Neti Pots
What is a Neti Pot?
A Neti Pot is a small pot with spout designed to
enable efficient and easy cleansing of your nasal passages with a
saline solution. A practical size should hold around 400ml or
more of
water to cleanse both nasal passages. Commonly used in India and other parts of Asia,
they traditionally were made from metals such as copper and silver, or
clay. Modern designs are normally made of copper, stainless
steel or ceramic.
Using the Neti Pot
Before starting, the pot should be filled with luke warm
(tepid - body temperature) filtered water and around 1/2 teaspoon
of unrefined salt (ie an unprocessed salt without iodine or anti-caking
agents).
The water temperature should be such that you don't notice the water
passing through your nasal passage - it will feel uncomfortable if too hot
or cold.
Stand bending
forward over a sink and put the neti
pot in the right hand. Tilt the
head to the left, and insert the apex of the pot spout against the right
nostril, sealing it. Breathing gently through your mouth, which should be slightly
open, the water should slowly flow into the right nostril and out of the left nostril.
You may find you need to experiment a little with the tilt of your head to
avoid water running down your chin!
After half the pot (around 200ml)
has been used, repeat this process from the other nostril. You
may need to gently blow your nostrils before rinsing the other side.
After rinsing both
nostrils, perform kapal bhati (nasal cleansing through breathing). To
perform kapal bhati, stand bending forward, close the left nostril with
the help of middle and ring finger and gently blow the right nostril. Then
close right nostril with the right hand and blow your left nostril. In
this way repeat the process 11 times each side. It is meant to be
performed quickly going from side to side blowing the nostrils gently each
time. Then wash your nostrils with warm water, wash your eyes and
face.
Cleansing practices in the Yoga system have utilised the neti
pot for nasal cleansing for thousands of years. This process should
ideally be practiced in the morning and/or evening on an empty stomach.
Cleaning and Maintenance of your Neti Pot
Thoroughly wash the pot before and after
each use. It is particularly important to rinse your
neti pot well after use, to completely remove any salt
residue, then dry it with a cloth.
Copper :
To keep the copper bright and to remove any tarnish the
following methods are effective:
- scrub with steel wool in hot soapy water. Effective
but may leave light scratch marks on the pot
- pour some salt on a wedge of lemon. Rub the slice of
lemon all over the pot. The acidic nature of the lemon
will effectively remove any tarnish marks.
- due to its acidic nature, Coca cola also effectively
removes tarnish from copper, and it also is an easy way to
clean inside the pot.
Always wash the pot in hot soapy water and rinse then dry
well, after using any of the methods above to clean the pot.
Stainless Steel :
Wash in warm soapy water with a soft cloth. Rinse with
water and dry well.
And always use pure filtered water for your nasal rinse.
Why would I want to use a Neti
pot?
In the West, people's initial reaction to the idea
of nasal rinsing is often to pull a face, think "yuk", "why"..."will
it hurt?"...and "where does the water go..?!"....however the technique
is simple and painless, and there are many benefits from regularly
rinsing the nasal passages with lukewarm salty water.
To get the maximum benefits you do need to practice
"Jalaneti" (ie nasal rinsing with saline water) daily.....and making
it part of your morning and/or evening routine will only take a few
extra minutes.
 | rinsing at the end of the day will
gently remove dust, pollen and other accumulated
debris...of benefit if you suffer hayever, or work in a
dusty or polluted environment. |
| warm salty water dissolves mucus
buildup, helping to drain the sinus cavities (hence the
pharmaceutical equivalent of nasal sprays or drops, often
recommended by GPs when you have a "blocked nose").
This benefits those suffering sinusitis and colds, and by
helping to keep the nose mucus free, will help avoid mouth
breathing, which dries the throat and can irritate
conditions such as asthma and other upper respiratory
complaints. |
| for people working in air conditioned
environments, it can help ease dry, crusty nasal passages
also! |
| If you practice yoga, meditation,
pranayama, then free flowing breathing through the nose
will make your practice more enjoyable and effective. |
| you may find your sense of smell is
improved, and eyes feel clearer or "brighter" after
continued use. |
Disclaimer : Please note that if you
suffer any chronic ear, nose, throat problems such as sinusitis you
should seek medical advice. Nasal rinsing should not be
considered a substitution for medical assessment and treatment.
What is the Ayurvedic / Yoga
perspective on Jalaneti?
According
to Ayurveda, Neti cleansing is helpful for Kapha imbalances
which result in conditions such as nasal congestion, sinusitis.
bronchial asthma, mental anxieties, eye disorders, mental fatigue.
The Benefits of
using a Neti Pot - Oprah Winfrey Show
Dr Oz on the Oprah Winfrey show
explained the benefits of regularly using a neti pot. Please
follow the links below:
Dr Oz on the benefits of the Neti
Pot:
http://www.oprah.com/health/oz/oz_20070426_350_105.jhtml
Dr Oz: A Follow up
http://www.oprah.com/health/oz/oz_20070521_350_112.jhtml
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