THREE STEPS TO BETTER BREATHING
The nose is an ESSENTIAL organ, BUT TOO OFTEN NEGLECTED and TAKEN for GRANTED. We cannot stop ourselves from breathing. We breathe on automatic without realizing it. We don’t even need to think about it and yet this is an act that keeps us alive. Breathing is the function that draws in air from the atmosphere and supplies it to the lungs.
The nose is the outermost extremity of the respiratory tract. When we inhale, the nose helps bring oxygen to the lungs. The lungs take the oxygen to our blood. It is the mechanism our uses to body purifies our blood. The lungs also take out carbon dioxide and toxins out of our blood. When we exhale, the nose releases carbon dioxide and toxins that the body is getting rid of. The nose helps warm the air to make it ready for the lungs. There are small hairs in the nose, called cilia, to help filter and keep out pollens, toxins, and other things we don’t want in our airway. Mucous is another mechanism the body has to eliminate toxins. Mucous lubricates and protects the tissue inside the nose and sinuses. A dry nose leads to a clogged nose.
THE NOSE HELPS US IN MANY WAYS
• The nose allows us to breathe.
• The nose allows us to smell the wonderful scents of flowers and perfume.
• The nose enables us to speak clearly.
• The nose helps us taste food.
• The nose helps warms the air we take in to make it ready for the lungs.
The importance of the nose becomes abundantly clear when it is completely blocked or congested. To breathe well, it is very important to preserve the air-conditioning and filtering functions of the nose. Proper care of the nose can help guard us against allergens and illnesses such as colds and flu. Here are a few simple tips to keep the nose in tip top condition.
DAILY NOSE CARE
1. Blow the nose. This is the first method to adopt when you feel your nose is blocked. There is a proper way to blow. Blow through each nostril separately, blocking one nostril while the other blows. Use paper tissues once only to avoid re-contamination each time they are re-used. Throw the used tissue into a trash can or dustbin.
2. Cleanse the nose. Cleanse the nose regularly with a sea water solution or make your own 1 part of sea salt with 9 parts of lukewarm distilled water and dissolved well then either use a Neti Pot, NeilMed bottle. Both devices come with instructions. You can do this once daily, in the morning or night, which ever suites you. Twice daily if you have a cold or stuffy nose. Irrigating with salt too often can be irritating. Use of the Neti Pot was demonstrated on the Dr. Oz Show.
I use 1/4 tsp. of salt for a Neti Pot and 1/2 tsp. for a NeilMed bottle. I can tell when there is not enough salt, because my nose stings a little. But everyone is different and you should find the right balance that best suits you.
Alternate method: Pour some of the lukewarm salt water in the palm of your hand to sniff up to the back of your throat gently you can do this only 2 times daily, in the morning or night.
3. Lubricate the nose. Use a saline (salt water) spray as needed several times a day. The function of a spray keeps the tissue lining the nose lubricated. When the tissue becomes dry, it gets irritated and creates a stuffy nose.
Daily care of your nose is just as important as brushing your teeth and washing your hands.
An image of a woman using a Neti Pot. An image of a Neil Med Bottle. Both can be found at natural food stores and pharmacies. Here is a video on how to use one brand of Neti Pot.
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Copyright © 2011 –, Myra Nissen.
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This article was brought to you by Myra Nissen, CCH, RSHom(NA), Board Certified Classical Homeopath. Myra teaches women how to recognize their body’s unique needs and cues and uses Homeopathy to help empower women to take control of their bodies, health and well-being. Find out more, she regularly publishes articles with home care tips for health and well-being in several venues. Visit her blog www.myranissen.com/blog.