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Nasal Irrigation and Netti Pot

Oct 1, 2018

It’s this time of year when it’s cool and windy that sinus issues can take effect. We get dried out from being out in the cool and windy wintery days.  We come indoors into homes and offices which are artificially heated and this environment also dries us out.  When our nasal passages get dried out and clogged up this can manifest in pain such as headaches, throat irritations, and sinus pain.

Viruses, bacteria, pollens, dust, fungi, animals can all affect the sinus area.  The affectation in the cheeks, around the eyes and ears, forehead all create pain and discomfort.

Netti Pots

The humble nett pot and nasal irrigation is a quick and effective treatment that the yogis have used for centuries to help in the clearing of the nasal passages. It is an Ayurvedic cleansing and healing treatment.

The treatment is basically a wash of the nasal and throat passages.  It lubricates the passages and assists the cilia, small hair-like structures to help wash the mucus out of our cavities.  The wash also thins the mucus and helps to clear it out.

Netti pots can be purchased at chemists, health food shops or online.

Treatment

  1. Place a teaspoon of fine salt in the pot and fill with warm water.  Mix up the solution to ensure the salt has dissolved.
  2. Test the water temperature on the inside of your wrist to check the temperature is suitable for you.
  3. Tilt your head over the sink and place the spout of the netti pot at the tip of your top nostril.  As you tilt your head to one side the water will pour into the top nostril and flow out the lower nostril.  It may take some practice to get your head tilted at the correct angle approx. 45 degrees but after a few times it will become easier.
  4. Pour approx. ½ the solution through one side then tilt your head forward and blow your nose to remove the excess liquid out from the nostril.
  5. Do exactly the same to the opposite side and when finished blow your nose a few times to remove the excess liquid.
  6. Keep your mouth open to breathe through the process .  If water flows into your throat then simply spit it out.  I also do a throat gargle with the solution usually before I do the nasal pour.
  7. It’s a great treatment that can be done daily and if you’re prone to sinus issues as an ongoing treatment it’s a great preventative to do at least once a week.

Note:

If you experience a stinging or burning, reduce the amount of salt in the solution.

If it’s a dull ache, you need to add more salt to the solution so the solution will flow through the clogged area.

A few other tips for this time of year:

  • Place a humidifier in the room where you are located to help keep some moisture in the air.
  • especially in offices where you cannot control the heat/air-flow from ducted air-conditioning.
  • Place some oil up in the nostrils if they are continuously dry.
    • Simply place some oil on your little finger and place it up the nostril and touch it to the side of the cavity to place some moisture on the inside of the cavity and lubricate it from the dry conditions.
    • Hydration: Ensure you’re having lots of fluids
      • Water
        • Add some lemon
        • Ginger
        • Mint
      • Warm teas
      • Soups
    •  

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