The Neti Pot For Acute Sinusitis and Other Sinus Issues

A neti pot is a small teapot looking device that was designed to irrigate the sinus cavity. The history of the neti pot, or sinus irrigation goes back to the ancient Hindu practice of Ayurveda and was practiced by the Vedas of that time as a daily cleansing ritual.

Today it's widely used as a way of ridding oneself of allergy symptoms, acute or chronic sinusitis, halitosis, anterior rhinorrhea, facial pain, cold symptoms, headaches, and nasal congestion.

I must admit, until recently I had never tried a neti pot. The thought of putting water up my nose seemed completely contrary to what I have tried to avoid my entire life when diving or playing in water. We have all had the experience of "getting water up your nose". It burns, stings, knocks the wind out of you and just really is something we try very hard to avoid, thus plugging our nose! So, why would I voluntarily put water up my nose for any reason?

Well, until my recent move to California I had never dealt with allergies. About 30 days after my move, the water started flowing from my face like a faucet. I couldn't stop it, with natural homeopathic ways. No matter how healthy I ate or what I did physically, it was taking over. The water works eventually turned into major sinus irritation and then into a full fledged sinus infection, yuck. For the first time in years I was faced with having to take an antibiotic. I was so miserable, I opted to take the antibiotic. Thus my journey to figure out what would help myself and people like me to get some relief. Because according to local physicians and also people I have met, people who move to the west coast often struggle with allergies for up to three years before acclimating to the climate, pollens and pollution.

While on the antibiotic, I was able to get some relief from the symptoms that were keeping me up at night and down during the day. However, soon after the antibiotics were gone, the water works began again. Sheesh! I had been chasing this issue for six months when it dawned on me that there is one more natural remedy that I hadn't tried yet, the neti pot.

I went to CVS and purchased the CVS brand neti pot and brought it home. I must admit, I felt extremely intimidated by it. I sat and looked at it for almost and hour before I summoned the courage to open the little box and begin the ritual.

I read the instructions carefully (note: had also purchased distilled water from CVS for the process). I filled the pot with half of the saline package that came with the pot, per the directions for first timers, and put in the water. It was time!

Bending over the sink, as instructed, I inserted the tip into my right nostril and began to tip my head to the side. I was waiting for the pain of having water up my nose. Well, it came, ever so slightly, I felt a tinge of that feeling, and then it immediately left. I felt a bit of pressure and then water started to flow out of the opposite side of my nose! I was really very excited that I had accomplished what I had set out to do. I finished the other side, gently blew my nose and immediately started feeling the relief.

I couldn't believe why I had been so shy about this practice in the past. I wished immediately that I had, had the courage to try this practice sooner so I could have shared my experience with the world! It really, really, really, works. It wasn't difficult, it didn't hurt, in fact, it felt nice. I did the practice again before bed that night. Not one tissue was used that night, not one.

So, if you suffer from allergy symptoms, acute or chronic sinusitis, halitosis, anterior rhinorrhea, facial pain, headaches, and/or nasal congestion. I highly recommend you give this age old practice a try. I promise you will thank yourself for it.

Tina