Saline, or salt water, is gentler on the nose than plain water, since our bloodstream and cells are all salt water (we came from the sea, after all.)

Saline in the nose can help to clear the sinuses or the eustachian tubes (tubes draining the ears) if they are blocked by infection or allergy, and can also help to rinse out pollen, germs, and other irritants.

There are two ways to make use of nasal saline, in nose drops or as a nasal irrigation or “nasal douche.”

Nose Drop Recipe**

Nasal Douche Recipe

Mix 1/2 tsp salt in 2 cups of water with a pinch of baking soda.
Irrigate the nose with this mixture once to three times a day:
1. Get in the shower (in case you get it all over you).
2. Tilt back your head.
3. Use a bulb syringe or turkey baster or a “neti pot” to draw up the saline.
4. Gargle, i.e. blow air out of your lungs slowly as you let the saline pour into your nose, one side at a time. As long as you are blowing air out, you will not choke.
5. When you are starting to run out of air, stop the saline, lean forward, and catch your breath.
6. Continue doing this until you have used the whole two cups or “have had enough”
Mix 1/2 tsp salt in 2/3 cup water with a pinch of baking soda.
Put one eyedropper of this mixture in each nostril three times a day:
1. Tilt back your head.
2. Drop in one dropper or one ml of salt water on each side.
A little will run down your throat in the back – this is normal.