How to Make Homemade Nasal Irrigation Saline
Cleaning out the sinuses with salt water is an old remedy to alleviate congestion. A saline solution is poured or sprayed into the nostril and then flows through the sinuses, cleaning out bacteria and allergens. The ingredients to make homemade nasal irrigation saline are readily available in your pantry. This solution can be used with any nasal irrigation system: a bulb, a neti pot or any other refillable sinus irrigation container.
Things You'll Need
- Per dose: 1/4 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. baking soda 8 oz. warm water (preferably distilled) Bowl Neti pot, sinus rinse bottle or bulb
Instructions
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1
Combine salt, baking soda and water in a bowl.
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2
Carefully pour the ingredients into the sinus rinse apparatus. Skip this step if you're using a bulb.
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3
If you're using a bulb, squeeze it to let the air out. Dip the tip into the bowl and release the bulb to pull the saline solution into the bulb. Repeat this as often as needed during irrigation. Continue to step 5 to use your bulb to irrigate your sinuses. If using a neti pot or refillable sinus irrigation container, skip this step and move on to step. All three apparatuses use the same method for irrigation.
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4
Pour the saline solution into the neti pot or fill the sinus rinse.
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5
Tilt your head to the left at a 45-degree angle over a sink. Your left nostril will drain into the sink.
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6
Pour the saline solution (or squeeze) from your apparatus into your right nostril until the solution flows through your sinuses and exits through your left nostril into the sink.
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7
Turn your head to the right and repeat step 6, putting the saline into your left nostril and letting the used solution flow out of your right nostril.
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8
Blow your nose to get rid of any solution still in your sinuses. Repeat steps 1 through 8 once or twice a day to clean allergens and debris.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Breathe through your mouth when you are irrigating your nose.
