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This article is part of our Home Remedy Handbook, a comprehensive guide to home remedies ranging from the questionable to the doctor-recommended. Discover more here.
If you've ever come across a neti pot at the pharmacy, you may be curious about what it is and why people use it. A neti pot, which resembles a teapot crossed with a genie lamp, is a tool designed to flush the sinuses, clearing away any trapped mucus. Using it is simple: Fill the pot with saline solution, place the spout in one nostril, and let the liquid flow through your sinuses, exiting from the other nostril.
As the saltwater flows, it clears out the congestion in your sinuses, allowing you to breathe easily again. If you've ever been stuffed up for days due to allergies or a sinus infection, the relief you experience from using a neti pot can feel like a small miracle.
Though the concept may seem simple, it can be quite daunting in practice, as "forcing a significant amount of water up your nose is not a natural act," explained Mas Takashima, an ENT specialist at Houston Methodist Hospital. However, with a bit of practice, using a neti pot at home becomes easier—and it comes with various benefits, such as alleviating allergy symptoms, relieving congestion, or assisting in the treatment of an active respiratory infection.
The advantages of using a neti pot
The main benefit of using a neti pot is its ability to clear the sinuses, which enhances breathing and reduces the accumulation of mucus, a potential breeding ground for bacteria. As Takashima explains, "The primary function of the nose is to filter the air for the lungs." Just like any other filtration system, maintaining the cleanliness of this filter is crucial. A neti pot helps "keep the sinus openings clear and well-ventilated," Takashima adds.
This is particularly advantageous when your sinuses are congested due to various conditions such as allergies, nasal congestion, or even a respiratory infection. Additionally, during an active infection, "the addition of salt water makes the environment less favorable for bacteria to thrive," Takashima pointed out. There is also some evidence suggesting that sinus irrigation with saline can offer mild benefits by reducing the intensity or duration of upper respiratory infections.
Instructions for usage
To use a neti pot, you'll first need to prepare a saline solution. You can either purchase a premixed packet from most pharmacies or create your own by mixing salt and baking soda. For the saline solution, it's best to use distilled or boiled water. Although it's extremely rare, there have been some cases of serious, even fatal infections caused by tap water, which contains trace amounts of microorganisms. To avoid this, the FDA recommends using distilled water or tap water that has been boiled for three to five minutes and allowed to cool before use.
When it comes to technique, it's helpful to watch online tutorials on how to use the neti pot properly and be patient while practicing. As Takashima points out, although the process may feel strange at first, if you experience pain, that's an indication something is wrong. He notes that the most common mistake is using plain water instead of a saline solution, which can be uncomfortable. Another potential cause of discomfort is a deviated septum. If it feels like you're forcing the water too much or if it simply doesn't feel right, it's important to stop.
If a neti pot isn't right for you, an alternative is a squeeze bottle, which allows you to squirt the solution instead of pouring it. For added convenience, battery-powered kits are also available. If you've recently been sick, it's wise to either thoroughly sterilize your neti pot or purchase a new one to avoid the risk of re-infection from a contaminated device.
