AYURVEDA PERSPECTIVE ON MUCUS CONGESTION

Overview

Excess mucus is generally a sign of "sweet blood". Blood that is high in sugar, fats, or proteins is sweet blood. Sweet blood is thicker than dry blood and causes mucus. Sweet blood causes thick mucus while toxicity generally creates thin, clear mucus.

Thick Mucus

Thick, white or clear mucus is associated with an imbalance in Kapha and can often be traced back to rich diet of sweet, heavy and oily foods. Over time, these foods increase kledaka kapha in the stomach which can then aggravate avalambaka kapha in the lungs. The wet, cold, liquid and slimy qualities of avalamabaka kapha leads to respiratory congestion, runny nose, blocked sinuses and phlegm in the lungs and throat. To balance this respiratory ailment, it's important to avoid Kapha provoking foods like sugar, ice cream, cold milk, cheese and fried foods. Instead, favor foods that are dry, light penetrating and hot in quality. These will melt away congestion and dry excess mucus. Pungent aromatics such as cinnamon, ginger, cloves and black pepper, especially when combined with honey, are expectorants and decongestants that help the body spit out, dissolve or dry out mucus. Add some mustard seeds to your next curry and sip on some tulsi tea to breathe easy. Pungent, bitter and astringent tastes also work to balance kapha mucus in the stomach and lungs and will promote comfortable breathing.

Infected Mucus

When mucus is a yellow or green color, generally this means there is an excess of Pitta in the lungs and a possible sign of infection (Pitta is responsible for infection). The quality of this mucus is hot, sharp and penetrating. You will feel this mucus as a burning sensation in your throat at times. To remedy this type of respiratory congestion, it is best to follow a Pitta pacifying diet and lifestyle. Favor pitta pacfiying aromatics and pungents (cardamom, fennel, fresh ginger) and bitter taste (greens or neem if using herbs).

Thin Mucus

Thin or clear mucus is often a sign of cold sinuses, or irritation of the sinus membranes due to toxicity. It is typical of a common cold due to deficiency in autumn. Thin mucus often increases with gas or constipation, due to toxins (ama).

The sinuses need to be kept warm and colon needs to be clear, so if constipation is present, herbs like triphala may be appropriate in some cases. This will gently encourage a bowel motion and cleanse digestive toxins. Sipping on licorice tea is also a powerful remedy for dry, scratchy respiration. Its demulcent properties adds moisture and its expectorant properties helps expel difficult to release phlegm in dry coughs. Sweet, oily and unctuous foods will soothe and lubricate the respiratory tract afflicted by rough Vata.