Mucus: When Is It Bad and When Is It Beneficial to Your Health?

Phlegm, snot, discharge – these are some of the few names we use to describe the same substance: mucus. In Ayurvedic terms, this substance is known as Kapha. Technically, mucus is a gelatinous substance found throughout the entire body system and organs; your lungs, gut, throat, mouth, nose, eyes and sinuses are all lined with mucus.

This slippery aqueous secretion is produced by mucous membranes from cells found in mucous glands. Various organs also produce mucus, including the digestive system, the urinary tract, and the cervix. Mucus’s main function is to trap invading bacteria, viruses, allergens, and other pathogens in an attempt to prevent them from causing infection or illness.

Mucus also hydrates the body while maintaining the optimal health of all nerves, connective tissue, and organs. One example here is cerebral fluid, which keeps the brain and nerves lubricated; the drying-up of this fluid (which commonly occurs as one age) is what leads to limited mental function, forgetfulness, and even dementia.

So how can you know when your mucus is at healthy, optimal levels and when it is an indication of something that is not quite right?

Good Mucus Vs Bad Mucus

Mucus can be categorised into “good” healthy mucus and “bad” or pathogenic/infectious mucus.

Good, healthy mucus:

• is clear in colour
• is thin, slippery, and slightly stretchy in consistency
• has no distinct odour

Bad or pathogenic/infectious mucus, on the other hand:

• is cottage cheese white, yellow, or green in colour
• is thick, sticky, or blob-like in consistency
• it is usually accompanied by a foul odour

Hence, whether you are dealing with a stuffy nose or vaginal discharge, you should be able to examine and assess what the produced mucus looks like. When the characteristics fall under the “bad mucus” category, a trip to your doctor or health advisor may be in order.

How to Balance Mucus in the Body

While a congested nose, sticky eye infection, or thick and smelly vaginal discharge may be characterised by an excess of mucus, this does not imply that you should do away with mucus all together. Instead, mucus must be balanced out, as it is essential for the body’s immunity, lubrication, and overall function.

That said, a mucus imbalance may be due to the opposite – a lack of mucus. This is often the cause of systemic dehydration, wrinkly skin, and neurological disorders. In such a case of mucus imbalance, different approaches and remedies will need to be applied in order to hydrate the system and encourage it to hydrate itself.

Here are some helpful, holistic tips for balancing out your mucus depending on whether it is in excess or in shortage:

Ideally, before you begin any kind of treatment, we advise you to consult a qualified health advisor. An Ayurvedic practitioner, for example, will be able to advise on the appropriate dietary plan, remedy dosages, Yoga therapy, and other customised treatment options. This will be done by first assessing your dosha, and examining your symptoms.

Conclusion

Mucus is highly necessary for our health and well-being. But an excess or lack may lead to problems and complications, even disease.

At the Yatan Holistic Ayurvedic Centre in Sydney, we can help you treat any kind of mucus imbalance by getting to the root cause of the problem and tailoring a personalised, all-natural treatment plan just for you!

Are you dealing with a mucus imbalance that is not responding to Western medicine? Contact us today for a phone consultation or book an appointment online.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to substitute medical advice. All information and resources referenced, including medicinal preparations, fitness, dietary and lifestyle recommendations, are based on the opinion of the author. Please consult a medical practitioner if you require advice or are experiencing any worrisome symptoms.