Why I'm Glad I Decided to Try the Neti Pot: Ancient Secrets Nasal Cleansing Pot

I have to admit that I went a long time thinking I would never use a Neti pot. It didn't seem too natural to me. Plus, I can barely go under water without holding my nose. I never imagined I would buy something to help me pour water into my nose.

What is a Nasal Cleansing (Neti) Pot and Why?

A Nasal Cleansing Pot, also known as a Neti pot, is used to clear nasal passages. It is used as a form of nasal irrigation. Clearing nasal passages with a Neti pot is actually known as a practice called Neti, that has been practiced for hundreds, possibly thousands of years by Ayurveda and Yoga practitioners in India.

There are many reasons people use a Neti pot. It helps remove excess mucous, to clear the nose to help you breathe. It can relieve dry nostrils and it can help reduce irritants, like pollutants and allergens, in the nose.

I finally decided to break down and try a Neti pot after having continuous nasal problems, off and on, in addition to having bad allergy reactions when I would go outside. I, also, kept running across information on it, on the internet and T.V. It seem to be calling me.

I bought my Ancient Secrets Nasal Cleansing Pot at iherb.com, for $11.99. I wanted to get the other brand, the actual Neti named brand, because I thought it was a little bit prettier. It cost about $2 - $3 more. Being the frugal person I am and knowing it was not something I was going to put on display in my home, looks would not matter, so I decided on Ancient Secrets Nasal Cleansing Pot. I am glad I did and I feel that the design itself, might be more of a benefit and make it easier to use. It says on the box that it has a new and improved design. I have never used the old one, but the current design works good for me.

I'll admit it took me a few days, after I got it, to get up the courage to try it. But, once I did, it ended up actually being fairly easy.

Basic steps, for use:

1.) Fill pot with salt water (1 cup water, 1/4 teaspoon non- iodized salt)

2.) Tilt head at an angle

3.) Put pot to nostril

4.) Lift pot slowly to start flow of water in one nostril, out the other.

5.) Blow very gently to clear nostrils

6.) Repeat on other side.

I like to mix the salt and water directly in the pot; it saves time. It is best to use non-iodized salt. It is easy to find, I bought mine at my normal local grocery store, in the same section as the normal iodized kind. So, don't worry about needing to go out of your way for special salt. Any other kind of salt (sea salt or iodized) may burn in your nose if used. Even if you just used water, without adding salt, it will probably burn too. The salt helps match the natural PH of your nose, so it won't burn.

I was lucky to be able to get the angle right the first time I tried it. Though, for most it usually takes a little practice to get the flow to just go in one nostril and out the other. It helped me to follow the picture of the lady on the box. If you feel it running down your throat, just adjust your head a little till it flows freely just out the opposite nostril. If your head is tilted right the water will flow in the one nostril and out the other nostril.

I don't use it everyday. I use it more when I feel I need it, like when my sinuses feel inflamed or my allergies are acting up. It really helps to clear my breathing through my nose or the pressure from the inflammation. Sometimes when my sinuses get really bad I end up using it in the morning and the night and it seems to help for several days without use. It can be used safely on a daily basis.

There are many different things, herbal oils and such that can be added to the water of your neti pot, to get different benefits. I started using grapefruit seed extract in mine, as an anti-bacterial. I use about 2 or 3 drops. It is best to start with just the salt water first, until you get use to it and learn more about what you can add and their uses.

The Ancient Secrets Nasal Cleansing pot is really nice, heavy-duty, made of lead-free ceramic. It is very easy to clean, with just some soap and water or it can be put in the dishwasher.

As weird as it is, it is kind of a cool science experiment to learn about your sinuses and watch the water go in one nostril and out the other. Even though I never thought I would be purposely pouring water in my nose, I think the neti pot has helped my sinuses a lot. I would recommend it to anyone with allergies or sinus trouble. It may seem weird at first, but once you get the hang of it you may wish you bought it sooner.