Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBenefitsHow to Use OneMaking the SolutionRisksOther TipsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Benefits
How to Use One
Making the Solution
Risks
Other Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
Saline nasal irrigation is often recommended as an additional, or adjunctive, therapy intended forupper respiratory infections, includingallergicrhinitis.The origin of saline nasal irrigation is attributed toAyurvedicmedicine, an ancient Indian medicine system based on a natural and holistic approach to illness.
Learn more about how to use a neti pot correctly, how to safely make your own solution, how to care for your neti pot, and more.
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The 8 Best Neti Pots to Clear Your Sinuses, According to Experts
Saline nasal irrigation is an effective therapy for chronicrhinosinusitis. The exact way saline irrigation works is unknown.However, it is thought that thenasal mucosa(mucous membranes) protects against upper respiratory infections, so when it breaks down, upper respiratory infection symptoms, like a runny nose, occur.
How to Use a Neti Pot
A neti pot is a device used for saline nasal irrigation. The neti pot allows you to get a saline solution up one nostril while draining out of the opposite nostril. The steps for proper use of a neti pot are:
Step 1: Prepare the Solution
Step 2: Proper Positioning
Step 3: Clearing Your Nose
Neti Pot Instructions and Benefits
How to Make Your Own Solution
While you can purchase a prepackaged solution, you can also easily make it at home.
Using asafe water sourceis essential. Safe water sources include:
Why You Shouldn’t Use Tap WaterThe FDA and CDC do not recommend using tap water for saline nasal irrigation, as it is not adequately filtered or treated and could contain low levels of bacteria and protozoa, such as amoebas.Tap water with low levels of bacteria and protozoa is considered safe to drink because the acid in the stomach kills those organisms. However, the nose cannot kill them; if they remain alive, they could cause serious, even life-threatening, illnesses.
Why You Shouldn’t Use Tap Water
The FDA and CDC do not recommend using tap water for saline nasal irrigation, as it is not adequately filtered or treated and could contain low levels of bacteria and protozoa, such as amoebas.Tap water with low levels of bacteria and protozoa is considered safe to drink because the acid in the stomach kills those organisms. However, the nose cannot kill them; if they remain alive, they could cause serious, even life-threatening, illnesses.
The FDA and CDC do not recommend using tap water for saline nasal irrigation, as it is not adequately filtered or treated and could contain low levels of bacteria and protozoa, such as amoebas.
Tap water with low levels of bacteria and protozoa is considered safe to drink because the acid in the stomach kills those organisms. However, the nose cannot kill them; if they remain alive, they could cause serious, even life-threatening, illnesses.
Once a safe water source is available, you can make the saline solution as follows:
Nasal or Sinus Rinse Recipe and Uses
Neti pots are relatively safe and have few risks.For people who have blocked nasal passages or are immunocompromised, it is strongly recommended to consult your healthcare provider before using a neti pot to ensure it does not cause any health complications.
Some of the minor side effects of using a neti pot include:
If any of these side effects occur with neti pot use, stop using the neti pot and consult your healthcare provider for further guidance.
Saline nasal irrigation via a neti pot is generally considered safe. However, you should consult your healthcare provider first if you have the following conditions:
If you are immunocompromised or are unable to manage the neti pot correctly, you should also speak with your healthcare provider before saline nasal irrigation.
Caring for Your Neti Pot
Summary
Saline nasal irrigation is a recommended adjunctive treatment for chronic upper respiratory infections or allergic rhinitis. A neti pot is a common method of performing saline nasal irrigation.
Purchasing a prepackaged solution or properly preparing the saline solution with a safe water source will minimize the risk of infection and maximize sinus relief. It is essential to properly care for and clean your neti pot immediately after using it.
A Word From Verywell
It may take a few tries to get used to using a neti pot, but you’ll likely find relief from the long-standing Ayurvedic practice. Speak with your healthcare provider about any concerns, and always use a safe water source with your neti pot.
Frequently Asked QuestionsNeti pots are best used for chronic rhinosinusitis.When used correctly, it has not been shown to make sinuses worse and has been effective in alleviating sinus congestion.No specific time of day is best for neti pot use. A neti pot can be used whenever upper respiratory infection symptoms are present.Lying down after using a neti pot is not recommended as it might cause any saline solution still in the nasal passages to go down the throat. Instead, gently blowing the nose after the saline irrigation has drained out of the nose will help ensure any remaining saline solution is cleared from the nasal passages.
Neti pots are best used for chronic rhinosinusitis.When used correctly, it has not been shown to make sinuses worse and has been effective in alleviating sinus congestion.
No specific time of day is best for neti pot use. A neti pot can be used whenever upper respiratory infection symptoms are present.
Lying down after using a neti pot is not recommended as it might cause any saline solution still in the nasal passages to go down the throat. Instead, gently blowing the nose after the saline irrigation has drained out of the nose will help ensure any remaining saline solution is cleared from the nasal passages.
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Rabago D, Zgierska A.Saline nasal irrigation for upper respiratory conditions.Am Fam Physician. 2009;80(10):1117-1119.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Ayurvedic medicine: in depth.American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology.Saline sinus rinse recipe.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Is rinsing your sinuses with neti pots safe?
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Rabago D, Zgierska A.Saline nasal irrigation for upper respiratory conditions.Am Fam Physician. 2009;80(10):1117-1119.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Ayurvedic medicine: in depth.American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology.Saline sinus rinse recipe.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Is rinsing your sinuses with neti pots safe?
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Rabago D, Zgierska A.Saline nasal irrigation for upper respiratory conditions.Am Fam Physician. 2009;80(10):1117-1119.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Ayurvedic medicine: in depth.American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology.Saline sinus rinse recipe.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Is rinsing your sinuses with neti pots safe?
Rabago D, Zgierska A.Saline nasal irrigation for upper respiratory conditions.Am Fam Physician. 2009;80(10):1117-1119.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Ayurvedic medicine: in depth.
American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology.Saline sinus rinse recipe.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Is rinsing your sinuses with neti pots safe?
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