What is a neti pot? Where did it originate?A neti pot
is a small pitcher that resembles a tea pot or an Alladin's lamp. The neti pot
is filled with a saline solution which is poured into one nostril and drained through the other nostril, irrigating the sinus cavity. The process is called "Jala neti" which means "nasal cleansing" in Sanskrit (the classical language of South Asia) and has been used throughout India and South Asia for centuries. Westerners have used nasal cleansing since the early Twentieth Century. Why I tried a neti pot:
I have suffered from seasonal allergies for as long as I can remember. Nasal congestion, sinus pain, sneezing, drainage, runny nose, sore throats, headaches, coughing, and sinus infections were just part of my life. Over the counter medications helped with my symptoms, however, they also made me drowsy. I also was very intrigued when I first heard about neti pots
on the HBO series, Six Feet Under.Expectations:
I was a little frightened when I first bought the Nasaflo neti pot
. I expected that horrible burning sensation that I felt when I would get water up my nose at the swimming pool! However, I tried it because it made sense to me, to clear the dust, pollen, and air pollutants that clogged my sinuses instead of taking pills that made my body ignore it (which is what antihistamines do). Further, chlorinated swimming pool water burns, while a pH balanced solution
formulated specifically for neti pots does not burn. Results:
I was amazed! The first time I used the neti pot
my sinuses were so clogged that I couldn't breathe out of one nostril. After using it twice, it cleared up! Though I had taken antihistamines for years, using the neti pot once a day keeps my sinuses cleared and free of infections without the effects of medications. The combination of using a neti pot and a mostly raw food diet
kept me from catching a cold or having any sinus problems for over a year!NasaFlo Neti Pot Product Features:
- 45° spout makes it easy to pour the solution into and out of nostrils and nasal cavity
- Lid keeps the solution from pouring out the top
- Hole on top of lid makes it easy to control the speed of the flow
- NasaFlo Neti Pot
- Plastic NasaFlo Neti Pot
- Porcelain NasaFlo Neti Pot
is also available and comes with 100 premixed packets which make a perfect 8oz. of pH balanced, isotonic saline solution.
1. In a microwave-proof cup, heat 8 oz. (1 cup) of water (bottled if your tap water is heavily chlorinated) to 105 degrees F. (25 seconds in the microwave, depending on model). Test on your wrist to ensure it is warm, not too hot. Having the water too cold can also close nasal passages.
2. Add premixed packet
or 1/8 tsp. of non-iodized salt and 1/8 tsp. of baking soda. Mix well.3. Add solution to the neti pot
, screw on lid.4. Breathe naturally through our mouth. Keeping the mouth wide will ensure the passage from the nose to the mouth is closed and no solution will pass into the mouth and throat. Be sure not to talk or laugh. It will protect the airways.
5. Put the spout of the neti pot
into the right nostril so that no solution comes out of this nostril.6. Leaning over the sink, gently tip head to the up to the right and bend your head forward, making your nostrils vertical, one above the other. The left nostril will be directly below the right nostril.
7. Only move the neti pot
to keep the solution moving through the nostrils. It may take time to get it just right. 8. Use a half of the solution (about 15-20 seconds) in the right nostril. Return head to an upright position and let all the solution out, slightly blowing the solution out of both nostrils into a tissue (if desired). Do not blow too strongly or solution may enter the ear canal.
9. Repeat procedures #5-8 with left nostril and to the left.
10. Gently blow all the solution out of both nostrils into tissues. If necessary, move head around to get all the solution out.
11. If sinuses are heavily blocked with mucus, it may take several rinsings to thoroughly cleanse cavity.
12. It may take time to become comfortable with nasal cleansing with the neti pot. If after a week of practicing the rinses, the procedure is still difficult, consult with a Yoga practitioner or a physician.
