3 Herbs and Spices to Reduce Phlegm

This is the last part in a 2-part mini-series about coping with phlegm during the cold and flu season. Phlegm is your body’s way of fighting a respiratory infection. The previous part of this series deals with the simple remedies to reduce phlegm.

Did you know that your kitchen holds some of the best ways to get rid of phlegm? And that the best part is that they’re completely natural?

Persistent phlegm can ruin mostly anyone’s day. It not only hinders our performance, it makes every daily task more annoying because it can bring out a bout of disgusting phlegm.

Having heavy phlegm can cause difficulty breathing, cause fatigue, a very runny nose, constant coughing, and even fever. It’s your body’s response to any infection in your respiratory system ranging from the common cold to bronchitis.

If you’re looking to get rid of your phlegm build or at least breathe easier during your day, don’t stress out about visiting your local drugstore or pharmacy. Your kitchen holds the perfect ingredients to help reduce phlegm considerably.

Here are the best herbs to help you fight phlegm holistically and without complications.

3 Best Herbs and Spices to Combat Phlegm

1. Turmeric

Turmeric is amazing for your health. Besides helping strengthen your immune system, turmeric’s strong antibacterial properties are perfect to help you break up your phlegm build up. It specifically targets the bacteria responsible for phlegm production.

Is phlegm ruining your day? Simply add one teaspoon of turmeric to a glass of warm raw milk. I would recommend making a routine of drinking once in the morning and once before you go to bed.

If you’re lactose intolerant or simply don’t enjoy milk, you can also add half a teaspoon to a glass of water two or three times or use almond or coconut milk.

2. Ginger

Besides helping you strengthen your immune system and prepping to fight infections, ginger is a decent phlegm-busting herb. This is because of its anti-inflammatory properties. Here are my favorite ways to incorporate it into your diet.

Simply add sliced ginger to cup of hot water, add a touch of honey, and you’ll be set up with a soothing and phlegm-clearing tea to get you through your day.

3. Cayenne Pepper

In addition to helping keep your circulatory system healthy, increasing your cayenne pepper intake can help you cope with your phlegm build up. Its warm and stimulating nature can help reduce the stress on your respiratory system and your throat.

You can do this by mixing a one-fourth of teaspoon each of cayenne pepper and grated fresh ginger, one tablespoon each of honey and apple cider vinegar, and two tablespoons of water.

Drink this at least twice a day to help reduce your phlegm build up and keep your lungs happy.

One final note: if your phlegm is still persistent after multiple weeks or if it’s acquiring a hue of green, yellow, or blood colored, you should see your doctor as soon as possible because you might be dealing with a strong infection like bronchitis.

In such a case, these herbs will certainly help alleviate the symptoms, but they might not be enough to completely eliminate the cause of phlegm altogether.