The Magical Neti Pot

As we move more deeply into cold and flu season, we’re all looking for ways to stay well. Look no further than the neti pot which looks like Aladdin’s magic lamp and is sure to bring magical support to your health. Let’s find out why:

The neti pot is one of the oldest health practices of Yoga and Ayurveda. It’s basically an irrigation system for the nasal passages. And because all the systems of the head, throat and chest are interconnected, regular use of the neti pot benefits the nose, ears, throat, sinuses and lungs. Wow, that’s a lot of benefit from one simple practice!

I first started doing neti several years ago because of spring/summer allergies. After just a couple of months of using the neti pot daily, I was actually able to get off of all allergy meds. Now I use it every day all year because it also clears out the bacteria and viruses that might otherwise make me sick in the fall and winter.

Neti pots are easy to purchase online and some local stores carry them too. I recommend a porcelain pot because it keeps the water warm and can be easily sterilized in the dishwasher. There are also excellent online videos with instructions for using the neti pot so I won’t go over the details here. But here are a few things I have learned along the way:

Use purified water. Keep distilled water on hand or boil tap water for 10 minutes (and then cool) before use. Most people like the water slightly warm for comfort. Do not use water directly from the tap. When we drink tap water, the acids in the stomach mitigate any harmful bacteria in the water. Our nasal passages do not have the ability to eliminate these bacteria so we have to do this in advance.

Use salt water. There is special neti salt that is added to the water, ½ teaspoon of salt per cup of water. Do not use iodized table salt. The saltwater mimics the saltiness in the human body so that the solution is very soothing to the mucous membranes. Plain water aggravates the nostrils and will cause dryness and bleeding.

Use the neti pot every day. Yes, just as you suspected, you will probably pour a little water down the throat the first few times you try the neti pot. Therefore, it’s best to make the commitment to use it 10 days in a row before giving up. I promise you it will only take a few days to get the hang of it. Once you’re breathing better, sleeping more soundly, and staying healthy all year long, you will never want to miss a day, just like me.