A neti pot is a small pitcher that is designed specifically to irrigate your sinuses. Sinus irrigation is a way to introduce salt water gently into your nose for the purpose of washing out the mucous and relieving congestion. The thought of putting water in your nose goes against the grain, but using a neti pot makes it easy and effective. The benefits can be felt immediately.
Saltwater Recipe
Mix 2 cups of lukewarm water with 1 teaspoon of salt. If the water is too cold, it can trigger your gag reflex or irritate your sinuses. If it’s too hot, it will hurt, so test it first. You can use clean tap water, distilled or filtered water. Use sea salt or non-iodized salt. You can add up to 2 teaspoons for a more drying effect. An optional third ingredient is a pinch of baking soda--not baking powder-- to balance the water’s pH level. Mix well. This recipe mimics the saline content of the fluids in your body.
Neti Pot Irrigation
Fill the neti pot with half of the salt water solution. They usually hold one cup. Bend over the sink and stick the neti pot spout into one of your nostrils, forming a seal. Tilt your head to the side and pour the salt water into your nose. It will wash through your sinuses and pour out the other nostril into the sink. If you exhale gently through your nose while pouring, it helps direct the salt water into the sinuses instead of down the back of your throat. If you get some in your mouth, don’t panic. Just spit it out. Try not to swallow it. Don’t inhale though your nose. If you need to inhale, breathe through your mouth. Keep pouring until the solution is gone. Blow your nose. Put the other half of the salt water solution into the neti pot and repeat on the other side. Blow your nose again.
Considerations
Rinsing with a neti pot about 20 minutes after using a decongestant is particularly effective at loosening up and washing out the mucous. Another good time to irrigate your nose is after taking a shower, when the nasal passages are moistened. Mucous can very thick and sticky, especially in the winter when the air is dryer.
Benefits
Not only does sinus irrigation relieve congestion, but it also can prevent the need for antibiotics, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center and Brown University. Cleaning out the mucous keeps it from becoming stagnant, forming bacteria and causing infections. It also removes allergens that can cause unpleasant symptoms.
Timing
Irrigating with your neti pot can be done morning, noon or night, up to three or four times a day indefinitely without harm. Continuing to flush out your nose, even without the presence of symptoms and congestion, feels good and can prevent future sinus infections from occurring.
