8 drinks to help clear phlegm and reduce cough

Using honey, perilla leaves, ivy, ginger, and garlic properly can thin phlegm, clear airways, and reduce cough.

Phlegm appears due to respiratory infections such as pneumonia, mild infections, tuberculosis, lung cancer, bronchitis, sinusitis, pharyngitis. The cause can be viruses, bacteria, fungi. To effectively remove phlegm, you need to know the cause. In addition to taking medicine, using a humidifier, resting, choosing some good drinks also has the effect of reducing phlegm.

Water increases the moisture in the mucus so it can be easily drained. Patients should drink more water than usual, can drink herbal tea, juice. Using water to steam the nose is also helpful.

Honey has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, used to relieve coughs and nasal congestion. Drinking honey twice a day helps improve inflammation, soothe respiratory symptoms, and clear phlegm.

Honey can be used directly, mixed with warm water or added to herbal teas. Parents can mix honey with orange juice or fruit juice for children over one year old to drink. Do not give honey to children under one year old because of the high risk of poisoning.

Ginger is widely used as a medicine and a spice in cooking. Ginger helps relieve congestion and acts as a natural expectorant. People with phlegmy coughs can pound ginger and boil it for a few minutes, and drink ginger juice or ginger tea throughout the day.

However, ginger can cause digestive upset, heartburn, and nausea if used in excess. People with low blood pressure should avoid ginger because it can cause blood pressure to drop more quickly.

Garlic has many uses and is popular in many families. It contains allicin, which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, helping to loosen phlegm. People with coughs can crush garlic, mix it with honey and drink a spoonful three times a day or eat raw garlic, add it to stir-fried or braised dishes. People taking anticoagulants should not use garlic.

Ginger and garlic can be used as a drink or mixed into tea to help thin phlegm. Photo: Anh Chi — Ginger and garlic can be used as a drink or mixed into tea to help thin phlegm. Photo: *Anh Chi*

Lemon basil (Perilla leaves) is a herb that has the effect of thinning mucus, used in many cough and phlegm reducing medicines. Adults can pick 3-4 lemon basil leaves, wash them, crush them and mix them with 1-2 grains of salt, then drink directly. Parents use about 10 lemon basil leaves steamed with lemon, honey, and rock sugar to make a natural cough medicine mixture for children to use.

Licorice has the ability to thin mucus, reducing sore throat. Add half a teaspoon of licorice to a cup of water and boil for 10 minutes, then use. Gargle with half a teaspoon of licorice mixed with warm water every day to help thin mucus faster.

Peppermint contains menthol, which helps relieve symptoms of infection by relaxing the muscles in the respiratory tract. Add a drop of peppermint oil to hot water and use it to inhale steam, or drink peppermint tea or suck on peppermint candies.

Aloe vera has anti-inflammatory properties that soothe and relieve respiratory irritation.

Ivy leaves have expectorant properties, helping to open the airways and stimulate fluid secretion to expel phlegm.

Anh Chi (According to Healthline )

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