nasal irrigation? yes, please!

To neti pot or to not neti pot?!  I say– yes!  Since returning from my 10 day intensive yoga teacher training at Flow Yoga Center, I have been actively irrigating my nasal passage (words I never saw myself saying).  I’ve used my neti pot almost every day for the last 10 days.  Boy, what a difference nasal irrigation makes!

If you don’t know what a neti pot is, don’t worry, you’re not the only one.  Although it’s a practice that dates back to the ancient Hindu practice of Ayurveda, I didn’t really know much about it until I was in a room with 20+ die hard yoginis. Neti pots did fly off the shelves however, once Dr. Oz introduced Oprah to neti pots!

Using a neti pot is especially helpful with this crazy weather we have going on in the DC-MD-VA area.  The change of seasons and allergies can be killer on your sinuses/create congestion. Not-to-mention, every day substances and pollutants enter our sinus cavities through our noses.  So what can be done about it?  Simple. Wash your nose!

The purpose of nasal irrigation and what neti pots are all about:

Nasal irrigation is a personal hygiene practice where the nasal cavity is washed to flush out excess mucus and debris from the nose and sinuses.  It promotes good sinus and nasal health.  People with chronic sinusitis including symptoms of headache, halitosis, cough, and nasal congestion often find nasal irrigation to provide relief.  Many people believe that regular use of a neti pot is more effective for nasal allergy and sinus symptoms than are over-the-counter medications.

The neti pot itself is a simple instrument, which looks like a cross between a small bulb-shaped teapot, gravy boat or Aladdin’s magic lamp.

Here’s how it works:

• Get yourself a neti pot (easy to find at: Whole Foods, CVS, Amazon, Target).  You can get one for less than $15.
• Get some salt with nothing extra added, ie: non-iodized salt.  Many neti pots come with pre-packaged, pre-measured salt packets (this is what I have).  It makes it really easy to get your mixture just right.
• Fill your pot with lukewarm distilled water or previously boiled water.
• Either use your pre-pacakged salt pack or add 1/4 teaspoon of your salt to your neti pot and mix until salt is dissolved.
• Tilt your head slightly sideways, at about a 45-degree angle, and insert the spout of the neti pot into your nostril. 
• Let the water flow into the nostril gently and slowly. If the water begins to flow out of your mouth, you are not tilting your head correctly. 
• Relax and breathe through your mouth. Once you are done, remove the spout and blow your nose. This will help clear any leftover water in the nasal passages.
• Repeat on the other side.
• Make sure to clean your pot thoroughly after each use and store in a clean, dry place.
• You can do this once or twice a day or even just once and awhile.  

Watch this video to see a neti pot in action.

Check out some pics of me (on the right) and Brittanie DeChino (left) from my yoga teacher training demonstrating the wonders of the neti pot!

At first, using a neti pot seems super weird and even a little scary.  How does the water go in one nostril and come out the other?  Is the tempertaure of the water ok?  Am I using the right salt?  But, once you get comfortable breathing in/out through your mouth and get over the process of it, it’s actually very easy!  Warning: the first few times, you may have some technical difficulties and possibly swallow some water (which is totally safe if you do).  Don’t get discouraged, just try again!

Once it becomes part of your daily routine, it’s less “weird” and more I brush my teeth, I wash my nose, I start my day.  :)

Enjoy and happy nose cleaning!