Neti pots: because runny noses aren't stylish

Posted Mar 18th 2007 at 10:52AM by Anne Metz (Subscribe to Anne Metz's posts)

As many of you will agree, sharing an mixed-gender apartment can be a trying experience. Most people will cite differences in cleanliness as the primary domestic conflict, but when I lived with Ian, a professional cyclist, it was his health and beauty regimens that weirded me out most.

To be specific, Ian's neti pot grossed me out.

What is a neti pot? Neti pots are inexpensive, do-it-yourself, holistic tools for clearing out your nasal passages. Netis look like tea pots but behave like nasal douches (gross description, I know). He'd pour a warm saline solution in one nostril and voila, the liquid would drain out the other one. Though he sounds a little freakish, my roommate was onto something that more and more doctors are starting to recognize: when people rinse their passages regularly, they breathe better and tend to have fewer sinus problems.

So if you're that guy or gal with the perpetually runny nose or voice that sounds like Fran Drescher, do yourself a favor and give the neti pot a shot.

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Tags: accessories, beauty, neti-pot

b 3-22-2007 @ 2:04PM

It seems disgusting, but it works.

My western, traditional doctor suggested it when i kept getting sinus infections. I broke down and did it - and have not had an infection since. You learn the breathe calmly so that it doesn't feel like you are drowning. I can't suggest a neti highly enough!

Joe Luss 3-31-2007 @ 9:42AM

My doctor calls this a 'Narial' cleansing, as it cleans the nares (nose) and prevents infections, etc. WARNING: This will NOT work if you have a deviated septum. The water will run down your throat instead.

Moshe Handler 3-22-2007 @ 2:17PM

I used to use neti pots and despite the mess I loved the results. I have now switched to a kit made Neil Med (sinus rinse kit) which I found at walgreens.
It is superior in that it allows you to keep your face upright when rinsing. With this nasal rinse bottle, you squeeze gently with your head in a much more comfortable upright position as yo irrigate your nose.
Try it! You'll love it!

Dee Dee Brown 3-22-2007 @ 2:38PM

I would love to purchase a Neti Pot. Can anyone suggest where I could purchase one?
I would be most appreciative.

Thanks,

Perdita Brown
perditabrown@aol.com

Moshe Handler 3-22-2007 @ 2:16PM

I used to use neti pots. I've upgraded to "Neil Med Sinus rinse kit" that I bought from Walgreens. It is superior as it is a squeeze bottle and you can keep your head upright during rinsing.
Try it, youll love it!

a.smith 3-22-2007 @ 2:17PM

My doctor does this daily since she is with sick people all the time, and it cleans the germs out of her nose. she told me to try it for my sinus problems two years ago. It works!
I have no problems now, though I don't do it every day.
You don't need any special neti pots though.....you can use an inexpensive baby nasal squeeze bulb and get the same results.

dianedan9 3-22-2007 @ 2:17PM

I've been using neti pots for years thanks to my friend from India. You will never catch a cold or sustain one for long if you use it regularly.

l 3-22-2007 @ 2:20PM

The Neti Pot practically saved my life! After getting up to 6 sinus infections a year, a yoga teacher told me about this cure-all. I was highly skeptical, but within a month of beginning use, felt like a new person! In the 4 years since, I have had 2 sinus infections, both due to wicked allergies and travel, I believe. it truly works wonders! I would do an info-mercial for free if they wanted me to!!!!

stan shapiro 3-22-2007 @ 2:24PM

The easiest thing to use to flush your nose is a rubber infant 4 ounce enema syringe with the rectal nozzle removed. This is available at almost any drugstore, is cheap, and does the job. Use 1 teaspoonful of salt to a pint of warm water as your flushing agent

Jessica harrell 3-22-2007 @ 2:59PM

This is what my ENT doctor recommended - I make up a mild salt solution using plain (no Iodine) salt and very warm water. I just use a shallow bowl (like a soup bowl) and I breath in the salt water through my nose and spit it out of my mouth. I do it several times until the bowl is empty. It really helps my sinuses and it will help stop a cold from coming on.

Sarah 3-22-2007 @ 4:04PM

Hey,
God knew it all along!
Devout Muslims have been irrigating their noses 5 times a day for 1400 years now!
Another miracle of Islam.

Pat McComb 3-22-2007 @ 2:40PM

I had an ear infection and after taking penicllin pills for 10 days I went back to the doctor. I saw an ear doctor and he said the problem was from my nose and told me to flush it out twice a day. This was from allergies which I have never had. He said we use mouthwash for our mouth and our nose needs help too.

Carol 3-22-2007 @ 2:45PM

I also have sinus problems, and allergys. My Doctor told me to do this years ago, this is what she told me.
1 tsp in a pint of warm water, poured into drinking glass, do in the shower everyday. Drink the soulition out of the glass with your nose by sniffing up a little at a time and then blow out. It can be messy so it is great in the shower. Clean the glass in the dishwasher, no problem !!

John 3-24-2007 @ 1:19PM

I have been flushing my nose out for years. Just snuffing up water gently , not into you brains, cleans and clears when blown out. The nose collects pollens and junk that clogs up the nose

Barbara Casey 3-22-2007 @ 2:46PM

My ear, nose and throat doctor also recommended adding a pinch of baking soda to the salt water mix... helps keep sinus infection away. Haven't had one since I started adding the soda. (I also use the baby syringe (ear, not rectal), but a neti pot sounds more exotic.)

Vcky 3-22-2007 @ 4:47PM

This recipe totally works to flush out nose and help avoid sinus infections!I have my entire family converted, and we're talking kids and teenagers!
Our recipe differs slightly and was recommended by my allergist:

1/4 tsp dionized salt (less sting)
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 c. warm to hot water

with the baby medicine dropper flush each nostril with 1/2 c. mixture and then BLOW! Repeat multiple times a day if necessary. Follow with your nasal steroid (Nasonex, Flonase,) and with Afrin (but for only 4 day MAX) during major allergy time or infection.
Swear I have turned tons of people on to this and I've been avoiding sinus infections this year!!

Katherine Wanamaker 3-22-2007 @ 2:46PM

Perdita, You can purchase a neti a many health food/holistic stores. Use de-ionised sea salt for the best result. Regular salt will burn. Start with the suggested amount of salt with the neti and then adjust. I'm a surgical nurse and have been using it for 5 years. It really works naturally. Kat007st@aol.com :)

RenaeAR 3-22-2007 @ 4:10PM

I use a neil med (sinus rinse kit) It comes with prepackaged powder (salt and baking soda) that you mix with distilled water. Last year before using the sinus rinse kit, I had 11 prescriptions for antibiotic for sinus infections. It seemed like I never got rid of the infection. I started using the sinus rinse kit the end of October and as of yet I've not been on any antibiotics for sinus infections. It works great.

edward ullmann 3-22-2007 @ 3:40PM

Of course Neti Pots are beneficial in preventing re-current sinus problems & maintaining nasal health. Why wouldn't they be? Make sure NetiPots are cleaned (dishwasher best) or fungal problems could result.
Saline water douche great. Bottled mineral water from Warm Mineral Springs in North Port, FL best ever especially for tough nasal conditions.

Helen 3-22-2007 @ 3:24PM

Neti Pots can be found at most natural health food stores. They
also have solutions to mix for them. However, I prefer the t.
salt in a pint of warm water.

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