INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO & QUICK GUIDE
NETI POT INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO
NETI POT QUICK GUIDE
PREPARING THE NASAL WASH
- Mix a heaping ¼ teaspoon of finely ground non-iodized salt (Neti SaltTM) in a full Neti Pot of warm water as described below until the salt is completely dissolved. Rinsing your nasal passages with only plain water without our mixture will result in a severe burning sensation as the plain water is not physiologic for your nasal lining, even if it is appropriate for drinking. Additionally, for your safety, do not use tap or faucet water for dissolving the mixture unless it has been previously boiled for five minutes or more as boiling sterilizes the water. Other choices are distilled, micro-filtered (through 0.2 micron), commercially bottled or, as mentioned earlier, previously boiled water at lukewarm or body temperature. You can store boiled water in a clean container for seven days or more if refrigerated. Do not use non-chlorinated or non-ultra (0.2 micron) filtered well water unless it is boiled and then cooled to lukewarm or body temperature. Do not rinse if your nasal passages are completely blocked or if you have an ear infection or blocked ears. If you have had recent ear or sinus surgery, contact your physician prior to irrigation. If you experience any pressure in the ears or burning in the nasal passages, stop irrigation and get further directions from your physician.
- Turn your head to one side over the sink, keeping the forehead at the same height as the chin, or slightly higher.
- Gently insert the spout into the upper nostril to create a comfortable seal.
- Raise the Neti Pot gradually so the saline solution flows through the upper nostril and out the lower nostril. Breathe through your mouth. If it drains out your mouth, lower your forehead.
- Once all the solution has flowed through, face the sink and exhale through the nose to clear the nasal passages.
- Refill the Neti Pot and repeat on the other side.
- Do one or more of the recommended exercises to drain the remaining water.
HEAD POSITION
The correct head position ensures a comfortable flow of water through the nasal passages. Lean over the sink so you are looking directly into the basin, and then rotate your head to the side so that one nostril is directly above the other. The forehead should remain level with the chin or slightly higher. Gently insert the spout into the upper nostril to create a comfortable seal. Keep your mouth open and raise the handle of the Neti Pot gradually so that the saline solution flows in through the upper nostril and out through the lower nostril.
- If the water drains out through the mouth, lower the forehead in relation to the chin.
- If the water doesn’t flow, lift the pot a bit higher, but avoid turning the head over the shoulder.
- If you get a headache after using the Neti Pot, you probably had your forehead lower than your chin, and some water drained into the frontal sinus. This will drain out, but is uncomfortable.
- Sometimes the nose is too clogged to allow water to flow well. If this is the case, stop and try later.
TIPS
- Throughly clean your Neti Pot after each use. Periodically place it in your dishwasher for a thorough sanitizing. Same as a toothbrush, do not share your Neti Pot with anyone else. Everyone in the household should have their own.
- If you experience burning in the nose, it often means you have not used enough salt. Make sure you are using a 1/4 teaspoon salt or an full scoop we include in our salt.
- You may notice improved breathing, smell and taste.
- If you experience any discomfort please discontinue using your neti pot and consult your doctor or other health care provider.
AFTER THE NASAL WASH
You may need to do a few simple exercises to expel any saline solution remaining in your nose. Everyone needs to do the first exercise; others will also need to do one or both of the others. The first few times you use the Neti Pot, try them all. Form a habit of doing any which cause water to drain from the nostrils.
1. Exhalations:
Exhale through both nostrils while holding your head over the sink. Quickly drawing the abdomen toward the spine with each exhalation will make your exhalations more effective. If you exhale into a tissue, be careful not to pinch the nostrils closed while exhaling.
2. Forward Bending:
Bend forward from the waist far enough so that the top of the head is pointing toward the floor. Hold this position for a few seconds, then return to standing. Follow this movement with a few exhalations.
3. Alternate Toe Touching:
Place your feet two to three feet apart. Raise the arms out to the side at shoulder height. Slowly bend from the waist and bring the left hand to the right knee, shin, or foot (whichever you can reach without straining). Reach up toward the ceiling with the right hand; turn the head gently and look toward the raised hand. Hold this position for a few seconds. Come back to standing and repeat the movement to the left. Exhale through the nose.
When you’ve practiced this routine a few times, you’ll find it takes less time than brushing and flossing your teeth.
Learn how the nasal wash can support your health
Why Nasal Wash
The nasal passages are lined with a thin layer of mucus that is one of our body’s first lines of defense against disease. A nasal wash keeps this layer of mucus moist, clean and healthy.
View our award-winning demonstration
INSTRUCTION VIDEO & QUICK GUIDE
Rinsing with saline solution is a time-honored practice in the Orient. Here in the West, the nasal wash has been used for decades as a means of treating sinus problems.
Procedures to safeguard your health during nasal cleansing.
NETI POT SAFTEY GUIDE
To ensure that you get the maximum benefit, & to protect yourself from infection or re-infection during nasal irrigation, we have created this safety guideline. Please read and follow the instructions.
