), fennel (vegetable and seeds), horseradish, chaparral, burdock, echinacea, and yarrow. Fresh leaves, grated roots, or small seeds can be added to salads. The dried leaves, roots, and larger seeds can be added to cooking or brewed as a tea. Ground dandelion root is an excellent substitute for coffee.
Many dried fruits are also helpful in getting rid of phlegm. Almonds and walnuts are bitter foods that loosen phlegm. They warm the lungs and relieve asthmatic symptoms. Hazelnuts strengthen the spleen and give your body more energy to fight disease. Walnuts are best roasted over low heat in the oven for about 15 to 20 minutes to bring out their oils and flavor. Once you smell the flavor coming out of the oven, turn it off. (Any longer will burn and dry them out.)
Gargling with salt water or eating sea vegetables loosens phlegm that sticks to the sides of the throat. The salty taste partially dissolves the phlegm so that it can be eliminated. Sea vegetables are rich in essential minerals such as iodine, calcium, magnesium and potassium. The mineral salts in sea vegetables work together to absorb toxins from the body (including phlegm) and carry them to the intestines.
Other cleansing foods like onions, garlic, kale, cabbage, apples, avocados, grapefruit, and various berries are also great for restoring your body’s nutrient balance, so your immune system can function properly. Efficient to get rid of unwanted bacteria. The worst thing you can consume is milk or plain yogurt as these tend to cause more phlegm.
“If we eat badly, no doctor can cure us: if we eat well, no doctor is necessary.”
– Victor G. Rocine, Circa 1930
