What is an effective treatment for sinus congestion due to cold, flu, sinusitis, and allergies?
Many people have heard of the neti pot via television and it really is an easy, fun, gentle, and helpful way to treat and eliminate sinus issues.
How do I do it?
- Ensure your neti pot has been washed with hot soapy water and rinsed thoroughly before starting.
- Fill your neti pot with approximately 1 cup of warm or lukewarm water. Use water that is filtered (to remove chlorine) AND boiled (for at least 3 minutes then cooled to lukewarm).
- Dissolve ΒΌ tsp of non-iodized salt in the neti pot. Sea salt or Himalayan salt works well. Avoid iodized salt, which can be irritating.
- Over a sink, nestle the spout of the neti pot gently just inside or against one nostril.
- Breathe in and out through your mouth as you lean forward, tilt your head up on the side of the neti pot, and pour the liquid gently into your nostril.
- A stream of water should come out through the opposite nostril. Keep breathing through your mouth!
- You can use the entire neti pot in one nostril or just half. When you have finished on one side, blow your nose and switch sides.
- After finishing both sides, blow your nose a few more times. It is normal to have some water drip out of your nose.
What are the benefits?
- Reduces sinus inflammation and congestion immediately
- Nourishes nasal and sinus tissue
- Long-term, improves the function of nasal and sinus tissue
- Aids in preventing and treating allergies, upper respiratory tract infections, and sinusitis
What do you think of the “neti wash Plus” product? It’s a liquid added to the saline containing Chinese philodendron, goldenseal, barbary, coptis, peppermnint, eucalyptus, menthol, grapfruit seed extract,
Hi Joel, when using any botanicals, it is important to be guided by a trained professional. I always consider the individual needs of each patient when recommending products – for some patients adding botanicals to a neti pot may be indicated but should be done cautiously.