Could a Neti pot help your sinuses?

Anyone that has dealt with allergies, head colds, and headaches will search for help practically any way they can get it. Instead of using prescription medications, you should try using a Neti pot to help clear your sinus. The reason why many of us get nasal infections is because you can get irritants in the nasal passages, causing the mucous membranes to becoming swollen, leading to an infection. Many people use nasal sprays to help relieve the congestion in the nasal passages, but one of the best methods to use is to try a neti pot. A neti pot is a safe way to remove the excess mucus from your nose. Many allergy suffers have found that a neti pot allows daily relief from their allergies if they practice it on a daily basis.

What is Neti?
A neti pot has been used for many years dating back thousands of years in Indian culture. In fact anyone that is a devoted yoga enthusiast will incorporate the neti pot practice into their daily lives as part of the purification process.

Neti involves using a small pot that gently irrigates the nasal passages with water. A gentle stream of salt water will be poured into the nasal passages. The water is similar to that of tears so it is a natural way to cleanse the nasal passages. The salt water will collect pollen, mucus, bacteria, and viruses and remove them from the nose.

How to use a neti pot
Although it may not look attractive, a neti pot does work. You need to purchase a pot that is the right size for your nostrils. It should have a conical tip at the spout end and a small water basin and handle. The conical tip should plug the inlet nostril so you do not have a lot of water leaking out of the nostril you are cleansing as you pour the water into it.

The water must be slightly salted and warm in order for it to remove the bacteria and pollen from the nose. The spout is gently inserted into one nostril and you need to tip your head about 35-45 degrees so the water can flow up through the other nostril and spill out. The complete cleansing process takes about 3 minutes to complete.

What you need to know about a neti pot
Never use hot water as it will burn the mucous membranes and it can potentially damage your nostrils. Cold water is also not recommended because it is not soothing, causing the muscles to tense up and the bacteria and other things will not be as easy to retrieve from the nasal passages.

Always tilt your head to the side in order for the neti pot to work appropriately. If you don't, gravity will work against you and the water will not appropriately flow up through the nostrils. If the water drains out through your mouth, tilt your head down and back in order for it to drain out the nose. It is important to relax in order for the water to flow properly. If you are not relaxed, the muscles will be tense and it will cause the nasal passages to be firm so the water can't flow through.

Do not force the neti pot into the nostril. The neti pot should be gently inserted into the nostril and it should not hurt. While it may feel uncomfortable, you should never feel pain.

When you have finished cleansing the nasal passages, exhale through your nasal passages several times in order to completely clear them. The cost of a neti pot is about $12 and you can purchase it from any retail location or online.