What to take for a cold with a runny nose and how to clear the mucus from your lungs

One of the most common complications of colds and flu is mucus affects the lungs. many people wonder what to take for a cold with runny nose and the truth is that there are a number of effective natural techniques that can prevent and clean excess mucus. These techniques are also useful for keeping the lungs clean in environments that fill them with pollution and allergens.

Natural remedies that you can take for a cold with runny nose

Before resorting to a mucolytic drug, you can try one of these natural solutions. Once contracted a cold, the natural thing is not to overload the body with drugs, but to follow a cleansing diet based on vegetable broths and fruit juices, doing without mucogenic foods such as milk. In addition, these natural techniques can help you expel mucus.

1. Inhalation of vapors to clean the lungs

The vapors or vaporizations are a traditional remedy the one we remember when congestion and cough become a major nuisance. They are very effective because the heat and humidity soothe the irritated lining of the bronchi and favor the hydration of the mucus and its expectoration. They also immediately make breathing easier.

you can do the vapors of eucalyptus or sage leaves, two plants whose essential oils inhibit the multiplication of bacteria:

Heat 3 liters of water in a pot and when it boils add 10 g of fresh eucalyptus or sage leaves. Let them simmer for 10 minutes over low heat and then remove the pot from the heat. Being careful not to burn yourself, lean over the pot and cover yourself with a towel. Keep your eyes closed and breathe slowly and deeply.

Before making eucalyptus vapors, consult these precautions and contraindications.

You can also do the vapors with essential oils. For it:

Boil a cup of water and drop 10-15 drops of the essential oil into it. Proceed in the same way to inhale the vapors.

The most suitable essential oils are essential oil of eucalyptus, thyme and lemon balm.

2. Forcing a controlled cough

Coughing is the body’s mechanism for get rid of mucus. For this reason, when a cough is productive, it is not convenient to inhibit it with medicines.

We can gently force the cough to favor the exit of mucus:

Sit with your shoulders relaxed and the soles of your feet flat on the floor. Cross your arms over your stomach. Breathe in slowly through your nose. Breathe out slowly through your nose as you lean forward and press your arms against your stomach. Cough two or three times while doing this exhalation; keep your mouth open. Repeat a few times.

3. Postures to drain mucus

You can adopt postures that will facilitate mucus flow due to the effect of gravity:

Lie on your back on a mat or in bed.Place cushions or pillows under your hips so that they are higher than your chest.Inhale slowly through your nose and exhale even more slowly – twice as long – through your mouth .Remain in the posture and doing this breathing for 5-10 minutes. You can repeat the exercise by lying first on one side, then on the other and finally face down. Remember that the chest always has to be lower than the hips.

4. Perform chest percussions

He clapping, tapping or percussion on the chest with the palms cupped is an effective technique at times to promote loosening of mucus. It can be done in combination with the postures. The best thing is that a physical therapist tells you how to do it correctly.

This technique is only indicated in healthy people. It is necessary to point out that not suitable for small children because it can induce bronchospasms. It is also especially contraindicated in patients with cystic fibrosis and bronchial stasis.

5. Drink green tea

Green tea contains abundant antioxidants that reduce inflammation in the lungs and protect their delicate tissues. In addition to tea, you can include anti-inflammatory foods in your menus such as turmeric, green leafy vegetables, cherries, blueberries, olives, nuts, and legumes.

You can also add spicy foods like horseradish, wasabi or mustard They help make secretions more liquid.

Remember that hydration is essential to get rid of mucus. In addition to tea, drink a few 2 liters of water per day as long as you have boogers Part of the liquid can be taken in the form of broths and infusions of medicinal plants with an expectorant effect.