Imagine waking up in the morning, the first rays of the sun shining through the curtains on the side of your bed, and everything looks so peaceful and beautiful. However, this tranquility is broken by a wave of discomfort in your throat - the sticky phlegm that makes your throat feel as if it is blocked by something, which is extremely uncomfortable. You clear your throat, hoping to ease the feeling, but it doesn't seem to help. It's not just a matter of one day, it's a multi-day or even weeks of distress that makes you feel upset.
This situation may sound familiar as it affects the daily lives of many people, especially among our middle-aged and elderly friends. Whether it's sitting quietly at home reading a book or going out for a walk, that feeling of having something in your throat is always distracting. You've probably tried a variety of ways to solve this problem, from drinking plenty of water to trying a variety of home**, but none of them seem to be long-lasting.
In the worldview of TCM, phlegm is not only a sign of physical illness, but also a direct reflection of imbalance in the body。The production of phlegm is closely related to the constitution of "wetness" and "dryness", and a deep understanding of this concept is the key to opening the door to health.
The root of phlegm: the internal struggle between dampness and dryness
Traditional Chinese medicine believes that phlegm is caused by abnormal dampness and dryness in the body. If the moisture is too heavy, the internal environment will be like a swamp, and phlegm will be generated and retained. On the contrary, if the dry air is excessive, the fluid in the body will evaporate, and the phlegm will become viscous due to the lack of water. These two extreme states will lead to the production and accumulation of phlegm, affecting the normal work of the respiratory system, so that people feel throat discomfort and mental irritability.
The Art of Harmony: The Art of Balancing Wet and Dry
In order to get rid of phlegm, you first need to find a balance between dampness and dryness. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) reconciles dampness and dryness in the body through dietary conditioning, herbal medicine** and the improvement of lifestyle habits。It is recommended to add light, easy-to-digest foods such as pears and lilies, which can nourish yin and clear heat, help the body produce healthy body fluids, and reduce unnecessary dampness. At the same time, avoid foods that are too greasy and spicy, as they can exacerbate damp heat in the body, which promotes the production of phlegm.
Through traditional Chinese medicine conditioning, such as the use of bellflower, baibu and other medicinal materials, it can directly act on the lungs and respiratory tract, dissolve phlegm and disperse knots, and restore the smooth airway. In addition, proper exercise and maintaining indoor air circulation can help regulate the internal environment and reduce the adverse effects of dampness.
Dietary adjustment: Choose ingredients carefully to easily reduce phlegm
Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the formation of phlegm is closely related to diet. Adjusting your diet is the first step. First, reduce or avoid dairy, greasy foods, and overly sweet foods, which can easily lead to more phlegm production in the body. Instead, add light, easily digestible foods. For example, pear and honey water are very good options. Pears moisturize the lungs, clear away heat, and dissolve phlegm, while honey water moistens the throat and reduces the viscosity of phlegm. In addition, you can also choose foods rich in vitamin C, such as kiwifruit, citrus, etc., which help to strengthen immunity and reduce phlegm production.
Traditional Chinese Medicine**: Natural herbs, dredge breathing
Traditional Chinese medicine has a long history and rich experience in dissolving phlegm and dampness. Some common Chinese medicinal materials such as bellflower, baibu, fritillary, Chuanbei, etc., have good phlegm and cough suppressant effects. For example, bellflower can dredge lung qi, dissolve phlegm and relieve cough; 100 can moisten the lungs and dissolve phlegm. These herbs can be used alone or in combination. When using these herbs, it is recommended to follow the guidance of a professional TCM practitioner to ensure that they are safe and effective.
In addition to diet and Chinese herbal medicines**, it is equally important to adjust daily habits. First of all, maintaining moderate physical exercise, such as walking, tai chi, etc., can help promote blood circulation in the body and reduce the accumulation of phlegm. Secondly, keep the room well ventilated and avoid the air being too dry or humid, which can reduce the production and accumulation of phlegm. At the same time, avoid smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke, as this can irritate the respiratory tract and increase phlegm production.
Practical case sharing
Case 1: The transformation of Mr. Zhang, a retired teacher
Mr. Zhang is a retired teacher who has been suffering from phlegm and sticky throat problems for a long time. After the advice of the TCM practitioner, he began to adjust his diet, reduce the intake of greasy and sweet foods, and insist on drinking honey lemonade every day. At the same time, he began to take a half-hour walk every morning. After two months of adjustment, Mr. Zhang found that his phlegm had decreased significantly and his voice was no longer so hoarse.
Case 2: Improvement of Ms. Li, a housewife
Ms. Li is a middle-aged housewife who has been suffering from phlegm and dampness for a long time. Under the guidance of Chinese medicine practitioners, she began to take Chinese herbal formulas consisting of herbs such as bellflower and baibu. At the same time, she also adjusted the air humidity in her home to keep the indoor air circulating. After a few weeks, she noticed that her throat was less itchy and her phlegm had decreased.
Through these practical cases, we can see that through dietary adjustments, traditional Chinese medicine** and lifestyle changes, the problem of phlegm sticky throat can be effectively alleviated. These methods are safe, effective, and easy to implement, making them ideal for middle-aged and older people.