I grew up watching a silly sitcom called I Dream of Jeanie. I didn’t watch it when it first aired . . . I watched the reruns, I’ll have you know. My generation produced the cartoon, Aladdin, whose lyrics still run through my head — on a very specific and slightly awkward occasion.
What do the two shows have in common?
An object with a long spout. A Genie Lamp. We don’t have the object of myths, but our family does own what is called a Neti Pot.
The saline water for the Neti Pot is easy to make.
I know . . . I am making you squirm right now. But don’t worry, I could use words like nasal irrigation, nasal hygiene, or nasal lavage. But I won’t, because who really wants to think about the mucous-membrane in your nose!? Am I right?
Before I became the slightly-natural woman that I am, the idea of pouring salt water into my face seemed like one of the most ridiculous, hair-brained ideas I had heard. Yet, I remember the legends people spun about how they never got sick, because of their habit of allowing salt water to cascade out of their nose.
Even my son uses the Neti Pot, as he hasn't mastered blowing his nose with power.
The one thing about swimming in the ocean that I detest the most is swallowing salt water or having some find its way inside my nose. Not that you wanted to know this. I tell you because you will see how momentous it is that I actually use a Neti Pot on a regular basis.
My problem is that I am not religious about using the Neti Pot. I typically drag my ceramic spout out, when I feel a cold coming on. The Neti Pot becomes one of my most powerful tools in winning the war on sinus infections. Why? The salt water creates a slightly acidic environment, thus preventing an anti-bacterial/anti-viral environment. Additionally, it flushes out boogers and allergens such as dust and pollen.
The saline water for the Neti Pot is easy to make.
Ingredients
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 8 ounces lukewarm filtered, distilled water ( Note: DO NOT USE TAP WATER without boiling it first and allowing it to cool.)
- spoon
- measuring container or glass
Directions
- Stir the sea salt into lukewarm water until the salt has dissolved. Your water will appear cloudy throughout.
- Pour milky looking water into the Neti Pot.
I recommend you follow the directions, which are included with your Neti Pot. However, here are a few pointers.
You want to make sure that you fully insert the Neti Pot spout into one side of you nostril.
No Gaps!
Keep your mouth open to breathe!!!!
You will need to tilt your head sideways over a sink. Raise the Neti Pot above your nose so that it can flow into your nasal cavity.
Use half of the Neti Pot and then blow your nose. Insert the Neti Pot into the opposite nostril and flush again.
After performing this rather intimate, nasal bath, I can breathe better, am not coughing as much, and find that my sinuses aren’t as irritated. Many people perform this procedure daily, so as to flush out things they encountered throughout the day, potentially avoiding sickness. With all the Do-It-Yourself projects running ’round this month on the Homemakers Challenge, you will want to make sure that you stay healthy!
Which would you rather do? Blow your nose or use a Neti Pot?
