Neti Pot Remedies

Colds, congestion and sinus infections are a fact of life, especially during the fall and winter months. However, that does not doom you to months of not being able to breathe or pumping yourself full of drugs in order to muddle through the season. Neti pots have been used in India for centuries, but have now gained acceptance in the United States. They are an all-natural way to clear mucus and to open the nasal passages.

Neti Pots and How to Use Them

Neti pots are small pots made of ceramic, glass or plastic which resemble small teapots. You fill them with a solution of one eighth to one quarter tsp. of salt and eight ounces of warm (not hot) purified or distilled water, then use the neti pot to pour the solution into the nasal cavity. To do this, you hold the pot in one hand, while tilting your head sideways over a sink. The side of your head that is on the same side as the hand holding the pot should be facing up. Put the spout into to the nostril on the side that is facing up and pour the saline solution into your nostril. The solution will drain out of your other nostril, carrying mucus and other gunk out with it.

Side Effects from Usage

The first couple of times you use a neti pot will feel really odd and possibly uncomfortable, and you may get some of the solution down your throat, but you will get used to it. You may experience ear popping, which is from the change in pressure from the unblocking of the nasal passages. Some people choose to blow their noses afterward to get rid of the saltiness and to remove any remaining fluid or mucus. If you choose to do this, blow gently; harsh blowing could cause the solution to enter the sinus cavity or the tubes into the ears.

Further Directions and Cautions

Some people with allergies or chronic sinus infections use a neti pot daily; others use one only when they feel congested or are getting sick. It should not be used by anyone under the age of 5, those who cannot tilt their head sufficiently to allow for drainage or those who have an ear infection. You should follow directions and talk with your doctor before using a neti pot if you are being treated for chronic sinus problems. Use of a neti pot is not designed to cure your sinus infection or allergy, but to give relief of symptoms like congestion.