What is a Neti Pot?
Jan 25, 2023Colds and Congestion
The cold season is here along with kids back in school. When I get s stuffy nose after traveling or playing with the grandkids, my first go-to is Nettles. If a couple doses of Nettles does not do the trick then I look for my Neti Pot. A Neti Pot is designed to rinse the nose and sinuses and remove mucus and debris found there. Thus relieving congestion.
Neti Pot
A Neti Pot looks a bit like a small tea pot or a magic geni bottle, but has a small spout that is the size to fit into your nostril. Neti Pots are a safe method of irrigating the nasal passages. My Neti Pot is ceramic and holds a little less than 8 ounces of water.
Irrigating the nasal passages with salt water thins the mucus, reduces swelling and clears out the debris caught in the mucus. The Neti Post is believed to originate thousands of years ago in India. It was part the (air)Ayurvedic medical tradition. Jala neti, means to cleanses the nose with water. The process was used to clear the nose, remove mucus and dirt from the nasal passages.
You will need a Neti Pot:
Sea Salt - do not use table salt it has too many additives
Distilled water - Is sterile, it is pure and does not contain any contaminates. Do not use tap water, which may contain any number of microorganisms and bacterium. This water will be used to irrigate in the nasal and sinus passages which are close in proximity to the brain.
I suggest making a salt solution of ½ teaspoon of sea salt (***very important, do not use table salt) mixed in about 8 ounces of warm DISTILLED water. Do not use tap water, distilled water is clean and pure.
How does this work?
Over a sink, tilt your head to the side and put the tip of the Neti Pot into the top nostril and the water solution should drip out the bottom nostril. Use about 4 ounces of the water solution in each nostril. After using the neti pot it ,should make breathing easier and is a must to do before going to bed at night. This will save your partner from waking you up because of your snoring.
My experience using the Neti Pot. I use my Neti Pot in the shower. I first fill the pot with distilled water and add about 1.2 teaspoon of sea salt. In the shower I tilt my head to the side and put the spicket of the pot in the upper nostril. Breathe through your mouth. The water begins flowing out the lower nostril, if you do this correctly. For me it feels a bit like I'm underwater and accidently got water in my nose. It will feel a bit weird at first. Run about half the water through the first nostril and then tilt your head to the opposite side and run the remainder of the water through the other nostril. You will need to blow your nose to remove any lingering mucus and water.
Kelly Summers, is a Master Herbalist & Natural Healing Guide®. She knows that knowledge is empowering and deeply desires to share the insights she has learned through her continued journey of learning.
References
New York Times, "Do Neti Pots Really Work?", 26 Jan 2022, by Alice Callahan (https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/26/well/live/neti-pot.html)
