Benefits of Neti pot
On one spring afternoon in 2018, I started experiencing severe headaches and postnasal drip. I could not figure out the reason so I visited my doctor and they thought I might have caught a sinus infection or cold virus from swimming. I was recommended to stop swimming for a week or so and complete the course of antibiotics. I felt a bit better but the symptoms became more severe. I had developed severe Post Nasal Drip, was always coughing, and could not sleep at all. Finally, I visited a specialist and after allergy tests, I found out that I had developed severe allergies to almost 16 different things including dust mites, grass, and tree pollen.
I was put on allergy medication which caused severe gastric problems and hyperacidity so I tried immunotherapy for almost 6 months but I did not experience any relief. At that point, I was introduced to this course from The Chopra Center in Perfect Health Ayurvedic Lifestyle. My inner instincts nudged me to pursue this certification course and I started learning about the Ayurvedic lifestyle. I started implementing what I learned in my daily routine and within a few weeks, I saw a difference. Along with making changes in my daily routine, I also visited an Ayurvedic doctor and started Panchkarma treatment. With the help of change in my diet, daily routine and the treatment my allergies are 95% cured. I have incorporated Neti pot in my daily morning routine and have experienced tremendous benefits.
In this blog just wanted to share my personal experience with Neti Pot and also share the benefits of Neti Pot. If you want to incorporate the use of Neti pot in your daily routine, you can search for the instructions video on YouTube to learn the technique.
Benefits of using Neti pot:
Clear the nostrils to facilitate easy breathing.
Remove excess mucous.
Clear sinuses, release sinus, and nasal congestion.
Ease sinus headaches
Soothe dry nasal passages.
Reduce the need for antiallergy medicines.
Reduce pollen or allergens in nasal passages.
Relieve nasal dryness.
Reduce cold and flu symptoms.
Alleviate sinus headaches.
Improve sense of smell and taste.
Prevent upper respiratory infections and cold.
Reduce snoring.
Here are some tips on how to Use a Neti Pot:
Even though I am giving some tips on how to use a Neti Pot, I recommend watching instruction videos on YouTube before using it.
I prefer ceramic Neti Pot but you can buy a good quality ceramic or glass or metal Neti Pot from a local pharmacy or from the internet.
You will also need Neti salt.
A typical neti pot looks like Aladdin’s magic lamp and holds about 1 cup of water, to which you will add approximately 1 teaspoon of Neti Salt. When you buy Neti Salt, you will get a measuring spoon with it. Just use that measuring spoon.
Use distilled or sterile, or filtered water. The water temperature should be lukewarm. Dip your finger in the water to feel the temperature. Water temperature should not be too cold or too hot. I warm the water on the stove. Wash your hands before dipping your finger in the water.
Add Neti salt to the lukewarm water and fill the Neti Pot with the warm saltwater. To avoid stinging, make sure to use non-iodized salt and it is completely dissolved in water.
Place the spout of the Neti pot in one nostril and gently pour in the warm saltwater. Your head should be positioned at about a 45-degree angle so the water runs out the other nostril. Repeat the process on the other nostril. Be sure to clean your Neti pot after each use.
Sometimes we feel that after using Neti pot, there is still some water in the nasal passages and this water drips when we look down. Nothing to worry about it. This is natural. I personally use Neti Pot in the morning before consuming anything and immediately after using Neti pot, I do Kapalbhati pranayama which helps me remove access water from the nasal passages. You can watch YouTube videos to learn Kapalbhati Pranayama.
Tip: Use a Neti pot before taking a plane flight to keep your breathing passages moist.
For severe allergies and sinus congestion, after using Neti pot, you can inhale steam vapors and perform Nasya. In our future blog, we shall discuss the benefits of steam vapors and Nasya.
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