Sinus Relief With a Neti Pot

Neti pots are widely recommended by health professionals as an irrigation tool to prevent or lessen the symptoms of pain, pressure, swelling and congestion associated with sinus inflammation (sinusitis).

History

Neti pots have been used for thousands of years in India and Southeast Asia. The word neti comes from the Sanskrit phrase jala neti, which means to cleanse with water. Nasal irrigation with a neti pot is believed to have originated with the practice of yoga as a way to improve and help maximize deep breathing during yogic exercising.

Features

A neti pot looks like a small tea pot except it's designed with a particularly long, slender spout that easily fits into the nostril. The pots are made in a variety of materials, including metal, glass, ceramic and plastic. In addition to the traditional neti pot, some nasal cleansers can provide a pressurized flow of water either through squeezing or via an electric pump. Most neti pots and nasal cleansers come with instructions for use. They are widely available for purchase online and at drug and health food stores.

Function

The neti pot's sole purpose is to cleanse the sinus cavity. Users fill the pot with a solution of lukewarm water and one-fourth to one-half tsp. of non-iodized salt. Some people find the saltwater irritating. To lessen any harsh effects, they buffer the saline solution with one-half tsp. of baking soda. Because plain tap water is highly irritating to nasal tissue, it is not recommended. The user tilts his head slightly to one side and then inserts the spout of the neti pot into the opposite nostril, allowing the saline solution to flush the sinus cavity and run out the downward-tilted nostril. The user then repeats the process on the opposite nostril.

Effects

The warm saline solution thins the mucous layer in the sinuses so cilia can more easily move bacteria, pollen and other irritants out of the sinuses. Cilia are tiny hair-like structures that act as a broom. When they are not bogged down by too much mucous, cilia brush inflammation-causing organisms down the back of our throats and out our noses.

Benefits

According to WebMD.com, ". . . nasal irrigation can be an effective way to relieve sinus symptoms when used along with standard sinus treatments." Dr. Memhet Oz, host of the "Dr. Oz Show," touted the attributes of the neti pot on a recent "Oprah" broadcast and on Oprah.com. "It may look strange, but this treatment may be more effective than medication. The (ear, nose and throat) doctors who are specialists in this area will often say this is a better treatment than a lot of the other drugs that we try to offer folks, because it mechanically cleans out the problem," he says.