The human body makes mucus naturally to lubricate and protect the throat and sinuses. But when too much mucus is produced, it could mean there’s a persistent infection, acid reflux, or inflammation. Here are the main causes of excess mucus and natural ways to deal with it.
1. Acid Reflux
Acid reflux is a common but often undiagnosed cause of too much mucus. It occurs when the valve at the top of the stomach doesn’t close properly, letting stomach acid flow back into the esophagus and throat. Acid reflux may cause heartburn, but in many cases, only mucus-related symptoms show up, a condition called silent reflux or gastrolaryngeal reflux disease (GLR).
Natural Solution: Mix 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water and drink it twice a day before meals. This can help close the stomach valve and reduce reflux. If the mucus decreases after a week, acid reflux might be the cause.
2. Antacid Medications
Many people, especially those over 40, use antacid medications or proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) to treat reflux. But these medications only relieve stomach acid and can make the problem worse in the long term.
Natural Solution: Use apple cider vinegar as described above. Also, consider taking 5 to 10 capsules of betaine hydrochloride before meals to aid digestion and strengthen the stomach valve.
3. Postnasal Drip
Postnasal drip is another common cause of excess mucus. It’s when mucus drains from the sinuses into the back of the throat, often due to a sinus infection caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, or yeast. This can lead to a chronic sinus infection with symptoms like coughing, a lump in the throat, or a constant need to clear the throat.
Natural Solution: Fill a neti pot with distilled water, sea salt, and a few drops of grapefruit seed extract and use it to rinse your sinuses. This can help remove biofilms and fight infections.
4. Overuse of Antibiotics
Antibiotics are often used to treat infections, but they only target bacteria, allowing other microbes like fungus, yeast, and Candida to grow out of control. This can cause persistent sinus congestion and pressure.
Natural Solution: Choose natural remedies like black elderberry, aged garlic, or oregano oil to treat infections instead of antibiotics, which can disrupt the microbial balance.
5. Grains and Dairy Products
Grains contain antinutrients like phytic acid that block mineral absorption and are often grown with pesticides that can disrupt gut flora. Gluten, a protein in grains, can trigger autoimmune reactions that increase mucus production in the sinuses, throat, and intestines.
Natural Solution: Test your food sensitivity by eliminating grains, seed oils (like canola and corn), and fried foods from your diet for 2 weeks. See if your symptoms improve.
6. Airborne Allergies
If you’re allergic to airborne particles like pollen, pet dander, dust mites, or mold, your sinuses may produce more mucus to trap these particles and keep them out of your lungs.
Natural Solution: Ask your doctor for an allergy test to find out what’s triggering your allergy. Use air purifiers at home and clean areas prone to dust and mold regularly. To reduce pollen reactions, eat small amounts of bee pollen to help your immune system get used to it.