Yellow Mucus: Causes and Remedies

• Coughing up yellow mucus: what causes it? Bright yellow mucus and what that color really means
• Boosting the body’s immune system
• Homeopathic remedies for ridding the body of yellow phlegm

The topic of mucus is one of those that are incredibly distasteful and downright gross. It’s a fact of life, especially when you or your children have a cold or the flu. Mucus is actually part of your body’s defense system. It’s used to trap and remove foreign particles from our bodies. When it changes color to a yellow mucus, it’s a good indication that your body has and is fighting off a sinus infection. Your body’s own immune system is the best way to battle an infection. If you are ill, stressed or have a lowered immune system, you might need a little help. What are the causes of yellow mucus? What remedies can you use to assist your body?

A sinus infection is one of the most painful situations that can be added to having a cold or the flu. Anyone that has ever had a sinus infection knows that it is something that you do not want to repeat. If not treated, you can end up with acute sinusitis, which turns the battle into a war and requires extreme medical intervention. A sinus infection usually occurs when the nasal canals become blocked and bacteria begin to cultivate. This can occur due to outside exposures other than a cold: air pollution, allergens, etc.. Yellow mucus can also occur during times of dry air, as your sinuses are trying to rehydrate themselves. The additional symptom of coughing up yellow mucus can be disturbing and down right gross. Bright yellow mucus and yellow phlegm are signs that your body is fighting off the infection.

Common symptoms that accompany sinus infections can include:

• Headaches
• Pressure
• Post Nasal Drip
• Congestion
• Flu Like symptoms
• Fatigue
• Fever

There are many OTC products that are available, however it must be noted that they will mostly help the symptoms, not necessarily the problem. There are also many side affects as well as drug interactions from any medication that you may be taking. You must be cautious at any approach so that you do not harm the ‘cilia’ (small hair-like organelles in the nose and sinus cavity membranes).

Here are a few homeopathic approaches include:

Steam Inhalation:

Watch for steam temperature so that it doesn’t paralyze the cilia.
If medicinal herbs are used, be sure to purchase at a reputable health store. Confer with the health store specialist on the following herbs: Coltsfoot, comfrey, elecampane, ephedra, eucalyptus, fennel, fenugreek, peppermint, horseradish, licorice, lobelia, lungwort, mullein, pleurisy root, thyme, vervain and yerba santa. Many of these are expectorants and can be used alone or in combination. Steam inhalation will also help your system. Coughing up bright yellow mucus will be a sign that it is thinning.

Water:

Drinking plain room temperature water. Room temperature water will hydrate your system faster as cold water must be warmed to body temperature before hydration begins. The additional water in your body will thin the yellow phlegm.

Acupressure for the sinuses:

Also called sinus pressure points, is a safer method as it is non-invasive and doesn’t involve any other substances.

Warm compresses:

Warm, not hot compress on each side of the nose being careful not to include the area under the eyes. Another area for a compress is the lower forehead, directly over the eyebrow area. Compresses will assist in breaking up any mucus and allowing it to flow naturally.

Any use of an alternative treatment should be combined with a consultation with your medical physician. The information supplied in this article is not to be considered or used as medical advice and is for educational purposes only.

The information supplied in this article is not to be considered as medical advice and is for educational purposes only.