Throat phlegm that cannot be coughed out can make a person feel very uncomfortable. There are many reasons for this condition, but traditional Chinese food therapy can be effective in phlegm elimination.
Causes of Excessive Phlegm
1. Weak constitution and insufficient Qi can cause water and dampness to accumulate and condense into phlegm due to spleen deficiency and stagnation.
2. Weak spleen and stomach can lead to stagnation and damage of the spleen and stomach. Overconsumption of raw, cold food or fruits can damage Yang. Excessive drinking of water during a fever or insufficient spleen function can also cause water retention and phlegm formation.
Excessive consumption of fatty and sweet foods can cause turbid Qi in the stomach, leading to dampness and heat, which can transform into phlegm.
3. Improper treatment of external pathogens or frequent external attacks in individuals with weak constitution can injure lung Qi, leading to inadequate distribution of body fluids and hindered bladder function, resulting in water stagnation and phlegm formation. Phlegm accumulates in the lungs, obstructs lung Qi, and triggers coughing with excessive phlegm.
Phlegm Elimination Food Therapy
1. Radish and Scallion Soup: Wash and cut white radish into pieces, boil them in three bowls of water, then add scallions and ginger to make a bowl of soup.
2. Honey and White Radish Water: Wash and dice white radish, steam it with honey, white pepper, and ephedra for half an hour, then drink it hot.
3. Fresh Pear and Fritillaria Bulb: Remove the core of a fresh pear, add fritillaria bulb and white sugar, seal it, and steam it. Consume it after it is cooked.
4. Rock Sugar Bird's Nest Congee: Cook rice into porridge, add soaked bird's nest, and continue cooking for an hour. Add melted rock sugar for taste before consumption.
5. Bird's Nest and Pear: Peel and core a pear, add rock sugar and soaked bird's nest, cover it, and simmer in water. Eat it when cooked.
6. Soy Milk Drink: Boil soy milk and add rock sugar for taste.
Foods to Avoid with Phlegm in the Throat
1. Raw and Cold Foods
Patients with phlegm in the throat should avoid consuming raw and cold foods.
Raw foods may carry bacteria that cannot be resisted by the patient's weakened immune system. Cold foods can irritate the throat and worsen the condition.
2. Spicy Foods
Consuming spicy foods can also irritate the patient and worsen the condition, leading to other complications.
Eating spicy peppers can also cause inflammation and other negative effects.
3. Foods with Excessive Calories
Excessive phlegm in the throat can be caused by respiratory tract infections due to excessive heat. Consuming foods with excessive calories can increase heat in the body, which the body may not be able to dissipate, leading to illness and unnecessary trouble.
4. Oily and Greasy Foods
Oily and greasy foods are high in calories and salt, which can slow down the body's metabolism and hinder the development of the condition.
