You have mentioned that your mother has been coughing up phlegm. This by itself is not a very serious symptom, since phlegm is the body’s natural method of expelling any contaminants from the lungs. Sometimes this may also be caused by a mild respiratory infection. Phlegm is a water-based gel discharged by the mucous membrane and its color will vary from person to person. However, if you mother’s phlegm has any traces of blood, it could be a symptom of a more serious condition such as bronchitis. In addition, you have written that your mother is also suffering stomach pains due to the coughing. This may be caused due to a more serious medical condition such as tuberculosis or allergy. Please ask your physician to recommend a specialist at the earliest.
Until you know more about the root cause of your mother’s condition, there are no specific home remedies you can follow. However, you can begin to bring some relief to your mother by helping her expel the phlegm from her body. Since phlegm is water-based, make sure she drinks a lot of fluids throughout the day. This will keep the phlegm wet and easier to bring up. If it dries, phlegm is difficult to expel and can cause secondary infections in the lungs. Please avoid over-using common cough syrups as they have a tendency to dry the phlegm and make it thicker. Instead, use ginger as a safe and natural substitute. Peel some fresh ginger, cut it into fine slices, and mash them to release the active ingredients. Boil a cup of water with the ginger for at least 15 minutes. Strain the liquid and add some honey, which has effective antibiotic properties. Give your mother this liquid at least twice a day while still hot. You will soon notice that the ginger will help to bring up the phlegm, providing your mother with temporary relief. Some patients prefer to have the ginger in a cup of tea; this works just as well.
The antiseptic properties of turmeric powder can be useful as well. Add a teaspoon of turmeric powder in a glass of warm milk and give it to your mother before she goes to sleep. The milk helps to coat the insides of the throat while the turmeric soothes and promotes the healing process. This will bring her some relief and allow her a good nights rest. While these remedies can help with your mother’s symptoms, do visit your doctor for a complete diagnosis.