Me and my neti pot.... we're best friends now. Whodathunk? I've seen these silly looking things on either Oprah or the new Dr. Oz show and thought, "No Way!"
I was even rummaging around my sister's medicine cabinet one day looking for an antacid, any antacid, but found her neti pot instead, "OMG! Do you actually use this thing?"
She did. She loved it. Highly recommended it! Bleh! Have you ever seen anyone use a neti pot? Well, I watched Dr. Oz stick this spout up his nose and run water from this tea pot looking thing up into his brain and out the other side. Let me tell you, it gave me pause. It was like a magic trick one of your idiot classmates would pull in third grade science class. You know the one. Billy Bonkers who's always gettin' himself in trouble. Yes, in 1962, if Billy Bonkers brought a neti pot to school, ran water up into his brain and out the other side, touting medicinal purposes, his ass would have been tossed down to the principal's office in less that 5 minutes and everyone in school would have heard about it in less than 10 minutes and in about 12 minutes everyone in town could hear, "Eeeeeeeeewwwwe!!!" coming from about 350 kids.
So, here's the low down. Ever since my return from wonderful, beautiful and sunny Los Angeles, I've been sick with what I was sure was a mild case of swine flu. Low grade fever, stuffed nose, cough, tired... you name it (but not that thank God!) I had it! I even googled, "quit smoking get sick" and found soooo many others who had the same symptoms after quitting smoking. Apparently, your body really knows how to fight back when it wants it's fix! Finally, Friday I went to the doctor and I have the sinus infection from Hell! He gives me an antibiotic and suggests I get a neti pot!
"WHAT??!!"
Well, after one use of that silly looking thing, I am in love! I can breath! I plan on having an ongoing relationship with neti for the rest of my born days. I actually felt well enough to leave my humble abode and go eat some sushi with a friend. Thank you, Janet, for suggesting I might not actually have H1N1 and may only have a sinus infection and that I should see my doctor! Who knew that pouring water into your brain would be good for you? Makes me wonder where Billy Bonkers is today.
Maybe, next, I'll even try yoga!!
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Beth Mann
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Comments
I suggest slightly warming the water before using.
It is a life saver for a sinus infection.
Rated
R
Happy New Year, kisses,
Marcela
Heres the ad for the one sold at CVS. Looks a little more like the original Asian ones, I believe.
OK, I want one!
psst: do the yoga or something like it. it'll change your life.
-rated-
I've gotten water up my nose swimming before and I don't recall that being a pleasant experience. How is this different? Or rather, doesn't it hurt?
My Dad actually taught me that one-thanks Dad!
Someone suggested the neti pot to me, but haven't done it yet.
Will do.
The Yoga I'm fine with, but the water up the nostrils would take more courage than I have right now although I am pretty good at keeping my mouth open.
JK, I wondered if sea salt would work. I thought it might take too long to dissolve. Good to know!
I have known about the neti pot for years but was way to chicken to try it. If you ever get a cold or a sinus infection, you'll be begging for one!!!
I got put on the neti bandwagon by my voice teacher. I had a series of concerts coming up (I'm in a choir) AND a raging headcold. She told me to rinse out my sinuses (I use the squeeze bottle version from my local drugstore) regularly to get the gunk out before it could get into my throat and lungs and not talk. Danged if it didn't work like a dream. Now I trot out the squeeze bottle every time I feel sniffly.
WRT the drowning sensation, I find what makes the difference is the temperature of the water. If the water is too cold, it is a little too much like "getting a snootful of pool water," as my dad used to put it. I do the old baby-bottle-dribble-on-the-wrist test to ensure that the water is pleasantly warm without being too hot for my sinuses.
Just yesterday I talked to my organic CSA farmer-friend, who was told to use camomile tea in the netipot because of its antibiotic properties. It has totally cured her sinus problems. I have to do it. Great post!!!!!
Rated.