Stuffy Nose? You Need a Neti Pot
When I was growing up on our family farm in KY, I lived in the house my great grand parents built. I loved the family history of my childhood home, but it had the original windows with wavy old glass panes and drafty sashes, plus an ancient furnace that made the indoor air super dry. As a result my dad and I both suffered from spontaneous winter time nose bleeds. If only we had known about the neti pot!
The neti pot is for anyone who wants to keep their nose free of congestion and allergens, and the nasal passages and sinuses moist and open for easy breathing.
woman using neti pot to rinse nasal passages and sinuses
If you’ve never tried one before, it might sound a bit unusual, but using a neti pot is an ancient Ayurvedic practice known as jala neti, or nasal cleansing. This gentle and soothing cleanse of the nasal passages can help:
Clear out mucus and allergens 🦠
Moisturize dry nasal passages caused by indoor heating 🔥
Support your immune system by flushing away germs before they take hold 🤧
How to Use a Neti Pot
1️⃣ Start with warm, distilled or sterilized water—not tap water—and mix it with a pinch of non-iodized salt to create a saline solution. (Affordable pre-made nasal saline packets are also available at most drugstores.)
2️⃣ Lean over a sink with your head tilted forward and slightly toward the "exit nostril." Keep looking into the bowl of the sink to keep your head in the correct position. Breathe through your mouth.
3️⃣ Gently place the open spout of the pot against the "entrance nostril" to allow the saline solution to flow in and then through the nasal passages and out through the other nostril as you count to 10. (see image above)
4️⃣ Repeat on the opposite side and then blow your nose gently to clear out any remaining water and/or mucous.
If you are highly congested, you may want to repeat this a few times a day to help you breathe more freely and prevent congestion from turning into a sinus infection.
traditional white porcelain neti pot
Why Now Is the Perfect Time to Try It?
With cooler winter temps our heating systems can cause our nasal passages to become dry and more susceptible to irritation. The neti pot helps clear out congestion and is a first line of defense when you start to feel that telltale tickle in your throat or a bit of nasal stuffiness coming on.
Pro Tip: Incorporate this into your evening or morning routine, especially after being in crowded places. Using the neti can help to clear out unwanted germies before they can settle in. And if you do catch cold, using the neti can help relieve and shorten the length of your nasal symptoms.
Have Questions or Concerns?
Some people feel nervous about using a neti pot for the first time. It’s totally natural to feel unsure about new practices. If you want more guidance or tips, just hit reply and let me know.
What are your favorite winter wellness rituals? Reply and let me know what you do to stay healthy during the cold and flu season.
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