A neti pot is a container designed to rinse mucus from your nasal cavity. You might use a neti pot to treat symptoms of nasal allergies, sinus problems or colds. Perform a nasal cleaning every morning with a neti pot and see the difference!
What is a Neti Pot
According to recent research, the human nose isn’t just able to smell 10,000 scents but has the ability to differentiate between at least a trillion different scents. There are millions of microglands in your nasal passages that have a direct connection to your nervous system. Living in an urban environment means that we can lose our sensory sharpness. So why would we not nurture and protect our nasal senses?
Nasal cleaning is becoming one of my favorite daily rituals. It really feels good! The traditional yogic practice of nasal irrigation using warm sterile saline water and a neti pot is truly amazing. A neti pot, which looks similar to a teapot, flushes out mucus from your nose. You can buy a neti pot at your local pharmacy.
Benefits of using a Neti Pot
- It clears the sinuses and helps clear blockages
- It helps to prevent allergic reactions
- It relieves cold symptoms (and possibly snoring)
- It pulls out toxins from inner mucosa
How to use a Neti Pot
This practice is best done once a day, in the morning, usually after your oral cleansing practices. Using comfortably warm sterile water, mix with 1/4 tsp powdered rock salt in your neti pot. Tilt your head forward and tilt to one side and, using the pot, allow half of the water to trickle in one nostril and out the other. Take a breath and repeat on the other side. Blow your nose to clear the solution, along with the excess mucus.
Neti pot irrigation can be followed up where appropriate by oil cleansing of the nostrils, known as pratimarsha nasya. You can use a medicated oil such as any thailam, but sesame oil or ghee are just as beneficial. To perform nasya at home, you can take a slightly warm liquid ghee, tilt your head backward and administer 1-2 drops in one nostril, while closing the other. Take a deep inhalation, and repeat on the other side. You will feel the oil in your throat, which you can spit out.
Nasya protects the eyes, nose and throat against diseases. It has also been said to prevent premature greying of the hair and hair loss. It can nourish the facial skin and strengthen the voice, so it is a great practice for vocalists and public speakers.
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