Whether you’re recovering from illness or deciding it’s time to quit smoking once and for all, you might be dealing with a lot of extra mucus in the lungs. You can feel it rattling around when you breathe deeply, and you just want it gone. You’ve come to the right place.
We’ll show you how to remove mucus from the lungs naturally so you can breathe better ASAP. From at-home remedies like controlled coughing, salt water gargles, postural exercise, and steam inhalation to professional remedies like chest physiotherapy, OTC solutions, and more.
What causes excess mucus buildup in the lungs?
Before we talk about how to remove mucus from the lungs naturally, let’s touch on what causes this issue in the first place. We mentioned sickness and smoking earlier, but there are many other potential culprits as well:
- Allergies: Pollen, dust mites, pet dander, and mold can trigger the immune system to release histamine, which increases mucus production as a protective response.
- Infections: From the common cold to influenza, bacterial infections increase mucus production as the body attempts to isolate and expel pathogens.
- Chronic Respiratory Conditions: Conditions characterized by chronic inflammation and irritation of the airways often lead to excessive mucus production.
- Smoking: Tobacco smoke irritates the mucous membranes, leading to an overproduction of mucus as the lungs attempt to trap and clear harmful particles.
- Dietary Factors: Dairy products, for instance, can thicken mucus for some people, while spicy foods can trigger mucus flow as part of a digestive response.
Why is mucus in the lungs a problem?
Mucus is actually an important aspect of healthy lung function. It traps and then helps remove pathogens, dust, and pollutants from the airways. However, the problem is when your body begins producing excess mucus.
This can lead to the obstruction of airways and as a result, breathing becomes more difficult. The accumulation of mucus can also create a breeding ground for bacteria, potentially leading to infections and further complications.
It’s also just an uncomfortable feeling dealing with congestion and respiratory discomfort. These symptoms can get in the way of daily activities and reduce your quality of life. This can even strain the respiratory muscles and leave you fatigued.
If proper steps are not taken to remove mucus from the lungs naturally, it can lead to a chronic cough that is not only uncomfortable but also disruptive. The good news? We’ll show you the best way to remove mucus from the lungs naturally in this guide!
Can you really cleanse your lungs?
It’s clear that overproduction of mucus in the lungs poses a problem - but is there anything you can do about it? Is cleansing the lungs actually possible? This is a loaded question.
Technically, the body is equipped with its own efficient system for cleaning the lungs. The respiratory system, including the cilia and the mucus in the airways, works around the clock to clear out pollutants and excretions so the lungs can function properly.
You cannot “cleanse” your lungs the same way you might implement a liver or gut health detox. However, you can support this natural cleansing process through a few methods.
This can be as simple as dietary adjustments, hydration, avoiding pollutants, exercises, and more. So, what is the best way to remove mucus from the lungs naturally? We’ll share our favorite methods below.
How to remove mucus from the lungs naturally
As difficult as it may be right now, you can take a deep breath and relax - we’re going to show you how to remove mucus from the lungs naturally below. You can try as many of these techniques as you see fit, but the best approach is always a balancing act.
Natural supplements
There are quite a few natural supplements that can support the removal of excess lung mucus, including but not limited to:
- N-acetylcysteine (NAC): A supplement derived from the amino acid L-cysteine. It breaks down mucus, making it less sticky and easier to expel. It also boosts the body’s levels of glutathione, a powerful antioxidant that helps defend against toxins in the respiratory tract.
- Bromelain: This enzyme is extracted from pineapple stems and is not only effective in reducing imbalance but also in thinning mucus for easier expulsion.
- Ivy leaf extract: Widely recognized for its ability to liquefy and expel mucus. It is commonly used in syrup form for both children and adults as a gentle yet effective solution for chronic cough and congestion.
- Vasaka leaf: We’ve covered the vasaka benefits in our blog as it’s a powerful respiratory remedy in Ayurvedic and Unani traditions. It may support mucus clearing, cough minimization, and enhanced airways.
- Probiotics: You probably think of gut health when it comes to this supplement, but probiotics can support healthy lung function by activating the gut-lung axis as well.
You may be wondering…do lung detox pills work? Let’s look at some other ways to support mucus removal from the lungs below.
Steam inhalation or aromatherapy
Inhaling steam is a time-honored method to moisturize nasal passages and lungs, thinning out excess mucus so it can be more easily removed.
This technique is easy, too - just breathe in steam from a hot bath or a bowl of hot water to alleviate congestion and encourage the clearing of mucus.
For enhanced effect, add a few drops of eucalyptus or peppermint oil. You could even just add these to a diffuser and inhale the fumes that way. Here’s the role each plays:
- Eucalyptus Oil: Contains eucalyptol, which helps break down mucus and has antimicrobial properties to combat pathogens in the respiratory tract.
- Peppermint Oil: The menthol in peppermint oil can soothe the throat, relieve congestion, and promote mucus clearance.
Coughing
Even if it’s painful, coughing is one of the best ways to quickly remove mucus from the lungs in a natural manner.
We’re not just talking about any coughing, though - you need to implement controlled coughing. This is a method that builds high pressure in the airways for more effective mucus removal. There are a few different techniques you can use:
The Huff Cough
- Sit comfortably and take a deep breath in through your nose.
- Hold your breath for a moment.
- Contract your abdominal muscles sharply as you exhale forcefully in short bursts (the “huff”, or “ha”).
- Repeat several times, typically three to five huffs, to help move the mucus to the larger airways.
Deep Coughing:
- Sit or stand with your shoulders relaxed.
- Inhale deeply through your nose, trying to fill the lungs completely.
- Hold your breath for two to three seconds.
- Open your mouth and cough deeply and sharply two to three times in a row, exhaling completely to expel the mucus.
Stack Breathing (Breath Stacking):
- Inhale and hold your breath briefly.
- Before exhaling, inhale again on top of the initial breath without exhaling.
- Repeat this several times until you feel your lungs are fully expanded, then perform a strong cough to clear the mucus.
Postural exercise
Postural exercises, also known as postural drainage, leverage the power of gravity to help you remove mucus from specific parts of the lungs. Here’s an overview of how to implement this technique in a few different ways depending on where you need to drain mucus from:
- Upper Lobes - The Apical Segments: Sitting upright, leaning back slightly at a 30-degree angle. This position helps drain the apical segments of the upper lobes.
- Upper Lobes - The Posterior Segments: Lie on your back with pillows under your hips to elevate them slightly above your chest. This helps target the posterior segments of the upper lobes.
- Lower Lobes - The Basal Segments: Lie on your stomach with two to three pillows under your hips. This elevates the bottom part of your lungs, targeting the basal segments.
- Lower Lobes - The Lateral Basal Segments: Lie on your side, the side that needs drainage facing up, propped up on pillows. Rotate the upper half of your body about 45 degrees backward.
- Middle Lobe and Lingula: Lie flat on your back with pillows under your knees for comfort. This position helps drain the middle lobe of the right lung and the lingula of the left lung.
For each of these positions, you should seek to hold it for 5-10 minutes while maintaining a deep breathing regimen. Ideally, a 1:2 breath (the exhale should take twice as long as the inhale). Better yet, pair this technique with the controlled coughing techniques we described above!
Dietary adjustments
As we briefly touched on earlier, the foods you eat (and the ones you avoid) play a role in how quickly you’re able to expel excess mucus.
First and foremost, make sure you’re getting enough water. Hydration will help thin out your mucus.
You should also incorporate foods rich in antioxidants, such as pineapples, berries, leafy greens, and more. These will create a sense of balance in the body, turning off your body’s mucus overdrive. You can learn more about the best fruit for lungs in our blog.
We’ve also seen results from eating spicy foods like chili peppers. These contain capsaicin, which can thin mucus and stimulate its clearance from the lungs.
Try to avoid dairy and refined sugar, as these can stimulate mucus production in some individuals. Once you have effectively removed mucus from the lungs you can reintegrate them into your diet to see how your body responds.
Chest physiotherapy
Chest physiotherapy is a group of physical techniques that improve lung function and enhance mucus clearance. This is best done by a professional, but you can do some of these techniques yourself or with the help of a partner:
- Percussion: Gently tapping the chest with cupped hands helps loosen the mucus in the lungs, making it easier to expel.
- Vibration: Using mechanical devices or manual techniques to apply gentle vibrations to the chest can help break up mucus.
- Active Cycle of Breathing Techniques (ACBT): A series of breathing exercises that combine breathing control, deep breaths, and forced expiratory techniques to mobilize and remove mucus.
Salt water gargle
Gargling with salt water can help soothe the throat, reduce throat irritation, and may loosen mucus that collects in the back of the throat. It’s especially helpful if your throat gets sore from controlled coughing.
Mix a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water, then gargle for a few seconds before spitting it out into the sink. You can repeat this process several times a day as needed to relieve throat discomfort and help clear mucus.
Honey
Similar to the salt water gargle, honey can help soothe out your throat - but it also has natural antibacterial properties which assist with mucus removal.
There are a number of ways you can enjoy it, such as mixing a tablespoon of raw honey in warm tea or lemon water. Either way, the honey will reduce the microbial load in the throat, potentially decreasing the production of mucus associated with infection.
OTC solutions
Now, we know you came here wondering how to remove mucus from the lungs naturally. But sometimes, you may need to bite the bullet and get an over the counter (OTC) solution to help expedite the removal of mucus.
Expectorants like guaifenesin are designed to thin and loosen mucus, making it easier to cough up. Decongestants may also help by reducing swelling in the nasal passages and by opening airways.
When to seek professional help
Hopefully, you’re able to get all that mucus removed using our advice above - but if not, it’s worth consulting a healthcare professional for further guidance.
Anytime you experience persistent or severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, or mucus with unusual color or odor, it’s a warning sign that you may be dealing with something more serious.
Closing thoughts on how to remove mucus from the lungs naturally
Dealing with excess mucus in the lungs is not just uncomfortable in the short term, it can lead to long-term complications if not addressed. Fortunately, you know how to remove mucus from the lungs naturally after reading this guide.
From dietary adjustments and hydration to controlled coughing, the use of essential oils, chest physiotherapy, and of course, natural supplements backed by clinical studies. You can pick and choose a few strategies and make them a part of your daily routine and see how much better you feel in no time!
Our blog has additional resources on topics like how much of your immune system is in your gut, vitamins for gut health, the best fruits for gut health, probiotics for lung health, how to assess lung health, the best tea for gut health, and more.
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These are expert opinions on lifestyle from professionals who are board-certified physicians, registered dietitians, or healthcare professionals. This content does not represent any medical advice for the prevention or treatment of any medical diseases.