View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
Mike Harrison M&M
Joined: 03 Nov 2007 Posts: 2029 Location: Equidistant from New York City and Philadelphia, along the NJ Shore
|
Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2016 9:04 am Post subject: Alkalol Saline Nasal Spray - Home Remedy |
|
|
There are several brands of saline nasal spray, and I found the basic variety (generic brands) are just as good as the name brands. But I recently decided to start making my own... adding Alkalol... and it's great.
If you're going to do this, you do NOT want to use common table salt; it has ingredients to keep the crystals from clumping together. I buy Kosher salt, whose container's ingredient list states simply: "Salt."
You're going to be boiling the water, of course, but because the goal is to kill any nasty stuff in it, I use water from my PURŪ filter pitcher and bring it to a full rolling boil and leave it that way for at least two minutes. Better safe than sorry.
I saved the spray bottle from the last store-bought saline solution. It's a 2-ounce container and made of soft plastic.
The water/salt ratio below is confirmed by several sources, but you can change the amount of Alkalol to suit yourself.
Put one half-teaspoon Kosher salt into microwave-safe measuring cup.
Add 8 ounces (filtered) water.
Boil for 6 minutes (see above) then cool before refrigerating in covered container.
When needed, put your preferred amount of Alkalol (I use 3 tbsp/1.5 oz) into the 2-ounce oz spray bottle, then fill remainder with saline. Return the rest of the plain saline to the refrigerator.
Delightfully refreshing.
(Edited to correct the size of the spray bottle) _________________ Mike
Male Voice Over Talent
I have taken leave of my sensors.
Last edited by Mike Harrison on Mon Feb 22, 2016 5:58 pm; edited 2 times in total |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Karyn OBryant Cinquecento
Joined: 23 Jul 2013 Posts: 561 Location: Portlandia-adjacent
|
Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2016 9:36 am Post subject: |
|
|
There is also pharmaceutical-grade salt, which IMHO, is the best. Often it is sold as "neti salt".
I have tried Alkalol, but have settled on the NeilMed rinse (which is all kinds of awesome). I just couldn't get past that minty-fresh feeling in my sinuses from the Alkalol. But other folks have better luck with it.
_________________ * * * * * * * * * *
Pretending to be other people since 1986.
www.karynobryant.com |
|
Back to top |
|
|
WillMWatt Contributor IV
Joined: 10 Dec 2013 Posts: 138 Location: New York, NY
|
Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2016 2:49 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I use alkolol in a neti pot (with neti salt) to clear out my sinuses which have hisotrically always been problematic. I'd never considered making a nasal spray, but am now strongly considering it! Thanks for the idea! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
richvoice Been Here Awhile
Joined: 12 Aug 2008 Posts: 217 Location: Tucson, AZ
|
Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2016 4:22 pm Post subject: Re: Alkalol Saline Nasal Spray - Home Remedy |
|
|
Mike Harrison wrote: | When needed, put (2 tbsp) Alkalol into 1.5 oz spray bottle, then fill remainder with saline. |
1/4 cup = 2 oz. = 4 tablespoons
So 2 tablespoons = 1 oz.
So the solution that you're using is 2/3 Alkalol? Just wondering if the measurements I'm seeing are what you're intending. _________________ Cheers,
Rich
http://www.richvoiceproductions.com
@RichMillerVO |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Mike Harrison M&M
Joined: 03 Nov 2007 Posts: 2029 Location: Equidistant from New York City and Philadelphia, along the NJ Shore
|
Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2016 5:54 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Yes, Rich.
But I have to admit: when I first posted this, my ratio was 3 tbsp of Alkalol, which was good for me, but I discovered that strength before I read that the bottle size was 1.5 ounces and that 3 tbsp equals 1.5 ounces, yet I was still able to get some plain saline in the bottle.
Sorry for the confusion.
So I now believe the bottle will actually hold 2 ounces. But, in either case, yes: I prefer a little more Alkalol, so I use 3 tbsp (1.5 oz) of it and fill the rest (0.5 oz) with saline.
However, I can tell you that if I were to use that same ratio in my Neti pot (a half-cup), it would be too much. But for the occasional spritz, it's a refreshing little jolt. _________________ Mike
Male Voice Over Talent
I have taken leave of my sensors.
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
richvoice Been Here Awhile
Joined: 12 Aug 2008 Posts: 217 Location: Tucson, AZ
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
|