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Neti Pots Are Low-Key Awful, But Honestly, You Should Get One

The first time I watched a YouTube video of someone using a neti pot, I — to use the technical term — freaked... I was in my mid-twenties and experiencing my first-ever allergies; several people recommended I try a neti pot to relieve the pain, pressure, and itchiness that was happening inside my face. The video started off fine; the woman demonstrating how the neti pot worked put the little teapot up to her nose and tipped her head to the side. She stared blankly, in a zombie-like state, tipped her head to the side a little further, and then appeared to DROOL from her opposite nostril. The thin stream of nose-drool coupled with the blank stare was too much for me, and the screams made the whole…

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 How to Use Neti Pots Safely, According to Experts

Nasal irrigation is one of those wellness habits that makes perfect sense to some while completely baffling others. Although it has roots in ancient Ayurvedic rituals, the use of neti pots has only increased in popularity as a secular practice, with the teapot-like implements finding their way into bathrooms around the world. And while the idea of letting water flow through one's nose sounds more uncomfortable to some than the issues it's supposed to alleviate, others swear by it.

Articles of Interest

Do Neti Pots Really Work?

Nasal rinsing has been used for thousands of years to relieve sinus inflammation, congestion, allergy symptoms and more. Here’s what the evidence says.

Do Neti Pots Work? Doctors Weigh In on Nasal Irrigation

When you have a stuffy nose that won’t quit, you’ll do anything to feel better. That includes reaching for nasal irrigation tools like a neti pot to try to flush out your sinuses. But while neti pots have developed a cult following among people with sinus issues, it’s fair to wonder if neti pots actually work. Here’s what doctors actually think about these handy tools and other nasal irrigation methods.

Nasal Rinses and Neti Pots: Are They Safe?

Little teapots are no longer just for a spot of tea. Teapots with long spouts, commonly known as neti pots, have become fixtures in many homes to flush out clogged nasal passages and help people breathe easier and better. Neti pots, along with other nasal irrigation methods, may not be situated next to your teacups, but many people readily have them on hand to bring relief to nasal congestion (a runny or stuffy nose), colds and allergies.

Neti Pots Are Great for Flushing Out Snot. Plus, They Won’t Kill You

The devices have gotten a bad reputation thanks to fear of amoebas, but they’re easy to use safely, and worthwhile.

Should You Use a Neti Pot or Another Type of Nasal Irrigation?

The water used in nasal irrigation is very important to keeping the practice safe and healthy. The CDC recommends that water used for nasal irrigation be boiled or distilled before use. Water should be boiled for at least one to three minutes, and then cooled before using. Distilled water can be purchased at pharmacies; some bottled water is distilled, but be sure to check the label. “There have been reports of primary amebic meningoencephalitis related to doing nasal rinses in the past, so the CDC recommends that if you are using tap or well water that it must be boiled. And then let it cool,” Dr. Ebert says.

A woman died of a brain-eating amoeba infection. The suspect: her neti pot

A 69-year-old woman died of a brain-eating amoeba infection that scientists suspect she got from using the device incorrectly.

Is My Neti Pot Going to Kill Me?

Cases of brain-infecting amoebae underscore the importance of purifying water before you pour it into your sinuses.

Pot, Short and Squat, To Clear Your Nose Out

Scientific evidence supports nasal irrigation for relief of chronic nasal symptoms. The Cochrane Collaboration, in a 2007 analysis, reviewed eight papers on neti pots and other types of nasal irrigation and concluded there is evidence that it is beneficial for chronic nasal symptoms, either as a sole treatment or in conjunction with standard treatments.

Was Oprah right about the Neti pot for sinus rinsing?

While the practice is ancient, the Neti pot was introduced to a mainstream audience on the Oprah Winfrey show in 2007. When describing the Neti pot during an episode with Dr Oz, Oprah humorously referred to the pot as a “nose bidet.”