Netipot

Hi Lavandula
Yes, I've used one - was given it years ago. I must admit I forget to use it regularly but it really does get the gunk out when you use it. Don't know what you've been told but I dissolve just a small amount of salt (less than half a teaspoon) in tepid water (not too warm) and then use it over the sink, without forcing. It's very satisfying to see all the stuff that gets washed out (sorry, probably too much information). Don't use it more than once daily. And don't swallow if the water goes down the wrong way and ends up in your mouth.
You've inspired me to get mine out and have a sluice.
xxx

Just had a quick look at the uk website for it...

cools and soothes the brain

Bloomin' hell, where do you insert this thing?

Sounds interesting. Is it a bit like snorting water?

It goes in the nose, where did you think it went Giles.:D

I haven't tried it personally but my yoga teacher friend has one, and uses it in combination with breathing exercises to counteract effects of having a cold.

I hate getting water up my nose personally, but i should really try one as I am fed up with living in a city and not being able to breath as I do when I visit the countryside. There is always one nostril blocked, though I have been working on this with my breathwork recently.

Binah
x

Just had a quick look at the uk website for it...

Bloomin' hell, where do you insert this thing?

Sounds interesting. Is it a bit like snorting water?

Goes in the nostril and you tip you head to the side and the water does up one nostril and out the other - no snorting required - it just pours out. It's quite a bizarre feeling actually. I've only used it the once so far.

Sunanda - In the instructions it said 1g (or 1/4 of teaspoon) of salt in 200ml of tepid water. It also said that when it's hayfever season you can use it a couple times a day.

A rather more expensive way of doing it, but very effective, and can be carried around although there's no handbag/pocket size available, or at least not in the UK, is STÉRIMAR [link to the English version of the website]:

http://www.sterimar.com/en/

recommended by a pharmacist who ticked me off for using too much of a 'drug' type nasal spray, which can ultimately exacerbate the 'bunged up' problem that you had in the first place.

Holistic

A rather more expensive way of doing it, but very effective, and can be carried around although there's no handbag/pocket size available, or at least not in the UK, is STÉRIMAR [link to the English version of the website]:

http://www.sterimar.com/en/

recommended by a pharmacist who ticked me off for using too much of a 'drug' type nasal spray, which can ultimately exacerbate the 'bunged up' problem that you had in the first place.

Holistic

I would say that this Sterimar is a whole different kettle of fish, given that it's a spray. A netipot works very gently, you never get the feeling of water going up your nose, rather it just goes in one side and you tilt your head and it comes out the other. Actually to be precise you tilt your head before you start pouring (slowly). I read somewhere that you shouldn't blow your nose afterwards, just sort of mop with a tissue. If you use too much or too little salt or the water is the wrong temperature then it kind of makes a buzz in your nose that's not too pleasant, but you soon get to be able to judge it. I do recommend it, it's a very cleansing thing to do.

Hi Lavandula,

I used a similar system to a neti pot when I had viral meningitis - it gave tremendous relief and helped to clear out a lot of "gunk".
Sunanda's advice is spot on.

I followed Dr.Ali's nasal douche treatment which is in his book "Dr.Ali's nutritional bible". (He used to write in the Mail on Sunday)

It didn't feel unpleasant, unlike when you go swimming and get water up your nose, it was very gentle. I suppose any relief is welcome when you are feeling really congested. 🙂

A rather more expensive way of doing it, but very effective, and can be carried around although there's no handbag/pocket size available, or at least not in the UK, is STÉRIMAR [link to the English version of the website]:

<a class="go2wpf-bbcode" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href=" http://www.sterimar.com/en/ "> http://www.sterimar.com/en/

recommended by a pharmacist who ticked me off for using too much of a 'drug' type nasal spray, which can ultimately exacerbate the 'bunged up' problem that you had in the first place.

I don't blame you dropping the 'drug' type nasal spray as some have steroids in.

I was wondering how much is expensive?

Is it possible to get the same effect from spraying a home made saline solution into the nostrils.

My son uses a saline solution for cleaning out his eyes, not sure how much it costs though just know that it contains salt and either distilled or boiled water.

Binah
x

I've always meant to buy one after watching spa of embarrassing ailments on digibox.

Any website addresses recommended?

Mine is a Sivananda plastic pot. I don't think you need a posh one. The cheapest one I found online was here [DLMURL] http://www.yogamatters.com/product/555/neti-pots--tongue-scrapers.htm [/DLMURL]
Looks good to me for £2.99

I've just bought one, it was £4 including p&p.

Great stuff. You've inspired me to get mine out and have a go. It's a good idea as I'm a bit congested.

Well, I've got the old netipot out again and want to revise a bit of advice I've given higher up this thread: after using it I said not to blow your nose but I remember now that you really have to gently breathe out into a tissue because your nostrils will be full of water. I also block one nostril and gently blow the other into the sink and repeat on the other side. The secret is not to do it forcefully. It feels great, I must say, to clear the sinuses in this way.

mine's being delivered tomorrow, so will be having a go in the garden I think.