Let’s get this out of the way—we’re not the biggest fans of winter. Yes, snow is pretty and watching Netflix while snuggled up in blankets is fun, but winter is also the time when colds and flu have their open season.
If you’ve been “lucky” enough to catch a virus, you’ve probably dealt with congestion and a stuffy nose. One way to sort out the unpleasant sensation is to use a nasal rinse.
This type of rinse, also known as nasal irrigation, involves squirting a saline solution up one nostril. Due to the design of the nasal passages, the solution will exit through the other nostril, and flush out the mucus within.
It is possible to buy sachets of saline powder that can be mixed with water, or make your own using a cup of boiled water that has cooled down until it is warm, combined with a quarter-teaspoon of iodized salt, and a pinch of baking soda. Then, use a squirt bottle, neti pot, or syringe to insert it. It is super important to boil the water to kill any bacteria that may be lurking in the H2O.
Nasal irrigation is said to prevent the development of infections and allergies, and can be used by both adults and kids 1-2 times a day.
