Neti Pots!

I have sinus problems, and a few friends are constantly recommending Neti Pot...but I hate getting water up my nose and I just know I'll be snorting up some weird herbal remedy and it doesn't sound fun at all!

I adore my Neti Pot (now I sound like a weirdo).  I've gone from having such severe seasonal allergies, and needing over the counter medication pretty much every day more than once a day, to only on a rare occasion.  Look at it as a habit like brushing your teeth.Tips?  Make sure the water is warmish.. if it is hot or cold it will be uncomfortable.  keep your mouth open and breathe while you're doing it.  If you don't you will get that "drowning" sensation. ALso, you tilt your head parallel to each side when you do it (there are youtube video demonstrations weirdly enough).  And I use tap water--have been doing so for 2 years without a problem.MegKen,  it doesn't matter if the spout is smaller than your nostril, it would however be a problem if your nostril was smaller than the spout.I highly recommend this product.  My mom got my dad to use it (he's pretty much the last person to subscribe to alternative medicine) and now his post nasal drip is completely gone.

This product has helped many people I know. It kills infection and germs deep in the sinus where the antibiotics can't reach.My brother in law had a bad sore throat and it would not go away. He had rounds of anti biotics and was going to journey to the ocean to let the salt water wash into his throat. I suggested a neti pot and with in 2 days the month long battle w/ a sore throat was GONE. Neti Pot works wonders!!

I hear ya!  I'm another devotee' of the Neti Pot.  I think it's pretty disgusting in theory (and well, yeah, in practice too) so I try not to think too much about it.  But it works like a charm.  I think it really is Aladdin's lamp, updated for modern use.  I use a white plastic one that I bought at Walgreens.  I recommend it to anyone with sinus problems, post nasal drip (YUK), congestion, etc.  Great review, Ken! 

I see the Neti Pot everywhere and know so many people that use it...guess I need to jump on the bandwagon

Only on Meg's,LOL! I have tried a nettipot and honestly can't usually stop laughing long enough to do it right,LOL!It does really seem to soothe and work and I have seen that you really suffer with allergies Darlin' Megken so I'm glad it's effective for you.I find a steaming bowl of water with rosemary and a towel draped over my head does a "better" job for me as well as giving me a skin-benfit as well...yep,my nose runs like crazy when I do this as well and I laugh. :)I think it's an excellent product if you can use it. 

Be prepared, when Stylepapa gets home from work he is going to have a Neti Pot orgasm telling y'all how much he loves this thing!  I must admit, I'm just as impressed as he is.  About two years ago I had such a severe allergy attack, nothing would help, but this did!  I works so well and is so effective that on those oh **** the alarm didn't go off days, I chose the Neti  over my makeup. That's a big deal for me, even though I don't wear tons of makeup I always have on something. Another cool feature, post Neti use, my complexion, the whites of my eyes and the overall look of my face is more even, brighter, less red and dare I say, a tad bit glow-y. It's very refreshing and uplifting.  Who knew snot drainage could have such a positive impact on health and beauty?  I would strongly suggest using pharmaceutical grade salt, IMO, it can make the difference between optimal results and total disappointment.  SP and I use the metal version, it's easier to clean and just seems more sterile, and of course, absolutely no sharing, get your own!  Engraving optional......

This is the greatest product since sliced bread.  I have suffered for years with sinisitis and this has practically changed my life.  It is very easy to use and when you do it for a while you really do get used to having water in your nose and it is not uncomfortable.  The results are nothing short of miraculous.  Especially with the flu season coming up and with lots of holiday flying, this is a must.  I do this in the morning and evening and it has kept me from getting sick on many occasions! Try this and you won't be sorry.  It' s lifesaver!!!!!

oh, this is the one i use http://www.neilmed.com/usa/adword_np.php

eugh!!!! couldnt one drown?nope not for me.... you can keep your neti pot megken! lol

I adore mine.  Everyone I know with sinus problems that has tried it says it has changed their life.  Unfortunately I have the opposite problem from Megken (tiny tiny nose).  This means the only one I can use is the tacky blue plastic one available at drugstores because it is designed for suction, which doesn't happen for me, but because of that the hole from which the water comes is actually small enough to fit in my nose. I also really recommend buying the saline solution packets, it works much better than mixing with your own sea salt, and insures you have the right concentration every time.  My Yoga Sensai recommended them to me, and I am eternally grateful.

Ok, so yes it is a little weird at first and takes some getting used to, but after the first several times it is really easy and doesn't feel weird. Best of all, it works SO well! My best advice? Use water that is at room temp (or slightly warm) and USE IT IN THE SHOWER! That way there is very little mess and you already have the steam going with helps. Best of luck to those trying it for the first time - it really is worth it to give it a shot!

Hmmm...interesting. I would definitely try it next time I have mucus in my nose. This is hilarious though!

The Neti Pot changed my life.I had horrible deep dark circles under my eyes for months.  I thought it was because I wasn't sleeping enough.  But no amount of rest, or eye creams reduced the circles.  A friend of my moms is an allergist (the most attractive allergist you've ever seen).  She noticed my dark circles too and told me they were from allergies in my upper sinuses that were making my face swollen.   She prescribed me some very expensive allergy medications and bought me a Neti Pot.The Neti Pot feels very awkward to use at first - you literally use it to force large volumes of water up your one nostril, into your sinuses, and out of the other nostril - but you get used to this feeling after a few times.  All of that water flow through my sinus area washed away the allergens that were trapped in there thus causing my eyes and face to swell and look darker.  After a few weeks of using the Neti Pot, the dark circles went almost completely away.  If I use it consistently, I don't even need to use medications.I think the Neti Pot should be as much a part of your daily routine as brushing your teeth.  We breath in so many pollutants all day that get stuck in the sinus area, and it feels so good to gently wash them away.  xoxo Neti Pot I love you.

I don't get sinus problems, but I would seriously get a Neti Pot if I did. I have always heard great things about them, and while they do look a little scary the results are always worth it in the end.

I haaaaaaate water up my nose, but so many people swear by this thing for allergies that I am awfully tempted to give it a try next spring/summer. I'll just have to get over my laziness and my fear of drowning first  :)

I don't have it but I'd be willing to try it, I have allergies and it's very dry at my work so I sneeze a lot and feel stuffy quite often.

I saw this on Oprah a while ago, Dr Oz was talking about it. I'm not sure if I could do it though, it just seems so gross.

This is not new for me. When I`ve got mucus in my nose, my father always tell me that I should prepare a mix with warm water and salt. However, I don`t like the feeling when the water enters in my nose so I don`t follow his advice.I think that Neti pots is not for me.

Wow, I never heard othis product before. I also don't like the thought of water in my nose either... doesn't feel too good.

I must admit that I did get a little excited when I saw your post Megken.  I didn't quite have the response Stylemama says I would have (see above), but I was close.  I first learned about this Neti Pot craze when Stylemama had me watch an episode of Oprah where Dr. Oz was promoting this.  A lot of my patients listen to Dr. Oz and then ask me a lot of questions, so I try to stay up-to-date with the info that goes out to the public, like this one.  I thought the whole Neti Pot deal was weird.  But my allergies are bad, and medication alone didn't do the trick.  So I thought I would give it a try.  I purchased a stainless steel version on-line which is great.  I have had it for at least two years.  And no matter how big and large your blow hole is, the tapered end forms a perfect seal.  I prefer it over the classic Neti Pot styles.  I have tried them and they don't work as well, don't hold as much water, and are a little messy.  TRY USING A NETI POT!  THIS REALLY WORKS!  But it isn't for the lazy.  It takes several minutes to complete the process so sometimes I don't do it; but then I pay the price.  A few key things to remember.  After filling the neti pot with warm water and mixing in the special salt, you must poor some of the water out of the spout to "primer" it.  Water up the nose without mixed in salt is an awful feeling.  At the end I recommend NOT blowing your nose.  You should drain your nose (face towards ground and breathing out both nostrils gently to let the water drain out).  Otherwise your nose can get clogged and you can end up sending water into tubes that are supposed to drain your middle ear.  And I don't recommend using this if you have a sinus, viral, or bacterial infection.  For some people their infection becomes worse.   For many people, antihistamines, decongestants, and steroid nasal sprays can work well for their allergies and sinus problems.  However, using a Neti Pot can replace some of these or at least improve your problem.  Where do I go when having an acute allergy attack?  NETI POT to the RESCUE!

I've heard a lot of good reviews about this on the radio, but I just do not think I can put water up my nose. I hate that feeling!

Well I have major allergies and sinus problems so this looks like a really good idea but I don't know if I could do it, I hate water up my nose and this looks a little tricky to do !!!

I wouldn't try this. I would be terriefied lol.I can live with a stuffed nose!!