Home Articles Diseases and Ailments

Phlegm can be bothersome and the presence of green phlegm gets us worried. Phlegm is essentially a defense mechanism to fight against bacteria and virus attacks. It is produced in the lungs, bronchial tubes, throat passages, and sinuses. Phlegm could be of different colors and one would want to know what does green phlegm indicate. If the phlegm is green in color, it indicates that there is an infection in the respiratory tract.

What does green phlegm mean?

Green phlegm means that there could be pneumonia or internal bleeding. The phlegm appears green due to the presence of myeloperoxidases (MPO). This is an enzyme that is found in white blood cells. The presence of bacteria at the infection site results in the accumulation of white blood cells in the area and this results in green phlegm. Green phlegm mucus indicates bacterial infection in the sinus. It can be treated with antibiotics. If the thick green phlegm exists for more than a few days, it is best to consult a physician. Also keep in mind that too much of antibiotics may result in the germs becoming resistant to the drugs.

Green yellow phlegm indicates a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract. A light yellow phlegm means that your body is healthy enough to fight the infection. Green phlegm in the chest could cause congestion and make breathing difficult. The best thing to do is to cough up green phlegm and clear the throat.

Ways to clear phlegm: There are many ways to expel green phlegm from the chest. Let us take a look at some of them:

• You can have a hot shower and add eucalyptus oil to your bath.
• For clearing green phlegm from the chest, place a hot cloth compress on the chest and on the back to bring relief.
• Hot water bag can be used to loosen the phlegm and relieve the congestion.
• To cough up green phlegm, drink plenty of warm water through the day.
• Drink fresh juices to boost the immune system and keep the urine clear.
• Avoid dairy products, meat, and fried foods as they can trigger phlegm production.
• Take natural antioxidants regularly to be healthy and improve immunity.
• Steam inhalation with a few drops of eucalyptus oil will loosen the green phlegm in the lungs.
• Avoid dust and allergens like pollen, smoke, and household chemicals.
• Use a humidifier as dry throat can aggravate the problem.
• Spit out green phlegm as swallowing it will recycle the virus and bacteria into the body, causing further infection.

If the green phlegm persists and the cough is constant, consult your doctor and get a medical examination done.

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.