Neti Pot Solution

The health benefits from using a neti pot are endless and a wonderful way to save money from using fewer medications and medical treatments. For those new to the Jala Neti (act of cleansing the nasal passages) scene, purchasing pre-packaged saline cleansing solutions is a great way to have a clean mixed and weighed batch, but in order to save money from these purchases it might also be a good idea to mix personal batches at home.

Investing in two simple bulk ingredients, can end up saving time, money and help a little more with the environment by getting rid of excess packaging.

Salts

Before using any old salt from home, it is very important to remember that this solution will travel throughout the nasal region where there is a vast amount of sensitive tissue and delicate nasal lining. Table salt and bath salts usually contain a great amount of chemicals and anti-caking agents that are fine in moderation for cooking or for external use, but for nasal irrigation it is advised to use pure, chemical-free salts like sea salt, kosher salt and any others that are natural and colour-free.

Checking health food shops or specialty shops are best for finding an array of natural salts, but it is also possible to check the salt packages from regular food shops. The most common salts that people use for their cleansing mixtures are different types of sea salt, but as with everything, it should be used in moderation and properly mixed with water.

Water

For cleansing sensitive internal areas, especially near the eyes and ears, it is very important to remove all potentially harmful particles and not indirectly adding more by using unpurified water. The best water for nasal irrigation with a neti pot should be purified or distilled. While many people may use tap water, it is not advised to use it directly from the tap, but at least boil for several minutes then allowing it to cool.

The water temperature is also a very important factor for comfort and proper jala neti technique. The ideal temperature should be very close to one’s own body temperature. This will ensure comfort, proper cleansing and hydration of the internal system.

Recipe and Procedure

Even though the saline solution sounds easy enough to make, simply dumping a bunch of salt into water can actually irritate and possible harm your nasal passages and even the eyes from a concentration that is too much for the sensitive sinus region to handle.

The ideal saline concentration should be approximately equal to that of the human body, which means the salt concentration should be less than 1%. Adding too much salt will irritate the nasal passages and possibly create discomfort in the eyes and even the ears.

Here are two saline mixture recipes that can be done at home. Make sure to mix the solution until all of the salt has dissolved to ensure a uniform distribution that will not irritate the nasal passages.

For smaller neti pots you will require:

8 ounce (238ml) of purified/distilled lukewarm water

1/8 teaspoon chemical-free salt

If you would like to use a buffering agent like sodium bicarbonate, the recipe will change to:

8 ounces (238ml) of purified/distilled water

1/4 teaspoon chemical-free salt

1/4 teaspoon sodium bicarbonate

For larger neti pots:

17 ounces (500ml) of purified/distilled lukewarm water

1 teaspoon chemical-free salt

If you would like to use a buffering agent like sodium bicarbonate, the recipe will change to:

17 ounces (500ml) of purified/distilled lukewarm water

1/2 teaspoon chemical-free salt

1/2 teaspoon sodium bicarbonate