Frequently Asked Questions about the Neti Pot
What is a neti pot? A neti pot is a small teapot shaped vessel used for rinsing the nostrils. Using a neti pot is a simple and effective technique of washing the nasal passages with salt water, clearing the area of pollen, dried mucus, and pathogenic organisms. Neti pots have specially made spouts to fit gently into the nostril, making it easy to rinse. This cleansing procedure can be done daily, much like brushing your teeth. Use your neti pot to introduce omfortably warm salted sterile water into one nostril, let it flow through the nasal passage, around the back of the septum, and out through the other nostril, leaving the nasal passages open and clean.
How is Aromatic Salt neti pot salt different than traditional table salt? Aromatic Salt neti pot salt is made for the nasal rinse with a blend of highest quality pure, natural salts. It contains no iodine, no anti-caking agents, and no free-flowing agents. It dissolves quickly and completely in water, and produces a solution that is gentle and comfortable to use. Aromatic Salt Original neti pot salt contains a blend of essential oils which are anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory. The essential oils in Aromatic Salt Original neti pot salt make the salt smell refreshing and it when dissolved in distilled water to make a saline solution, it feels great in the nostrils. Aromatic Salt Unscented neti pot salt contains the same great blend of quick-dissolving, additive free salts used in Aromatic Salt Original, but without essential oils.
How can rinsing out my nose with a neti pot and Aromatic Salt help my sinuses? The sinuses drain into the nasal passages through very small tubes called ostia. When the tissues around those tubes swell, or when the tubes become blocked by dried mucus and debris in the the nasal passage, normal sinjus draining ceases, negative pressure is created in the sinuses, and the whole head can become painful. Rinsing the nostrils with a neti pot helps to prevent this situation by keeping the outlet of the tubes clear and the sterile saline solution pulls excess moisture from the tissues, helping to open passages blocked by swollen tissue. Rinsing your nostrils with a neti pot and a saline solution made with Aromatic Salt and warm sterile water is an easy and inexpensive method that you can use to help to control your sinus condition. Of course you will want to check with your doctor about using a neti pot. Many doctors enthusiastically recommend the neti pot for their patients.
I have a deviated septum. Can I comfortably and easily use a neti pot and how would I go about doing so? Many people with a deviated septum find that using a neti pot helps them. While it cannot straighten the septum, using a neti pot can wash out the nasal area so that the partially blocked nostril isn't further blocked by mucus and debris. Plus, if there is any swelling, then using a neti pot can help open up the passages by reducing the swelling. Salt draws fluid from tissues, so rinsing with with a saline solution made with Aromatic Salt and sterile water is a good strategy for drawing fluids from swollen tissues and helping them return to normal. Cleansing the area and reducing any swelling can really help open things up so that you can breathe better even though you'll still have a deviated septum.
People who have a deviated septum and decide to try using a neti pot sometimes find it difficult to get the salt water to move into one nostril and out the other. If one nostril is completely blocked, that will stop the salt water from flowing. The salt water simply won't travel all the way over to exit the other nostril. Usually, however, the blockage is not complete, and eventually the salt water will flow after a few tries. Sometimes people with a deviated septum say that they can get the salt water to flow one direction, but not the other direction. If that is the case, go ahead and do it on the side that works, and continue to try on the other side. Usually the blocked side opens up after a few tries. Remember that it takes a few seconds for the salt water to wind its way through the nose, so give it some time when you try it and make subtle adjustments to your head position to find the position that works best for you.
Also, after you use your neti pot, gently blow your nose to remove the remaining salt water and debris, then bend over from the waist and move your head around looking for a position that allows any trapped salt water to drain out.
I have a cold and one nostril is blocked. Can I use my neti pot when I have a cold? You can use a neti pot when you have a cold and it should help make you feel better. If you can get the saline solution to flow through the clogged nostrils, it will rinse out the excess mucus that is causing the blockage, and it will reduce any swelling of the nasal passages that you may have due to the cold. The swelling is reduced because the salt in the saline solution draws excess fluid from the swollen tissues. So, yes, you want to use the neti pot during your cold. The best work-around is to use the neti pot to rinse from the unclogged side a couple of times and then blow your nose gently until it's as clear up there as you can get it. Then try rinsing on the blocked side. It should flow through more easily than before. Be really really careful to keep both nostrils open and to blow gently when you blow your nose after rinsing with the neti pot. After blowing your nose, bend over from the waist and hang upside down, move your head around until you find just the right position that will cause any trapped saline solution to drip out of the nostrils. Sometimes you will find some saline solution trapped up there and sometimes you won't. Using a neti pot during a cold should give you some comfort.
Is using a neti pot safe for kids? Children often enjoy doing the nasal wash and the relief that it brings them. We find that the best way to introduce children to the practice is to let them see you practice it yourself. Usually, kids want to give it a try and they pick up the technique quickly. It is safe for kids.
Can using a neti pot with Aromatic Salt cure my cold? Rinsing with a sterile saline solution made with Aromatic Salt neti pot salt and warm distilled water will not cure a cold. The anti-viral and immune building essential oils in Aromatic Salt Original neti pot salt will support your body's own healing process, and clearing your nasal passages by doing the nasal wash certainly can help you to feel better.
Can using a neti pot and Aromatic Salt help a person with frequent ear infections? The passages in the head are physically close together and they are connected. For a person who is prone to ear infections, it makes sense that keeping the nasal passages clear of dried mucus and colonies of pathogens by practicing nasal wash might improve the situation, possibly even decreasing the frequency of the ear infections. Check with your doctor for his or her opinion on your particular situation. If your doctor approves your using a neti pot, I recommend taking advantage of the anti-microbial and immune building properties of the essential oil blend in Aromatic Salt Original neti pot salt. Be careful when blowing your nose after using the neti pot to keep both nostrils open and to blow gently!
Will using a neti pot help me with my hay fever and pollen allergies? Give it a try! Your body is trying to expel those allergens with sneezing and dripping. Try rinsing with a neti pot and a sterile saline solution made with Aromatic Salt neti pot salt and distilled water once or twice a day to wash the pollen out and take a load off your bodies defense mechanisms.
Can I use Aromatic Salt Original neti pot salt during my pregnancy? Aromatic Salt Original neti pot salt contains a small amount of essential oils which can be absorbed into the bloodstream through the mucus membranes of the nasal passages. The amount of essential oil absorbed is very small, comparable to using a hand lotion with essential oil in it. I don't see any problem with using a neti pot and a saline solution made with Aromatic Salt Original neti pot salt and warm sterile water in pregnancy, but you should check with your own doctor. If your doctor prefers for you to avoid essential oils during your pregnancy, you can switch to Aromatic Salt Unscented neti pot salt during your pregnancy.
What types of water are safe to use in my neti pot?
How do I care for my neti pot?
Can I rinse my nostrils without using a neti pot? Some people simply "snuff' salted sterile water up one nostril at a time. To try this method, prepare Aromatic Salt neti pot salt with lukewarm distilled or purified water as directed. Pour a little of the salt water into your cupped palm. Close one nostril with the other hand and sniff the water into the open nostril. Repeat on the other side. Be sure to blow out the salt water and debris when you are done. If you do not wish to purchase a commercial neti pot salt, look for the purest, additive free non-iodized salt that is available to you and be sure it is completely dissolved before using it.
Why can't I use just plain sterile water without any salt in my neti pot? Plain sterile water needs to be brought to a similar specific density as the tissues of the inner nose in order to be comfortable for rinsing the nasal passages. Salted sterile water is used because it is naturally compatible with our tissues. In addition, salt water actually pulls excess water from your nasal tissues helping to reduce swelling and open the passageways. Plain, unsalted water is not compatible with the tissues of your nasal passages and causes irritation and discomfort when introduced into the nasal passages.
Can I use Aromatic Salt neti pot salt as a gargle? Aromatic Salt makes a great salt water gargle! Use about one-half teaspoon of Aromatic Salt in 8 ounces of warm water.
I hate to get water in my nose when I swim. Will using a neti pot be comfortable for me? Sterile salt water is very compatible with human tissues, but unsalted water is uncomfortable to those tissues, especially if it is well-chlorinated. The saline solution used in in your neti pot will feel very different in your nose than swimming pool water does.
I have been using my neti pot twice a day. Is this too often? Twice a day is not too often to use a neti pot, and many people with sinus or other problems seem to need a twice a day regimen to maintain optimum health. Other people find that using a neti pot 2 or 3 times a week is enough.
My eyes burn after using my neti pot. Am I doing something wrong? You may be experiencing some irritation to the mucus lining which is causing your eyes to burn right after using your neti pot. It may be that the salt is not completely dissolved, leaving the salt water at the bottom of the pot too salty, and the salt water at the top of the pot not salty enough. If you are using table salt, stir it longer give it more time to dissolve, or switch to Aromatic Salt which dissolves quickly. Also be sure that you are using distilled, sterile, or filtered (1 micron) water to make your saline solution.
When I use my neti pot, I get water n my ears and they get clogged. What am I doing wrong? If you have ongoing issues with your ears, check with your doctor about your neti pot use. If he or she approves of your using a neti pot, then consider the following advice to improve your experience.
Your trouble may be from incorrectly positioning your head. It's very easy to tip the head too far over to the side. Only a slight tilt of the head is enough to allow the salt water to flow easily from one nostril into the other nostril via the back of the throat. The other possibility is that you are leaning too far forward. Leaning way far forward actually makes it harder to get the water to flow correctly because the water needs to make it's way to the back of the nasal passages, flow across the septum and then flow forward again to flow out of the opposite nostril. Don't lean forward or backward. Keep the head position neutral (except for the slight tilt) and the water should flow easily and effectively.
Take the time to allow all of the water to drain out when you are done. After blowing gently through your nostrils (blowing your nose) into a tissue, exhale forcefully through both open nostrils a few times to dry them out a bit. Then place a towel on the floor and lean all the way forward - bend from the waist and hang over the towel. Move your head around a bit, tilting it and lifting it slightly. Take a bit of time with this, and you'll probably find that some salt water will flow out of your nostrils. Personally, I find that I need to hang over the towel for a few seconds (10-15 seconds) then lift my head slightly, and that when I lift my head, that movement releases any trapped saltwater. We all have slightly differently shaped nasal passages, so you should experiment with this to find what works for you.
Send your questions to: aromaticsalt@gmail.com
How is Aromatic Salt neti pot salt different than traditional table salt? Aromatic Salt neti pot salt is made for the nasal rinse with a blend of highest quality pure, natural salts. It contains no iodine, no anti-caking agents, and no free-flowing agents. It dissolves quickly and completely in water, and produces a solution that is gentle and comfortable to use. Aromatic Salt Original neti pot salt contains a blend of essential oils which are anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory. The essential oils in Aromatic Salt Original neti pot salt make the salt smell refreshing and it when dissolved in distilled water to make a saline solution, it feels great in the nostrils. Aromatic Salt Unscented neti pot salt contains the same great blend of quick-dissolving, additive free salts used in Aromatic Salt Original, but without essential oils.
How can rinsing out my nose with a neti pot and Aromatic Salt help my sinuses? The sinuses drain into the nasal passages through very small tubes called ostia. When the tissues around those tubes swell, or when the tubes become blocked by dried mucus and debris in the the nasal passage, normal sinjus draining ceases, negative pressure is created in the sinuses, and the whole head can become painful. Rinsing the nostrils with a neti pot helps to prevent this situation by keeping the outlet of the tubes clear and the sterile saline solution pulls excess moisture from the tissues, helping to open passages blocked by swollen tissue. Rinsing your nostrils with a neti pot and a saline solution made with Aromatic Salt and warm sterile water is an easy and inexpensive method that you can use to help to control your sinus condition. Of course you will want to check with your doctor about using a neti pot. Many doctors enthusiastically recommend the neti pot for their patients.
I have a deviated septum. Can I comfortably and easily use a neti pot and how would I go about doing so? Many people with a deviated septum find that using a neti pot helps them. While it cannot straighten the septum, using a neti pot can wash out the nasal area so that the partially blocked nostril isn't further blocked by mucus and debris. Plus, if there is any swelling, then using a neti pot can help open up the passages by reducing the swelling. Salt draws fluid from tissues, so rinsing with with a saline solution made with Aromatic Salt and sterile water is a good strategy for drawing fluids from swollen tissues and helping them return to normal. Cleansing the area and reducing any swelling can really help open things up so that you can breathe better even though you'll still have a deviated septum.
People who have a deviated septum and decide to try using a neti pot sometimes find it difficult to get the salt water to move into one nostril and out the other. If one nostril is completely blocked, that will stop the salt water from flowing. The salt water simply won't travel all the way over to exit the other nostril. Usually, however, the blockage is not complete, and eventually the salt water will flow after a few tries. Sometimes people with a deviated septum say that they can get the salt water to flow one direction, but not the other direction. If that is the case, go ahead and do it on the side that works, and continue to try on the other side. Usually the blocked side opens up after a few tries. Remember that it takes a few seconds for the salt water to wind its way through the nose, so give it some time when you try it and make subtle adjustments to your head position to find the position that works best for you.
Also, after you use your neti pot, gently blow your nose to remove the remaining salt water and debris, then bend over from the waist and move your head around looking for a position that allows any trapped salt water to drain out.
I have a cold and one nostril is blocked. Can I use my neti pot when I have a cold? You can use a neti pot when you have a cold and it should help make you feel better. If you can get the saline solution to flow through the clogged nostrils, it will rinse out the excess mucus that is causing the blockage, and it will reduce any swelling of the nasal passages that you may have due to the cold. The swelling is reduced because the salt in the saline solution draws excess fluid from the swollen tissues. So, yes, you want to use the neti pot during your cold. The best work-around is to use the neti pot to rinse from the unclogged side a couple of times and then blow your nose gently until it's as clear up there as you can get it. Then try rinsing on the blocked side. It should flow through more easily than before. Be really really careful to keep both nostrils open and to blow gently when you blow your nose after rinsing with the neti pot. After blowing your nose, bend over from the waist and hang upside down, move your head around until you find just the right position that will cause any trapped saline solution to drip out of the nostrils. Sometimes you will find some saline solution trapped up there and sometimes you won't. Using a neti pot during a cold should give you some comfort.
Is using a neti pot safe for kids? Children often enjoy doing the nasal wash and the relief that it brings them. We find that the best way to introduce children to the practice is to let them see you practice it yourself. Usually, kids want to give it a try and they pick up the technique quickly. It is safe for kids.
Can using a neti pot with Aromatic Salt cure my cold? Rinsing with a sterile saline solution made with Aromatic Salt neti pot salt and warm distilled water will not cure a cold. The anti-viral and immune building essential oils in Aromatic Salt Original neti pot salt will support your body's own healing process, and clearing your nasal passages by doing the nasal wash certainly can help you to feel better.
Can using a neti pot and Aromatic Salt help a person with frequent ear infections? The passages in the head are physically close together and they are connected. For a person who is prone to ear infections, it makes sense that keeping the nasal passages clear of dried mucus and colonies of pathogens by practicing nasal wash might improve the situation, possibly even decreasing the frequency of the ear infections. Check with your doctor for his or her opinion on your particular situation. If your doctor approves your using a neti pot, I recommend taking advantage of the anti-microbial and immune building properties of the essential oil blend in Aromatic Salt Original neti pot salt. Be careful when blowing your nose after using the neti pot to keep both nostrils open and to blow gently!
Will using a neti pot help me with my hay fever and pollen allergies? Give it a try! Your body is trying to expel those allergens with sneezing and dripping. Try rinsing with a neti pot and a sterile saline solution made with Aromatic Salt neti pot salt and distilled water once or twice a day to wash the pollen out and take a load off your bodies defense mechanisms.
Can I use Aromatic Salt Original neti pot salt during my pregnancy? Aromatic Salt Original neti pot salt contains a small amount of essential oils which can be absorbed into the bloodstream through the mucus membranes of the nasal passages. The amount of essential oil absorbed is very small, comparable to using a hand lotion with essential oil in it. I don't see any problem with using a neti pot and a saline solution made with Aromatic Salt Original neti pot salt and warm sterile water in pregnancy, but you should check with your own doctor. If your doctor prefers for you to avoid essential oils during your pregnancy, you can switch to Aromatic Salt Unscented neti pot salt during your pregnancy.
What types of water are safe to use in my neti pot?
- Distilled or sterile water, which you can buy in stores. The label will state “distilled” or “sterile.” Most people find that this is the most convenient option.
- Water passed through a filter with an absolute pore size of 1 micron or smaller, which traps potentially infectious organisms. You can buy appropriate filters from some hardware and discount stores, or online.
How do I care for my neti pot?
- Wash and dry your hands before handling or using your neti pot.
- Keep your neti pot clean and dry between uses.
- Use the appropriate water as recommended above to prepare the saline rinse.
- Wash your neti pot frequently by hand or in the dishwasher. (If you are using a plastic neti pot, check to see that it is dishwasher safe.
Can I rinse my nostrils without using a neti pot? Some people simply "snuff' salted sterile water up one nostril at a time. To try this method, prepare Aromatic Salt neti pot salt with lukewarm distilled or purified water as directed. Pour a little of the salt water into your cupped palm. Close one nostril with the other hand and sniff the water into the open nostril. Repeat on the other side. Be sure to blow out the salt water and debris when you are done. If you do not wish to purchase a commercial neti pot salt, look for the purest, additive free non-iodized salt that is available to you and be sure it is completely dissolved before using it.
Why can't I use just plain sterile water without any salt in my neti pot? Plain sterile water needs to be brought to a similar specific density as the tissues of the inner nose in order to be comfortable for rinsing the nasal passages. Salted sterile water is used because it is naturally compatible with our tissues. In addition, salt water actually pulls excess water from your nasal tissues helping to reduce swelling and open the passageways. Plain, unsalted water is not compatible with the tissues of your nasal passages and causes irritation and discomfort when introduced into the nasal passages.
Can I use Aromatic Salt neti pot salt as a gargle? Aromatic Salt makes a great salt water gargle! Use about one-half teaspoon of Aromatic Salt in 8 ounces of warm water.
I hate to get water in my nose when I swim. Will using a neti pot be comfortable for me? Sterile salt water is very compatible with human tissues, but unsalted water is uncomfortable to those tissues, especially if it is well-chlorinated. The saline solution used in in your neti pot will feel very different in your nose than swimming pool water does.
I have been using my neti pot twice a day. Is this too often? Twice a day is not too often to use a neti pot, and many people with sinus or other problems seem to need a twice a day regimen to maintain optimum health. Other people find that using a neti pot 2 or 3 times a week is enough.
My eyes burn after using my neti pot. Am I doing something wrong? You may be experiencing some irritation to the mucus lining which is causing your eyes to burn right after using your neti pot. It may be that the salt is not completely dissolved, leaving the salt water at the bottom of the pot too salty, and the salt water at the top of the pot not salty enough. If you are using table salt, stir it longer give it more time to dissolve, or switch to Aromatic Salt which dissolves quickly. Also be sure that you are using distilled, sterile, or filtered (1 micron) water to make your saline solution.
When I use my neti pot, I get water n my ears and they get clogged. What am I doing wrong? If you have ongoing issues with your ears, check with your doctor about your neti pot use. If he or she approves of your using a neti pot, then consider the following advice to improve your experience.
Your trouble may be from incorrectly positioning your head. It's very easy to tip the head too far over to the side. Only a slight tilt of the head is enough to allow the salt water to flow easily from one nostril into the other nostril via the back of the throat. The other possibility is that you are leaning too far forward. Leaning way far forward actually makes it harder to get the water to flow correctly because the water needs to make it's way to the back of the nasal passages, flow across the septum and then flow forward again to flow out of the opposite nostril. Don't lean forward or backward. Keep the head position neutral (except for the slight tilt) and the water should flow easily and effectively.
Take the time to allow all of the water to drain out when you are done. After blowing gently through your nostrils (blowing your nose) into a tissue, exhale forcefully through both open nostrils a few times to dry them out a bit. Then place a towel on the floor and lean all the way forward - bend from the waist and hang over the towel. Move your head around a bit, tilting it and lifting it slightly. Take a bit of time with this, and you'll probably find that some salt water will flow out of your nostrils. Personally, I find that I need to hang over the towel for a few seconds (10-15 seconds) then lift my head slightly, and that when I lift my head, that movement releases any trapped saltwater. We all have slightly differently shaped nasal passages, so you should experiment with this to find what works for you.
Send your questions to: aromaticsalt@gmail.com