VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

[Mike Harrison]

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 PUR® 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.

[Karyn OBryant]

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

[WillMWatt]

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!

[richvoice]

[Mike Harrison]

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.

[richvoice]

Cool, thanks.
_________________
Cheers,
Rich
http://www.richvoiceproductions.com
@RichMillerVO