How to thin extremely thick mucous

[Strawberry]

Now that I know this isn’t normal and that many of suffer, is there any way to thin extremely thick mucous? Mine started getting bad with the wild fire smoke, and it is bad enough I fear getting a sinus infection. I have no health insurance and no monthly income yet, so hoping for a supplement or something. Sorry, nasal irrigation isn’t for me...

thanks in advance

 

[Pyrrhus]

Mucus contains natural anti-infective components, so there's probably no need to worry about mucus causing a sinus infection.

The only things I know of to thin mucus are Guaifenesin(mucinex) and N-acetyl-cysteine. I'm sure other people will have more ideas...

 

[Jjnz]

There is a suppliment called serapeptase, a silkworm bacteria, which is supposed to do this and help with inflammation.
It comes with dangers, especially if mistakenly taken with blood thinners. I took it for 5 weeks to help with dry eyes, it did nothing in my case.

 

[IThinkImTurningJapanese]

Mine started getting bad with the wild fire smoke, and it is bad enough I fear getting a sinus infection.

Scutellaria baicalensis is the most powerful substance I've ever encountered for combating sinus infections. Ephedra sinica is also very important for sinus issues.

Note: Over-the-counter supplements containing ephedra were banned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in May 2004. See below for additional information.
Ephedra (Ephedra sinica), also called ma huang, is an herb that has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for more than 5,000 years, primarily to treat asthma, bronchitis, and hay fever. Ephedra is also prescribed for symptoms of cold and flu, including nasal congestion, cough, fever, and chills.
While ephedra is a naturally-occurring herb, its main active ingredient ephedrine can also be synthesized as a medication. Synthetic ephedrine compounds, such as pseudoephedrine, are widely used in over-the-counter cold remedies and are regulated as a drug. This is unlike the regulation of ephedrine alkaloids derived from the herb itself. These are regulated as dietary supplements.

 

[Learner1]

NAC

https://wa.kaiserpermanente.org/kbase/topic.jhtml?docId=hn-2888006

 

[Strawberry]

@Learner1 i just might have that! I’ll check my boxes...

@IThinkImTurningJapanese are those easy to find? I’ll have to go google. Not sure what I think of taking ephedra, but worth my research.

Thank you both.

 

[Judee]

Brigham tea (also called Mormon tea) is natural ephedra. Nature's way used to sell it but many companies stopped during the ephedra scare when kids were using sudafed to make some sort of drug.

After I couldn't find any name brand, I bought a dried bunch off of ebay (like this) that has lasted for years. I just take a small amount (like 3 pieces the size of my pinky) and put it in hot water to steep for a while. My mom will sip about 1/2 of the cup over the course of a day.

What has actually worked better though is if I make a more concentrated version like in the crockpot for hours. I just use a few more branches (not many though) and add about 1.5 quarts of water then let steep for hours. Then I will add about a half a tablespoon of that to her 1 ltr water bottle for her to drink over the course of a day.

Brigham combined with nettle is also helpful but nettle is high in K1 so has to be watched for someone on blood thinners.

*I do think Brigham tea would carry some of the same warnings as ephedra but by making it this way I don't think it is as potent and you could even dilute it further.

Do you know if you have histamine issues? I suspect my mom does.

Edit: The crock pot concentrate version makes more than you will use though so keep the rest in the refrigerator and be aware that it does start to grow mold after about a week or so. If you have a tiny crock pot you could make a smaller amount.

 

[Strawberry]

I do have MCAS. Also, I’ve seen Mormon tea hiking in the wilds of Utah. Pretty cool plant.

 

[IThinkImTurningJapanese]

@IThinkImTurningJapanese are those easy to find?

IHerb's got it.

Baicalin

The ephedra is found in synthetic version in most cold medicines. But while I was looking at the Mormon Tea, I saw something from WebMD.

How does it work?
The tannins in Mormon tea have a drying (astringent) effect and can reduce body secretions such as mucus.

 

[Strawberry]

Funny that now I’ve asked, it’s just gone. It was rattling when I breathed for days. Well I have the info for next time it flares up.