Home-Made Anti-Viral Nasal Spray and Irrigation Solutions
Simple, Inexpensive and Effective for Early Mediation Against Viral Replication
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Viruses take days to colonize (replicate) our Nasopharynx (space between our nose and throat). Early reduction of the viral load may be helpful if you suspect being exposed to viral loads in public spaces. Several research studies show viral load reduction by proper daily nasal irrigation with certain inexpensive solutions listed below:
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- Isotonic (0.9%) saline (For example, 2 gram or half a teaspoon of salt in one cup or 240 cc of water) or hypertonic saline (1-2 teaspoons of salt added to one cup of water). You can also buy these solutions as nasal sprays.
- Povidone-iodine (0.1%): For example, 2.5 mL of 10% povidone iodine (like Betadine) diluted in one cup (around 240 cc) isotonic saline. Povidone-iodine could activate thyroid so it should be diluted.
- Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) at 0.1%: For example, 2.5 mL diluted in one cup (around 240 cc) of isotonic saline.
- Iota-Carrageenan (I-C) is a sulfate polysaccharide synthesized by red algae, with demonstrated antiviral activity and clinical efficacy as nasal spray in the treatment of common cold. In vitro, I-C inhibits SARS-CoV-2 infection in cell culture. The incidence of COVID-19 was lower by 80% (vs. placebo) in subjects receiving the nasal spray with I-C.
- This one includes medications you cannot make at home! Steroid solutions such as budesonide or mometasone, are commonly added to saline irrigations for control of inflammatory mediators in chronic rhinosinusitis.
- Daily Jalneti (rinsing using Neti pot, as pictured above, or other irrigation devices) with saline or lukewarm sterilized water has reportedly helped medical staff at a major Indian hospital fight viral infection.
It is important to note that the rinse bottles and surrounding surfaces may become contaminated and serve as a source of infection so people should practice good hand hygiene and decontaminate the surrounding surfaces (sink, counters) and plastic rinse bottle to prevent subsequent infection.
Other ways to inactivate viral particles which may be unsafe, and therefore not tested on human subjects include use of diethyl ether, 75% ethanol, chlorine, UV light, or heat (56 °C for 30 minutes). There are also antibacterial solutions like xylitol that will reduce attachment of bacteria to epithelial cells.
It is also important to note that nasal irrigation as an early mediation against viral replication should not replace treatment or medical advice for anyone suspecting serious infection or disease.
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