Winter is now behind us but the melody in the air sounds a little like a broken record… welcome to Spring!! Spring is a really beautiful season, but when everything around starts to bloom, you may start battling sneezing fits, difficulty breathing and itchy, watery eyes… Lucky me (touch wood) I am not allergy prone but it seems that more and more people get affected every year. While it’s easy to grab some nasal spray or an over-the-counter allergy medication, that’s NOT a long-term solution. Your body builds a tolerance to these chemical quick fixes, and over time you have to either up your dose or cope with symptoms once again. What to do then? Try the yogic way: the neti pot!
How it works
You may have seen this Aladdin’s magic lamp-looking ceramic (or plastic) vessel at a yoga studio or health food store before, the neti pot is a nasal irrigation system, first noted in ancient Hindu traditions as one of the Ayurvedic kriyas or cleansing techniques. The neti pot flushes warm, salty water through the nasal passages, allowing mucus to drain out of the body, along the way removing unwanted bacteria, viruses, dust and pollen. Not the most elegant sounding technique but very effective.
The salty water
You want to use warm salt water in order to match the tonicity of the body’s blood so as not to irritate the delicate sinus cavities and mucus membranes, tradition says the mixture should be as warm as your blood and as salty as your tears! Boiling the water and let it cool down is always a good idea. It is also important to use a non-iodised sea salt or saline solution and avoid mineral salts as they can be too harsh on the sinuses. Salt has the additional benefit of reducing swelling of the lining of the sinuses, preventing further mucus production, killing some bacteria and preventing sinus pain. A lot of Neti pots come with packets and instructions for creating the saline mixture. If yours doesn’t, just combine 500ml of warm water with 1 teaspoon of non-iodised sea salt in the pot.
The technique
A good technique is key to a pleasant neti pot experience and, if it may (will) be a little awkward at first, it will get easier every time you do it!
1. Stand over the sink or in the shower.
2. Bend over a bit at the waist, then gently tilt your head to the left side to about a 45-degree angle and slightly forward.
3. Slowly pour half the water up your right nostril. The saltwater then travels up into the sinus cavity and should come out the other nostril. If the sinuses are particularly stuffed-up, this may not occur at first, but repeat attempts can help break down the mucus and allow the flow of the water.
4. Repeat on the other side.
Note: The neti pot can be used several times a day during peak allergy season. If irritation occurs, discontinue use and consult your physician.
What neti pot to buy and where?
Traditionally made from silver or copper, neti pots are available in a variety of materials. Ceramic and glass pots look pretty but can break during use, while plastic ones aren’t visually appealing and may contain BPA. Stainless-steel pots are popular as they are easily cleaned, non-toxic and unbreakable. Try EMP, your local health shop or pharmacy.
Good to know
Most allergies are a symptom of modernity and our bodies going a little haywire in light of our genetic makeup and interference from a number of artificial chemical substances abundant on the planet these days. Recent research out of Finland has found that those of us who live in cities are more likely to be affected by seasonal allergies as we lack exposure to certain bacteria more commonly present in rural or forested areas that help to prevent the onset of allergies. So while it may seem as though more exposure to nature would just increase the number of plants one is allergic to, the opposite is actually true. We’re meant to be closer to nature, not further from it (no offense, pavement, skyscrapers, and highways, but that’s just the way it is!) and that’s precisely why we can heal ourselves from allergies most effectively with all natural remedies.