Domain

Explanation

What’s phlegm?

An unusually large amount of sputum is also called phlegm, which is a sticky, viscous secretion produced by the mucosa of the respiratory passages and discharged through the mouth.

Tibetan health – phlegm

PHLEGM
Phlegm is also of five types. The first is the supportive phlegm, located along the breastbone. Its main function is to provide moisture throughout the body, such as saliva in the mouth, but it also provides cohesion, that is, holds the body together and provides support for the other four types of phlegm.

Next is the decomposing phlegm, located in the first part of the stomach, where the undigested food first localizes. Its main function is to mix and decompose the food that has been ingested.

The experiencing phlegm is located in the tongue. Its function is to provide the capacity for taste of the six types: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, hot, and astringent.

The satisfying phlegm, located in the brain, brings satisfaction. For instance, when the eyes see an object or the ears hear a sound, it is that factor which brings satisfaction. It also provides for deciding, for instance, that a taste is sweet or sour, that an odor is fragrant or not, that a sound is pleasant or unpleasant, that a form is good or bad, etc.

Finally, the connective phlegm, located in all the large and small joints, functions in connecting the joints and enabling flexion and extension. Phlegm has the characteristics of oiliness, coolness, heaviness, bluntness, firmness, smoothness, and stickiness. Altogether there are twenty characteristics of the three humors.

How does it feel?

It feels like a sticky ball getting stuck in the throat, too big to go down the airways but too sticky to be completely spat out of the mouth. It can feel anywhere from mild discomfort & irritation to extreme airway blockage & near suffocation.

What is phlegm like?

• A yellowish, green or brown appearance suggests infection.
• Clear, white or watery phlegm suggests a viral infection, allergy or irritant as the cause.
• A microscopic examination of the phlegm may show evidence of bacteria and white blood cells, another indication of infection.
• If it's clear, white, or pale, the infection may still be viral, and antibiotics may not be necessary. If it's yellow, green, brown, or bloody, or if you are having fevers, chills, chest pains, or have other health problems, you might need antibiotics.

What causes phlegm?

1. Food intake: oily, heaty, sticky foods
2. Bacterial infection: antibiotics test positive
3. Allergic reactions: to dirt, contaminants or any stimulants or pollutants; improved with antihistamines
4. Environmental changes: home, workplace, seasonal changes
5. Smoking: or any inhalant stimulant
6. COPD: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - lack oxygen
7. Phlegm and Post-Nasal Drainage
8. Sinusitis

How to get phlegm up?

steam up your lungs. 5 or 10 minutes in a closed bathroom full of steam works fine. Then, lie face down on a bed or couch with your head, shoulders, and back hanging downward over the edge, and have somebody pound your back with cupped hands while you're breathing as deep as you can and coughing hard. Do the chest percussion twice a day if possible. This may help you get some phlegm up and out, which is where you want it. Chest percussion should last about 5 minutes. Have a cup nearby for the phlegm.

How to relieve ourselves?

Several ways:

• Drink plenty of fluids
• Gently massage the throat when it gets itchy to soothe any oncoming cough
• Do rhythmic things that helps calm the nerves that irritates & stimulates the throat
• Humidifier: get fresh, damp air, avoid dry & hot air, air-con
• Foods: fennel, fenugreek, flaxseed, cayenne, watercress, garlic and onion family, horseradish, turnip, fresh ginger, radish, daikon radish, mushrooms, cereal grasses, seaweeds, nettles, coltsfoot, elecampane root and mullein leaf
• Avoid all dairy foods, meats, tofu, tempeh, miso, soya sauce, soy milk and products, amasake and all sweeteners except stevia
• Chinese nutrition: what to get & what to avoid
• For allergies
• Closely related to Colds, Coughs, and Sore Throats
• Prevention