Nasal Rinsing: A 5,000-Year-Old Practice That May Help You Fight Off Colds
Every year, millions of Americans fall ill with the common cold, which can cost around $40 billion to the economy. Despite numerous attempts to develop an effective treatment or prevention method, most over-the-counter medicines offer modest results at best. However, a 5,000-year-old practice that originated in ancient India may hold the key to protecting yourself from these pesky winter bugs.
The practice in question is known as Ayurvedic nasal irrigation, which involves bathing your nasal passages with a saltwater solution to stimulate your body's natural antiviral mechanisms. Research has shown that using saline-based nasal sprays or irrigation between three and six times a day can significantly reduce the duration of illness by up to 20 percent.
According to Professor Paul Little from the University of Southampton, sodium chloride - or plain old salt - is capable of stimulating this natural defense mechanism within your nose. The process works as follows: when you use saline nasal irrigation, the chloride in the solution is taken up by the cells of your nose and throat, where it's converted into hypochlorous acid, which in turn inhibits viral replication.
In other words, using a saline nasal spray or irrigation can help to reduce the amount of virus present in your nasal passages, making it harder for the virus to replicate and spread. This is especially important during the winter months when many respiratory viruses are at their peak.
While there's still more research needed on optimal salt concentrations, dosages, and methods of application, studies have shown that saline nasal irrigation can be a safe and effective way to boost your immune system against seasonal bugs.
Interestingly, researchers have also found that using saline sprays or irrigation may not only help prevent illnesses but also reduce the severity of symptoms. For example, a study published last year reported that people who used saline nasal irrigation after testing positive for Covid were over eight times less likely to be hospitalized.
So, how can you incorporate this ancient practice into your daily routine? According to pediatrician Amy Baxter, using distilled or boiled water and mixing eight ounces with half a teaspoon of salt is the way to go. You can also purchase affordable saline nasal sprays at most pharmacies.
While older men, particularly those who are overweight, may benefit the most from this practice, researchers are now exploring whether saline nasal irrigation can also help prevent the spread of colds by targeting viruses that enter the body orally and access receptors in the tonsils and throat.
In short, if you're looking for a simple and natural way to boost your immune system against seasonal bugs, consider incorporating nasal rinsing into your winter routine.
Every year, millions of Americans fall ill with the common cold, which can cost around $40 billion to the economy. Despite numerous attempts to develop an effective treatment or prevention method, most over-the-counter medicines offer modest results at best. However, a 5,000-year-old practice that originated in ancient India may hold the key to protecting yourself from these pesky winter bugs.
The practice in question is known as Ayurvedic nasal irrigation, which involves bathing your nasal passages with a saltwater solution to stimulate your body's natural antiviral mechanisms. Research has shown that using saline-based nasal sprays or irrigation between three and six times a day can significantly reduce the duration of illness by up to 20 percent.
According to Professor Paul Little from the University of Southampton, sodium chloride - or plain old salt - is capable of stimulating this natural defense mechanism within your nose. The process works as follows: when you use saline nasal irrigation, the chloride in the solution is taken up by the cells of your nose and throat, where it's converted into hypochlorous acid, which in turn inhibits viral replication.
In other words, using a saline nasal spray or irrigation can help to reduce the amount of virus present in your nasal passages, making it harder for the virus to replicate and spread. This is especially important during the winter months when many respiratory viruses are at their peak.
While there's still more research needed on optimal salt concentrations, dosages, and methods of application, studies have shown that saline nasal irrigation can be a safe and effective way to boost your immune system against seasonal bugs.
Interestingly, researchers have also found that using saline sprays or irrigation may not only help prevent illnesses but also reduce the severity of symptoms. For example, a study published last year reported that people who used saline nasal irrigation after testing positive for Covid were over eight times less likely to be hospitalized.
So, how can you incorporate this ancient practice into your daily routine? According to pediatrician Amy Baxter, using distilled or boiled water and mixing eight ounces with half a teaspoon of salt is the way to go. You can also purchase affordable saline nasal sprays at most pharmacies.
While older men, particularly those who are overweight, may benefit the most from this practice, researchers are now exploring whether saline nasal irrigation can also help prevent the spread of colds by targeting viruses that enter the body orally and access receptors in the tonsils and throat.
In short, if you're looking for a simple and natural way to boost your immune system against seasonal bugs, consider incorporating nasal rinsing into your winter routine.
I'm so down for trying this ancient practice! 
I've been getting these annoying colds every year and it's such a bummer 
. I mean, who needs that $40 billion a year? 
Not me, that's for sure! 
This sounds like a super easy way to boost my immune system 
. I'm gonna get myself some distilled water and salt and give it a shot 
. Can't wait to see if it works out for me 
. Maybe this is the answer to all our cold-suffering prayers 
.
5k yrs old practice 
& reduce cost $40 billion 
. Studies show saline nasal irrigation 20% less duration of illness 
. Sodium chloride (plain salt) stimulates natural antiviral mechanism in nose 
. Hypochlorous acid inhibits viral replication 
.
Interesting fact: saline sprays/irrigation can also reduce severity of symptoms & prevent hospitalization 8x less likely 
. Researchers exploring oral virus spread & targeting receptors in tonsils/throat 
.
Pediatrician tip: use distilled/boiled water, mix 8oz with half tsp salt 
. Purchase affordable saline nasal sprays at pharmacies 
. Can benefit older men, overweight individuals & prevent cold spread 
. Boost your immune system naturally, reduce healthcare costs 
Research shows nasal rinsing can be done 3-6 times a day, 20% reduction in illness duration 
. Salt concentration & dosage still unknown, more research needed 
.
.
I've seen so many products on the market claiming to have "miracle" benefits, but we need some real-world data before we can say for sure if it's worth trying. 
! Using saline nasal irrigation can't be too hard, just grab some distilled water, add a bit of salt, and go! I've been feeling like crap when colds come around, and if it can help reduce the duration by 20% that's a big win 
. I'm definitely gonna try this out, especially during winter months when my immune system goes into shutdown mode 
.
. And how does it affect people who have pre-existing conditions? I mean, if someone's got a weak immune system or something, could this actually make them sicker? We need to be careful here.
. But seriously, if it can reduce the duration of illness by up to 20% just by bathing your nasal passages with a saltwater solution... that's like, a no-brainer 
. What about you? Have you ever tried nasal rinsing before?
Anyway, it's always good to have some extra tricks up your sleeve (or should I say, in your nose?) when it comes to staying healthy. Might just give nasal rinsing a try this winter, especially since I've been feeling a bit congested lately 
to keep running smoothly. This Ayurvedic nasal irrigation thing is kinda like putting the right fuel in our bodies. If you use it regularly, it can help your immune system run better and fight off colds more effectively. I was saying that too on another comment a few weeks ago...
!