Home Remedies For Excess Mucus: Causes Of Excessive Mucus Production

Mucus is a slippery secretion produced by the mucus membrane. This sticky substance normally protects the epithelial lining of the respiratory tract, nasal cavity, gastrointestinal tract and urogenital tract from bacteria, fungi and virus.
Mucus protects the lungs by trapping foreign particles entering the lungs when we breathe. These particles can be allergens, pollens, harmful chemical substances, bacteria, viruses and fungi.

Mucus also helps prevent the nasal passage and the airway from drying out as it moisturizes the inhaled air. Mucus secreted from the lungs is normally termed as phlegm, and secretion from nose is termed as mucus.

Causes Of Excessive Mucus Production

Although small quantity of mucus expulsion may be normal (if not frequent), continuous production of excess mucus might be an indication of some underlying condition. Excess mucus secretion can be due to common cold, influenza, lower respiratory tract infection such as bronchitis, asthma, pneumonia. Smoking is also a major cause for increased mucus formation.
It is imperative to consult your doctor to find out the underlying cause for excess mucus in your throat and respiratory tract.

However, for cases such as common cold, influenza you can try a few home remedies to get rid of excess mucus.
Some amount of mucus is always present in stool. But excess passage of mucus in stool may indicate inflammation of mucus membrane of the intestine due to gastrointestinal diseases. Mucus is one of the symptoms of Gastrointestinal diseases such as bacterial Dysentery, Diarrhea, Crohn’s disease, GI food allergies, Amebic Colitis. Excessive mucus production in the GI tract is also caused by parasitic infection. Common parasites responsible for GI infections are Giardia Lambia, E. Hystolitica, Roundworm and Pinworms. Usually, diseases of the GI tract that cause excessive mucus secretion are acquired through consumption of contaminated water and food.

Home Remedies For Excess Mucus and Phlegm

Here are some home remedies to expel excess mucus secretions from your respiratory tract:

1. Drink enough water and fluids. This moistens the mucus linings and keeps the mucus thin and easy for expulsion.  Thin mucus easily expels out the trapped bacteria and dust particles.
2. Inhale steam to loosen the mucus when you are suffering from bronchitis or sinusitis. Inhaled steam helps liquefy the hard mucus in the lungs. Once the mucus becomes a thin viscous material, it is readily expelled out from the respiratory tract.
3. One of the simplest ways to liquefy hard mucus in the lungs is to drink hot tomato soup or chicken broth.
4. Drinking herbal tea mixed with honey is also useful in removing excess mucus from the nose and clears the nasal passage.
5. Mix 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder in a glass of warm milk. Drink it twice in a day to get rid of excess of mucus. Turmeric is a natural anti-bacterial agent. It protects your respiratory tract from infection.

Getting Rid Of Excess Mucus from the Respiratory Tract

• Mix a paste with half a teaspoon of ginger powder and one teaspoon of honey. Take it two times a day. It soothes the respiratory system.
• Abstain from smoking. Avoid passive smoke too.
• Onions have been used as a natural home remedy for excess mucus for ages. It liquefies phlegm and also prevents its formation. Take one teaspoon of raw onion juice first thing in the morning.
• A proper diet consisting of vitamins and minerals will improve your immune system helping you prevent excess mucus formation.
• Deep breathing exercises help bring out excess mucus from your respiratory tract.

Natural Herbal Remedies to Remove Excess Mucus from the Gastrointestinal Tract

1. The root bark of bayberry tree is an excellent remedy to get rid of excess mucus from the GI tract. The anti catarrhal and astringent action of bayberry reduces inflammation and dries the excess mucus in the intestine.
2. Cinnamon is traditionally used for inflammation of the mucus lining of the intestine. The bark and essential oil helps dissolve excess mucus present in the intestine. It’s astringent qualities help warm and tone up the digestive system as a whole.
3. Chamomile is another frequently used herbal preparation for treating digestive upsets. The anti-inflammatory properties help reduce the inflammation of the intestinal lining that produces excessive mucus. The anti-catarrhal action effectively dissolves the extra mucus. People suffering from ulcerative colitis get relief from drinking chamomile tea.