How to use a Neti pot?

Hello everyone.

Welcome to my blog post of the neti pot review. Today I will be discussing the basics of how to use a neti pot. Initially, it may be seem scary and intimidating, but once you start getting the hang of it, it becomes easy as pie.

This post will cover others topics as well. I will chat about the neti pot in general. Its benefits and purpose, whether its safe or not in certain circumstances. The types of different neti pots available and my recommendations. Finally, I will offer you options on neti pots available to buy , so that you can get started right away and give this a go.
Does this sound good to you? Great lets move on!

What is a Neti-pot?

A Neti pot is a pitcher. It can be made of either plastic, metal, glass or ceramic and can look like a ‘genie lamp,’ or a ‘ kettle pot.’

It was first developed in ancient India and used traditionally by the Ayurvedic Yogis, for nasal cleansing or irrigation.

Neti is Sanskrit for ‘nasal cleansing.‘  These yogis have used water for cleansing of the nose, ‘ Jala-Neti, ‘ or string for nose cleansing, ‘ Sudra-Neti.’

Cleansing of the nose was considered an important practice for these Yoga Masters. They believed that with clearer breathing, as ‘ breathe is life,’ the clearer would one’s thoughts be. Therefore this helped them to achieve a clearer state of mind when doing their meditative practice.

The Neti pot was made famous by Dr Oz as he presented his talk covering this topic on the Oprah Winfrey Show.

How does a Neti Pot work?

The Neti pot works on a very simple technique of pouring a saline solution down one nostril and coming out of the other  nostril using gravity as an aid. I have included this video clip taken from Youtube. It is the one featuring Dr Oz on the Oprah Winfrey Show. There are some demonstrations of people performing Neti pot procerdures. Check It out!!

 

What are the Benefits of using a Neti Pot?

I have talked about the possibility of tinnitus (ringing in the ears), coming about as a result of sinus infection. It therefore makes sense to care for and protect these sinus passageways. This helps to maintain good nasal hygiene as well as preventing allergies, sinusitis and tinnitus, amongst other things from taking place.

Our nasal passages contain one of our body’s first lines of defense against disease. As I mentioned in a previous post, it is lined with a thin layer of mucus which helps to trap and get rid of dust, pollen and other airborne particles.

However, if the mucus becomes either too thick and dry or too thin and runny, this makes access easy, for viruses and bacteria to enter the nasal lining and cause problems.

That’s why ‘gargling’ or ‘sniffing’ a little saltwater on the onset of a cold is traditional of folk medicine. The purpose of a nasal wash allows the saline solution to carry impurities out of the body. Furthermore with the use of the neti pot, this technique of nasal cleansing is much easier, simpler and quicker to do.

So in summary by cleansing the sinuses and nasal cavities, the neti pot helps to relieve symptoms associated with colds, flu and sinus infections, nasal dryness, allergies and other sinus irritations. It also helps to reduce the swelling of mucous membranes.

A lot of people have found that using the Neti pots, had allowed them to discontinue the use of corticosteroid nasal sprays or antihistamine tablets for their allergies or hay fever.

How often should one do a sinus cleanse?

I personally would recommend to incorporate a sinus wash as part of your daily personal hygiene regimen. Like brushing your teeth, over time it will become 2nd Nature.

The great part is that it is easy to use and requires only about 3-5 minutes of your time.So, no excuses!!!!

Step By step Method of how to use your neti pot

I will show you how to use your neti pot correctly so that you get the maximum benefit out from it.

I would like to outline a couple of steps below followed by a few tips to help make the process easier and hassle free as possible when starting off.

1.Fill the Neti pot with water. Use lukewarm water(not too hot, not too cold) directly from the tap. Use distilled water if the purity/safety of the tap water is questionable in your area. The neti pot takes a measuring cup of water, so you can even boil water and allow it to cool, before using it.

2.The neti pot usually comes with salt solution sachets. Add one sachet to the water. Alternatively, add a quarter to half a teaspoon of non-iodised salt to the water. Stir with spoon to dissolve the solution.

3. Lean your head forward over the basin, and bend your neck down slightly.

4.Gently insert the sprout of the neti pot inside your right nostril, allowing a seal to be formed to avoid any leakage.

5. Open your mouth slightly. During this cleansing procedure, you should breathe contiously, through your open mouth. Doing this, allows a necessary air passageway, preventing the water from draining through the oropharynx( behind the nose) into your mouth.

6. Tilt your head sideways, so that your right nostril is directly above your left nostril. Tip the neti pot, allowing the water solution to pour into your right nostril. Within a few seconds, the water will drain out through your left nostril and into the sink.

7.After the neti pot is empty, remove the sprout from your right nostril, and exhale through both nostrils. Gently blow out your nose.

8.Repeat steps 1-7 for the left nostril. Cool!! Now that you’ve got the neti pot usage directions, lets move on to some tips.

Helpful Tips

1.The Neti pot should be cleaned throughouly after each use. Most of them are dishwasher safe.

2.DO NOT SHARE your neti pot with anyone else. For hygienic purposes, everyone in the household should have their own neti pot.

3. There are questions as to how much salt to use in a neti pot. Initially, you may use just half of the sachet contents for the first couple of washes, so that you can get more used to the procedure.

4.If you have sensitive skin, then apply a thin layer of Vaseline(petroleum jelly) before treatment, as this helps to soothe it.

5.When doing the wash, DO NOT LEAN back too much, this prevents the water from properly flowing into your nostrils.

6. There have been some reports of people experiencing ear pain or fullness. In a few cases, fluid may be forced into the middle ear and can cause infection after a awhile. As a precautionary measure, should you experience this or any other discomfort, please discontinue use and consult your doctor or other health care provider.

Which Neti pot do I buy?

1.Himalayan Institute Ceramic Neti Pot

Company Name :Himalayan Institue

Where to Buy : Amazon.com or Ebay.com

Price : $11.00

Overall Rating : 4.5 out of 5 Stars

About this product

• This is the original Neti pot from 1972
• Soothes dry passages and clears sinus cavities
• Made from lead-free ceramic and glaze
• Featured on Oprah Winfrey show, and made famous by Dr Oz.

 

2. SinuCleanse Nasal Wash System, Plastic Neti Pot With Salt Packets

Company Name : Sinucleanse

Where To Buy : Amazon.com or Ebay.com

Price: $8.54

Overall Rating : 4.2 out of 5 stars

About this product

• 100% Natural ingredients
• Preservative Free.
• Includes 30 Saline packets made in a FDA approved facility
• Clinically proven to be safe and effective
• Developed by a leading Ear, Nose and Throat Physician
• BPA and Latex Free

Whilst the differences are highlighted in the product descriptions above, below I give you a combined Pros and Cons of these products.

PROS

• Reasonably Priced
• Easy to Use
• Natural Ingredients used
• Lifetime Life Expectancy
• Non-Staining
• Dishwasher Safe
• Kids and Pregnant ladies can use it

Cons

• Fragile -The ceramic one can fall and break
• Not recommended for people with a deviated nasal septum.
• Not recommended for people with a current ear infection.

Conclusion

There you have it, the “low down” on the famous Neti pot. I hope that this article has helped you to learn a little more about how to use a neti pot.

As I mentioned earlier, it may take some time to get used to. Once you’re in the know-how, you will feel the amazing difference that this product offers. I personally use the “genie-lamp” version.

I have noticed a difference in my breathing, sense of smell and taste. My tinnitus is unfortunately not as a result of sinus infection. I am told that it is because of Meniere’s Disease, so I am currently on medication to treat it.

So the neti pot is ineffective for my tinnitus, but it may help yours if it is as a result of sinusitis.

⇒Learn more about this, by reading ” Can Sinus Infection cause Tinnitus?”⇐

Are you ready to give the Neti pot a try?

Have you already tried it and did it work for you?

Would you recommend it to others?

Please share this post with friends and family that you think will benefit from reading this post.

You have been brilliant for spending your time here.

Thanks and See you around!

Roopesh