Nasal Irrigation

Nasal irrigation is the practice of flushing the nose and the sinus spaces around it with warm salt water (saline solution). This is done to clear out mucus, moisturize the nose, and improve nasal hygiene. It is also used to treat sinus infections (sinusitis), allergies, the common cold, post-nasal drip, and other conditions affecting the nose, but there's no good evidence to support these uses.

Saline solutions used for irrigation are usually either "isotonic saline" or "hypertonic saline." Isotonic saline, also called normal saline, is 0.9% salt. This is the concentration that is generally used in intravenous (IV) solutions. Hypertonic saline is usually between 1.2% and 3.5% salt.

Nasal irrigation is a traditional practice in yoga call "Jala neti." It was later adopted by Ayurveda. Practitioners use a small neti pot which looks like a teapot. Saline solution is added to the pot and poured through the nostril.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): There is interest in using nasal irrigation to make COVID-19 less severe. But there is no good evidence to support this practice. If you have suspected or confirmed COVID-19, be sure to wash your hands and disinfect the rinse bottle and surrounding surfaces after nasal irrigation. And follow healthy lifestyle choices and proven prevention methods as well.