1 User Review
★★★★★
The benefits: 1) When you irrigate, the hypertonic saline acts as a solvent and washes the mucus crusts and other debris from your nose. 2) The higher salt concentration pulls fluid out of the swollen membranes and shrinks them. This decongests and improves the air flow into your nose. The sinus passages begin to open. 3) Studies have also shown that high concentration salt water improves cell function (ciliary beat pattern).
The recipe: 1) Choose a one-quart glass jar that is thoroughly cleansed. 2) Fill with bottled water. 3) Add 2-3 heaping tablespoons of pickling/canning salt, NOT table salt as it contains a large number of additives. Sea salt may also be used. 4) Add 1 teaspoon Arm & Hammer baking soda (pure bicarbonite). 5) Mix ingredients together and store at room temperature. Discard after one week. If you find the solution too strong, you may decrease the amount of salt to 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons. With children it is often better to start with a milder solution and advance slowly.
The instructions: 1) You should plan to irrigate your nose with hypersonic saline 2-3 times per day. 2) You may use a small glass cup like a shot glass. 3) Pour a small amount into the shot glass or small cup. DO NOT contaminate the quart solution. Many people prefer to warm the solution slightly in the microwave but be sure the solution is NOT HOT. 4) Stand over a sink, close the left nostral with the left thumb and hold the small glass container under the right nostral. 5) Tilt your head back slightly so that you can slowly inhale the solution. The solution will start flowing into your throat. Close the right nostral with the left index finger to trap the saline inside the nostrals as you remove the small glass cup. 6) Keep the nostrals closed and tilt your head forward into the sink to allow the solution to enter the upper sinus cavities for several seconds while breathing through your mouth. 7) Open your nostrals & mouth to allow the saline to flow out. 8) Gentle blow your nose into the sink being careful not to force the saline into the ear canal. 9) Repeat for the left nostral. 10) Repeat for each nostral until clear. 11) For younger children, you may want to place the solution into a pump spray container such as Ocean Spray, clean bulb/ear syringe, large medical syringe (30cc) or water pick with irrigation tip. DO NOT FORCE your child to lay down. It is much easier to do in a sitting or standing position.
Hydrogen peroxide can be added to the solution in small amounts increasing to the 50/50 ratio recommended for mouth rinse as directed on the bottle.
Guaifenesin (Mucinex or other brand) is an expectorant that also assists loosening phlegm & thinning bronchial secretions.
Hypersonic saline nasal irrigation along with Guaifenesin at the first signs of congestion have kept my sinuses infection free and avoided antibiotics for years.
Here's to your good health.
