How to Clear Your Throat

Singers, speakers, actors, and anybody who uses his or her voice as a tool knows the importance of throat clearing. This helps free the throat of mucus in order to project a strong, in-tune voice. If your throat is congested, there are over-the-counter products and home remedies that can help you clear your throat.

Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Trying Home Remedies

  1. Image titled Clear Your Throat Step 1
    1
    Stay hydrated. If you have a lot of mucus in your throat, hydration can help. Liquid can help soften mucus, making it easier to expel from the body.[1]
    • Avoid cold beverages whenever possible. Instead, opt for room temperature water or warm beverages, such as coffee, and tea.
    • Try to drink about eight glasses of water daily. If you're struggling with a sore throat, you may want to increase your water intake slightly. Seltzer water may help with a scratchy throat.[2]
    • Try to stay away from fruit juices and soda, which are acidic. The added sugar can cause additional throat irritation. If you want something other than water to drink, go for sports drinks or fresh squeezed juices that use only natural sugar.[3]
    • There is a belief that milk and dairy products increase phlegm production, but there is no scientific evidence that this is true.[4] They may cause the phlegm to be thicker and more irritating to your throat, but frozen dairy products can also be soothing and a good source of calories when you may not be eating because it is difficult to swallow.[5]
  2. Image titled Clear Your Throat Step 2
    2
    Try honey and lemon. Honey and lemon both help soothe the throat. Try adding a squeeze of lemon juice and a teaspoon of honey to a glass of ice water or tea. Not only can this help clear phlegm, it may also ease any pain or irritation you are experiencing.[6]
    Advertisement
  3. Image titled Clear Your Throat Step 3
    3
    Eat spicy foods. Spicy foods can sometimes result in phlegm loosening. This can make it easier to remove via blowing your nose, coughing, and sneezing. Chile, peppers, wasabi, horseradish, and other spicy foods can help clear your throat.[7]
  4. Image titled Clear Your Throat Step 4
    4
    Drink herbal teas. Some people find herbal teas help soothe the throat. Try a variety of teas and see if you notice any effect on your throat.
    • Chamomile, ginger, and lemon teas are most frequently cited as helping with congestion.[8]
    • Some people find green tea is soothing for your throat. Try adding honey or lemon to green tea for added effect.[9]
  5. Image titled Clear Your Throat Step 5
    5
    Choose healthy foods for your voice. Certain foods are good for the voice and help promote a clear throat. Whole grains, fruit, and vegetables contain vitamins A, E, and C which help keep the throat free of mucus. If you have a sore or strained throat, try eating softer foods until the irritation clears.[10]
    6. Advertisement
Part 2
Part 2 of 3:

Using Over-the-Counter Products

  1. Image titled Clear Your Throat Step 6
    1
    Take mucus-thinning medication. Mucus thinning medications like guaifenesin (Mucinex) can help reduce phlegm that causes coughing and throat irritation. If you're looking to clear your throat, look for such medications at your local supermarket or pharmacy. Take the meds as directed on the container. If you're concerned about over-the-counter medication interacting with any prescription meds you're on, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.[11]
  2. Image titled Clear Your Throat Step 7
    2
    Use saline nasal sprays. Saline sprays and nasal drips can be purchased over-the-counter at your local drug store. They tend to be fairly effective in clearing out phlegm and other irritants that cause throat irritation.[12]
    • If you're using a spray or drops, use as directed on the container. Ask a doctor or pharmacist if you have any additional questions.[13]
    • If you're using a nasal irrigation system that requires squirting water into the nose, always use sterile water. Microorganism found in tap water can get into the brain through the nose, causing health problems and even death.[14]
  3. Image titled Clear Your Throat Step 8
    3
    Try over-the-counter pain medications if your throat is sore. Over-the-counter pain medications like acetaminophen and ibuprofen can ease pain caused by a sore throat. This can reduce symptoms like coughing and wheezing, which can make a clogged throat worse. As always, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about the medication.[15]
    4. Advertisement
Part 3
Part 3 of 3:

Making Lifestyle Changes

  1. Image titled Clear Your Throat Step 9
    1
    Quit smoking. If you smoke, you should make an effort to quit. Smoking is bad for your overall health. It can make you more susceptible to throat infections such as bronchitis and strep throat. It can also cause overall damage to the throat and vocal cords, resulting in discomfort and congestion. Talk to your doctor about quitting smoking.[16]
    • Smoking also predisposes a person to carcinogens which can lead cancer.
  2. Image titled Clear Your Throat Step 10
    2
    Invest in a humidifier. Oftentimes, a dry environment can result in throat irritation. Consider purchasing a humidifier if you live in a dry area. Turning a humidifier on during the day or overnight can increase moisture in your home, reducing throat irritation.[17]
  3. Image titled Clear Your Throat Step 11
    3
    Avoid straining your voice. If you're prone to frequent throat irritation, evaluate how you speak. Straining your voice can cause a sore throat, resulting in the build up of phlegm.[18]
    • If you have throat irritation, try to avoid coughing. Too much coughing can actually make an infection worse. If necessary, take over-the-counter cough suppressants or lozenges to ease irritation that leads to coughing.[19]
    • Avoid screaming, shouting, or cheering. If you work in a field that requires you to talk loudly, make an effort to rest your voice at the end of the day. Speak softly and try not to raise your voice.[20]
  4. Image titled Clear Your Throat Step 12
    4
    Do not clear your throat too often. Coughing, wheezing, and otherwise attempting to clear your throat can sometimes provide momentary relief. However, if you engage in these behaviors too frequently when you have a sore throat this can cause irritation. This could potentially increase the duration of symptoms. If you feel tempted to clear your throat, consider purchasing over-the-counter cough drops or lozenges at the drugstore to provide some relief.
  5. Image titled Clear Your Throat Step 13
    5
    Avoid alcohol and caffeine. Alcohol and caffeine can both increase dehydration, leading to a dry and irritated throat. Try to avoid drinking caffeinated beverages or alcohol in excess. For men, limit your alcohol intake to two drinks a night. For women, try to stay around one drink.[21]
  6. Image titled Clear Your Throat Step 14
    6
    Seek medical help. A sore or congested throat is not usually a medical concern and should clear up on its own. However, if you remain congested for more than two weeks see your doctor to rule out an underlying medical condition.
    • Keep in mind that a sore throat and congestion are two separate symptoms that can result in worsening of each individual symptom. Congestion refers to nasal areas and sinus swelling increasing stuffy sensation, while a sore throat refers to pain in the throat. Post nasal drip and cough can worsen sore throats.
    7. Advertisement

You Might Also Like

How to
Clear the Throat of Mucus
Get Rid of a Sore Throat
How to
Get Rid of a Sore Throat
Clear Chest CongestionHow to Clear Chest Congestion & Get Rid of Symptoms Fast
Get Rid of Phlegm in Your Throat Without Medicine
How to
Get Rid of Phlegm in Your Throat Without Medicine
Treat a Sore Throat After Throwing Up
How to
Treat a Sore Throat After Throwing Up
Remove Hair from Your Throat
How to
Remove Hair from Your Throat
Clean Your Throat
How to
Clean Your Throat
Soothe an Itchy Throat
How to
Soothe an Itchy Throat
Reduce Uvula Swelling
How to
Reduce Uvula Swelling
Get a Fish Bone Out of Your Throat
How to
Get a Fish Bone Out of Your Throat
Get Rid of a Dry Throat
How to
Get Rid of a Dry Throat
Relax Your Throat
How to
Relax Your Throat
Get Rid of Pus Pockets in the Throat
How to
Get Rid of Pus Pockets in the Throat
Stop Clearing Your Throat
How to
Stop Clearing Your Throat
Advertisement

References

  1. ↑ http://www.newhealthguide.org/How-To-Get-Phlegm-Out-Of-Your-Throat.html
  2. ↑ http://www.newhealthguide.org/How-To-Get-Phlegm-Out-Of-Your-Throat.html
  3. ↑ http://www.newhealthguide.org/How-To-Get-Phlegm-Out-Of-Your-Throat.html
  4. ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2154152
  5. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/phlegm/expert-answers/faq-20058015
  6. ↑ http://www.newhealthguide.org/How-To-Get-Phlegm-Out-Of-Your-Throat.html
  7. ↑ http://www.newhealthguide.org/How-To-Get-Phlegm-Out-Of-Your-Throat.html
  8. ↑ http://www.newhealthguide.org/How-To-Get-Phlegm-Out-Of-Your-Throat.html
  9. ↑ http://www.newhealthguide.org/How-To-Get-Phlegm-Out-Of-Your-Throat.html
  1. ↑ http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/voice/pages/takingcare.aspx
  2. ↑ http://www.webmd.com/allergies/postnasal-drip?page=2
  3. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/common-cold/in-depth/health-tip/art-20049170
  4. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/common-cold/in-depth/health-tip/art-20049170
  5. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/common-cold/in-depth/health-tip/art-20049170
  6. ↑ http://www.webmd.com/allergies/postnasal-drip?page=2
  7. ↑ http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/voice/pages/takingcare.aspx
  8. ↑ http://www.webmd.com/allergies/postnasal-drip?page=2
  9. ↑ http://my.clevelandclinic.org/services/head-neck/diseases-conditions/hic-care-of-the-professional-voice
  10. ↑ http://my.clevelandclinic.org/services/head-neck/diseases-conditions/hic-care-of-the-professional-voice
  11. ↑ http://my.clevelandclinic.org/services/head-neck/diseases-conditions/hic-care-of-the-professional-voice
  12. ↑ http://my.clevelandclinic.org/services/head-neck/diseases-conditions/hic-care-of-the-professional-voice

About This Article

Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS
Medically reviewed by:
Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS
Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner
This article was medically reviewed by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS. Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006. This article has been viewed 874,798 times.
2 votes - 100%
Co-authors: 36
Updated: November 18, 2021
Views: 874,798
Categories: Throat Health

Medical Disclaimer

The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.

Article SummaryX

To clear your throat, drink water or tea with a teaspoon of honey or lemon juice in it. In order to keep your throat clear, make sure to drink at least 8 glasses a day of room temperature water or warm beverages. Additionally, spicy foods can loosen phlegm, so try some chile, peppers, wasabi, or horseradish. Alternatively, if you want to use over-the-counter products, a mucus-thinning medication like Mucinex can help reduce phlegm that causes throat irritation. For more tips from our Medical reviewer, including how making lifestyle changes can help clear your throat, keep reading!

Did this summary help you?
Advertisement