NETI POT INSTRUCTIONS

By Dr. Lawrence Wilson

All information in this article is for educational purposes only. It is not for the diagnosis, treatment, prescription or cure of any disease or health condition.

INTRODUCTION

The neti pot is a very ancient method for irrigating the sinuses and nasal passages. It is a very simple ceramic or plastic device that looks something like a creamer. It is basically a small pot with a long snout on it. Neti pots cost about $10-20.00 USD and are found online, at health food stores, or perhaps at drug stores.

Uses for the neti pot include:

1 It can help prevent colds or shorten their duration.

2. Its regular use can help prevent sinus infections, or can cut them short.

3. It can help other lung and bronchial disorders such as asthma.

4. Regular use of the neti pot can keep nasal infections from spreading to the lungs and bronchials.

5. More unusual uses for a neti pot are to clear congested sinuses that can contribute to seizures. The sinuses are very close to the brain and even a tiny infection in a sinus can set up an irritation that can cause seizures in some people. This is potentially a very important use of this simple device.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE

1. Fill the neti pot. Fill the neti pot with warm tap water and add about ¼ teaspoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide from the drugstore (begin with less peroxide when starting out). More may be okay. Too much peroxide will cause a slight burning sensation. This is okay, but somewhat irritating.

Some people use salt water instead of hydrogen peroxide. Peroxide is probably better to kill many germs and fungal infections that live in the sinuses. Salt may be better for certain infections, however.

2. Sit or stand comfortably. Water will spray out of the nose when using the neti pot. So either position yourself over a bathroom sink, sit comfortably in the shower, or sit facing into a bathtub.

3. Bend forward. Do not bend the head backward. If you tilt your head back, the water will go down the throat area, and this is not pleasant.

4. Tilt your head slightly to the left.

5. Keep your mouth open and breathe through your mouth all during the neti pot procedure.

6. Put the long snout of the neti pot into your right nostril.

7. Lift the neti pot so that the liquid flows into the right nostril. When you do this, you should see a stream of water coming out the left nostril.

8. Now refill the neti pot and do the other nostril. This time bend forward, tilt your head to the right, and place the snout of the neti pot into the left nostril. Empty the liquid into the left nostril. You should see a stream of water coming out of the right nostril.

9. You are done. Rinse the neti pot, especially the tip that went in your nose, and put it away for the next use.

NOTE: Be sure to keep your head bent forward at all times, slightly off to one side, and be sure to keep your mouth open and breathe through your mouth at all times.

TIPS FOR NETI POT USE

1. How often? You can use a neti pot up to 4 or even 5 times daily.

2. What kind of water should be used in the neti pot? Tap water works fine. Special water is not needed.

3. How much hydrogen peroxide should be used? About ¼ teaspoon of the 3% hydrogen peroxide from the drug store. More may cause irritation and burning.

For young children, it may be easier to do the procedure in the shower.

2. If water starts squirting all over, decrease the tilt of the neti pot (but keep your head tilted forward and tilted to the side).

3. If the water does not come out, begin with the other nostril. Usually one side is easier than the other.

All information in this article is for educational purposes only. It is not for the diagnosis, treatment, prescription or cure of any disease or health condition.

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