Shortness of breath, a stuffy nose and sinus congestion got you down and still looking for the best nose cleanse strategies that work for you?
Look no further than these 8 nose cleanse strategies to irrigate your nose and cleanse your sinuses naturally! Here’s to better breathing!
Sinus congestion and a stuffy nose affects at least 1 out of 2 people on a regular basis. And, considering the fact that 1 out of 2 buildings and homes also has toxic mold, it’s no secret why!
Buh-Bye Flonase! Hello Hydrogen Peroxide Nasal Rinses & More Nose Cleanse Strategies!
Personally, this was my story! Shortness of breath “ruled my life” for almost a decade during which I lived in and out of homes with toxic mold. During most of that time, I had NO IDEA that I was breathing in toxic mold spores every day; and most doctors that I consulted with chalked my shortness of breath to be related to allergies and asthma. As a result, they prescribed me steroids, antihistamines (like Benadryl and Claritin), nasal sprays (like Afrin and Flonase) and inhalers with little to no long term improvement in my symptoms.
Moreover, the side effects of many of these methods further complicated how I felt.
For example, both Afrin (oxymetazoline) and Flonase (fluticasone propionate) are commonly used nasal sprays for treating nasal congestion and allergies, and while they may “clear” your nose, they also can trigger symptoms like increased blood pressure, heart rate irregularities, anxiety, dizziness, exacerbated adrenal fatigue and immune suppression. The same thing goes for steroids, which triggered tachycardia (increased heart rate), headaches and increased shortness of breath when the side effects wore off.
The reality? I had clogged nasal passages from toxic mold and I needed a good (natural) nose cleanse strategies daily (along with a mold detox) to kick my shortness of breath, fatigue and nasal congestion!
Nose cleanse strategies, or “nasal hygiene,” is just like brushing your teeth! In order to have clear nose passages (or white teeth), consistency with proper nose cleansing practices is essential.
Even if you don’t live in toxic mold or need to detox mold, nose cleanse strategies are bio-recharging to up level your energy, fitness, sleep quality, digestion and stress levels.
The 8 Nose Cleanse Strategies to Breathe Better Naturally!
#1. Nasal Irrigation
Move over NetiPot, there is a much easier NeilMed or Nasopure in town. Fill the squeeze tubes with distilled or filtered water plus the sea salt solution that is included in the box and irrigate your nose 2 to 3 squeezes on each side once or twice per day.
Bonus: Hydrogen Peroxide Nasal Rinses
Fill your Netipot, Nasopure or NeilMed with 1 to 2 tsp of 3% hydrogen peroxide and some distilled or filtered water and let the rinses come!
#2. Homeopathy
Long before Afrin, Flonase and antibiotics, there was homeopathy— an age old medicine for naturally helping the body come back to balance. Try one of the most popular nose cleanse strategies with Boiron’s or Hyland’s tablets, or my personal favorite tinctures Sinus Tone or Drainage Tone.
#3. Propolis
Propolis —the active ingredient in honey—can be beneficial for relieving sinus congestion due to its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and immune-boosting properties. For one, propolis has strong antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. It can help fight off the pathogens that cause sinus infections, as well as simply “open up” and clear nasal passages for better breathing. There are several ways you can use it including:
- Propolis Spray
- Propolis Tincture
- Inhalation (Adding a few drops of propolis tincture to hot water and inhaling the steam to open up nasal pathways)
- Oral Consumption
#4. Nose Taping
Breathe better by trying one of the easiest nose cleanse strategies with nasal tape stripes that help open up nasal passages, especially while sleeping or working out. These are worth every penny.
#5. Saline Spray
Saline spray like Xlear is a natural nose cleanse agent that helps keep passages free of debris. Spray it gently into each nostril while inhaling lightly to ensure the solution reaches the sinuses. Use as needed.
#6. Natural Anti-Histamines
Natural antihistamines like Histoplex and Histaquel are great nose cleanse strategies that can help alleviate sinus congestion by reducing the body’s histamine response. Histamines are chemicals released by the immune system during allergic reactions, which can cause symptoms such as nasal congestion, sneezing, itching, and swelling. By inhibiting the effects of histamine, natural antihistamines can help relieve these symptoms and improve overall sinus health.
#7. Biofeedback
Biofeedback and deep breathing are complementary nose cleanse strategies that can help with nose cleansing by promoting relaxation, reducing stress, and improving the efficiency of the respiratory system.
Biofeedback is a technique that uses electronic monitoring to help individuals gain awareness and control over certain physiological functions. By using biofeedback, you can learn to manage your body’s response to stress and improve your overall respiratory function, which can aid in nasal and sinus cleansing.
HeartMath is the gold standard and one of the greatest nose cleanse strategies. Muse and RESPeRATE are other fan faves.
As one of the most excellent nose cleanse strategies, deep breathing exercises involve slow, controlled inhalation and exhalation, which can help clear the nasal passages, improve lung function, and reduce stress.
Deep Breathing Exercises:
- Diaphragmatic Breathing:
Sit or lie down in a comfortable position.Place one hand on your chest and the other on your abdomen.Inhale deeply through your nose, allowing your abdomen to rise while keeping your chest relatively still.Exhale slowly through your mouth, allowing your abdomen to fall.Repeat for several minutes, focusing on slow and controlled breaths.
- Alternate Nostril Breathing (Nadi Shodhana):
- Sit comfortably with your spine straight and shoulders relaxed.
- Close your right nostril with your right thumb and inhale deeply through your left nostril.
- Close your left nostril with your right ring finger, then release your right nostril and exhale through it.
- Inhale through your right nostril, then close it with your thumb and exhale through your left nostril.
- Continue alternating nostrils for several minutes, focusing on smooth and even breaths.
#8. Nebulize
A nebulizer is a medical device that converts liquid medication into a fine mist, which can be inhaled directly into the lungs through a mask or mouthpiece. By clearing mucus and reducing inflammation, a nebulizer can help improve overall breathing and alleviate symptoms associated with sinus congestion, such as stuffiness and pressure.
You can add a variety of nose cleansing agents to your nebulizer, including: Biocidin LSF (a natural “antibiotic” for sinus infections), liposomal glutathione or my personal favorite, hydrogen peroxide.
Food-grade hydrogen peroxide(H₂O₂) is a powerful disinfectant and oxidizing agent that can be used in various applications, including sinus health. When appropriately diluted, it can help clear sinuses by killing bacteria, viruses, and fungi that may cause sinus infections or congestion. By loosening mucus and killing pathogens, hydrogen peroxide can reduce inflammation in the nasal passages and sinuses, helping to alleviate congestion and improve airflow.
Note: It’s crucial to dilute food-grade hydrogen peroxide before using it for sinus irrigation. A common dilution is a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution.
Bonus: Hydrogen Peroxide Nasal Rinses
Fill your Netipot, Nasopure or NeilMed with 1 tablespoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide and some distilled or filtered water. Lean over a sink, tilt your head to one side, and pour the solution into one nostril, allowing it to flow through the nasal passages and out the other nostril. Repeat on the other side.
Summary
In conclusion, there are SEVERAL alternatives to Afrin, Flonase and antibiotics for cleansing your nose and sinuses. Try one or multiple natural nose cleanse strategies and better breathing is yours for the taking!
Note:If you’re looking for personal support, let’s help you optimize and take your health back into your own hands! Book a complimentary20-minute Health Strategy Calltoday to find out how both myself and my clinic can help you feel good, inside and out.
