Neti Pot Nasal Irrigation
Millions of Americans suffer daily from sinus problems that can be attributed to extremely high pollen counts or environmental factors like pollution. Regardless of what’s causing so many people to feel miserable all day, there is a more natural solution to solving your issues besides taking another pill or dangerous spray solutions. Nasal irrigation systems like a neti pot have become an increasing popular practice for helping people relieve sinus related issues.
The netipot is just one of many nasal irrigation methods that have been used in Asia for centuries to help cleanse out our sinus cavities. The word neti pot actually comes from a traditional Indian medical term called jala neti which means nasal cleansing. Nasal cleansing is usually mentioned with yoga and can be performed immediately after cleaning your sinus passages.
How does it work?
A neti pot often looks like a small tea pot that can be made from a variety of materials including ceramic, stainless steel, copper and plastic. It works by using a simple saline solution to flush out mucus and debris in the nasal passages. Also, sinus problems can cause our nose hair (cilia) to work less effectively. By cleaning out excess mucus and debris, our cilia can work more effectively at filtering allergens, bacteria and other irritants.
Clinical testing has shown that nasal irrigation techniques like neti pots have shown to have no negative side effects and is safe to use. Sinus specialist recommend it’s use to their patients, especially those who have had sinus surgery. People who have used nasal irrigation methods have reported fewer colds, headaches, less congestion and can alleviate facial pain.
How to use one?
It can often become daunting when first seeing how a netti pot is used. Not only does it look pretty disgusting to see mucus coming out of somebody nose, but it can be difficult to correctly use one.
Saline solution
The saline solution can be one of the tougher parts of using the neti pot appropriately. If you use too much or little, it can be extremely irritating to your nose tissue and you will notice immediately. Once you get the appropriate solution, it feels really refreshing. There should not be a burning sensation nor should it be uncomfortable to use.
A solution recipe that I have found to work great is a ratio of 1/4 teaspoons of salt to 8 ounces of warm water. This may vary from person to person, but I have found this mixture to be perfect. I just took the 1/4 teaspoon measuring spoon from my kitchen ( I don’t ever use it in the kitchen anyways ) and 8 ounces is the capacity of my neti pot.
Some helpful tips to make sure that your saline solution turns out well include:
- Make sure to purchase salt with nothing added to it ( usually iodine ).
- Properly mix the solution to ensure salt is equally distributed among water.
- The water temperature should be approximately what you body temperature. This is similar to the amount of salt to add to your solution, it varies depending on your preferences.
- Try mixing in a little baking soda if the solution feels like it needs to be softened.
- Avoid those expensive saline solution packages as all they are is a mix of salt and baking soda.
Techniques
The following are some techniques that I have found to make using your neti pot much easier:
- Fill the neti pot with the above solution making sure to follow the tips I mentioned.
- Use the neti pot over the sink or in the shower. I prefer the sink because you are not wasting water.
- Lean your head at an angle of approximately 45° and bend your head down, while still looking straight.
- Place the neti pot in whichever nostril that is higher.
- Begin breathing through your mouth. This will make sure the solution can properly circulate through your sinus passages.
- Gradually lift the neti pot handle and allow the solution to pour from the one side of your nostril to the other. The solution will begin draining from the lower nostril.
- Repeat on the other nostril. Depending on your sinuses feel, you may need to use an entire pot on each side.
- Once complete, gently blow your nose. Do not blow to hard as it can cause water to enter your ear and can even cause pain in your ears.
There are a lot of steps involved and even when it’s written, it still can still be difficult to use. Here is a great introductory video on how to properly use a neti pot to ensure you are getting all the benefits of nasal irrigation:
Different Types
There are a variety of different types of neti pots including:
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is is in my opinion the best type material a neti pot should be made from. It is often slightly more expensive than other varieties, but is much stronger and more durable. You can easily take it on trips without fear of being broken and usually hold double the water capacity. Here is a quality stainless steel neti pot that got some good reviews.
Ceramic
Ceramic is the most popular variety because of their soft feel and are often inexpensive. A major drawback is it’s fragility. It can be tough to take on travel as it can easily break if your drop. It also is much heavier than other materials and doesn’t have a large capacity. Himalayan Institute is one of the most popular brands.
Plastic
Plastic are fairly popular as well and can be found in just about any drug store. Plastic is fairly durable and doesn’t break when dropped, making it nice to take on travel. Just as with anything plastic, it can sometimes deteriorate with age, especially because of the constant use of a salt solution. Neil Med makes one that comes with prepackaged salt solutions.
Other Types
There are a wide array of other types of nasal irrigation systems that use more than gravity to alleviate sinus problems. Some feel that neti pots don’t do a good job in clearing their sinuses. There are advanced systems like the Sinupulse that are electrically powered and use pulsing systems to clear nasal cavities. There is also nasal rinse systems in which you squeeze a bottle of saline solution in your nose. These are fairly inxpensive and give you a little pressure. Whether they are more effective than a simple neti pot may vary from person to person, but I just prefer a traditional neti pot.
Save
This may seem like an odd heading, but you can actually save with nasal irrigation systems if you have sinus problems. Some ways that it can save you both money and time include:
- More Productive at Work: If you no longer are suffering from having constant running nose, headaches or other systems of sinus issues, then you will become instantly more productive at work. It will be easier to focus on tasks at work as well as make the day much more bearable.
- Sleep Better: It is never easy to sleep when you are congested and can’t breathe out of your nose.
- No More Tissues: Well, you may still need to use tissues, but you can really cut your spending on tissues now.
- Less Pills: You can now ditch those expensive allergy and sinus medicines.
My Experience
I have been using a neti pot since the later part of my college days and words cannot describe just how happy I have been with how the neti pot has changed my life. In college, I regularly had what I thought was a cold and it would last for weeks with a never ending stuffy nose, constant headaches and a nasty taste in the back of my mouth. I was finally fed up when I went into a series of finals sick and I could barely breath. I saw the neti pot when searching for natural solutions to solving the problems I had. From the day I began using it, I noticed a drastic difference. That gross taste in my mouth went away immediately, I got far few headaches, and my nasal passage always feels clear and easy to breath. I’m glad to also say that I have yet to get a cold since the day I began using it *knock on wood*. I still use it on a daily or bi-daily basis as part of my morning and/or evening routine.
If you were to talk to any of my friends, they would tell you that I could be a spokes person for the neti pot. I have gotten my mom, fiancee and a few friends to begin using it. It does not work as well as it has for me on some who have tried it, but all have been satisfied with the results. If it makes you feel worse by using it, then this form of nasal irrigation is not for you.
Your Experience
Please share your experience with using a nasal irrigation system.
Comments
This is very interesting, I have not seen this type of product before yet it make sense and is a more natural remedy than the nasty nasal sprays and pills which just dry out your nasal passages.
My girlfriend suffers from allergies (I do not) and thus I should see if these are available in my country.
Thanks for the detailed post.
Regards
Mark
This is a great idea. I wonder if they distribute or make something like this in Australia…
It is interesting to see the number of pharmaceutical items we have for various ailments and forget about the more natural alternatives.
this idea makes me wonder
Great video about the Neti Pot. I think the neti pot is awesome and I tell as many people as I can about it. Thanks for sharing.
I was hesitant when I first saw the neti pot, and it does feel weird the first couple of times. But I have to say it has helped with my allergies. I can breath and sleep a lot better.
I need to try the neti pot some day.
Didn’t try the neti pot but tried a saline spray and tilted my head sideways when I did it. Except for the first time, can’t get the stuff to come out the other nostril. It just fills up the nostril I put it in and then spills out. I move my head all around at different angles trying to see if it makes a difference, then I get fluid in my ear. I notice that nobody else mentions that. The first time some mucus came out, and not any other time. It did leave a nice sort of clean feeling inside my nostrils though whenever i try it, which is three times now, so I want to keep trying. I have had to breathe through my mouth for years at night and have had a constant small amount of mucus always re-forming in my right nostril for years. I am too chicken to try the neti pot–hate water up my nose. My brother used to sniff salt water after discovering that salt water that went up his nose from the ocean was helpful. He swore by it. He has passed away now but would have gotten a kick out of all these people putting salt water up their nostrils now. I think this neti pot idea or the idea in general is probably wonderful, but for some reason it isn’t working and I’d just like to figure it all out so I can use it.
Sea salt isn’t pure salt (sodium chloride) but can be safely used for nasal irrigation. It is important to avoid iodine and anti-caking agents though.
I like your neti pot comparison!
I loved using the neti pot after hearing it on Oprah years ago – but all of a sudden, each time i tried to use it, I got a horrible pain each time, no matter which side I tried?
I waited weeks and the same thing happened, anyone else have this problem as I have stopped and miss it, though using Chrisal has really helped as well
Thank you,
L
same thing is happening to me, terrible burning in sinuses, what could it be.
Burning could also happen when there is too much salt in the water. Also water temperature should be close to the body temperature.
I think that burning could mean that you have some sinus infection already.
Starting using a Neti Pot when I was pregnant and got a terrible cold. Medication options are very limited when pregnant, so this gave me safe, instant relief. It really made a woman with a big belly and a congested head very happy!