Day 135 of 365 - Oh Neti Pot, Please Catch My Drip!

Have you ever heard of, or used a Neti Pot?  It is an alternative health tool which has become popular in North America in recent years.  The origin for it is from the Ayurvedic tradition, where it has been used for centuries.

So, what is it?  A Neti Pot is a small container with a long spout.  One site I looked at described it as looking a bit like Aladdin's Lamp, which is a good comparison.  It was originally ceramic but now many are plastic.

What do you do with it?  A Neti Pot is used to relieve sinus symptoms by rinsing out the nasal passages using a solution of water, non-iodized salt and baking soda.  What is a bit awkward at first, is positioning yourself adequately over your bathroom sink.  You lean forward, tilt your head to one side, then insert the tip of the spout in the upward nostril, and slowly pour.  You keep your head tilted and the fluid drains out the other nostril into the sink.  You need to find just the right angle of head tilt so that it all drains out, rather than going towards your throat.  Keeping your mouth open for breathing is also a good idea.

I first learned about Neti Pots in the last several years, and purchased a kit, containing a plastic pot and many little packets of the premixed salt blend.  You can make your own powder mix easily too, using non-iodized fine salt and baking soda in a ratio of 3:1.

You nearly fill the pot with room temperature distilled water, or water that has been boiled and cooled, with the salt packet added to dissolve.  Then, commence your comical posture and pouring!

I find the Neti Pot tremendously helpful when I have a bad head cold, with a lot of congestion.  It can really help clear out the sinuses.  However, people also use them to deal with allergy symptoms or other nasal irritants.

In recent weeks I have developed a little congestion with an annoying post nasal drip, not a cold, perhaps just a combination of irritants and dry air. Usually, just drinking a hot beverage is adequate to relieve it, but it's been hanging around.  Not having used my Neti Pot for some time, I've pulled it out to use for several consecutive days, hoping to clear this thing up.

If, however, you are one of those unfortunates who have acquired a nasty head cold, or even a sinus infection,  I would highly recommend giving it a try.  You'd be amazed how much it can help.  When I've had a bad cold, I would use it a couple times a day.

If the idea of the pot seems creepy to you, there are also squeeze bottle versions, or saline sprays for lubricating your nasal passages.  You can find all these devices at most drug stores or online.

Nasty little topic, I know, but appropriate for this time of year to help with our health and wellness.



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