Do you have seasonal allergies and would like to have an alternative to taking over the counter medicines that only work temporarily or that can make you drowsy? Me too!
At certain times of the year, my allergies get the best of me and I have had headaches, itchy eyes and pressure in my sinuses. I have taken Zyrtec and even Zyrtec D at times to help with the irritating drainage and congestion that comes with seasonal allergies.
If you are like me, I love to find holistic alternatives to over the counter remedies whenever I can because I feel like it is a much healthier choice. There are several methods of nasal irrigation and the best one that i have found comes from using this little pot that looks like a cross between a small teapot and Aladdin’s magic lamp.
The Neti Pot has been around for centuries, and originally comes from the Ayurvedic/yoga medical tradition. Its use has been on the rise in the US because of the relief it offers allergy sufferers. Research backs up the claims that it alleviates congestion and pain associated with sinus symptoms. I’ve actually done my own research and can tell you first hand that it definitely works.
I found a set on Amazon that I love that comes with a dropper of neti wash which includes a combination of essential oils that soothe and moisturize the nasal passage. I just add a dropper full to boost the effectiveness of the nasal wash, in combination with the neti salts that are included in the set. The salts are pharmaceutical grade and help provide a thorough and gentle purifying for your daily routine of nasal cleansing. The whole set is less than twenty dollars and worth every penny.
I just boil enough water to fill the pot, a little less than one cup and then let the water cool down to the touch. You can not just use tap water from the sink because it can include certain elements that might not be good to flush out your sinuses. You can use distilled water, but I prefer to boil tap water to remove any impurities that could be hiding in faucets etc.
Once the water has cooled down to the touch I put a small scoop of the neti salts (it comes with just the right size scoop) and a dropper full of the neti wash (essential oils) into the neti pot and then proceed to pour half of the mixture in one side of my nose while leaning over the sink so that it drains out without any mess. Then I do the other side.
The first few times you do this you might feel a little like you’re drowning (lol-not really) but you can immediately feel the relief. My ears usually pop open each time, even though I was not aware they were clogged.
You can even use the neti pot several times a day during allergy season or anytime you’ve been exposed to dust or smoke or any other airborne contaminants. It is a wonderful way to open up the nasal passages before practicing relaxation techniques or meditation to help you breathe freely and easily through the nose!
Give it a try!
