Neti Pot Benefits

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 a Neti Pot for nasal cleansing is a traditional part of the Yoga system and also the daily routine prescribed by Ayurveda.

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.