How to Use a Neti Pot Nostril

Neti, or nasal cleansing, has been practiced in Ayurvedic medicine and as part of yoga purification routines for hundreds of years. Warm, salted water is poured into one nostril using a specially-designed container shaped similarly to a small tea pot. The head is angled such that the stream of water pours out the other nostril, removing bacteria, mucus and allergens, and opening up the nasal passages.

Things You'll Need

• Neti pot
• 6 to 8 oz. lukewarm water
• 1/4 tsp. salt

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Instructions

• 1

  Pour the lukewarm water and the salt into the neti pot, and replace the lid. Be sure to use lukewarm water, as hot water will be irritating to the nasal passages and cold water is not soothing.

• 2

  Tilt the head to the left, tuck the chin to the chest and carefully insert the pointed spout of the neti pot into the right nostril, while standing over a sink and in front of a mirror.

• 3

  Breathe through the mouth, and raise the neti pot until a steady stream of salt water is coming out of the left nostril.

• 4

  Continue the process until all of the salt water has been poured through the nasal passages. Remove the spout of the neti pot from the right nostril, and exhale several times to clear any residual salt water.

• 5

  The process can be repeated with another 6 to 8 oz. of salt, with the head tilted to the right and the neti pot insert into the left nostril, if desired.