When you have a cold or a cough that comes with a fever, it's very annoying to feel like your throat and chest are full of mucus , isn't it? Even though you cough up the mucus, it doesn't seem to go away completely. So, at times like these, we call 'Expectorants' things that help to thin out some of this mucus and make it easier to cough it up. Let's see what these are, how they work, and what natural things we can use at home.
What happens with this 'Expectorant'?
Simply put, an expectorant is something that loosens and thins the mucus in your respiratory system, that is, your throat and lungs, so that it can be easily coughed up . Here's where a lot of people get it wrong. That is, they don't stop coughing. What they actually do is make the cough more productive.
Imagine, our body tries to expel germs and unwanted things along with this mucus by coughing. So when the mucus becomes thick and sticky, it becomes difficult to do so. An expectorant adds a liquid like water to the mucus and thins it out. Then, even with a small cough, the mucus comes out easily. This clears your airways and gradually gives you a great sense of relief.
What natural remedies can we use?
Like the syrups you can buy at the pharmacy, some things in our kitchens also have this natural expectorant property. Some of these reduce inflammation in the respiratory tract and provide relief from things like an itchy , sore throat.
Water is the best medicine.
This is the simplest and best natural expectorant. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day will help thin out mucus and make it less sticky. If you have trouble drinking water, you can try drinking your favorite herbal tea (e.g. ginger tea, coriander tea).
In addition, these methods are also very useful:
- Gargling with salt water: Dissolve about a teaspoon of salt in a glass of lukewarm water and gargle with it several times a day to loosen mucus.
- Steam Inhalation: Boiling water well and inhaling the steam from the container for a few minutes is very beneficial for the lungs.
- Bathing in hot water: This also provides relief to the body, and inhaling the steam loosens mucus.
The most important thing is to stay away from drinks that dehydrate you, such as alcohol and caffeine -containing coffee , during this time.
Popular home remedies
Let's take a look at some of the things our grandparents have used since their time and that have been scientifically proven to have healing properties. There are also some things to be careful about when using some of these.
| Natural remedy | How to use | Things to pay special attention to |
|---|---|---|
| Honey | Dissolve a tablespoon of honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink it throughout the day. Or you can add it to a tea and drink it. | Do not give honey to babies under one year old. It can cause severe poisoning (Infant Botulism). |
| Ginger | Grate a piece of ginger, boil it in water for a few minutes, and drink the tea throughout the day. | May cause stomach inflammation and gastritis. May be contraindicated for those taking anticoagulants and high blood pressure medications. |
| Tulsi / Holy Basil | Boil about 10 Tulsi leaves in a cup of water for 10 minutes, then drink it three times a day. It can also be used to smoke. | Not suitable for pregnant women, those expecting children, or those with diabetes or hypothyroidism. |
| Licorice | You can boil half a teaspoon of licorice powder in a cup of water and drink it like tea. | It is not recommended for use by people with high blood pressure. |
| Mint / Peppermint | Add a drop of mint oil to hot water and inhale the smoke. Or you can make tea from mint leaves and drink it. | May cause stomach irritation. Do not make tea with mint oil. Aromatherapy with mint oil can be toxic to small children. |
| Eucalyptus | Add two drops of eucalyptus oil to hot water and inhale the vapor. It is often found in cough lozenges and balms. | Eucalyptus oil should never be ingested. It is toxic to the body. If ingested by mistake, immediately go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) or call the National Poison Information Center at the Colombo National Hospital. |
Things to be careful about when using these things
Just because something is "natural" doesn't mean it's good for everyone, all the time. It's not good to use too much of anything. Sometimes you can be allergic to it. If that happens, you may experience symptoms like:
- Hives or redness of the skin
- Difficulty breathing
- Wheezing
- Swelling of the face and throat
- Nausea and vomiting
- Stomach upset, diarrhea
- Dizziness and extreme fatigue
Just because something is "natural" doesn't mean it's right for everyone. Some of these may be harmful depending on your health condition. So if in doubt, it's best to seek medical advice.
Especially if you have a chronic condition like diabetes, high blood pressure, or take any other medication on a daily basis, you should definitely talk to your doctor before using a natural remedy like this.
If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they worsen, do not try to do these things at home, but see a doctor immediately.
Take-Home Message
- An 'expectorant' is not a medicine that stops a cough. It only works by thinning out thick mucus and making it easier to cough up.
- Drinking plenty of water throughout the day is the simplest and best natural remedy. Smoking is also very beneficial.
- Although things like honey and ginger are very beneficial for the skin, they also have side effects and when not to use them. Especially, do not give honey to babies under one year old.
- If you have other chronic conditions or are taking other medications, be sure to consult your doctor before trying these natural remedies.
- If symptoms do not improve or allergic symptoms appear, discontinue use of the remedy and seek medical advice immediately.
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