In your skull, you have several sinus cavities that filter the air you breathe. These pockets of air behind your forehead, nasal bones, cheeks and eyes are lined with membranes that produce mucus. Allergies and colds can cause irritation of these membranes and a buildup of mucus in your sinuses. When the mucus stops moving freely, you can get a sinus infection. A neti pot can help relieve the symptoms of allergies or a cold and ward off sinus infections.
Neti Pot
A neti pot resembles a tiny tea pot. It is shallow, with a long, skinny spout. You fill the container with warm saline water. Then, grabbing the handle on the side, your pour the saline water into your nose, irrigating your sinuses and washing away allergens, germs and mucus. Neti pots can be plastic or ceramic, and some have a cover. They can now be found at many popular chain stores, as they have become more common.
Saline Solution
While you can purchase premeasured packets to mix with water to create your saline solution, making a solution from scratch is very simple. Start with 2 cups of warm water. Make sure to check the temperature of the water on the inside of your wrist. You want the water to be slightly warmer than your body temperature. Mix in 1 tsp. of kosher or sea salt and a pinch of baking soda. Stir until all the ingredients are thoroughly incorporated.
Positioning
To irrigate your sinuses with a neti pot, stand with your head over your bathroom sink. Tilt your head to one side until your ear is pointing up to the ceiling. Your head should be parallel to the counter, with the top of your head pointing straight at the mirror above your sink. Place the spout of the neti pot in the nostril that is on top. Pour the solution into your top nostril. It will flow out of your bottom nostril, carrying with it the particles that are irritating your nasal passages. Try to run an entire neti pot's worth of saline solution through your one nostril.
Post-Irrigation
After irrigating one side, turn your head forward so your nose is pointing into the sink and allow any excess water to drain out. Blow forcefully through both nostrils to help the water exit your sinuses. Then repeat the irrigation procedure into the other nostril.
Once you have irrigated both sides and drained the excess water after each side, step away from your sink for one final draining position. Bend forward at the waist, aiming the top of your head at the ground. Twist to one side, looking up to the ceiling. Hold the position for a few seconds, then twist back to the center. Repeat to the other side. Take this process slowly, pausing in each twist and the center for several seconds. Stand up and blow your nose into a tissue. Never plug one nostril; instead keep both open to expel excess water from your sinuses.
