Phlegm is the congestion you feel when you have a cold or when your allergies or sinuses are acting up. This mucus builds up in your air passages, including your lungs, nose and throat. Alleviating this congestion will help you breathe easier and feel better. There are several home remedies that have shown to be effective in breaking up and relieving you of the phlegm.
Coughing
Coughing up the phlegm in your lungs and throat is a successful home remedy. Fighting the urge to cough will only keep the mucus in place longer, furthering the irritation. When you do expel the mucus, be sure to spit it out, as swallowing it can cause it to get stuck in your throat.
Steam
The steam from a boiling pot of water is a common home remedy for phlegm. Heat the water on the stove until it begins to boil, then carefully pour it into a large bowl. Cover your head with a towel and hover over the bowl to inhale the steam. The heat will help loosen the phlegm in the airways, lessening the urge to cough and allowing you to breathe easier.
Oranges and Wine
A combination of oranges and wine can help relieve your phlegm problems. Peel and slice an orange and soak it overnight in a bowl of wine. The following morning, cook the orange slices in the wine until they become very soft. Eat these throughout the day to help alleviate the mucus blocking your air passages.
Spicy Foods
Eating hot and spicy foods is an effective way to help unblock the phlegm in your airways. The spiciness of the food will thin the mucus, allowing it to be expelling from the nose and throat. Various peppers can work instantly in relieving you of the congestion.
Liquids
Drinking plenty of liquids will help you stay hydrated while your body fights the infection that is causing the phlegm. It will also help thin the mucus so that it can drain from your sinuses, nose and throat. Warm liquids such as herbal teas work best to break up congestion.