Nasal Irrigation: Does It Blow?
by Girlfriend@Gaiam | January 30th, 2009 | Comments (12)
topic: Girlfriend@Gaiam, Health & Wellness | tags: allergies, colds, how to use a neti pot, nasal irrigation, neti pot, neti pot video, Oprah, sinus
Nope, not Aladdin’s lamp. … It’s a neti pot.
Nope, not Aladdin’s lamp. … It’s a neti pot.I believe alternative healthcare works. I try to use natural methods to ease my family’s symptoms before reaching for over-the-counter or prescription meds. But there’s just something about the neti pot that’s kept me from going there … What was it again? Oh yeah: It seemed too gross! (“You want me to put this where?”)
But when I saw the neti pot in action on Oprah, I realized I was being sort of ridiculous. So I tried it. And guess what: It’s transforming!
Okay, so the first time felt a teensy bit like waterboarding, but it wasn’t traumatic. And the second time I got it. While I’m not quite as efficient as this woman, it’s not the disgusting mess I anticipated, and you do feel better afterward, like you do after a workout. Alright, not that good. But really good in the sinus/nose area — like when you take your first big breath of fresh air on a beautiful, crisp day.
I’m not prone to sinus infections, but if you are, a good “blow-out” with a neti pot is probably miraculous. And it’s cheaper than a doctor’s visit to give it a try!
My mom says that if you use the neti pot in the shower it’s so much less gross.
I’ve been using a neti pot for 10 years, rightst the time I started my yoga practice. it works wonders. I’ve also gotten other people to use them. they thank me every time.
Has anyone tried the Himilayan salt inhaler that boasts some of the same advantages of the Neti pot but without the water?
I switch back and forth from the neti pot and another nasal irrigation product. I love them both. I use the neti pot when i am in the shower and the other if I am using the sink.
I love it! I feel so much better everytime I use it (almost daily). I have really bad allergies and this has helped me so much more then any nasal spray I have ever used.
It might seem werid at first, but once you get use to it, it becomes a part of your daily routine.
I finally tried the neti pot and almost immediately got a cold with congestion that lasted for WEEKS! Coincidence, maybe, but using it actually seemed to prolong the congestion. I WANTED to like it, but now I’m concerned about using it… I also found that it burned (the instructions said it shouldn’t)… Any insights out there?
For Jennifer–
It should not prolong the congestion. What you may have done, as I did, was not tip my head forward quite right and the water backed up into my sinuses. Hence the burn, I remember it was quite painful because I was already congested. But do try it again, it does take a bit of practice. Just make sure that you have your head tipped at an angle to the side and slightly forward. A few times I’ve had to blow my nose on one side to loosen the congestion so that the water could pass through easily and not back up into the sinus cavity. Once you have irrigated on both sides, you should dry out the excess water by bending forward at the waist and inhaling and exhaling quickly through the nose. I found this website very helpful in explaining the techniques: http://www.jalanetipot.com/method.html
I hope that helps!
Also, for Jennifer,
It might also burn if you use too much salt…my instructions say 1.4 tsp w/one cup warm water. You have to make sure the water is the right temp. If it’s too cool, the salt will not dissolve (make sure it dissolves before you use it. If the water is too warm or if it’s hot, it will be VERY uncomfortable.
Sorry that was suppose to be 1/4 teaspoon…not 1.4.
Make sure you don’t use iodized salt. Just use pure sea salt. Also, make sure you use pure water – not chlorinated tap water.
Iodine, chlorine, and other contaminants can bring on congestion.
I love my neti pot and always feel like I should use it as part of my everyday routine. I don’t suffer from allergies or anything but it really does clean out the sinuses and nasal passages when I use it weekly. I use distilled water and sea salt. It only burned the first few times I did it. After your nose gets used to it it feels great. But it’s similar to getting ocean water up your nose. If it does continue to sting I read that you can add a little bit of baking soda to the mixture and that will take away any of the stinging.
I like the Neti pots. They do wonders for me when I am getting a cold, especially a head cold. A good irrigation with the Neti when I feel the cold coming on generally helps reduce the duration of the cold and congestion.
I live in a very dusty and dry area and found the the neti pot is the only thing that keeps me from developing constant sinus infections. My fiance has continuous colds and won’t let me show him how to use the neti pot, which I know would help him. Any suggestions on convincing a stubborn person to use it?