Neti Pot is its name and NASTY POT is what I call it. The agony and humiliation I go through while using this instrument of torture cannot be overstated. Now that we have addressed all the positives connected with this helpful little item, I will share with you its benefits and the history as to how and why I am currently putting myself through this agony twice a day.
It all started when I moved to the Branson, Missouri area. If you are not aware, Branson is located in the Ozark Mountains and surrounded by a National forest. Trees have pollen and people suffer from the combination of allergies, people like me. This summer has been particularly troublesome for those of us with allergies.
While visiting with my chiropractor last week concerning my allergy situation, he suggested that I use a Neti Pot. Being new to the Neti Pot world, I asked how does it work? If someone tells you that you are to pour warm liquids into your right nostril, and then let it fill up the inside of your nose and eventually let it run out your left nostril, what would be your reaction? That was mine also.
After visiting the local pharmacy and purchasing my very own Neti Pot, I hurried home with great anticipation for what was to come. In theory, the application of liquids through one hole in your face and the subsequent drainage of the same liquid out another hole in your face are very popular with many people. My question would be what kind of person would find this enjoyable?
Now visualize the scene at my home. My wife is reading the instructions while Iâm questioning why she has a slight smile on her face. The instructions are simple and straight forward; 1. Rinse the Neti Pot, fill pot with clean water. 2. Pour contents of included powder into pot and mix. 3. Stand in front of a sink and tilt your head to one side. 4. Pour the contents into one nostril and with your mouth open, without holding your breath, place the tip of the pot in one nostril, and allow the solution to gently flow until the solution starts draining from the opposite nasal passage Think about that for a minute.
The scene in our laundry room would be difficult to justly describe. There I was, head in sink coughing, spitting, gagging while all the time my wife was doubled over laughing her head off. Fortunately we have a strong marriage and once our dog was finally extracted from her hiding place under the bed, we all decided to re-read the instructions.
We had correctly implemented this device and after a few days of practice, I got on to the process. My allergy problem improved and as a side effect, I was able for the first time breath unrestricted through my nose. For a wind player, this is a big improvement. By the second day, I noticed a slight difference also in the tone quality of my trumpet. Just as deep breaths will affect your tone, an open nasal cavity will also change your instrument timbre.
After a week of rinsing my nasal cavity twice a day, I am convinced the Neti Pot has helped me. Do I enjoy the application? No. Would I recommend it to other trumpet players? It would depend on how close a friend they were. Am I suggesting my readers go through the torture?
Instructions on the use of a Neti Pot.
View an example of a persons first experience with a Neti Pot. WARNING! I WOULD NOT SUGGEST THAT YOU VIEW THIS IF YOU HAVE A WEAK STOMACH OR ANTICIPATING THE PURCHASE OF THIS DEVICE.
I purchased this item because I have daily morning sinus issues nasal discharge, itchy nostrils, and sneezing. I first saw a neti pot used on a many website show, and it seemed like its use might help alleviate my daily sinus problems.
I have noticed a big improvement on nasal congestion after using one for only a week.
Hope it helps you also.
Do not ever use tap water with a neti pot.
You are correct to bring this up. For those of you who have not heard, two or more deaths have been attributed to the MISUSE of Neti Pots. In the instructions, the user is advised to use only boiled or distilled water in the pot.
Unfortunately, many people, including myself, have overlooked this warning and have been using tap water. Tap water can and has been proven to hold bacteria which, if used in the pot, has been attributed to the recent deaths. I advise you all to be very cautious in the water you are using. I use only boiled or distilled water now and advise everyone using it to use your own discretion. This is no joke and I want to thank Yola for her heads-up on this issue.
Hello Bruce, thanks for your interesting and enjoyable blog. I got to this entry in the blog after reading it backwards (could not stop) so I guess I could throw my tuppence in.
On the subject of Neti pots, I use one pretty regularly – except that I use warm water (not hot – more like lukewarm, as otherwise you risk burns in the sensitive nasal area, but heat helps melt stuff away) and common kitchen salt to disinfect the sinuses. It’s like swimming in the sea, when the nose fills with salt water and gets maybe a bit itchy. BTW, I recall reading somewhere that’s not something to be done too frequently (we need mucus in reasonable quantity). In Italy we say swimming in summer is good to prevent colds in winter; I guess that’s the whole point of this torture.
Good point about the hot water.
What I do is use distilled water (as instructed) for tap water may have contaminants and cause infection. I heat my water in a micro wave for 15 seconds, just enough to take the chill off, place the powder in the pot and stir it around to make sure the crystals a fully dissolved. If you don’t dissolved the powder, the crystals will collect in your nasal cavity. Not good….
You may be correct about the number of times you can use the pot and I will look into this for I have been using one every day to keep the allergies down. We live in the Ozark Mountains and are surrounded by trees. Thanks for the information.
Stay well and live long.
I have used Neti and i have used a mechanical version – the Grosen Nasal Irrigator
It is similar to a water pic but has attachments that fit the nostrils. It is a gentle pulsating irrigation that is a bit less messy than the neti. I also suggest boiled water or distilled water and an additive of salt and baking soda. The formulation is not exact but something like a teaspoon of baking soda to 1.5 cups salt, then add about .5 tsp to the water being used in the neti or irrigator. this reduces the discomfort caused by the inevitable chlorine if using tap water (boiled). Something about Ph balance.