What to Drink to Get Rid of Yellow Mucus?

December 11, 2025 •

3 min read

Yellow mucus is often a sign that your body is fighting a viral or bacterial infection, with the color coming from enzymes released by immune cells. While the color alone isn't a reliable diagnostic tool, keeping mucus thin and mobile is a crucial step in recovery. Proper hydration is one of the most effective ways to achieve this, helping your body clear congestion more efficiently and feel more comfortable.

Quick Summary

The most effective way to clear yellow mucus is through hydration, including drinking plenty of warm water, herbal teas, and broth. This helps thin thick mucus, making it easier to expel. Specific ingredients like ginger and honey can offer additional soothing properties. Avoid dehydrating beverages and dairy products, which can exacerbate congestion.

Key Points

Hydration is Key: Drinking plenty of fluids, especially water, is the most effective way to thin mucus and make it easier to clear from your system.
Warm Fluids Offer Relief: Hot broth, herbal teas, and warm lemon water with honey can help soothe the throat and loosen thick mucus.
Certain Teas are Beneficial: Ginger tea has anti-inflammatory properties, while peppermint tea contains menthol to help break up congestion.
Avoid Dehydrating Drinks: Reduce or avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages, as they can worsen dehydration and thicken mucus.
Use a Humidifier: Adding moisture to the air can prevent nasal passages from drying out and help keep mucus thin.
Consider Saline Rinses: Saline nasal sprays or irrigation can physically flush out mucus and irritants from your sinuses.
Limit Potentially Problematic Foods: While not proven for everyone, some individuals find that dairy products and refined sugars can thicken mucus.
Know When to Seek Medical Help: If symptoms persist for more than 10 days or are severe, consult a doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment.

The Importance of Hydration for Clearing Mucus

When you're fighting an infection, your body produces excess mucus to trap and flush out pathogens. However, if you are not properly hydrated, this mucus can become thick and sticky, making it difficult to clear from your airways. Drinking plenty of fluids keeps the mucus thin and lubricated, allowing the cilia—the tiny, hair-like structures in your respiratory tract—to effectively sweep away the congestion. Opting for warm drinks can provide the added benefit of soothing your throat and respiratory passages.

Warm Beverages to Soothe and Thin Mucus

Many warm beverages can help provide comfort and aid in thinning mucus. Some of the most effective options include:

Warm Water with Lemon and Honey: A classic remedy, this drink combines the soothing properties of honey with the mucus-thinning effects of warm water. Lemon adds vitamin C and can act as an anti-inflammatory, although more research is needed on its specific effect on mucus.
Herbal Teas: Ginger tea is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, which can help soothe irritated airways. Peppermint tea contains menthol, a natural decongestant that helps break up mucus. Chamomile and thyme teas are also recommended for their soothing and antibacterial qualities.
Hot Broth or Soup: Water or broth-based soups, like chicken noodle soup, are a comforting and hydrating option. The warm liquid helps loosen mucus, while the savory flavors can encourage fluid intake.

Comparing Drinks for Mucus Relief


Drink	Primary Benefit	Anti-inflammatory Properties	Best For	Considerations
Warm Water with Lemon & Honey	Thins mucus, soothes throat	Moderate (Honey)	General cold symptoms, sore throat	Can increase blood sugar due to honey
Ginger Tea	Anti-inflammatory, soothes throat	High	Throat irritation, nausea	May not be ideal for those sensitive to spice
Peppermint Tea	Natural decongestant	Moderate	Stuffy nose, chest congestion	Can be strong for some tastes
Hot Broth/Soup	Hydration, nutrients, comfort	Varies (depends on ingredients)	Overall sickness, dehydration	Can be high in sodium if not homemade
Pineapple Juice	Mucolytic enzymes (Bromelain)	High	Easing chest congestion	Ensure it's 100% juice, fresh is best

Foods and Habits that Affect Mucus

What you eat and your daily habits play a significant role in managing mucus thickness and production. It's not just about what you drink, but also about what you avoid.

Foods and Drinks to Limit or Avoid

Some items can exacerbate the problem by thickening mucus or promoting inflammation:

Dairy Products: While a controversial topic, some people report that dairy products like milk and cheese can make mucus feel thicker and more difficult to clear.
Caffeine and Alcohol: Both are diuretics that can cause dehydration, leading to thicker, stickier mucus.
Refined Sugars and Sweets: High sugar intake can contribute to inflammation in the body.

Lifestyle Practices for Relief

Beyond drinks, incorporating a few simple lifestyle changes can dramatically improve your symptoms:

Use a Humidifier: Adding moisture to the air with a cool-mist humidifier can help keep your nasal passages and throat from drying out, making it easier to loosen mucus.
Saline Nasal Irrigation: Using a saline rinse or spray can help flush out thick mucus, allergens, and other irritants from your sinuses. Always use distilled, sterile, or previously boiled water for this purpose.
Steam Inhalation: Inhaling steam from a bowl of hot water or a hot shower can provide quick, temporary relief by moisturizing your airways and loosening mucus. Adding a few drops of eucalyptus oil can enhance the effect.
Controlled Coughing: Instead of harsh, ineffective coughing, use controlled techniques to help move mucus out of your lungs.

When to See a Doctor

While home remedies are often effective, it's important to recognize when professional medical attention is necessary. If your symptoms worsen, persist for more than 10 days, or are accompanied by a high fever, facial swelling, or severe pain, you should consult a healthcare provider. Yellow mucus can be associated with a range of conditions, and a doctor can provide an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.

Conclusion

To effectively combat thick, yellow mucus, prioritize staying hydrated with plenty of warm fluids. Options like water with lemon and honey, herbal teas, and hot broth can help thin mucus and provide soothing relief. Simultaneously, avoid beverages and foods that can cause dehydration or thicken mucus, such as alcohol, caffeine, and possibly dairy products. Combining these hydration strategies with humidification and saline rinses can provide comprehensive relief. For persistent or severe symptoms, consulting a healthcare professional is the best course of action.

Visit Healthline for more detailed information on getting rid of phlegm and other respiratory issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

The best drinks are hydrating warm fluids, such as warm water with lemon and honey, hot broth, or herbal teas like ginger or peppermint. These help thin the mucus, making it easier for your body to expel.

Not necessarily. Yellow mucus is often part of a viral infection, which doesn't respond to antibiotics. It indicates that immune cells are fighting the infection. However, a doctor's evaluation is needed to determine if a bacterial infection, requiring antibiotics, is present.

While dairy products like milk don't cause the body to produce more mucus, they can make existing mucus feel thicker and more bothersome for some people. Limiting dairy can be helpful for those who experience this effect.

Staying well-hydrated helps maintain the correct moisture balance in your mucus, preventing it from becoming thick and sticky. This allows the cilia in your airways to more effectively clear the mucus and trapped pathogens from your system.

Spicy foods containing capsaicin, such as cayenne pepper, can provide temporary relief by thinning mucus and clearing sinuses. However, this effect is often temporary.

Combining several strategies often provides the fastest relief. Drink plenty of warm fluids, use a humidifier or steam inhalation, perform a saline nasal rinse, and get plenty of rest.

You should see a doctor if your symptoms, including yellow mucus, persist for over 10 days, worsen, or are accompanied by a high fever, severe headache, facial swelling, or shortness of breath.