Having functioning and healthy nasal and sinus passageways can make a world of difference in your daily life. People with allergies often feel wary of enjoying a beautiful day outside because being exposed to allergens such as pollen, dust, and grass can mean serious breathing issues. Studies have shown that regular nasal irrigation can make a world of difference for those with allergies, offering them more control over their day to day lives.
With roots in ancient Indian culture, the oldest form of nasal irrigation, the neti pot, has been in use for a very long time. The Vedas (Indian healers, our equivalent to doctors) believed that clean nasal passageways coincided with the path of spiritual enlightenment, aiding in mood stabilizing, eradicating addiction, and other physical ailments.The process of nasal irrigation cleanses the nasal and sinus passageways by introducing a liquid flow through one nostril and draining out of the other. There are three methods of delivery: bulb syringe, squeeze bottle, or neti pot. The Muslim practice of ablutions does essentially the same thing and is routinely done prior to every prayer time–five times a day.
For a more detailed review of nasal irrigation, which includes the downsides of the practice see our post The Nose is a Nidus.
Along with saline, xylitol has its own cleansing properties. The xylitol washes away excess mucus and external contaminants while moisturizing the nasal and sinus passageways. It also interferes with the adherence of many harmful bateria. Visit our xylitol products page to find xylitol and saline nasal irrigation products.
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Many people with asthma or other lung problems also have nasal and sinus symptoms. Drainage from your nose and sinuses can make asthma worse, especially at night. A saltwater nasal wash, or nasal irrigation, can help reduce this.
Thanks for your comment. It agrees with the explanation of asthma in the book, No More Allergies, Asthma or Sinus Infections. Histamine is the trigger for the back-up washing of the nose that leads to more mucus, a runny nose, sneezing, and the bronchoconstriction we know as asthma. The first three ramp up the nasal cleaning; the last protects the more vulnerable lungs from the garbage sensed in the nose. Keeping the nose clean eliminates the need for the back-up.
Saline washes can help with this as you state, but vigorous washes remove many of the normal and protective bacteria and actually can increase the problems according to studies by Talal Nsouli (see our post The Nose is a Nidus, elsewhere at this site).
A xylitol spray doesn’t do that; it just tweaks the environment in ways that make it all work better together.
I am a sufferer of chronic sinusitis with mild asthma. Where can I obtain your product in Australia?
Hello, I have dry rhinitis and sleep apnea since I was 14 years old, today I’m 36 years old. Have you ever had any reports of dry nose treatment, or sjogren’s nose?