You can use various types of salt to rinse your nasal cavities, such as iodine-free fine table salt, fine sea salt, or Himalayan salt. With any type of salt for nasal rinse, the general rule of thumb is to prepare a salt solution in the same salt / water ratio as is naturally present in your body.
The best salt for nose cleansing is pure sodium chloride (NaCl) which is just plain salt with nothing else. Ideally, the grains should be tiny so that the salt dissolves easily. If you don't use salt in your rinsing water or use too much or too little, the rinse will be painful.
1 cup (240 mL) distilled water or sterilized tap water. 0.5 tsp (2.5 g) salt (recommend Himalayan salt) 0.5 tsp (2.5 g) baking soda.
Using a combination of salt and water, it flushes through the nose, helping to clear the mucus along with the harmful particles that the mucus captured. Regular use of a neti pot helps relieve dry nasal passages, prevent allergy symptoms, relieve sinus pain, and relieve swelling.
Inhaling pink Himalayan salt is a great way to relax and unwind. This mineral has a soothing effect that can help reduce stress, especially in the workplace. A 2010 study suggests that Himalayan salt may also help boost serotonin levels, increase energy, and reduce stress and its symptoms, including depression.
Regularly soaking in Himalayan salt can be a great way to remove toxins from our bodies. This is due to the process of “osmosis”, where our bodies absorb the salt minerals while simultaneously releasing toxins. A Himalayan salt soak can also help to reduce inflammation and balance our skin's PH levels.
Himalayan pink salt is preferred because it derives its color from trace minerals that are very beneficial to our enamel and gum tissue. It enhances the enamel remineralization and promotes healing processes. The alternative salt to use would be sea salt.
Start by performing just one irrigation a day. If the rinse is helping, you can irrigate your nose up to three times a day. But nasal rinses should not be used as a preventive measure when you don't have symptoms. It won't prevent sinus issues and can cause infections to develop.
The use of saline (salt water) irrigations for the nose and sinuses has been shown to be highly effective in improving allergy symptoms and shortening the duration of a sinus infection. Typically, for allergy sufferers, I recommend irrigating the sinuses once every day to every other day with 8 ounces of salt water.
For people with chronic sinus inflammation, Dr. Patel recommends rinsing twice per day — morning and evening. For those with milder symptoms, daily rinsing may be enough.
This may due to too much or too little salt in the saline solution. 5 It is also possible that the irrigation may actually cause nasal congestion, but this will typically resolve on its own.
Regularly gargling with pink Himalayan salt water can assist in removing bacteria from the teeth and gums, which helps in preventing the buildup of plaque and tartar.
Soothe a sore throat
Although it's not a cure-all for immediate relief, saltwater can help kill bacteria, loosen mucus, and ease pain, according to Penn State Medicine. Just mix 1/2 teaspoon of finely ground pink Himalayan salt with a cup of warm water and gargle.
While you can substitute Himalayan salt for sea salt (and vice versa), be mindful that Himalayan salt can taste a little more potent when added to recipes. Differences in the coarseness of your salt may also change measurements.
Sodium intake
While sodium is necessary in small quantities, too much can have a negative impact on health. Those with kidney, heart, or liver issues, or people on a sodium-restricted diet, should monitor their sodium intake and limit their use of all salt, including pink Himalayan salt.
A 10-ounce glass of warm lemon water with Himalayan salt in the morning can increase your immune function, decrease uric acid to fight inflammation, improve digestion, and balance your body.
Garlic. Garlic is well known for being a natural antibiotic. Since colds often lead to a sinus infection, garlic is an awesome way to naturally treat a sinus infection and even prevent it in the first place.