It's cold and flu season and just about everyone I know is sniffling, sneezing, and all stuffed up. To deal with these nasal symptoms, you can pop decongestants like Sudafed, but they'll cause annoying side effects like dry mouth, sore throat, and headaches, and can lead to sinusitis. Plus if you think about it, your body creates all that mucus to help flush the germs out. So why would you want to turn off your body's natural response? It means the germs will just stay in your body.
You can help get rid of the germs and mucus by using a neti pot. It's a small container that you fill with warm salt water, and use to flush out your nasal passages. Think of it as a bath for your nose.
To see a video of the neti pot in action, read more.
Once you try it, you'll be hooked. It's not only great for colds, but also good if you suffer from congestion caused by allergies. For detailed instructions on how to use the neti pot click here.
Does anyone else think that gal in the photo looks an awful lot like Reese Witherspoon, or is it just me?
Hugo Boss
Anya Hindmarch
Andy Warhol for Levi's
Hmmmm I don't know about this, sort of icks me out.
1I understand the idea, but I agree with aimeeb. There is a big ick factor with this
2The Neti Pot has changed my life, no joke. I have horrible allergies and sinus issues and this is the only thing that works. I was very hesitant at first but it's really easy to use and has cleared up my headaches. Highly recommended!
3Where can you find these? I hate taking those medications, even when I'm suffering, because they either make my heart race or make me sleepy.
4I love my neti pot, although sometimes if the cold is really bad I'll combine it with a decongestant.
5We have one in our home (albeit a much nicer looking one, one of the white porcelain pots). My husband has a long history with allergies and even had polyp removal surgery one year. The pot is great to help him if his sinus congestion is coming back... I also use it when I am getting sick or reacting to some new pollen in our area. We got our at an apothecary, but you can also find them at Whole Foods or most health food stores with a homeopathy section.
6I have one. It was weird to use it at first, but ityou quickly get used to it once you find the angle and tilt for your head. I used to have such problems with my sinuses and allergies, but not now. And if I do, it isn't as nearly a severe as it could be. I got mine at Walgreens and I've seen them at Wal-Mart. They were both in the 'cold/allergy/sinus' section on the bottom shelf.
7I have one and love it! It was weird at first but it is really amazing how it clears my sinuses and my head. It's a very relieving feeling.
8i've never heard of this before, and like some others here have said, i'm a bit icked by it. i don't know - just the thought of putting something up to my nose just doesn't work for me.
9If you're suffering from serious allergies, it's best just to get over the "ick factor". I got a neti pot after a bout of seasonal allergies led to the worst sinus infection I've ever had. You want to talk ick factor, I had green stuff coming out of the corners of my eyes! I've been using a neti pot ever since. My allergies have calmed down, and I haven't had a sinus infection since (they used to be a more common occurrence), and I was even able to get a cat, which I wouldn't have been able to do before. I keep some Flonase around for spring allergy season, but I usually don't even need it.
10when i was pregnant with my second baby, i had a really bad cold which then turned into a sinus infection and i could not use anything for it. anyways, my mom introduced me to a neti pot. since then i have been using one and it is so awesome.
By the way, nasal irrigation is "considered to be one of the 6 purification to prepare the body for yoga...some yogic teachers consider it valuable in cleansing the energy channels and balancing the right and left hemispheres to create radiant energetic health and wellness" (info i got off my neti pot box)
11Ok... I thought it looked completely ridiculous at first... but I think i could actually use this! I totally have a cold right now and i hate taking cold medicine cuz it makes me totally weird. This would be perfect!
12I am LAUGHING SO HARD at that picture. I have no freaking idea what this is but nobody is sticking that thing up my nose. She looks in agony!!
13I don't use a neti pot, but I use a very similar sinus rinse. it's a weird feeling to have the liquid go in one nostril and out the other (or mouth - echh) but boy, does it help. I'm on day 5 of a monster cold and it really helped relieve that "water balloon in face" sensation. Rinsing it out is good; if the crap sits in there, that's when you get sinusitis. Trust me, that's a much worse feeling.
14I have one of these, but I stopped using it because I could never really get the hang of using it. I have really bad allergies and sinus pressure though, so I suppose I should get it out and try again.
15I just use my teapot for this.
Kidding!
16The idea doesn't ick me out... I just can't stand the feeling of water going up my nose. I guess what I'm saying is I'm afraid I'll drown or something. Stupid I know
17My sister-in-law uses one and loves it and the dr gave me a print out of instructions on how to use one when I had a sinus infection... I've just never got up the nerve to do it.
My bf would probably benefit though, he has bad allergies.
I have a neti pot, and i've used it twice. It seriously felt like getting water in your nose when you're swimming. Plus the water can make its way to your ears and cause an ear infection. It also isn't useful if you're congested since the water will have nowhere to go.
18I don't know why it's any ickier than just blowing your nose. I have been so congested lately I will pretty much try anything. Maybe it's time for neti pot.
19I dont think i will be using this, i think it will feel like when you get water in your nose at the pool.
20I'm interested in this.
21When I first used mine I ended up with water going up my nose, but once I got the hang of it, I fell in love! It's wonderful, I use it before a run or before yoga and it makes the workout a lot more pleasant, not struggling to breathe.
22Have one and just can't get into it. I may try again though.
CVS and Rite Aid sell them for like $20.
23Love my neti pot. It's fantastic for allergies. It may take some getting used to, but everyone should give it a try. What's more gross anyway, rinsing your nose into the sink, or filling tissue after tissue with sticky snot until the trash overflows?
24Everyone is saying it's weird at first. By weird do you mean horrible pain in the sinuses? That's what happened when I used the one I have. Has anyone else experienced this, and if so, does it go away?
25Thanks.
Someone I work with loves these things and was just trying to describe them to me and it sounded horrible...but after watching that video it doesn't seem so bad...just weird. Might be worth a shot.
26Hi we are the USA distributors of the Rhino Horn neti pot featured in the fitsugar article and video. Go to our website www.rhinohorn.net for instructions, medical studies and how to order one
27snakewash- we've used the sinus rinses for a few years now after several doctors recommended them. It's not supposed to hurt. It will sort of burn like pool water if you don't get the water temperature right (body temp), or the saline mix right (pre-mixed packets are great) though.
28You are absolutely right - the water temperature and salinity are supposed to mimic those of your body. Most netis come with spoon so that you addthe correct amount of salt to the body tmperature warm water. To little salt or too hot/cold water and it will feel like it is stinging
29I work in a lab full of microbiologists and we all swear by Neti pots. If you want to avoid getting a sinus infection, use one. If you rinse all the mucus out of your nose, there's nothing for the bacteria to grow in. So even though you have a cold, you won't feel as terrible as you would if you had a blocked up, stuffy nose. But yeah, it's REALLY important to use the right temperature of water and the right amount of salt so that it's almost like your natural tears. If you get it too hot/cold/salty, it'll sting your nose.
30The neti pot gives me horrible headaches. After a few experiences, my ENT told me to never, ever try using one again. For most people it is fine, but for those considering use -- if you happen to get very bad headaches immediately afterward, discontinue use!
31I live in a really dry climate and last year had 6 sinus infections - yuck! This year every time I feel one coming on I get rid of it with the neti pot. I swear by it! I got my at WalGreens but I've seen them at all of the organic stores as well! (Just a little pricier)
32You pictured the cheap-o ones you get at the drug store chain. The nicer, more well known ceramic ones are found at a local health food store for around $20. Yes, they work & give people a non-drug solution. My brother loves his & he suffered for decades & numerous sinus surgeries to no avail. This has given him the most releif along with avoiding wheat as much as possible.
33haha this is funny.. who cares how it looks still does the same job
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