Soda-salt nasal solution: a home medicine cabinet that works When your nose is blocked and it's hard to breathe, the first thing that comes to mind is to buy a spray at the pharmacy. But there is a cheaper, simpler, and not less effective way: rinsing your nose with a solution of baking soda and sea salt. This method has been known since the times when pharmacies were rare, and grandmothers treated colds with makeshift remedies. Today, in the era of allergies, polluted air, and viral epidemics, rinsing the nose has become not just a folk remedy, but an accepted medical procedure. The main thing is to know the correct proportions and technique so that you don't 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 against bacteria, viruses, and dust. The mucous membrane of the nose is covered with microscopic cilia that constantly move, pushing out dirt. But when the air is too dry and full of allergens, the cilia can no longer cope. The mucus thickens, the nose is blocked, and germs get the 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 also works, but sea salt is better. It contains trace elements (iodine, magnesium, potassium, calcium), which additionally nourish the mucous membrane and have a mild anti-inflammatory effect. Moreover, sea salt is softer, it 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, in which viruses and bacteria feel worse. Moreover, baking soda neutralizes excess acid that often appears during inflammation and reduces swelling. In combination w ... Читать далее