"Nasal Irrigation - How To 'Sniff' Your Way To Better Health"

If you've ever watched anyone do it, it appears strange, but the benefits derived from doing it are anything but strange.

On this page, I give an overview of its benefits, with a detailed explanation on how it's done.

First, it improves the process of breathing overall. Studies have shown that it improves cellular function (the cells that help the mucus move work better).

Next, nasal irrigation helps to clear the nasal passages of mucus, relieving nasal congestion.

Also, nasal irrigation fully eliminates any watery nasal discharge.

Nasal irrigation can decrease your risk of developing chronic sinus infections. In a study of healthy individuals with sinus infections, solution was transferred effectively to the ethmoid and maxillary sinuses.

It can help treat allergic rhinitis, which is inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose caused by a viral infection.

The International Consensus Report on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Rhinitis has recommended sinus irrigation as a treatment for rhinitis

A 2007 study done by the University of Michigan, examined over 121 adults with chronic sinus and nasal problems.

At the end of two months, researchers discovered that those individuals using sinus irrigation saw greater improvements than those using a nasal spray.

It also helps to relieve nasal dryness.

It helps to relieve postnasal drip and any coughs that are caused by postnasal drainage.

Mucus normally functions to clean and moisten the nasal cavity, moisturizes air, traps and clears any foreign matter inhaled. Normally, mucus is unconsciously swallowed. However, it sometimes drips from the back of the nose, which can be caused by excessively thick secretions of mucus or by throat-muscle and swallowing problems.

It can reduce any symptoms that are associated with nasal allergies.

It helps to prevent phantosmia, a condition where an individual experiences hallucinations, caused by sensitivity to certain smells.

The smells that trigger this condition will vary from individual to individual, but can include unpleasant odors such as rotting food, to pleasant ones, such as flowers.

Phantosmia may be caused by seizures in the temporal lobe of the brain, but can also be caused by a brain injury.

Furthermore, it can also occur in individuals with Alzheimer's disease or individuals with a psychiatric diagnosis such as depression or schizophrenia.

• It mechanically clears the nasal cavities of any mucus
• It helps to improve the function of cilia, the tiny hairs lining the nasal cavity
• It helps to decrease mucosal swelling
• It decreases levels of chemicals that cause inflammation of the nasal cavity

Most medical professionals agree that ordinary table salt should not be used, but pickling salt or sea salt is best.

Concerning the water temperature, some individuals recommend using lukewarm water, while others recommend using cool water. Additionally, some baking soda and hydrogen peroxide may be utilized.

Different medical practitioners recommend different formulas for sinus irrigation. Here is a 3-day formula you can use:

*First Day
1 Qt. Water (cool water is best; never use HOT water)
1 Heaping Tsp. Pickling Salt
1 Heaping Tsp. Baking Soda
1 Level Tsp. Hydrogen Peroxide

Second Day
1 Qt. Water
2 Heaping Tsp. Pickling Salt
1 Heaping Tsp. Baking Soda
1 Level Tsp. Hydrogen Peroxide

Third Day
1 Qt. Water
3 Heaping Tsp. Pickling Salt
1 Heaping Tsp. Baking Soda
1 Level Tsp. Hydrogen Peroxide

Patient will use approximately 1 Qt. per day.

Repeat instructions for 3rd day until clear, then cut back to 2 times daily.

*The Roby Institute

It can also be purchased pre-mixed at the supermarket.

It is usually performed in stages, only moving to the next stage after becoming proficient with the previous one. In fact, many people practice only the first stage.

Stage I: You should lean over a sink, with your head tilted to the side at approximately a 45° angle relative to the sink. Next, insert the spout of your irrigation device into your upper nostril, pouring the solution so that it will flow through it into your lower nasal passage.

Simultaneously, you should breathe through your mouth. When you have used half of your solution, change your position so that you can do the same thing with the other nostril.

Stage II: Only after you have become proficient with stage I should you attempt stage II. In this stage, you wash the deeper parts of your nasal cavity, removing any major extractions.

In this stage, you gently sniff water into each nostril, subsequently expelling it through the mouth. As with stage I, once you have used half of your solution, you should do this in the other nostril.

Although this stage is more difficult, you will experience a deeper cleansing of the nasal passages than you do with stage I. Many individuals with sinus problems will not see any improvements until they reach this stage.

Stage III: In this stage, you take water from your irrigation device into the mouth, expelling it through your nose, one nostril at a time. The results achieved from this stage are not as substantial as those seen from stages one and two.

After completing each stage, you should eliminate any excess water remaining in your nose. You may have to blow your nose to clear your nasal cavity of any remaining water, for example.

Additionally, be sure to clean your irrigation device each time, occasionally sanitizing it by washing it in the dishwasher.

In conclusion, if you are troubled by allergies, asthma or sinus problems, nasal irrigation is a simple solution that can be very effective. In practice, it has found to be very safe with no significant side effects.

It has been used for thousands of years in India, and is called Jala neti, which translates to nasal cleaning in Sanskrit. It is currently widely accepted as a home remedy for treating many respiratory problems. I hope this helps you to breathe easier.