Neti Pot: the Key to Better Sinus Health

Ancient Yoga practitioners believed that the nose was an entry way into the body for diseases. The practice of Jala Neti developed as a way to cleanse the nasal cavities and wash away excess mucus and pollutants trapped within.

A simple device called a Neti Pot was used to pour a stream of warm salt water into one nostril and allow it to exit the other side. The water would traverse the sinuses and thus wash away bacteria and irrigate the sinus membranes in the process.

The design of the Neti Pot resembles a teapot except the spout of the Neti Pot usually has a specially designed end that will allow for a water tight seal against the user's nostril. The user simply leans forward over a sink and holds the pot's spout snuggly against their nostril and slowly pours the salt solution into the nostril.

The user's head should be positioned with the chin near their chest and slightly turning the head towards the pot will allow for a water tight seal. The user should wash one side and then repeat the process from the the other nostril. With practice one should be able to adjust the head and position of the pot to achieve a successful cleansing. The experience is not at all unpleasant and the user can still breathe and even speak while the water is flowing.

One should resist the urge to swallow as this will allow salt water to enter the throat...otherwise the water stays in the sinuses and does not gag or give the user a smothering sensation.

Neti Pot Salt can be found commercially or one can use non-iodized salt. The concentration of most premixed solutions matches the normal saline content of the human body and thus does not cause stinging as one would expect.

Plain water without salt will cause stinging and excessive salt can cause discomfort. The amount of salt needed will of course depend on the volume of the Neti Pot.

Most Pots will come with instructions on how to mix the salt and how to use the Neti Pot. When looking to buy a Neti Pot, one should be aware that these devices are inexpensive and come in a variety of types and sizes.

The pots are usually made from either plastic, ceramic,copper and even stainless steel. The Neti Pot can offer you an easy way to maintain better sinus health.