There are a great many toxins and poisons in the air. In addition, there are hundreds of naturally occurring substances, like pollen, dust and animal dander that are just as invasive.
One way to deflect the effects of these pollutants is through nasal irrigation, and the use of the Neti Pot. If you can get past the idea that you are pouring water up your nose (which you are really not - you are passing water through your sinus cavities), using a Neti Pot is probably one of the most useful preventative health measures you can undertake.
If you are an allergy sufferer, experience chronic sinus infections or just want to speed up recovery from a cold or the flu, this is the ticket. I had a client who had chronic sinus infections, and 3 operations later, had no relief. I sent him out to get a Neti Pot and he hasn't had a sinus infection in more than10 years. My own allergies go from nominal to non-existent during allergy season, and, with daily use, I can't remember the last time I had a serious cold or the flu.
Some pointers:
There are many brands of Neti Pot, make sure the one you pick is made with non-lead ceramic. Your best bet is to just get the original Neti Pot produced by the Himalayan Institute. The plastic ones are OK for travel, but you're putting hot water in plastic...chemicals are bound to leech in. I drag my ceramic one everywhere and, in 12 years, it has yet to break.
The water - this is important -- needs to be more than warm and less than hot. Tepid water won't do the job, hot water will sear your nasal passages (very uncomfortable) and cool or cold water will actually make you more congested.
You are going to put salt in the water to soften it. Make certain to use non-iodized salt. If you don't get all green and crunchy and use tap water instead of distilled water, the rule is, "if it burns, you need more salt". You only need about a ¼ teaspoon of salt.
Slim, the apothecary at the Himalayan Institute, makes a tincture called Varcho Veda Neti Wash. It's a nice supplement, although a little pricey, and is available most anywhere you would get a Neti Pot.
If you have a cold, you can also add liquid zinc to the water. It's a bit weird in terms of taste and smell, but it works wonders.
Here's a great resource:
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Thank you for this post. I
Thank you for this post. I have been using a neti-pot regularly since February, and it has worked wonders for my sinus infections and allergies (I no longer require medication to ease my sinus problems). Like you, I now travel with mine and use it daily.
I'm not sure when is the "best" time to use a neti-pot - but, I've been using mine first thing in the morning, and it seems to relieve the "foggy-headed" feeling I sometimes experience when I wake up. In any case, I am a firm advocate of the neti-pot.