How baking soda help with clearing sinuses?

[Anonymous]

I had problem with my throat it had a lot of mucous and I have Acid reflex, so my doctor prescribed me medication and also instructions on how to clean my Sinuses because that can also be causing my throats irritation since it's a part of my throat. She said to mix with salt, baking soda and warm water. I didn't understand it at first so it went down my throat instead and I had to spit so much but it helped with clearing it. Just curious on how the baking soda helps?

[SmartButBroke]

Baking soda--and salt, too--are good for a lot of health issues. They both kill bacteria and help with inflammation and infections. With sinuses, you clear the mucous out of your sinuses, dry them up (kind of like what you would try to do with an antihistamine like Benadryl) and then it starts working on any inflammation or infection you have that triggered the sinus issues to begin with. Some people will go ahead and do a baking soda and/or salt rinse on a daily basis to try to prevent sinus issues or colds, and they believe it works for them. I have never had the patience to do that daily.

Because of how baking soda helps with bacteria and inflammation, I have actually had a dentist tell me to brush/gums my teeth baking soda to help cure and/or prevent periodontal disease. I also sometimes use baking soda to help with acid reflux, i. e. mix it in some water and drink it (just a small cup) if I'm having acid reflux. It does work for that because it neutralizes acid. It works within a minute or two of drinking it. That you have acid reflux might also be why the doctor told you to mix baking soda in... usually, people are told to do a salt water rinse without baking soda for their sinuses.

[SmartButBroke]

*I meant the dentist told me to brush my gums/teeth with baking soda, lol.

[Asker]

Oh ok thats understandable thank you! yeah I've heard baking soda also whitens teeth I don't know if that's true haven't tried it

[BellePepper]

If I were you I'd just buy the neti pot kit with the premixed salts. That way you know you won't burn yourself and it would all be sterile.