15 Evidence-Based Uses Of Saline Water And DIY Saline Solution Method!
Health
Published on: 27-Apr-2024
10 min read
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Anushka Tripathi
15 Evidence-Based Uses Of Saline Water And DIY Saline Solution Method!
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Hello, readers! We all know saline water as the salty solution that keeps our oceans teeming with life. But did you know that the uses of saline water have applications that extend far beyond the beach? Saline water, or a solution of salt dissolved in water, boasts a surprising range of uses, from promoting wound healing to soothing allergies.
Saline solution is a common medical fluid made by mixing salt (sodium chloride) with water at a specific strength. Depending on the amount of salt mixed in, there are different types of saline solutions (water). The most widely used one is called standard saline solution, which contains 0.9 per cent salt. This concentration is like the saltiness of bodily fluids like tears and blood. Normal saline is also called isotonic because it has the same salt concentration as these bodily fluids.
Saline water is used for different therapies and to help us stay hydrated. Doctors often use saline solutions in hospitals to hydrate patients through their veins or clean wounds. In this blog, we will explore some evidence-backed uses of saline water that can be useful in daily life. Plus, we'll provide a DIY recipe so you can whip it at home anytime! Let's get into the topic.
Table Of Contents
1. What Are The Medical Uses Of Saline Water
2. What Else Can Saline Water Be Used For?
3. Homemade Saline Solution For The Nose?
4. Dietitian’s Recommendation
5. The Final Say
6. FAQs
7. References
What Are The Medical Uses Of Saline Water?
The following are the common uses of saline water:
1. Hydration
Hospitals often use saline solution to hydrate patients who cannot drink fluids orally. When someone is dehydrated due to illness, vomiting, or diarrhoea, they can quickly lose essential fluids and electrolytes.
Saline solution, which contains salt and water like the body's natural fluids, is administered intravenously to replenish these lost fluids. The salt helps to maintain the body's electrolyte balance, which is crucial for proper cell function. This is one of the most common uses of saline water.
2. Wound Care
Another use of saline water or saline solution is for cleaning wounds because it is gentle yet effective. When a person gets injured, dirt, bacteria, and other debris can enter the wound, leading to infection.
Rinsing the wound with a saline solution helps flush out these contaminants without causing further damage to the tissue. This cleansing action creates a clean environment that promotes healing and reduces the risk of infection.
3. Nasal Irrigation
The use of saline water includes irrigating the nasal passages for various reasons, including relieving congestion, moisturising dry nasal passages, and clearing out excess mucus. The nasal passages can become inflamed and swollen with a stuffy nose or sinus congestion.
Nasal irrigation with saline solution helps to soothe inflammation, thin out mucus, and flush out irritants like allergens and bacteria. It is a natural and gentle way to ease nasal discomfort and promote better breathing.
4. Contact Lens Care
Contact lenses must be cleaned and disinfected to prevent eye infections and maintain clear vision. Saline water is commonly used for rinsing and storing contact lenses because it is sterile and gentle on the eyes.
5. Respiratory Therapy
Inhaled saline solution can benefit individuals with respiratory conditions such as cystic fibrosis, chronic bronchitis, or COPD. When the airways are inflamed or congested, mucus can become thick and difficult to clear, leading to breathing difficulties and infections.
Inhaling saline solution helps moisten the airways, loosen sticky mucus, and make coughing easier. It also has a mild anti-inflammatory effect, reducing airway inflammation and improving respiratory function.
6. Eye Care
Saline water is used in eye care for various purposes, including rinsing the eyes to relieve irritation, removing foreign objects, and diluting medications for ophthalmic use.
The gentle nature of the saline solution makes it suitable for flushing out irritants or debris from the eyes without causing further discomfort. It also dilutes medications for eye drops or solutions to ensure proper dosing and minimise potential eye irritation.
7. Laboratory Procedures
The use of saline water serves as a versatile solvent or diluent for various substances used in experiments or procedures. Its isotonic nature (similar salt concentration to bodily fluids) makes it compatible with biological samples and cell cultures. Saline solutions are often used to create standard solutions, dilute samples, or suspend cells for analysis or experimentation.
What Else Can Saline Water Be Used For?
Beyond the medical uses of saline water, it has several other uses for your body:
1. Oral Hygiene
Saline water maintains oral health by reducing inflammation and fighting bacteria. The salt in the solution creates an environment less hospitable to bacteria, which can contribute to gum disease and tooth decay. Additionally, saline water can soothe sore gums and mouth sores by promoting healing and reducing discomfort.
Also Read: Mouth Ulcers: Causes And Home Remedies
2. Skin Care
Saline water can benefit the skin in several ways. Its cleansing properties help remove impurities from the skin's surface without stripping away natural oils, making it suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin. The salt in saline water also has mild antiseptic properties, which can help prevent infection and promote the healing of minor cuts, scrapes, and insect bites.
Also Read: Skin Check - Know Your Skin Type And Tone
3. Neti Pot
Nasal irrigation with saline water using a neti pot is a practice rooted in ancient Ayurvedic medicine. The saline solution helps moisturise nasal passages, thin mucus, and flush out irritants like pollen, dust, and bacteria.
Scientifically, this process can help relieve nasal congestion, reduce sinus pressure, and alleviate symptoms of allergies and sinusitis.
4. Food Preservation
The use of saline water in pickling and brining serves two purposes: flavour enhancement and preservation. The salt in the solution draws moisture out of the food, creating an environment where harmful bacteria cannot thrive. This inhibits spoilage and extends the shelf life of vegetables, meats, and cheeses.
5. Household Cleaning
Saline water can be an effective and eco-friendly alternative to commercial cleaning products. Its mild disinfectant properties make it suitable for cleaning surfaces such as countertops, sinks, and cutting boards. Additionally, saline water can help dissolve and lift stains without damaging surfaces or leaving behind harmful chemical residues.
6. Gardening
In areas with high soil salinity or saline-tolerant gardens, irrigation with saline water can support the growth of certain plants. The salt content in the water helps regulate osmotic balance in plant cells and can enhance the flavour of crops like tomatoes and cucumbers.
7. Artificial Tears
The formulation of artificial tears with saline water mimics the composition of natural tears, providing lubrication and hydration to the eyes. This can help alleviate symptoms of dry eye syndrome, such as irritation, burning, and blurred vision. Saline solution also helps maintain the pH balance of the tear film, promoting ocular comfort and health.
8. Industrial Processes
Saline water is used in various industrial applications due to its solvent properties and chemical stability. It is commonly used as a rinse or diluent in manufacturing, cleaning, and sterilisation procedures. Additionally, saline water is utilised in wastewater treatment to help remove contaminants and regulate pH levels.
Homemade Saline Solution For The Nose
Making saline solution with distilled water is very easy. By following the mentioned steps, anyone can make saline water at home:
Ingredients
1 cup (8 ounces) | distilled or boiled water (cooled to room temperature) |
1/2 teaspoon | iodine-free table salt |
Instructions
Wash your hands and ensure all your equipment is clean to prevent contamination.
Measure out 1 cup (8 ounces) of distilled water. If you do not have distilled water, boil tap water and let it cool down before using.
Measure 1/2 teaspoon of table salt. Ensure it is plain table salt without extra additives like iodine or anti-caking agents.
Add the salt to the water and stir well until it completely dissolves. You can use a clean spoon or stir stick to mix it thoroughly.
Once the salt is fully dissolved, your saline water is ready for use.
Tips
Use the saline solution immediately or store it in a clean, tightly sealed container for later use. After 24 hours, throw away any leftover solution to prevent bacteria from growing.
If you find the solution too salty or irritates your skin or mucous membranes, you can adjust the salt concentration using less salt.
Stick to plain table salt; avoid using sea salt or other types of salt that may contain additional minerals or impurities, as they could irritate.
Dietitian’s Recommendation
As a dietitian, I recommend incorporating saline water into daily routines for its various health benefits. Due to its electrolyte content, it can help maintain hydration levels, especially after exercise or in hot weather. Some recommend using saline water in cooking to enhance flavour and provide essential minerals, but it is important to keep salt intake manageable. Drinking warm saline water on an empty stomach is believed by some to aid digestion while gargling with saline water can alleviate minor oral issues. Additionally, saline water can be used topically for skin care and environmentally friendly household cleaning.
-Dt. Aditi Upadhyay
The Final Say
In summary, saline water is incredibly versatile and essential for various purposes. From its crucial role in healthcare for hydration, wound care, and respiratory support to its various uses in personal hygiene, oral health, and eye care, saline water contributes significantly to our well-being. Its applications extend beyond the medical field, including culinary uses, aquarium maintenance, industrial processes, and environmental initiatives like desalination.
Easy to prepare and to mimic the body's natural fluids, saline water is a valuable resource in scientific research and everyday tasks such as cleaning and food preservation. Its diverse uses highlight its importance in human life and environmental sustainability.
FAQs
1. What are the medical uses of saline water?
The most commonly used crystalloid worldwide is normal saline, which is used to manage and treat dehydration (e.g., hypovolemia, shock), metabolic alkalosis in the presence of fluid loss, and mild sodium depletion.
2. How to do homemade nose irrigation?
Bend over the sink (some people do this in the shower) and squirt the solution into each side of your nose, aiming the stream toward the back of your head, not the top.
3. What is saline water good for?
Saline has many uses in medicine. It's used to clean wounds, clear sinuses, and treat dehydration.
4. How to make a saline solution with distilled water?
Creating saline water at home is easy. We need distilled or boiled water and regular table salt. Mix 1 cup (8 ounces) of distilled or boiled water with 1/2 teaspoon of table salt until the salt dissolves completely. This homemade saline solution is versatile and can be used for various purposes like nasal irrigation, wound cleaning, or eye care. Use clean utensils and store unused solutions in a sealed, clean container.
5. What saline water is used for the nebuliser?
Saline water for a nebuliser: Saline water is a sterile solution made of salt and water. It is designed to help deliver medication directly into the lungs through inhalation. This solution helps moisten and soothe the airways, making breathing easier and aiding in effectively delivering medicines for respiratory conditions.
6. Can you explain what exactly saline solution is for the nose?
The saline solution for the nose is a basic blend of salt and water that cleanses and moisturises nasal passages. It works by hydrating the passages, thinning mucus, and flushing out irritants such as allergens and bacteria. This can offer relief from congestion, allergies, and sinus discomfort.
References
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