What should I eat to quickly relieve phlegm in the throat and hoarseness?
Apr 10, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Xu Gang
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, for symptoms such as phlegm in the throat and hoarseness, consuming foods like stewed pear with rock sugar, lemon water, sugarcane, milk, and apples may help provide relief. Additionally, medications such as Qinghou Liyan Granules, Pudilan Anti-inflammatory Oral Liquid, Bromhexine Hydrochloride Tablets, Compound Fresh Bamboo Extract, and Jinsang Kaiyin Pills can be used according to medical advice. If the condition is severe, prompt medical attention is necessary.
Generally, when experiencing phlegm in the throat accompanied by hoarseness, consuming foods such as rock sugar stewed pear, lemon water, sugarcane, milk, and apples may help alleviate symptoms. Additionally, medications like Qinghou Liyan Granules, Pudilan Anti-inflammatory Oral Liquid, Bromhexine Hydrochloride Tablets, Compound Fresh Bamboo Extract Liquid, and Jinsong Kaiyin Pills can be used under medical guidance. If symptoms are severe, prompt medical attention is necessary. The details are as follows:
I. Foods
1. Rock Sugar Stewed Pear
Rock sugar stewed pear contains dietary fiber that promotes gastrointestinal motility and helps eliminate excess oily substances from the body. It can also be used to treat symptoms such as dry throat, hoarseness, coughing, and excessive phlegm.
2. Lemon Water
Lemon water is rich in organic acids, which effectively stimulate saliva production. For individuals experiencing throat discomfort, hoarseness, and phlegm due to reduced salivation, drinking an appropriate amount of lemon water can help relieve throat discomfort by promoting saliva secretion through its organic acid content.
3. Sugarcane
Sugarcane has effects of promoting fluid production, quenching thirst, clearing heat, and moistening dryness. When suffering from phlegm in the throat and hoarseness, eating a moderate amount of sugarcane can help moisturize the throat.
4. Milk
Milk is highly nutritious and rich in protein—the main component of human cells. Patients with throat phlegm and hoarseness can benefit from drinking milk to replenish bodily proteins. Moreover, lactoferrin in milk helps enhance immunity.
5. Apples
Apples, often regarded as the "king of fruits," promote saliva production, stimulate appetite, moisten the lungs, and uplift mood. They have benefits such as moistening the lungs, eliminating phlegm, and relieving cough. Therefore, patients experiencing phlegm in the throat and hoarseness may eat apples in moderation to help alleviate symptoms.
II. Medications
1. Qinghou Liyan Granules (Clear Throat and Benefit Pharynx Granules)
Qinghou Liyan Granules function to clear heat, soothe the throat, relieve chest tightness, and moisten the larynx. Clinically, they are commonly used for sore throat and hoarseness caused by wind-heat感冒 (common cold), and have certain therapeutic effects on chronic pharyngitis, acute pharyngitis, and tonsillitis.
2. Pudilan Anti-inflammatory Oral Liquid
Pudilan Anti-inflammatory Oral Liquid is a traditional Chinese medicine formulation whose main ingredients include dandelion, isatis root (banlangen), and skullcap (huangqin). It has functions of clearing heat and detoxifying, reducing inflammation and swelling, and is used to treat conditions such as boils, pharyngitis, and other inflammatory diseases.
3. Bromhexine Hydrochloride Tablets
Bromhexine Hydrochloride Tablets are expectorants with strong mucolytic action. They work by breaking down polysaccharide fibers in mucus, thereby thinning phlegm. They also reduce sialic acid content in secretions, lowering mucus viscosity and facilitating easier expectoration.
4. Compound Fresh Bamboo Extract Liquid
Compound Fresh Bamboo Extract Liquid clears heat, resolves phlegm, and relieves cough. It is indicated for cough due to phlegm-heat, especially when phlegm is yellow and viscous. Its components include fresh bamboo extract, houttuynia cordata (fish mint), and pinellia. Among these, fresh bamboo extract acts as the principal herb (monarch) for clearing lung heat, resolving phlegm, and stopping cough; houttuynia and loquat leaf serve as secondary herbs (ministers), both contributing to clearing heat, resolving phlegm, and suppressing cough.
5. Jinsong Kaiyin Pills (Golden Voice Pills)
Jinsong Kaiyin Pills have the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, dispelling wind, and benefiting the throat. They are used to treat sore and swollen throat and hoarseness caused by wind-heat pathogens, and are also effective for acute or subacute pharyngitis and laryngitis presenting with the above symptoms.
Medications should only be taken under the guidance of a physician. Patients must not self-medicate to avoid potential adverse reactions.
