Neti Pots for Sinus Congestion & Pain
In traditional Chinese medicine, the lungs represent the first line of defense against external pathogens. The nose begins the filtering process of collecting these pathogens or environmental irritants. By irrigating the nasal cavities, one is further cleansing the body of these impurities. A very effective way to cleanse the nose is by using a neti pot.
For thousands of years, neti pots have been used in India to cleanse and irrigate the nasal passages. These ceramic vessels made with a long spout can hold a salt-water solution that one pours directly into the nasal cavity and allows to drain out the other side. This application is repeated in both nasal cavities allowing debris and impurities to be removed. To learn more about how the neti pot may benefit you, check out the following link from Dr. Oz: http://www.neti-pot.com/Dr-Oz-Neti-Pot-Article.pdf
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The common wisdom behind nasal cleansing is simple: clean the body’s filter because it is our great defender. The nasal cavity’s cilia filter the impurities and irritants: pollen, mold, dust, viruses, bacteria, smoke, pollution and chemicals. Exposure to these irritants causes blockage, back-up and infections. Daily cleansing of the nose maintains quality of life, decreases medication use and reduces doctor visits. Nasal washing offers numerous benefits, including reduction of allergy problems, improved breathing, and elimination of post-nasal drip, sinusitis AND reduced incidence of the common cold. When the nose is cleaned regularly with proper saline washes, many have experienced an improved sense of smell and taste and deeper, more relaxed breathing, snoring is reduced, improved sleep quality, avoidance of ear or sinus surgery and even asthma is better controlled.
Practitioners of yoga have used “Neti,” for centuries. There have been many design improvements over the neti, mostly because consumers are demanding a better system. When I first began teaching nose washing to my patients, most thought ‘she has got to be kidding’. With Dr. Oz and Oprah mentioning neti nose washing, the idea is now acceptable to many. As a teacher of the neti for many years, I used my patient feedback and clinical medical experience to develop a user friendly and modern nose wash. The overall goal is to have a flow of warm buffered saline water inserted into one nostril and exit the opposite one. The water drains out, flushing the nasal passages thoroughly. The Neti offers a gravity controlled flow while Nasopure offers user control of pressure and flow. If the solution flow is well controlled, it draws out the mucus from the sinus cavities, flushing them clean.
There are many nasal wash products available. The Nasopure new neti is available with premixed hypertonic buffered saline packets. Nasal washing can do NO HARM when used as directed, yet offers convenience, comfort and most importantly, effectiveness.
A gentle positive pressure guided by the user results in a plunging of the sinus and inner ear cavities allowing the body to function in its natural state and allowing the sinuses to drain naturally. Some may be misguided and believe that positive pressure nose washes can cause harm. This is akin to believing that a toothbrush shouldn’t be used because it can cause harm to your gums.
Any washing is better than no washing and anyone over the age of 2 years can enjoy the washing experience. Finding a safe, convenient and effective system is the goal.
The idea of washing your personal filter is simple. The best medicine often makes good sense.
I would love to share some samples of my nasopure with you, if interested.
Be Well, Dr. Hana
Hana R. Solomon, M.D.
573-999-0450, I welcome questions or comments.
Author of Clearing the Air One Nose at a Time, Caring for Your Personal Filter