Enlightened Living

Mindfulness practice in everyday life.

Michael J. Formica, MS, MA, EdM is a psychotherapist, social scientist, and educator in Westport CT. He is an Initiate in the Shankya Yoga lineage. See full bio

June 20, 2008, Health

Comments on "Neti Wash: A Core Practice of Ayerveda and Krya Yoga"

Neti Wash: A Core Practice of Ayerveda and Krya Yoga

By Michael J. Formica on June 20, 2008 in Enlightened Living

There are a great many toxins and poisons in the air. In addition, there are hundreds of naturally occurring substances, like pollen, dust and animal dander that are just as invasive. One way to deflect the effects of these pollutants is through nasal irrigation, and the use of the Neti Pot. Read More

Thank you for this post. I

Submitted by Anonymous on June 20, 2008 - 11:36am.

Thank you for this post. I have been using a neti-pot regularly since February, and it has worked wonders for my sinus infections and allergies (I no longer require medication to ease my sinus problems). Like you, I now travel with mine and use it daily.

I'm not sure when is the "best" time to use a neti-pot - but, I've been using mine first thing in the morning, and it seems to relieve the "foggy-headed" feeling I sometimes experience when I wake up. In any case, I am a firm advocate of the neti-pot.

Best time...

Submitted by Michael J. Formica on June 20, 2008 - 12:04pm.

You're welcome. Unilke many Yogic practices, there is no "best time" to use a Neti Pot. As you've discovered, morning is always a good time. Personally, I use mine every morning, but also whenever I feel like I need to, like after doing carpentry work and having a head full of sawdust, etc. Blessings, Michael

Scientific evidence?

Submitted by Anonymous on June 21, 2008 - 12:13pm.

hello,

i have noticed that the majority of the blogs for Psychology today tend to have a scientific evidence for their claims. I am wondering if you have the same for this blog post.

thank you.

References

Submitted by Michael J. Formica on June 21, 2008 - 12:52pm.

Papsin, B; McTavish A (2003 Jul). "Saline nasal irrigation: Its role as an adjunct treatment". Can Fam Physician 49: 168-73. Rabago, D; Zgierska A, Mundt M, Barrett B, Bobula J, Maberry R (2002 Dec). "Efficacy of daily hypertonic saline nasal irrigation among patients with sinusitis: a randomized controlled trial" (abstract). J Fam Pract 51 (12): 1049-55. Dowden Publishing Co., Inc.. PMID 12540331. Rabago, D; Pasic T, Zgierska A, Mundt M, Barrett B, Maberry R (2005 Jul). "The efficacy of hypertonic saline nasal irrigation for chronic sinonasal symptoms" (abstract). Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 133 (1): 3-8. Mosby-Year Book. doi:10.1016/j.otohns.2005.03.002. PMID 16025044. Tomooka, LT; Murphy C, Davidson TM (2000 Jul). "Clinical study and literature review of nasal irrigation" (abstract). Laryngoscope 110 (7): 1189-93. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. doi:10.1097/00005537-200007000-00023. PMID 10892694. Rabago D, Zgierska A, Mundt M, Barrett B, Bobula J, Maberry R (2002). "Efficacy of daily hypertonic saline nasal irrigation among patients with sinusitis: a randomized controlled trial". J Fam Pract 51 (12): 1049-55. PMID 12540331. Anglen, J; Apostoles S, Christensen G, Gainor B. R (1994 Oct). "The efficacy of various irrigation solutions and methods in removing slime-producing staphylococcus" (abstract). J Orthop Trauma 8 ((2)): 390-6. doi:10.1097/00005131-199410000-00004. PMID 7996321. Svoboda, SJ; Bice TG, Gooden HA, Brooks DE, Thomas DB, Wenke JC (2006 Oct). "Comparison of bulb syringe and pulsed lavage irrigation." (abstract). J Bone Joint Surg Am 88 ((10)): 2167-74. doi:10.2106/JBJS.E.00248. PMID 17015593. Olson, DE; Rasgon BM, Hilsinger, RL Jr. (2002 Aug). "Radiographic comparison of three methods for nasal saline irrigation" (abstract). Laryngoscope. 112 ((8 Pt 1)): 1394-98. doi:10.1097/00005537-200208000-00013. PMID 12172251.

Neti Pots for Nasal Congestion

Submitted by UrbanYogi on October 21, 2008 - 7:52am.

Having used the original Himalayan Institute Neti Pot for many years, I have tried other pots on the market and find several to be quite effective. The Rhino Horn Neti Pot and the Ancient Secrets Neti Pot hold more saline solution and thus provide more flow through the nasal passages. Ancient Secrets has a heavier (lead free) ceramic model and a lighter plastic travel model. If you are really blocked try doing a hot bath first pouring pitchers of hot water over the head repeatedly to loosen things up. Try Wild Mountain Oregano Oil Capsules. I was amazed at how this cleared up congestion in my ears that had been occuring for a long time. If that doesn't work, then you can try the Nasaline Sinus Irrigator This large syringe type design with soft tip "plunges" out blocked nasal passages as you
control the amount of pressure needed. having used many different types of salt, have found the best to be the mixture of salt and baking soda. I prefer to use the premixed saline packets rather than make it myself. After doing neti, it is important to blow out the nostrils, and have found the best method for
this is to blow out both nostrils in the sink once or twice (don't plug one nostril at a time), then bending over as far as is comfortable, with head down towards knees, blow into tissue several times turning head side to side. This gets rid of most of the remaining liquid that can otherwise be a nuisance. Anything you can do to avoid being a mouth breather, do it. Yoga teaches that we must breath through the nostrils to pull in the life force "prana" so essential to our well being.