Unbreakable Neti Pot
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Oh, yes. The wonders of cold season to look forward to.
For me, getting a cold used to be an absolute nightmare. But not anymore—since I’ve learned of the traditional yoga method of purification called nasal cleansing or washing. Nasal cleansing is simple, you gently pour a warmed saline solution into one nostril and let it flow out the other…
Which can sound frightening and claustrophobic if you’ve never encountered such a process before. Some people simplify the technique by using a saline nasal spray, which is beneficial but not as effective as the full nasal wash.
Why Use One?
The question you may be asking at this point is why would I want to do either one? Good question.
The folks at the Himalayan Institute say:
- Do the nasal wash to wake up, clear your nostrils, and start the day breathing freely.
- Use it to remove excess mucus when you are experiencing nasal congestion.
- Do it several times a day during the allergy season to rid the nostrils of pollen and other allergens.
- Use the nasal wash when you’ve been exposed to soot, dust, smoke, or other airborne contaminants.
- Use it to dissolve mucus build-up while in dry climates or in air-conditioned or heated rooms, or after air travel.
- Do the nasal wash before practicing systematic relaxation techniques or meditation to help you breathe freely and easily through your nose.
How To
The easiest way to do the nasal wash is to use a neti pot or pitcher, which looks like a tiny watering pot. It is most often made from ceramic materials, sometimes metal.
The pot holds about 8 oz of warmed water to which you add 1/8 to 1/4 a teaspoon of a sea, pickling, or kosher salt. It’s important to keep the water about as warm as you would baby formula so you don’t scald or freeze your tender nasal membranes. And don’t forget the salt because it’s crucial. It keeps the process feeling normal and easy. With no salt you’ll get the same effect you do when accidentally sucking pool water up your nose—burning pain. The salt also helps to kill bacteria.
The Himalayan Institute gives these instructions:
- Position: Turn your head to one side over the sink, keeping the forehead at the same height as the chin, or slightly higher.
- Gently insert the spout in the upper nostril so it forms a seal. Raise the neti pot so the saline solution flows out the lower nostril. If it drains out of your mouth, lower your forehead in relation to your chin.
- When the neti pot is empty, face the sink and exhale without pinching the nostrils.
- Refill the neti pot and repeat on the other side. Again, exhale to clear the nasal passages.
- Do one or more of the recommended exercises to drain any remaining saline solution.
The exercises include a forward bend held for a few seconds and an alternate toe touch where you bend forward to touch your hand to the opposite leg while raising the other arm to the sky, turning your head to look up. Repeat on the other side.
Number 5 is an important tip to help you avoid embarrassing sudden nostril drain in a public place when you find yourself bending and turning your head, such as when tying your shoes, picking up or putting down an item, or doing yoga poses.
Some Pointers
- The first time can be unnerving. Just remember, you’re not drowning. All you need to do to breath is open your mouth.
- It’s okay if saline solution comes out of your mouth. But to minimize, tip the top of your head closer to the sink.
- Never blow solution or mucous into your ear passages. This is an absolute no no which can lead to severe ear troubles. Exhale out through nose and/or mouth, without causing pressure in the ear canals.
- Use the neti pot before you get really blocked up, to make the experience more pleasant and to prevent the block in the first place.
- If you’ve researched neti potting and want to add other healing ingredients to your solution, always use the smallest amount possible. The nasal membranes are extremely sensitive and can experience adverse reactions no matter how highly rated the new ingredient.
- Did I say don’t forget the salt? Easy to learn. If you do it once, you’ll never forget again.
Nasal washing may sound alarming, but when you really need it you’ll find it’s easy to overcome your squeamishness and is well worth it.
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