re: Anyone here used Navage before?

Some people get good results, but I think this type of treatment is likely one where individual results vary. If you suffer from congestion, it is worth a try.

Navage, itself, is a bit expensive. Perhaps it offers some worthwhile features that make the process easier / less unpleasant. But there are a number of neti pots and nasal rinse solutions that are cheaper. Just Google "nasal rinse" or "neti pot" and there are several options that seems to be in the $8 to $15 range (vs the $100 Navage), and a lot of videos and instructions online.

If you're not squeamish and have good self/body control, and you're more of a DIY type, you can also do the process manually without buying anything (except ideally the distilled water). If this idea makes you nervous and you're unsure of keeping the bowl, water, etc perfectly sanitary, you should buy one of the commercially available nasal rinse solutions initially discussed and stop reading. If you are willing and able to put in the work, here is the manual process:

*** the following method is not medical advice and I'm not a doctor.***

- Fill a bowl with water with correct dosage of salt and baking soda.
- Hold one nostril closed with a finger as you dip your nose into the bowl.
- Slowly at first, then violently, inhale the water so that it shoots up your nasal cavity and spills out your mouth.

I've done it this way without issue and it works well. The first time or two it just freaks you out as it feels terribly wrong to inhale water intentionally, and it feels more violent than the Navage and neti pot videos which seem peaceful and meditative in comparison... but this way is free. Navage, neti pots and nasal rinse all work the same way. You're just pouring or pumping the water into your nose vs snorting it in, which is more of an act of will.

Tips if you try it:
- Do it over your kitchen or bathroom sink so the water falls out of your mouth into the sink.
- Maintain a steady head position, your head bowed down over and into the bowl, your mouth clear of the bowl so the water falls in the sink.
- As you snort be ready to divert the water out of your mouth vs inhaling it into your windpipe / lungs, which will make you gag and cough. The first snort or two might be awkward and instill a feeling of panic, but start with a small snort and get the hang of it. Unless you're frail and immune compromised, I don't think you can do much damage even if you do inhale a little water.
- Look up correct dosage of salt and baking soda to dissolve into the water. I think it's something like 1 teaspoon salt and half a teaspoon baking soda per 16 ounces water. (Too much salt/ soda will burn and probably need to be flushed out with more water.) You don't have to snort that much. You can titrate the dosage and amount of water down.
- Distilled water is best. If not distilled, make sure it's still good, clean water and you must boil it long enough to kill amoebas, bacteria, etc.
- If you boil, you must wait until it cools adequately (note: If you sample the water by taking a sip to judge temperature, it may feel cool enough in your mouth, but will feel insanely hot in your nasal cavity... I made this mistake the first time.)
- To be safe, I'd use a bowl that was cleaned at high temp in the dishwasher. I would avoid using a bowl that was hand washed with tap water and dried slowly in a dish tray that might have a chance-- however slight-- of having an amoeba or unwanted bacteria.
- If you do it in the presence of your wife or daughters as I have, they will call you gross, savage, or similar.
- You will likely still have a small amount of water in your nasal cavity, and for the next 30 minutes may have a slight drip from your nose when you tilt your head in various directions. That's normal.

If all goes well, you nasal passages will feel strangely raw and clean, and you'll feel invigorated.

I bought a Navage a couple years ago after struggling to rid myself of a sinus infection. The shite that came out my face after the first couple of uses was shocking and gross, and nasty, to say the least.LOL Highly recommend !

I use nasopure in the shower. It’s been great.

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Definitely should be rinsing if you have any sinus issues.

Suggestions:

Get some Xlylitol off amazon and add it to the mix at double or triple the amount of the salt. Trust me. Increases molality which makes it clean better with less irritation. And it's naturally antibiotic with no side effects.

Make sure the water is below body temp. Even slightly warm water can be irritating and make problems worse. It does not clean better.

Keep the back of your nose open. If you are too congested it will come out of your mouth. That is fine. But if your tongue blocks it pressure will force it into your eustacian tubes and can cause infection (and it hurts). If you feel pressure you're doing it wrong.

I use tap water. Brain amoeba is extremely rare and it's not worth the trouble to me.

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cool, thanks.