Caring for the respiratory system –
The upper respiratory tract is the site of many problems. Its designed to take in air, warm and moisten it, and then move it down into the lungs. But this air becomes most susceptible to outside influences and inner body health. Here’s what you can do to help yourself in today’s environment of viruses, here’s a handy tip that will help.
Keep the nasal passage moist – to do this jal neti (using a jal neti pot) the yogic method of cleaning the nasal cavity works very well. Even rinsing your nose with a saline solution that is lukewarm water with some salt works. For babies: physically removing the mucous and using the same saline solution as irrigation for the nasal passage helps.
How to make your saline solution for nasal irrigation?
Mix 1 cup of boiled water with 1/4 teaspoon of non-iodized salt stir well, until salt dissolves. This can be stored for 24 hours. Can add 1/8th teaspoon baking soda, as it acts as a buffer, to make the solution less of an irritant for the nose. Iodine could prove to be an allergen. Do not use sea salt as it may contain sea algae and other contaminants.
How to do the nasal irrigation?
While using a jal neti pot is the most effective way of doing the nasal irrigation, using your hands to do it also works.
- Cup your hand and fill it with this saline water.
- Press down one side of your nose and snort the water through the other side.
- Open your mouth and cough out the water – you will feel it hit your throat.
- Repeat on the other side.
- Press on side of your nose (nostril down) an blow the air outward through the opened nostril, this helps absorb excess moisture created.
If you are doing it for the first time, please make someone stand with you. Do not do this if you suffer with anxiety attacks, and high blood pressure.
