I have a good friend with a six year old son who has chronic sinus infections due to his allergies. He has had to undergo two cat scans because of the severity of his sinus infections and the longevity of them. He has been on loads of antibiotics and it’s been no fun for himself or his parents. Recently when I was talking with her, I told her about the neti pot and I could feel her ears perk up.

The use of the neti pot is actually quite simple; it involves pouring lukewarm salt water into one nostril which then flushes out all the impurities and congestion to come out of the other nostril. Though it sounds a little odd upon hearing about it, most people who practice it feel it’s a pleasant, cleansing experience. I have heard it compared to being in the ocean when salt water goes up your nose and flushes everything out or eating horseradish or wasabi and you get that good cleansing feeling in your sinuses.

The benefits of neti pot are immense, and are side effect free. Instead of using antihistamines or decongestants which both have some sort of unwanted side effects, try the neti pot. After all, it does what you are trying to do without using the medication. Also, instead of masking the symptoms, it actually gets the impurities and congestion out of your sinuses.

Like my friend’s child, many allergy sufferers develop sinus infections, then need to take rounds of antibiotics (more side effects) for treatment. If the neti pot is used, infections can not only be cured, but also prevented. Neti pot irrigation is not only beneficial for sinus infections, but for other nasal problems as well:

Source: http://www.healthandyoga.com/sinus.html#other

Many people may not want to try the neti pot for fear of discomfort or just plain not wanting to pour something in their nose to see what comes out. However, it’s the most natural way of cleansing and something that can be done easily, inexpensively and with no side effects. It has been demonstrated on Oprah by Dr. Oz, step by step instructions can be found here, and you can even see an actual demonstration on Youtube (don’t worry, it’s not gross at all!).

If you suffer from allergies or sinus infection, give it a try. The fluid flushes out all the pollen and allergens that cause symptoms, and helps you to breather freer. It can be used on a daily basis and will just plain get all that gunk out of there!