So what’s the best way to keep yourself protected in this environment? So besides the obvious of wearing a mask when out around others, there are several things you can do to help beef up your immune system. One of these is the use of a Neti pot. This is a popular home-based treatment for nasal congestion and upper respiratory congestion either from a cold or allergies, but can actually be used as a preventative measure as well! Neti pots are designed to rinse debris or mucus from your nasal cavity helping to relieve allergens or other irritants.
To use a Neti pot you’ll want to follow the specific directions. Most importantly being **boiling tap water for five minutes or more to sterilize it and then cooling or the use of distilled or commercially bottled water.
Neti pots are used with Saline which can be purchased at your local pharmacy store or online. It is recommended not to use homemade recipes as the prepackaged packets contain a mixture of pharmaceutical grade sodium chloride and sodium bicarbonate. Homemade recipes may not contain the appropriate quality of table salt and baking soda and these products may even contain impurities that may not be safe for nasal irrigation. The use of homemade recipes may also result in inadequate relief or even cause nasal congestion.
Step 1
• Use the Neti pot in a room with a sink.
• Add the saline solution to a clean, dry Neti pot.
• Bend over the sink and look straight down at the sink basin.
• Turn your head at a 45-degree angle.
• Gently press the spout of the Neti pot into the nostril closest to the ceiling.
• Make sure you have a seal between the Neti pot and your nostril. The Neti pot shouldn’t touch your septum.
Step 2
• Breathe through your mouth during this step.
• Tip the Neti pot so the saline solution reaches your nostril.
• Keep the Neti pot tipped while the solution runs through your nostril and leaves through your other nostril.
Step 3
• The solution will drain out of the nostril closest to the sink basin.
• Continue to pour the solution into your nostril until the Neti pot is empty.
• Once you’ve used all of the solution, remove the Neti pot from your nostril and bring your head up.
• Breathe through both nostrils to clear out your nose.
• Use a tissue to absorb remaining saline and mucus that drips from your nose.
Step 4
• Repeat the steps above to use the Neti pot on your other nostril.
• Clean the Neti pot after each use.
Here is a link on WebMD for a video on how to use Neti pots https://www.webmd.com/allergies/video/truth-about-neti-pots
WISHING YOU HEALTH IN 2021!