Neti Pot?

I always do it in the shower. After that first experience, I learned that is wise.

Thanks so much for chiming in!

So let's talk neti pots and nasal syringes. Are the syringes easier to use than the pots? And, I see you can get little packets of premade saline solution for the pots.... can anyone recommend a brand?

How often do you guys use them, or do the amount of times vary depending on the time of year?

I'm ready to order the contraption! Just want to order the packets at the same time.

Huzzah!

I would think the packets of solution are a waste of money. It's easy enough to boil some water, add some salt and then top it up with cold till it's the right temp. And it is really important to have it the right temp, too hot will burn and make everything very runny and too cold will make it harder to use and block you up more. Atleast that has been my experience.

In London, you can buy a plastic neti pot at Whole Foods (High Street Kensington) for £3.  I was told that they have trouble keeping them in stock because they are so popular, but happily they have just received a shipment of 40, not yet on the shelf when I went in this week.  If you do go, apparently they normally keep them in the aisle where the yoga equipment is (huh?), but if you don't see any, just ask because they might still be in the stockroom.

As for the solution sachets, Whole Foods doesn't sell them.  However, I saw them at nearly every Boots I checked, and in some cases they came with a plastic bottle (an alternative method if you don't like or can't find the neti pot).  The brand is NeilMed Sinus Rinse, and the sachets run about £17 for 120.  I did not find neti pots at any Boots or any of the independent pharmacies I tried, even "alternative therapy" ones.  Whether they don't stock them, or were just sold out, I don't know.

Hope that helps!

I would think the packets of solution are a waste of money. It's easy enough to boil some water, add some salt and then top it up with cold till it's the right temp. And it is really important to have it the right temp, too hot will burn and make everything very runny and too cold will make it harder to use and block you up more. Atleast that has been my experience.

:You have to be careful with regular salt because of the anti caking agent (iodine) they put in it.  Kosher salt is fine - if you can find it! 

Neti pots are great. There is a lot written online to help you choose which kind you may think will work best for you. I use it over the sink with no problem. The shower would seem too tricky and a bit dangerous because you shift your balance when tilting your head.

apparently they normally keep them in the aisle where the yoga equipment is (huh?),

This is because the practice is associated with yoga.

:You have to be careful with regular salt because of the anti caking agent (iodine) they put in it.  Kosher salt is fine - if you can find it! 

Lack of Kosher salt in the UK?  NOOOOOOOO!  It's the best!  I love rolling baked potatoes in them.  I guess Celtic sea salt is similar in texture, though!

Love neti pots and almost bought one from my local health food store here in the middle of nowhere, oklahoma.  Please tell me they're available there!

I've just ordered one from Amazon.  It was only about £3.50.

I LOVE my neti pot.  I use it all the time.  I use a non-iodized salt from Whole Foods that cost about a buck and it works like a champ.

The smack second the government announced there was no danger to public health because of the ash cloud in the air I got out my neti pot and began using it regularly.

Peace and love,
Charlotte

I've used NeilMed Sinus Rinse and found it to work well. 

I've used both the Neti pot and the version where you squeeze a plastic condiment type bottle and it shoots into your nose. They both work and I use them as needed, not daily.

If you want a gentle wash of the sinus cavity and inner surfaces, the Neti pot does the job.

The squeeze bottle was better for moving things along when a gentle wash didn't suffice.

Neither one works for my children, they hate them both and don't seem to be able to tilt their heads to the right angle while keeping the mouth open and breathing. And they're tweenie/teen agers.

The smack second the government announced there was no danger to public health because of the ash cloud in the air I got out my neti pot and began using it regularly.

Peace and love,
Charlotte

That cracked me up.

ETA: I use the NeilMed sinus rinse thing too and find that it works very well for me. 

I found a couple of trials which seem to point to it's benefits... I'm guessing it's worth a try!

http://www.jfponline.com/Pages.asp?AID=1355

http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/121605719/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0