Nasal Washes and Nasal Dips

[Guest guest]

Nasal Washes and Nasal Dips

_http://www.eregimens.com/therapies/MiscTherapies/NasalWash.htm_

(http://www.eregimens.com/therapies/MiscTherapies/NasalWash.htm)

Before doing any sinus washing, always wash the hands well, and under the

fingernails too.

Splash and Blow! Run the water in a sink until it is warm, cup the hands to

gather a bit, and splash it up the nose so at least a few drops enter to

moisten nasal passages before blowing the nose. This can greatly reduce

irritation caused by blowing, especially dried mucus, and make it much more

productive. Do not inhale deeply through the nose while splashing or it will

cause

choking. It is even better when the hands are slightly soapy (use only a

non-toxic gentle soap like Miracle 2 !) and the face is washed at the same

time. The

small amount of soap helps water to penetrate better to wash away irritants

and pathogens.

There are many other ways to clean out the nasal passages. One often

effective method is to put some _Colloidal Silver _

(http://www.eregimens.com/therapies/Supplements/Minerals/ColloidalSilver.htm) in

a nasal spray bottle and

spray as often as necessary. Saline solution can be used instead - put 1/16 tsp

Salt per ounce in a 1 oz spray bottle. Either of these when used in a typical

squeeze nasal spray bottle should be replaced weekly or kept refrigerated.

Nasal washes can be used for more severe problems. This is running a saline

solution through the nose - in one nostril and out the other. Use water as

warm as is comfortable. Using too little or too much salt, or the wrong

temperature water, or having too high a chlorine level without enough salt in

the

water, can cause discomfort. A good measure to start with salt in nasal washes

is 1/4 - 1/2 tsp per cup of water. For long term use, get a non-toxic salt

like Baleine. Do not use any potassium salts (like potassium chloride), only

sodium, since potassium salts are irritating. Real Salt is often recommended by

eRegimens for many purposes, but for nasal washes it can be more irritating

than a processed salt like Baleine.

A Neti pot is a small genie-lamp-looking pitcher. It is available at some

health food stores. Himalayan Institute makes the classic style shown at

(https://affiliates.iherb.com/aw.aspx?B=42551 & A=11 & Task=Click)

left. Warm saltwater is put into it. The spout of the pitcher goes in a

nostril, making a leakproof fit (Netis come with various size spouts - look for

one that fits.) The head is faced down and to the side over a sink with the

spout in the upper nostril (make it the least-clogged side first). The pot is

raised so the water flows down into one nostril and out the other. It can be a

sputtering and unpleasant experience the first couple of times until one

learns to relax the nasal passages and prevent it from going down the throat. It

takes a little practice but even young children can quickly learn how to do

it. The Himalayan Institute also makes an excellent neti pot additive called

Varcho Veda, which contains a solution of zinc acetate plus antiseptic herb

extracts, that is added along with the salt in a neti pot or any other type of

nasal irrigator.

Instead of a Neti pot, a dishsoap bottle with a large conical top can be

used. It must be washed well (and also use one that had a non-toxic soap in

it).

The ones that have the larger tops will seal in a nostril. A similar process

to the Neti is used. Warning: Squeeze the bottle very gently. Do not squeeze

the bottle if the nose is so congested the water does not flow and instead

creates pressure on the eardrum. The Neti pot avoids this hazard by only

allowing gravity feed.

A Nasal Dip is a method that some prefer over a wash. A large plastic bowl

(big enough to hold the face, like 6 qts) is filled with water as warm as is

comfortable (check with the chin) and a tablespoon of salt. A tablespoon of 3%

hydrogen peroxide can be added for more effect against bacteria. The face is

immersed and bubbles blown out the nostrils. The face needs to be face down

at least 90% so some water will splash up the nostrils. Before blowing, the

eyes can be opened and closed a few times under the water to disinfect them,

and the solution can be drawn into the mouth, swished and expelled. _Garden of

Life Clenzology_

(http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=H0MsUsG5Jqo & offerid=59379.21940 & ty\

pe=2 & subid=0) division (formerly Advanced Hygiene) makes

iodine and hydrogen peroxide solutions that are added to saltwater in small

amounts for dips for infections, allergies, and general hygiene. The

Clenzology kit also includes fingernail soap, tooth soap, an ear solution, and

a

sponge.

(http://www.natlallergy.com/product.asp?pn=1502 & eid=INTER) The _Grossan

HydroPulse_ (http://www.natlallergy.com/product.asp?pn=1502 & eid=INTER) is an

excellent nasal wash system. It is similar to a water-pick, but instead of picks

made for the teeth, has a silicone cone on the end of a wand which fits in

the nostril. A solution of saltwater is used in the Hydro Pulse. Grossan also

makes some excellent saline wash solutions - the one which includes xylitol is

especially good but expensive. A benefit of the Hydro Pulse is that one can

stand upright or nearly so while using it instead of bent over the sink with

one's head to the side as is required with a neti pot. The Hydropulse has an

intensity setting (just like a water-pick for the teeth), but an excellent

feature is that when a nasal passage is too clogged, the pressure produced by

the Hydropulse is limited such that it will not harm the ears. National

Allergy also sells _sinus irrigator tips_

(http://www.natlallergy.com/product.asp?pn=1344 & eid=INTER) that fit water

picks (like WaterPik) if one is already

owned, but this may or may not have the safety feature of limiting pressure if

there is a nasal blockage to protect the ears.