Thursday, October 2, 2008

Neti Pot

I heard about the neti pot on Oprah, oh I don't know, last year or the year before. Then I started hearing about it here and there. If you look up natural sinus remedies it usually shows up. I have been meaning to buy one for a while and just kept forgetting.

Well I bought one this week out of desperation. I HAD to try something else for this cold/sinus thing I have had for well over a week. (Currently working of day 11 of misery) Let me tell you, it was a worthy investment. And it really wasn't much of an investment. I bought the CVS brand. It came with the little pot (looks like a little genie-in-a-bottle lamp made out of plastic) and it came with 30 packets of saline solution mix (salt). You can buy more expensive ones made out of ceramic or stainless steel. But I thought for my first go, for $12, I'd go with the generic one.

The Neti Pot is for cleaning out the sinuses. Some people recommend using it everyday, whether you are having problems or not. I have fallen in love with the Neti Pot so deeply that I may just add it to my routine!

Here's how it works, if you don't already know. You mix the saline in the pot with warm water. You put the spout in one nostril, lean your head over the sink so that the potted nostril is directly over the open one. Your forhead is still above your chin. Prepare to breath only out of your mouth and begin pouring. In a matter of seconds the saline solution begins flowing out of the open nostril.

I can't explain it properly, but it is very refreshing. You don't feel choked. You don't taste the salt. It doesn't even feel weird really.

Switch sides when you are ready. Have several tissues ready. When you blow your nose (I'll spare you of the grotesque details) be ready for instant relief.

Now this isn't a long term fix, right away. But salt is so healing and beneficial, it has to be healing your sinuses.

Jody thinks its gross. He thinks it doesn't work since I am still suffering with horrible cold/sinus symptoms. But I am sold. I love the Neti Pot! However, I'm not posting pix! Sorry.

9 comments:

ktbaggott said...

I am a frequent sinus infection sufferer. I had sinus surgery last December. After my surgery my ENT recommended that I use a dentist's water pick to clean out my sinuses. It works kind of like a neti pot only it is a small device that uses a "hose" for a constant flow of salt water. In one nostril- and everything comes out the other. I know the instant relief you are talking about. You go from feeling like you just want to die to feeling like a new person. You can get the water pick at the drug store also. I wish someone had told me about these devices about 3 years earlier. Colds, Sinus infections, etc. would have been a little more bearable.

Stacy said...

Oh come on! Okay, if you're not going to post pictures, maybe you can post a video? I'd love to see it! :-)

Stephen and Tara said...

haha. great post. i know people who swear by those things. Fortunately i don't have a lot of sinus problems so I have never tried it but I think I would. I love doing anything natural instead of taking medicine.

GE is me said...

I too am a chronic sinus sufferer. I also just got a nasal wash bottle. A little different than the neti pot, but same results. And I totally agree with what you said about not tasting the salt or it hurting or anything. Mine only came with 3 packets of salt so, I haven't really done much more than that.
-Gail

J.E. said...

OK.... I got my neti pot after this post and a hundred urges from my mom.... I did and loved it.... I tried to do it again b4 i went to bed and i couldnt get the saline solution to go through bc my nose was soooooooooooooo stopped up!!!! I am gonna be using it again soon there... It was not painful.... just weird!!!!

J.E. said...

PS..... I videoed it but not sure if i want to post it.. it was hilarious though!

Anonymous said...

I was hoping you would say it was a wonderful cure-all. I had Bronchitis a month ago and after antibiotics, i am still suffering a lot of sinus problems. i keep saying just one more week and i will call the doctor back. i guess i am waiting until i get my whole family infected before i deceide to go back. But I may have to check it out .

mommy of 2 said...

rI just happened upon your blog and just read this post. I have a sinus wash out thingy - like the Neti Pot - but it's a squeeze bottle. I LOVE the "cleaned out" feeling after using it! I'm a sinus and allergy suffer-er and enjoy any clear breathing I can get. I've heard the squeeze bottle type works better than the Neti Pot. Either way - relief is great!

Dave and Amy Carroll said...

dave's mom bought him one and i'm with jodi. just gross.

the funny part is it is sitting on my kitchen window sill like it's a decorative pot or something! reminds me to move it....

however, now that i'm sick this week, you have at least brought that sad pot into my thoughts. i'll let you know if i try it.

still. gross.