Jr, the best natural remedy for Phlegm in the throat and lungs and general asthma and Emphysema symptoms is chewing up cloves of raw garlic and even the deoderized garlic capsules work fine. I find it most effective in gastro-intestinal problems, like stomach flu...also does break up lung congestion fast. I think it works best chopped or chewed, and I slice up a couple of big cloves on a sandwich or salsa dish. For best results only used unblemished, unsprouted cloves that feel hard and solid, not spongy.
Natural healers claim raw honey poured directly through the nasal cavity will kill the sinus bacteria, and I know a woman who does this and claims it burns like hell, but really gets rid of your sinuses. You can't get anti-bacterial effects from grocery store honey, as it is pasteurized, and all the healing enzymes are destroyed. Get LOCAL, RAW honey from your health food store and take it by the tablespoon for congestion in your chest. I always drink a cup of lukewarm tea each morning made with 2 teaspoons of Apple Cider Vinegar and one overflowing teaspoon RAW honey. Again.....always use RAW and UNPASTEURIZED Apple Cider Vinegar, with the cloudy "Mother of Vinegar" included. This tea will prevent and help relieve sinus and cold infections as well.
When I am sick with any severe infection, viral or bacterial, I take 1 gram vitamin C and a capsule of "Nature's Way" brand echinacea/goldenseal every hour, along with 6 or more tbsps raw honey throughout the day, and about 30 mg Co-Enzyme-Q-10 6-7 times a day. Echinacea strengthens the body's immune system and goldenseal is one of nature's strongest cleansers and natural antibiotics. Funny that the same medical doctors who vow and declare natural cures do nothing, warn people that goldenseal will flush out anti-biotics and shouldn't be taken with them. I guess it sees anti-biotics as another invader that shouldn't be in the human system and gets to work disposing of them like any other toxin. C-Q-10 acts like a spark plug and booster for the body's immune system and strengthens the heart.