The nose knows, or why use a neti pot...

At the beginning of all of this (beginning being say March and all of this being Covid 19) I attended an online workshop/seminar called Building Global Immunity: Ayurveda & Yoga for Collective Well Being. While all the presenters made very interesting points, the one that has stayed with me over these last few months was regarding the use of neti pots.

Years ago probably in the early 2000s, I was really stuffed up and congested and my dear friend suggested I use a neti pot. I had never heard of them and when she described the process to me, I was like "No. Gross. Absolutely not." Then maybe 10 years ago I tried it. It took a few attempts to actually do it right but once I got the hang of it, it truly made a difference. Now I use my neti pot regularly to clear my nasal passages. I use it when I'm congested, when my allergies are acting up, when I've done some thorough dusting, and when the air feels particularly dry.

The presenter was (I think, it's been a few months and my handwritten notes leave something to be desired) Dr. Martina Ziskova from Prague. She brought up that because Covid 19 is a respiratory disease that it would make sense to use the neti pot to keep your nasal passages clear. She said something along the lines of our nose and mouth being the gateways of our immune system and the filters for our respiratory system. That made a lot of sense to me.

For those of you who aren't quite sure what a neti pot is, it's a small container (similar in shape to a small tea pot) that is used to rinse (cleanse) your nasal passages. In very simple terms you stick the spout up one nostril, tilt your head, pour a warm mixture of water and saline through your nose, then repeat on the other side. I admit it doesn't sound awesome but it works for me.

Some of the noted benefits of using a neti pot regularly are:

· Promotes nasal and sinus health

· Can remove excess mucus

· Is soothing for nasal dryness

· Rinses out irritants like dirt, dust, and pollen

· Can create a better space for breathing

If you are interested in including a neti pot in your health and wellness practice please consider using my Amazon affiliate link for purchasing. You won't pay anything extra but I will re

ceive a small commission. For me, the NeilMed has offered the best experience as far as saline packets go (not an ad for them, just my two cents).