The Magic of Neti Pot
Like natural allergy solutions, saline nasal treatments offer another layer of defense in the fight against seasonal allergies. You’ve most likely seen a Neti Pot before, and wondered if you should rub it to get three wishes from a genii like in Aladdin, or try to make tea in it. While neither true, here’s the real scoop on sinus irrigation.
The History & How it Works:
Developed in the Ayurvedic/yoga medical tradition, Nasal irrigation is a time-tested all-natural method of cleansing the sinus cavities, protecting them from allergens and providing you allergy relief. The nose is full of tiny hairs called cilia that help trap allergens and rid your body of them by moving mucus back to the throat or forward to be blown out. Nasal irrigation helps speed up this process by gently flushing your sinus cavities with a saline solution that helps push these allergens out faster before they can become stuck and start a sinus infection.
The Solution:
Neti Pots rely on a mix of saline solution that helps to both flush out the sinus cavities, and dry them out to help keep them clear of mucus. The solution can be made at home by mixing 2-3 teaspoons of non-iodized salt (with no additives) and 1 teaspoon of baking soda to 1 quart of distilled, sterile, or previously boiled water. Alternatively, you can buy pre-made packets of the salt/baking soda solution and bottles of distilled water for an affordable price in most drug or grocery stores. The price savings is minimal, it’s more convenient, and you can rest assured the packets are pre-mixed with the right ingredients in the right proportions.
The saline rinse is salt water, and there are three different types – isotonic (equal), Hypertonic (high salt), and hypotonic (low salt). Hypertonic mixes are better used when you have more mucus or a runny nose, since it helps draw fluid and mucus out due to having a higher salt content. But some find this high salt content to be too much for daily use, especially if you have an already dry nose.
Isotonic solutions are best for daily maintenance and regular use as they do not draw out excess moisture and mucus like Hypertonic solutions do – making them great for rinsing away allergens and moisturizing the nasal cavities.
The Real Magic:
Using a Neti Pot provides numerous benefits including:
- Clear nostrils for improved breathing
- Reduce snoring
- Reduce nasal dryness
- Ease sinus headaches
- Alleviate facial pain and pressure
- Relieve allergy symptoms such as stuffy or runny nose
- Heighten the sense of smell and taste
- Prevent the common cold and other upper respiratory infections
- Allow for deeper breathing
The magic happens when combining a natural remedy like Allergy Mix, along with a Neti Pot routine, rest, a healthy daily diet and exercise plan. Remember, the perfect natural solution to soothe those puffy eyes, scratchy throat, sneezing, coughing fits and all the misery allergies bring about is not found in one magic pill.
