Neti Pot Best Practices

The neti pot has grown in popularity in the last decade as a safe low-tech solution to sinusitis and allergies. Arriving in the U.S. with the yoga boom in the seventies, the neti pot made its way through the meditation fans and into the general population.

While neti pots are very easy to use, it can be intimidating for the first time user. A certain amount of practice is required before a neti pot can be used properly. Keep reading for more information on how to best use your neti pot.

Rinsing once or twice a day with a neti pot is a enough for general cleanliness. Using the neti pot first thing in the morning is a good way of cleaning up your morning grogginess and eliminating the mucus build-up overnight. Starting the day with a neti pot rinse is an effective way of preparing your body and mind to face the rest of the day. Not only will your nose be clearer and your breathing easier, you will also notice a marked improvement in your overall mood. Using a neti pot after you wake up is recommended if you live in a large city and are subjected to high amounts of dust and pollution every day.

Alternative medical practitioners and yogis have always encouraged neti use before and not after meals. Therapeutic applications of the neti method have been deemed safe for use up to a maximum of four times a day. However many times you use the neti pot, whether it is a few times a week or four times a day, you should pace yourself and try to be moderate in your use.

Generally speaking, neti treatments are perfect first thing in the morning after breakfast, before lunch, before dinner and just before going to bed. Using the neti pot three times a day can offer major relief to your symptoms, provided your nose can handle the frequency of the treatments without bleeding from the saline solution.

There are health precautions that should be remembered when using the neti pot. Do not use this method to clear your sinus if you are prone to chronic nose bleeds. Those suffering from high blood pressure or migraine headaches should consult their doctors before using the neti pot, as a safeguard against any future complications. Children between the ages of two and seven should be supervised and assisted when flushing out their sinuses with a neti pot. If you are starting out do not practice with warm water and a saline solution until you are used to the sensation of salt water shooting up your nose and down your throat.

The process of saline irrigation of your nasal passages is a totally natural, healthy and gentle way of clearing your sinuses - but as with all things in life it should be approached cautiously and carefully. There is a great deal of useful information online about rinsing with neti pots, so be sure to do your research before trying it out. Even people with absolutely no interest in meditation, yoga, or Eastern philosophy can benefit from the soothing healing properties of the neti pot.