Neti Pot - Never thought I'd see the day...
Most of us have had to deal with a runny nose, or worse, the debilitative and sometimes painful nasal congestion that makes us wish for a miracle cure. Many of us have chronic blocked sinuses that simulate the feeling that our head is moments from exploding. I personally have battled with this since my scheduled has called for excessive travel over the past few years
The air we breathe has all kind of things that we may be susceptible to; pollen in the air, dust and dust mites, pollutants and chemicals or other particulates that have become so much a part of our lives. All of this passes through our nasal passages and usually we are no worse for it. There are times, however, when our bodies are overwhelmed and we get either a runny nose or a blocked one. We load up on medicines that keep us functional but which, inevitably, have their own side-effects. All contributing to a very low quality of life. Does this have to be so?
I've heard of the Neti Pot through various avenues... most memorable is the visual I got through a dear friend explaining to me how she used it for the first time. I can promise you that I NEVER thought I'd see the day where I actually gave in and tried it. Ladies and gentlemen... that day arrived this week. After suffering with some terrible infection for seven days, I was so desperate that I gave in to the dark side and sought out antibiotics from my doctor, while swearing to myself that I would find a natural alternative to prevent this from happening again.
Jal Neti or nasal irrigation is an ancient Ayurvedic method of keeping the nasal passages clean and healthy. It comes from India where, as in other South Asian countries, it is practiced regularly. It involves the passing of saline warm water through the nasal passages to clear them of dirt, sometimes old and infected mucous and bacteria. Many studies have found that this simple practice is an effective way to keep infections of the nasal passages at bay. It has been proved to make significant difference to patients suffering from chronic sinusitis and certain kinds of asthma. Hay fever, facial pain, headaches, all benefit, as do cough and cold.
A Netti Pot or Neti Pot is a container with a specially designed spout that is used for nasal irrigation. It is usually made of stainless steel, ceramic, plastic or copper - I purchased the one you see here in the blog - it's eco-friendly so double plus! If you have never used the Netti Pot, you may find the idea of pouring saline water through the nostril strange and disgusting (I did!) and find it hard to get used to (yep - that's me too!). Those who have used it claim it to be a life saver. Three minutes every day is all that it takes to maintain a healthy and bacteria free nasal environment. No discomfort of clogged nasal passages, blocked sinuses and multiplying bacteria. The water should be comfortably warm and the salt (non-iodised, preferably sea salt) should be such that the solution tastes like tears. If this is right, you will not even feel the saline water as it passes through the nasal passages doing its good work.
Yoga practitioners take the procedure much further, they know that ‘breath’ and the way we breathe is the foundation on which our physical and mental health is built. For them, Neti or the process of nasal cleansing is an integral part of their lives and is often used to assist in advanced meditative techniques.
Since getting certified to teach yoga is on my "bucket list" - I figure why not? Plus if it makes all the difference between feeling as miserable as I have this past week... and easy breathing... I'll take the latter. But no worries... I will never offer to show you how to use one.
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