Sodium Chloride Solution for the Nose: A Home Medicine Cabinet That Works When your nose is blocked and breathing is difficult, the first thing that comes to mind is to buy a spray at the pharmacy. But there is a cheaper, simpler, and equally effective method: rinsing the nose with a solution of baking soda and sea salt. This method has been known since the days when pharmacies were rare, and grandmothers treated us with common remedies. Today, in the era of allergies, polluted air, and viral epidemics, rinsing the nose has become not just a folk remedy but an established medical procedure. The main thing is to know the correct proportions and technique so that you do not get a burn instead of benefit. Why Rinse Your Nose at All The nose is not just an organ of smell. It is the first barrier on the path of bacteria, viruses, and dust. The mucous membrane of the nose is covered with microscopic cilia that constantly move, pushing out impurities. But when the air is too dry and full of allergens, the cilia can no longer cope. The mucus thickens, the nose gets stuffy, and germs get an ideal environment for reproduction. Rinsing helps mechanically clean the mucous membrane, moisturize it, restore the movement of cilia, and make breathing easier. And if you add salt and baking soda to the water, the process becomes even more effective. Why Baking Soda and Sea Salt Table salt will also work, but sea salt is better. It contains trace elements (iodine, magnesium, potassium, calcium) that additionally nourish the mucous membrane and have a mild anti-inflammatory effect. Moreover, sea salt is softer and does not irritate the mucous membrane as much as refined table salt. Baking soda is added not for taste. It has a weak antiseptic effect, helps to thin out thick mucus, and creates a light alkaline environment on the mucous membrane where viruses and bacteria feel worse. In addition, baking soda neutralizes excess acid that often appears during inflammation and reduces ... Read more