According to the National Institutes of Health, or NIH, neti pots, also called jala neti, originated as a nasal cleansing and moisturizing method used in Indian Ayurvedic medicine. Neti pots are filled with a saline solution which is used to irrigate, or flush, the nasal cavity. NIH explains that nasal irrigation helps to cleanse the nasal cavity, remove causes of inflammation and improve the cleansing function of the nasal cavity. By cleansing the nasal cavity, uncomfortable nasal congestion that occurs during a cold can be reduced. Colds can result in drying of the nasal passage with frequent nose blowing. Use of a neti pot can help keep the nasal passage moisturized and reduce inflammation.There are three stages of increasing difficulty of using a neti pot to cleanse the nasal passage.
Stage One
A neti pot resembles a small tea pot with a large opening on top and a handle and spout on opposite sides. The pot is filled with warm saltwater. MayoClinic.com explains that to make solution "dissolve 1/8 teaspoon of table salt into 8 ounces of distilled or purified water." Yoga-Age.com recommends using sea salt. Both MayoClinic.com and Yoga-Age.com stress the importance of using warm, not hot water to avoid burning the nasal cavity. For stage one of using a neti pot, pour the saline solution into one nostril and allow it to drain out the opposite nostril. Repeat for the other nostril.
Stage Two
Yoga-Age.com describes the second stage should only be done after the first stage can be done comfortably. Pour saline solution into one nostril. Then, sniff it into the mouth. Spit the solution out of the mouth. Repeat for the other nostril. Yoga-Age.com recommends completing this stage under the supervision of an instructor the first couple of times.
Stage Three
Stage three is the most advanced of the three stages. Yoga-Age.com recommends stage three be done after completing stages one and two at least once each. Pour the saline solution into the mouth. Draw the solution up the nasal passage and out the nostrils. As with stage two, Yoga-Age.com recommends completing this stage under instructor supervision the first couple of times.
Drying the Nasal Passage
According to Yoga-Age.com, regardless of how the neti pot is utilized, it is important to dry the nasal passage after cleansing. Hang the head down with nose pointed towards the ground. Breath in through the nose and out the mouth with the head hanging down. Raise the head and breathe through the nose at least ten times, then, each nostril individually ten times. Breathe through both nostrils ten times, or until the nostrils and nasal passages feel dry.
