We all know that having a cold is no big deal. You’ll feel icky and sneezy for a few days and then it will go away, usually without any medical help.
Sometimes, though, that knowledge just isn’t enough. A cold might not be a medical emergency, but it can be a truly miserable experience.
And when times get stuffy, it’s time to explore novel approaches, like acupuncture or relying on lemon tea to heal a sore throat.
For the common cold, one of the more unusual solutions floating around is the neti pot, which is a physical treatment for cold and allergy symptoms.
Since there’s no medication involved, this is a great DIY alternative for people who don’t like taking too much cough syrup or decongestant.
This strategy, which has been more and more popular lately, uses ordinary water to clean out all the gunk and mucus that’s clogging your airways and sinuses.
Check out the gallery below to learn more about the neti pot, and how it’s used!
What Is A Neti Pot?
People have been using neti pots and similar devices for thousands of years.
The neti pot is part of an old yogic tradition called jal-neti, or "cleansing the nose with water."
This is a form of nasal irrigation, which allows you to clean out your nose and sinuses with water.
The neti pot itself can be made of ceramic, glass, or plastic, and resembles a small teapot with a narrow spout that will fit to the nostril.
How Do You Use It?
In order to clean your nose with a neti pot, you pour a mild saltwater solution in one nostril and out the other, letting gravity pull the water through your face.
This process pulls mucus loose, and helps to flush it from your nose, throat, and sinus cavities.
Most people repeat the process for both nostrils, and may flush their noses up to three times a day, especially during a bad cold or allergy season.
This treatment is very simple to do at home over your bathroom sink.
Step #1: Mix The Solution
The first step is to mix a solution to pour through your nose.
You can either buy a preprepared solution, or you can mix a very basic solution of salt and distilled warm water.
Plain water irritates the nose, so it's best to use about 1 tsp. of salt for every 16 oz. (2 cups) of warm water.
Make sure to use distilled water, or boiled tap water, rather than water straight from the tap.
Step #2: Fill The Pot
Next, pour your solution into the pot.
Your pot may not have a lid; in that case, you may not need to fill your neti pot up all the way.
Simply fill up your neti pot about halfway, and refill if necessary as you go.
Prepare to pour by lining up the spout of the pot with your nose and making sure that your nostril lines up.
Step #3: Start Pouring
Bend slightly over the sink, so that the basin will catch the water as it pours out.
Hold the spout at an angle so it points slightly downward, and tilt your head to one side.
If you're starting with the right nostril, tilt your head to the left, and vice versa.
Water will start to flow through, and out the other side.
Step #4: Repeat On Other Side
Once you've finished the first nostril, repeat the process for the other side.
The sensation of water flowing might feel a little bit weird, but it shouldn't be painful.
If it is painful, or you get a "pool nose" feeling like getting water up your nose in the pool, pause and try adjusting your angle.
It make take a few tries to get the knack of pouring the water through at the right angle for it to flow out the other side.
Step #5: Blow Your Nose
Once you're done, there are a few additional steps you can take.
Most of the mucus and gunk should have been washed out by the irrigation, but if you're especially stuffy, try blowing your nose afterward to get rid of the last of it.
You can also air-dry your nose when you're done by breathing fairly quickly in through the mouth and out through the nose.
Just blow your nose once; repeatedly blowing the nose can cause irritation and prompt your nose to bleed or produce more mucus.
All Done!
Once your nose is nice and dry, you're all done!
You should be feeling a lot of relief from the stuffy nose and post nasal drip that come with colds and allergies.
You may also notice relief of symptoms like sinus headache and sore throat.
Repeat this process one to three times a day for as long as desired or until symptoms are gone!
If this guide to using the neti pot helped you with your symptoms, make sure to SHARE with friends and family who need a little cold and allergy relief!
