What causes excessive phlegm?
Excessive phlegm has multiple causes:
First, a weak constitution with insufficient vital energy. Spleen deficiency impairs its transporting function, leading to water retention and the accumulation of phlegm.
Second, rhinitis. Inflammation causes the nasal mucosa to secrete large amounts of thick, viscous, purulent secretions. These are transported by nasal cilia to the nasopharynx where they adhere, creating a foreign body sensation in the throat that triggers coughing to expel them.
Third, weakened spleen and stomach function, with stagnant food residue damaging these organs; excessive consumption of raw foods or fruits injuring the stomach's yang; or excessive water intake during feverish illnesses overwhelming spleen transport—all may cause fluid retention and phlegm accumulation. Similarly, overindulgence in rich, sweet foods generates turbid qi in the stomach, which steams and ferments dampness into heat, transforming into phlegm turbidity.
Fourth, failure to treat external pathogens properly, or repeated susceptibility to external pathogens due to physical weakness, can injure lung qi. This impairs the lung's ability to transport fluids throughout the body, regulate water pathways, and drain fluids into the bladder. Consequently, fluids stagnate and may transform into phlegm. When phlegm accumulates in the lungs and lung qi becomes impaired, phlegm surges into the airways, inevitably causing coughing with abundant phlegm.
What to Eat for Excessive Phlegm
1. Sichuan Fritillary Pear
Pears, cool in nature and sweet in taste, clear heat and resolve phlegm. Peel the pear, remove the core, fill with 1–3 grams of Sichuan fritillary powder, and steam over water. Consume twice daily, one pear per serving.
2. Honey and White Radish Juice
Take one large white radish and honey. Wash the radish, hollow out the center, fill with honey, place in a large bowl, add water, and steam for 20 minutes until tender. Consume once daily in the morning and evening. Suitable for acute bronchitis and excessive phlegm.
3. Sugarcane and Water Chestnut Drink
>1 segment red-skinned sugarcane, water chestnuts. Wash and peel sugarcane, extract juice. Press water chestnuts for juice. Combine both juices in a cup.
4. Lily Bulb and Silver Ear Fungus Soup
6g silver ear fungus, 9g lily bulbs, 4.5g bamboo sap, 800ml water.Rinse the silver ear fungus and soak in room-temperature water for about 15 minutes until softened. Drain and set aside. Place the lily bulbs, bamboo sap, and soaked silver ear fungus into a small pot with 800ml water. Place the pot into a rice cooker. Add 1 bowl of water (about 250ml) to the outer pot. Steam until the rice cooker switch pops up. Remove and serve.If the taste is unsatisfactory, honey may be added to preference.
White fungus clears the lungs and transforms phlegm, lily bulbs clear lung heat and moisten dryness, while bamboo sap clears heat and resolves phlegm. This decoction effectively alleviates symptoms of heat-type cough with excessive phlegm. However, it is contraindicated for individuals with spleen-stomach deficiency or recurrent diarrhea.
5.Cinnamon Twig and Platycodon Tea
6g cinnamon twig, 6g platycodon root, 6g dodder seed, 800ml water. Briefly rinse the herbs, place them in a small pot filled with 800ml water, and set it in the rice cooker. Pour 1 bowl of water (approx. 250ml) into the outer pot. Steam until the rice cooker switch pops up, then remove and consume.
Cinnamon twig promotes yang energy and dispels cold, platycodon root clears the lungs and removes phlegm, while dodder seed nourishes the kidneys and enriches essence. This decoction effectively alleviates cold-induced coughs with excessive phlegm.
6. Morning Hydration
Upon waking, drink a glass of plain water before massage. These methods require year-round consistency to yield results. After practicing them for over three years, my respiratory tract remains clear year-round with significantly reduced coughing and phlegm.
Self-Massage Technique
Massage the nose and throat areas.Nasal Massage: Using a curved thumb, massage along the nasal bone, both sides, and up and down 44 times. Then place both palms on the throat bone area and massage up and down 66 times. Perform once in the morning and once in the evening.
What to Eat to Eliminate Phlegm: The above has introduced some dietary remedies for phlegm elimination. If phlegm accumulates in the throat, it should be promptly expelled to avoid pneumonia and asthma.