How to Get Rid of Throat & Nasal Mucus
Mucus in your throat and nose can be a big inconvenience, and unfortunately a common side effect if you have a cold or the flu. Thankfully, there are some easy remedies for these common afflictions, and with few simple steps you can get rid of throat and nasal mucus.
Instructions
Take an expectorant, such as Mucinex. Expectorants help to loosen up and thin mucus, making it easier to cough up and expel from the throat.
Drink plenty of water. Water will help thin mucus and keep you hydrated while fighting your illness. Drink plenty of water when taking an expectorant.
Use a saline or decongestant nasal spray, like Afrin, for a few days. Decongestant nasal sprays carry some risk as they are only intended for use for three to four days. When picking out a spray, talk to a pharmacist to find the spray that works best for you and follow all instructions. In most cases, nasal spray is not intended for use in children.
Boil a pot of water with a few eucalyptus leaves or a little eucalyptus oil. When it steams, remove from the stove and position your face above the pot just close enough to breathe in the steam. Place a towel over your head to lock in steam and breath slowly for about five minutes. This will help loosen mucus. After the steam, blow your nose and cough a few times.
Make a hot tea. Drinking hot fluids can help breakup mucus, and herbal teas can also help soothe body aches related to colds and flu. A good tea to make for mucus is ginger and honey. Boil some ginger root in water for about 10 minutes, then strain into a cup and add a little honey. For an extra boost, add a little lemon juice which will further soothe the throat.
Avoid dairy. Although dairy will not cause you to produce more mucus, which is a common misconception, it will thicken the coating on your throat.
Refrain from smoking, if you smoke, for the duration of your illness. Smoking increases mucus production and can irritate the throat and lead to further infection.