natural solutions to sinus problems : number one, neti pot

if you are a freaky natural person like me, you may have heard of a neti pot by now.  and it may bring you joy to use it.  it brings me joy---but again, i'm a little freaky.

so i can rest my tired tired mind, i will provide you with the information that this neti pot maker provides:

"Neti Pot naturally cleanses, refreshes, and protects the nasal passages, one of our body's first lines of defense against illness. Recommended by doctors and pharmacists worldwide, the Neti Pot has been used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic medicine to alleviate sinus and allergy problems. Recent clinical studies have shown that nasal irrigation is effective in improving symptoms of patients with frequent sinusitis."

basically, a neti pot is a small ceramic pot that you put warm salt water in and pour into one nostril while it drains out the other.  this sounds scary, but it's snot (punny).  the warm water breaks up mucous and cleans out the sinuses.  the water drains straight out the opposite nostril--it is actually quite soothing.   see a youtube video here.  

some people use a neti pot daily.  i use mine if i feel a sinus headache coming on, have dry sinuses, or am feeling a little clogged.  my sister-in-law cured a year of sinus infections (unaffected by many doses of antibiotics) during pregnancy with the use of a neti pot.

to make your non-iodized salt water that goes into the neti pot, you can use either an easily dissolved saline solution that is often sold alongside neti pots or sea salt or himalayan pink salt (the best for its nutrients!).  some people even put drops of sesame oil into their nose afterwards to moisturize.  i know, i'm really pushing my luck here.

whole foods stocks these ($12) as do some drug stores now.