Why does a neti pot require salt water?

The salt draws out impurities in your sinus cavities.

Sterility, I think. Saline is much more sterile than ‘plain’ water.

Salt does draw out impurities. I guess I was thinking of the bigger picture. Saline solution is often used in lieu of pure water.

It mimics the ratio of your body fluids so it’s more natural.

@Buttonstc That was my next guess. That makes sense.

Nasal irrigation can be carried out using ordinary tap water, but this is generally felt to be uncomfortable because it irritates the mucous membranes. Therefore an isotonic or hypertonic saline solution is normally used, i.e. water with enough salt to at least match the tonicity of the body cells. from wikipedia

Thanks guys. One less thing I need to wonder about now!

@nikipedia Ah, thanks for the explanation.
Whenever I don’t put enough salt in, it burns sooo much. Regular water just doesn’t cut it.

You should experiment with diet, some foods trigger excessive mucus production, unfortunately a lot of the foods we hanker after.

“Salt draws out impurities” = mumbo jumbo.

I don’t know if it “draws out impurities” but it does kill bacteria. It was originally used as a preservative and was used in wound dressings. It also is a drying agent. But, the primary reason it’s used in neti pots is the one @nikipedia mentioned.

I think it requires salt water so it’s easier for me to cause awkward situations with my roommates. ”What’s up? Is that a teapot? Are you making tea?” ”Yeah, sort of. Except I pour it into my nose.” ”WTF.”

Salt is big industry. Just another excuse to use it, so they can sell more of it.

@ChazMaz : Yeah, it’s a good thing they got the Neti Pot market or they’d be going under!

You got that right! :-)

Salt kills bacteria. Did no one say this yet? It is necessary if you have a cold etc.. so that the bacteria in your snot don’t run down your throat and get you more sick. Also other reasons stated above.

Salt eats loose the hardened mucus on the sinus linings.

@hungryhungryhortence – That gets a GA just because it sounds so hard core. :-)