I LOVE my Neti pot. It is the first thing I use each morning when I wake up and it is also the first thing I pack when I am going on a trip. As a matter of fact, I can't imagine living without my Neti pot. For me, it is the difference between being congested and having a pounding headache or being able to breathe easily and living pain-free. With those two choices, it is easy to see why my Neti pot holds a favored spot in my life.

You may be asking yourself, what is a Neti pot? It looks like a small teapot with a spout and it is often used in yoga in the practice of Neti or nasal washing. In yoga, deep breathing is an essential part of the practice. It is very difficult to breathe deeply through your nose if the nasal passages are dry, inflamed or constricted.

Your nasal passages provide a very important function for maintaining your overall health. The lining of your nose produces mucus which traps dirt, dust, pollen, and other particles and moves it to the back of your throat where it begins its journey out of your body. However, sometimes this system contains a glitch and the mucus becomes too thick or dry to do its job properly. This creates an optimum environment for bacteria to thrive and cause all sorts of havoc in your body. Your nasal passages can become swollen and inflamed and you can become congested. You might have difficulty breathing, or worse, develop a sinus infection.

Here comes the Neti pot to the rescue. It helps cleanse nasal passages of dust, allergens, pollen, and other irritants and it moisturizes and can help reduce inflammation of the membranes. The end result -your nasal passages are soothed and you are able to breathe more easily.

Here are some questions you might have about using a Neti pot.

Why do I need one? Why can't I just sniff some water from the palm of my hand - won't I get the same result?
For a long time, I resisted using a Neti pot. I used to tell people who suggested that I use one that I was getting a similar result using water in the palm of my hand. Then I tried the Neti pot and realized how wrong I was. There is absolutely no comparison between using a Neti pot and sniffing water from the palm of your hand. When you use a Neti pot, you are actually inserting the tip into your nostril and allowing water to clean out the nasal passage. You cannot possibly accomplish the same thing with your hand.

Are there different types of Neti pots?
Although all of them look like an open teapot with a spout, they usually come in various sizes and are made of different materials. The most common materials are ceramic and plastic. Ceramic, while it might look nice, has a greater chance of breaking and because it is porous, can harbor bacteria. Plastic ones are usually not very attractive, but they clean easily and thoroughly and you can throw them into your luggage when you travel. There are also Neti pots made out of cooper and stainless steel.

Do I use plain water to wash out my nose?
No. Plain water is too irritating to your membranes. You make a saline solution of approximately teaspoon of plain salt (not iodonized) and a pinch of baking soda added to one cup of warm water. Dissolve the salt and baking soda thoroughly. Make sure the water isn't too cold or too hot. You can test it with your fingers before using it to make sure it is the right temperature. I find the warm saline solution extremely soothing to my nasal passages when they are swollen and congested. The warm solution offers almost immediate relief to my poor nose.

How do I use it?
Pour the saline solution into the Neti pot. If it doesn't hold all of the solution at one time, you can refill it and repeat the process with the rest of the saline water. (I mix up a very big batch of saline solution and use it several times in a row in order to clear out my nose.) Insert the spout into one nostril and tilt your head so you are looking into the sink. Make sure that the spout creates a seal in your nostril. Open your mouth and let half of the solution flow through your nostril and out the other side. Remove the spout and keep your head tilted to allow any extra water to come out. Repeat the process on the other side. Gently blow your nose to clear out any remaining water. Make sure you clean your Neti pot thoroughly after each use to minimize the risk of any bacteria growing on it.

How often do I use it?
It depends. If you have chronic allergies and sinus problems as I do, you will probably use it at least once a day. I use it first thing in the morning and then during the day if I feel like I am beginning to get a headache from congestion. Many ear, nose, throat specialists (including mine) encourage using nasal washing several times throughout the day to promote nasal health for those individuals who have problems. If you don't have any allergy or sinus problems, you might want to use it just before your yoga or meditation practice. One note of caution - a Neti pot is not a substitute for medical advice. If you are experiencing continual nasal inflammation, you should get an evaluation from your healthcare provider.

Once you begin using a Neti pot, it is just as routine and easy as brushing your teeth. It may take a little while for you to become adept at using it, but you will love the result. As for me, as I sit here writing this, I feel my nasal passages swelling and my head begin to pound. Now where did I put mine?