Neti Pot Nasal Cleansing with Water

The Neti Pot has its traditions steeped in the practice of yoga and other meditative disciplines from the Indian Ayurvedic tradition – in the Orient it has been a time-honored practice to ensure free airflow through the nasal passages.

The nasal passages are rinsed with a saline solution to cleanse it of trapped air-borne impurities. In addition, the mucus layer covering the nasal lining is moistened and conditioned, thereby strengthening its protective function.

The Neti Pot is a means of treating sinus problems, colds, allergies, chronic post-nasal drip and counter-acting the effects of environmental pollutants. For some, the nasal wash has become as routine as brushing teeth daily!

MATERIALS NEEDED:

  • Neti Pot – a small pot with a spout that extends from the bottom of the pot. A lead-free ceramic Neti Pot may be purchased at Whole Foods, Wild Oats, Sprouts, various health food stores or the Southwest Naturopathic Medicinary, or one can be made by using a small plastic watering pot and cutting its spout to about 4 inches.
  • Sea Salt (regular table salt or kosher salt may be used instead) – heaping 1/4 teaspoon fine salt or slightly rounded 1/2 teaspoon if coarsely ground.
  • Warm (TEPID) water – approximately 8 ounces.

    • NOTE:

  • NEVER use HOT water! But too cool water can increase congestion.
  • If your tap water has an unpleasant taste or contains chemicals, consider warming some bottle water.
  • The water will burn your nose if you leave out the salt.

    • DIRECTIONS:

  • 1. Stir salt into warm water until it is completely dissolved – the saline solution may be mixed right in your Neti Pot.
  • 2. Lean over the sink so you are looking directly into the basin, then rotate your head to the side so that one nostril is directly above the other. The forehead should remain level with the chin or slightly higher.
  • 3. Gently insert the spout into the upper nostril so that it forms a comfortable seal. Keep your mouth open and raise the handle of the pot so that the solution enters the upper nostril and drains out through the lower.
  • 4. If your head is rotated correctly and titled at the proper angle, you will be able to breathe comfortably through your mouth and the saline solution flows freely out of the lower nostril.
  • 5. If the forehead is higher than the chin, the saline will drain into your mouth – lower your forehead in relation to your chin to correct this.
  • 6. When the pot is empty, rotate the head so you are looking into the sink and exhale vigorously through both nostrils (without pinching them) to clean them of excess mucus and water.
  • 7. Refill the Neti Pot and repeat on the other side.

    Enjoy the hygienic uses of water and breathe easy!

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