Sinus Pain?

A Natural Treatment for Stuffy noses, Allergies & Colds!

Got a stuffy nose from allergies or a cold? Nasal irrigation may help. Here's how it works: you pour a saline solution into one nostril. As it flows through your nasal cavity into the other nostril, it washes out mucus and allergens. Here are the steps.

Step 1: Decide What You'll Need
To do nasal irrigation, you'll need a container and saline solution. You can buy prefilled containers, or opt for a bulb syringe or neti pot. All are available at drugstores. Some people cup their hands and sniff the saline solution into their nostril, though that may be harder to do for a beginner.

Step 2: Mix the Saline Solution
If you choose a prefilled bottle, skip this step. Otherwise, you can buy a saline solution powder and follow the directions on the label or make your own. Start with one to two cups of warm (not hot) tap water. Add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of non-iodized salt and a pinch of baking soda to soften the effect of the salt.

Step 3: Get in Position
If you are using a squeeze bottle, neti pot, or syringe, lean forward over the sink, at about a 45-degree angle. Tilt your head so that one nostril is pointed down toward the sink. Don't tilt your head back.

Step 4: Pour in the Saline Solution
Place the spout of a neti pot or the tip of a syringe or squeeze bottle just inside your nose. The tip should go in no further than a finger’s width. Keeping your mouth open, squeeze the bulb syringe or bottle or tilt the pot to pour the water into your nostril. Remember to breathe through your mouth, not your nose.

Step 5: Let It Drain
The salt water will run through your nasal passages and drain out of your other nostril and maybe your mouth. You should spit it out and not swallow it. But if some does go down your throat it won’t hurt you.

Step 6: Clear Your Nose and Repeat
Gently blow your nose to clear out the remaining solution. Repeat the procedure with your other nostril. After you’ve finished, be sure you discard any remaining solution and thoroughly clean the items you used. Store them in a clean dry place to use again.