Hi Everyone, I've had a problem for at least 3 months with phlegm - just can't cough it up(sounds awful - sorry)! I can feel it at the back of my throat like, ahem, chewing gum. Does anyone have any suggestions to help me rid this foul phlegm?!?!
Revzen, if Wild Cherry Bark or Pleurisy Root hasn't helped, here are some other things that are known to loosen and expel phlegm. Horseradish, either fresh grated root or extract, mustard, scallions (green onions), Thyme and Red Clover. Also Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar. Good luck, you can make a mix of a few of these and try it for a week or so for results.
__________________ "We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." ~Immanual Kant~
Though probably the best thing is steam inhalation. Face over a bowl of boiled water (taking great care of course) Head covered with a towel.
Don't go outside afterwards or you'll great laryngitis. Stay in the warm.
__________________
....It is our deeds, the accumulated acts of goodness and kindness, that define us and ultimately are the true measure of our worth. Service is the coin of the spirit.
Or it could be post nasal drip if you don't have sinus pain.
Other things you could try is tea with honey or a spoonful of honey with ginger which helps the body get rid of excess mucus. Along with the horseradish, hot stuff such as chili peppers & cayenne pepper also help get rid of it.
Steam is your best friend right now as Knight mentioned. Do the bowl thingy & you could add eucalyptus oil to the water to inhale. I'd also be jumpin' in a hot shower several times a day until that all breaks up & you're able to get it out.
Gargle with warm salt water too.
Hope you're drinking lots of water & avoiding dairy!
__________________
The art of medicine consists of amusing the patient while nature cures the disease
Hope you're drinking lots of water & avoiding dairy!
Reminds me of what my Dad used to say when I was a little kid, waaaay back in the stoneage . He never would drink milk, and always said to us that milk causes mucus. Pretty good advice, since none of us were health freaks, and that term wasn't born yet. Guess Jack LaLanne was the only popular example of healthy living back then.
I have made a list and will be starting in earnest in the morn.
In 2009 I had a tumor removed from my nasal passage, and since then I have been plagued with dental infections. I have had root canal work done(the tooth fell out a few weeks ago!), and in January had three teeth extracted; I have been told I have another tooth which requires extraction!
Towards the end of last year I had a very bad/sore ear infection following a syringing - I've had my ears syringed plenty and never had a problem! My ears do produce a lot of wax as when I saw the nurse a few weeks ago she said my ears need another syringing!
I have a polyp in my nose and due to my genetic condition I am being monitored! Could the polyp be the cause?
I think the med professionals did a bad job in doing their work on you. Being a graduate of Nursing, I can probably deduce based from your story that they were unsterile--unclean, and did not follower proper handwashing/protocols when they did their job on you...that's why you have succeeding infections.
And for your phlegm, stop drinking cold drinks. Start drinking tea, warm liquids.
And some of the other posters sound right. You might have a sinus/ear infection.
And if you have family members at home, ask them to do this--cup their hands and tap you near the shoulder blades so that the lungs and extra phlegm may loosen up and you will be able to expectorate them.
And you said that it's been three months already, I strongly advise that you go to a doctor to have it checked up.