4 Reasons to Use a Neti Pot

A neti pot is a container in the shape of a small ceramic teapot that holds a salt solution which the user pours into one nostril and lets flow out of the other nostril to relieve various ailments. It has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years and in the ancient language of Sanskrit means, “nasal cleansing”.

Before you reach for an over-the-counter (OTC) remedy that may temporarily relieve nasal congestion, cold symptoms, allergies, and many other related ailments, a neti pot may do the trick naturally.

Try these 4 reasons to use a neti pot and see if you aren’t surprised by the result.

Chronic Rhino-sinusitis

A constant bout with your sinuses could mean you are struggling with chronic sinusitis.

According to the Mayo Clinic,

“Chronic sinusitis is a common condition in which the cavities around nasal passages (sinuses) become inflamed and swollen — for at least eight weeks, despite treatment attempts.”

This can be a painful condition that manifests into other health problems such as headaches, sore throat, earaches, ear infections and more. Despite conventional medicine’s approach to chronic sinusitis, such as prescription antihistamines, antibiotics, and steroid therapy, you may only receive minimal relief that continually returns.

Using a neti pot daily could alleviate chronic sinusitis better than any conventional remedy.

A study published by the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (7/18/07) titled ‘Nasal saline irrigations for the symptoms of chronic rhino-sinusitis’ concluded that,

“Saline irrigations are well tolerated. Although minor side effects are common, the beneficial effect of saline appears to outweigh these drawbacks for the majority of patients. The use of topical saline could be included as a treatment adjunct for the symptoms of chronic rhino-sinusitis.”

Pregnancy

Many women who are pregnant or have experienced pregnancy will tell you that sinus congestion can be a constant struggle. This is especially difficult because during pregnancy it is always recommended to avoid any kind of prescription or OTC drugs. Some women report on gaining significant relief from using a neti pot instead.

In a report by CNN,

“Elana Hersh, from New York, said the neti pot helped her during her pregnancy. When her sinuses gave her trouble, she didn’t want to take oral decongestants or nasal sprays because she feared they could be harmful to her baby. The neti pot, however, was a good natural solution for her.

Under Eye Bags

One unpleasant result of a subpar diet, lack of sleep, or any other number of causes, is bags and dark circles under the eyes. Topical ointments are fleeting, if they work at all, and makeup just covers up these unsightly marks. However, Natural Beauty Tips suggests using a neti pot,

“A very effective natural beauty tip to get rid of bags under eyes is by using a neti pot. It is done by using a device which looks like a small teapot. You use it to irrigate your nasal cavity. It is very effective remedy to relieve fluid buildups caused by allergies, sinus congestions, or a cold.”

By using a neti pot first thing in the morning, flushing out built up fluids from the nasal cavity, may very well result in healthier looking skin under your eyes.

Allergies

Struggling with allergies is a painful affliction that can create difficulty breathing, and swallowing as well as chronic headaches. Using a neti pot could internally wash out pollen that sticks to the sinus cavity and continually causes symptoms.

A 2009 study published in ORL; journal for oto-rhino-laryngology and its related specialties, by researchers from the Department of Otolaryngology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, PR China concluded that,

“Nasal saline irrigation [neti pot] can be viewed as a good adjunctive treatment option for AR. It permitted the use of less topical steroids for controlling AR [allergic rhinitis] in children, which will contribute to fewer side effects and less economic burden.”

The New York Times Health section (4/13/09) even cited neti pot use for allergies stating that,

“While it is not nearly as convenient as popping a pill or using a spray, several recent studies have found that nasal irrigation can reduce symptoms of allergies and other nasal problems.”

These 4 reasons to use a neti pot may be worth a try so you can avoid synthetic remedies that may pose side effects. Be sure to use special, finely ground neti pot salt sold in health food stores because table salt is too coarse and may contain anti-caking properties that are not recommended for sinus cleansing. Also, do not use tap water as it is not sterile enough. Instead, use distilled, purified or boiled water. Always clean your neti pot with hot water and soap after each use as bacteria can build up if not done so.