Neti pot brings natural relief to sinuses
Published Friday October 9th, 2009
Sinus irrigation has been used for healthy living for hundreds of years
For people like Karen Moss, who has long battled hay fever and undergone sinus surgery, allergy season can be particularly brutal.
After Moss, who lives in Memphis, Tenn., started practising yoga, however, she discovered the neti pot.
Shaped like a teapot with a long spout, it's reminiscent of a genie lamp. But the only wish this pot grants is irrigated sinuses.
"It's kept me from having to go on antibiotics," said Moss, owner of a yoga studio.
Ragweed, the bane of allergy sufferers, is bursting into full bloom.That means a miserable stretch of runny noses, itchy eyes, congestion and restless nights, according to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology.
But many allergy sufferers are replacing their medications and antihistamines, like Claritin and Zyrtec, with natural remedies.
Brooke Hoffman of Memphis used to pop Advil through the allergy season to tame her sinus headaches. Now she swears by her neti pot.
"I wanted to prevent the problem rather than cover up the symptoms," said Hoffman, who is able to ward off symptoms by starting her sinus-rinsing routine before heavy pollen hits.
Filled with warm water and natural salt, the spout of the pot is placed in one nostril at a time, allowing the solution to pour through one nostril and out the other, washing away mucus and allergens.
"I have gotten a lot of 'eews,' " admitted the eighth-grade science teacher, referring to reactions from friends.
Although it may appear like medieval water torture, sinus irrigation has been used for healthy living for hundreds of years.
The Ayurvedic technique, a holistic medicine system native to India, has long been used by yogis for daily hygiene.
"Just like we wash our hands, we should keep our internal passages clear," Moss said. "If I did it every day, I probably wouldn't have any sinus issues."
The yoga instructor has since switched from the neti pot to a similar squeeze bottle version, which she sells in her shop.
Dr. Sahar Rashed, a pharmacist of 15 years, is glad to see the trend toward natural sinus clearing.
An associate professor of clinical pharmacy at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, she said that unlike using a nasal irrigation system, synthetic allergy medications have side effects.
"The use of antihistamines opposes the natural defense system of the body," she explained.
When allergens get in the nose of some people, the body attacks it with antibodies as if it were a virus. The body then releases histamines that trigger the nose to run or the eyes to water.
Although antihistamines help manage these symptoms, they lower the body's immune system, she said.
Rashed recommends nasal irrigation to people already taking multiple medications, as well as for children and pregnant women. But she doesn't suggest it for people with a deviated septum or severe eye or ear infections.
Nasal irrigation systems typically run about $15.
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I am a huge believer in natural cures, and in not jumping to meds or surgery too quickly. However I must say that if things get to the "chronic" stage don't mess around. See your doctor and then if you get a ct scan make sure you know all your options (it used to be that sinus surgery was the only option. but now there are less invasive choices like balloon sinuplasty).
That's my two cents. Take care everybody and keep those nasal passages clean!