BestieWith the winter season finally here, it’s that time when people often get sick. Having your throat and chest filled with mucus and phlegm is not enjoyable. You have trouble breathing, and sometimes feel sharp pains when you lay down.
Trying to go through your daily routine while being congested with mucus and phlegm is not easy. People will hear you trying to clear your throat, and you’re probably breathing really heavy as well. So they will think that you are being annoyed, especially if this is happening at work.
With that said, you definitely want to get rid of that mucus and phlegm so you’re no longer congested. There are many different natural remedies to choose from. But I have one remedy that is specifically designed to clear your lungs.
But first, I’m going to talk about what mucus is. If I had to compare it to something, I would compare it to gelatin. Mucus acts as a lubricant and a filter for our lungs. It protects them by filtering all the air we breathe in. The dirt and debris that is in the air are caught by the mucus so it’s not absorbed by the body. But it is not just the mucus that protects the lungs. There are other watery variations that play an important role. They work together and are created by cells that you can find in the nose and sinuses.
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Do you notice that when you catch a cold your nose drips like a faucet? This occurs because of an excess of the watery sensation. This is caused by thick, crusty mucus. In most cases, this type of mucus will cause post-nasal drip and congestion.
Arcady/shutterstock.comNow that I have explained what mucus is, let me tell you about phlegm. Unlike mucus, phlegm is created in the lower airways. Like mucus, it helps protect the lungs from irritating dirt and debris. Phlegm does not have a slippery version like mucus does. It is typically very thick and causes the majority of congestion. When you blow your nose, the mucus comes out of it. When you cough up a thick substance, it is usually phlegm.
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Another fun fact about phlegm is that it usually contains dead bacteria, white blood cells, and viruses. This is why doctors recommend that you spit out phlegm rather than swallow it. You wouldn’t want to keep a virus in your body, would you?
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So if you are suffering from congestion, try this 100% natural remedy. You will need the following ingredients: 1 cup of maple syrup, 250mg of filtered water, 1 organic lemon, 1tbsp of sage, 1tbsp of marshmallow root, and 1tbsp of flaxseed. Once you gather the ingredients, it’s time to make the remedy. First, get a saucepan and combine the maple syrup and the water. Heat the saucepan on medium for 10 minutes. Once it’s heated, add the remaining ingredients. Once the remaining ingredients are added, lower the heat and keep it on the stove for 15 minutes. You can store this remedy in the fridge. For full effect, take one tablespoon three times a day until you’re not congested anymore.
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Now that you have a natural remedy to help with your congestion, let me tell you a bit about the ingredients you’re consuming. Let me start with sage. Sage comes from the mint family and contains a lot of essential oils. It has been known to help boost memory, soothe the nerves and relieve anxiety. But what many people don’t know is that sage is an expectorant herb. This means that it has the ability to break down mucus and phlegm and get rid of them.
Volosina/shutterstock.comNow let’s talk about marshmallow roots. This plant is constantly used in medicine. The root of this plant is typically used to help reduce inflammation in the stomach. Some people even use this root to help treat burns, ulcers, open wounds and infections. Marshmallow has a slimy and thick substance that coats the mucous membranes when applied.
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A healthy immune system needs zinc. Maple syrup contains 18% of the recommended daily value of zinc. Lemons contain vitamin C and bioflavonoids which help destroy dangerous free radicals which damage the blood vessels and cause severe inflammation. When combined, all these ingredients help keep your lungs healthy and clean!
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