On 2/27/01, [log in to unmask] writes:
< This was exposed a couple of years ago by our consumer association in
Australia which assesses a range of products and compares them with like
products, usually giving a rating.
Since the normal saline works better than some proprietary products, you
recipe is most valuable. I have tried mixing just salt and water. What does
the carb soda do? >>
*** I have never seen an analysis of the biochemistry involved, though what
saline solution does is to alter the osmotic balance and fluid flow across
membranes, while the alkaline bicarbonate increases pH, so I would imagine
that this dilute solution works by combining the two processes which somehow
help to decongest the nasal passages. I believe that both of these
substances also act as a mild bactericidals.
Quite often the air is very polluted during the Denver winters and I find
that my nose I often congested. I have found that the fairly regular use of
the usual commercial decongestants damages the nasal passages, as is
evidenced by slight bleeding and the nose seems to habituate to them, so that
you need to use more. The salt-bicarb mixture takes a little longer to work,
but its effects lasts longer and everyone I have recommended this to has
never reported any side-effects. Besides saving money, the safety of this
combination and lack of nasal discomfort with regular use (since those same
compounds occur naturally in the body) is really appealing.
Dr Mel C Siff
Denver, USA
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Supertraining/
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