Nasal Rinsing or Jala Neti for Sinusitis or Rhinitis

Do you suffer from chronic mucus build-up, dry winter passages or seasonal allergies? Perhaps you just want to rinse away the break-up dust from your nose? For all of these reasons—and more, nasal irrigation or rinsing is reaching new heights of popularity.  

A larger concern, however, is break-up dust. Dust contains all those lovely chemicals, pollens, microbes, spores and other things that fall to the ground. Luckily, nasal rinsing gives us the ability to at least rinse these items from our nasal passages.

Traditionally nasal rinsing is touted by many sinusitis and allergy sufferers. Allergic people tend to suffer from inflammation and subsequent infection of the nasal and sinus passages. They also suffer a myriad of symptoms from nasal congestion to itchy, watery eyes, runny nose and recurring sinus infections. Certain allergens are always present. These include house dust mites, household pet dander, and mold spores. Symptoms from these are frequently worse in the winter when the house is closed up.

Mold spores cause at least as many allergy problems as pollens. Molds are present all year long, and grow both outdoors and indoors. Dead leaves, farm areas, indoor plants, old books, bathrooms, and damp areas are common sources of mold growth. Common food allergens such as dairy products and wheat can be common mucus builders. Studies have shown nasal irrigation to be very effective for adults as well as children. Nasal rinsing and avoidance of allergens can provide amazing freedom from medications and antibiotics.

What you need:

	Rinsing device: Neti pots (ceramic and plastic), bulb syringes, irrigation bottles and water-pulsers
	Water (distilled or tap)
	A teaspoon of non-iodized salt, preferably sea salt with minerals (in either case, a fine grain salt works best)

How to rinse with your device:

1. Put  3 pinches of salt into rinsing device.

2. Fill device with warm water and swirl to mix until the powder is dissolved.

3. Lean over sink (or bend forward while showering) so you are looking directly into basin. Gently insert rinsing device in right nostril.

4. Breathing with your mouth open, your forehead tilted slightly higher than your chin, squeeze device (or tilt Neti pot) so solution flows softly into nostril and exits the other nostril.

5. Remove device and blow out excess mucous into sink or tissue. (It’s normal to see rafts of colored mucus if an infection is acute.) Do not sniff in!

6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 until bottle is half-empty, then switch to left nostril and repeat.

7. Clean device and air dry.

Remember to rinse out the dust, pollens, allergens and spores twice a day!

         Warning: Do this with the help of a Yoga therapist for the first time, and then as you get used to it do 
          your own.