Several years ago, neti pots became a popular way to help allergy and sinusitis sufferers manage their symptoms. Neti pots were featured on shows such as Dr. Oz and Oprah.
In case you are just learning about neti pots, they are small handheld “pots” that are used to guide warm saline solution through the sinuses as a way to “rinse” the sinuses. By clearing out congestion and allergens, the neti pots can help reduce allergy and sinusitis symptoms.
Many of our clients here at Dedham Acupuncture use a neti pot or at least a saline solution to help keep their sinuses clear during cold and flu season as well as during allergy season. A few years ago, I read an article on PubMed that found that adding baby shampoo to the saline solution in a neti pot could help make the rinse more effective. In fact, 60% of patients reported improvement in thickened mucous and postnasal drainage!
I was reminded of this study this past weekend when I attended a party at a dear friend’s house. This party is always loads of fun and the host goes out of her way every year to throw a huge party in March. This dear friend also has a long haired cat named Mortimer. I am deathly allergic to “Morty” and I always forget that yours truly, has a huge full blown allergy attack after this yearly event (how could I forget?). In the past, it has lead to a sinus infection if I don’t pay attention and take measures to stop the allergy attack.
So, what is an acupuncturist to do? I must admit that I am a bit tired of the neti pot, but I remembered this study and decided now was the time to try this out. Instead of baby shampoo, I used Dr Bronner organic castille soap. It is very gentle and is olive oil based. I put one drop into a cup of warm saline solution and I used a nasal “bulb” (instead of my neti pot) to spray this concoction into my sinuses. I did actually feel better and my nose was not as irritated.
I hope this tip helps you to more effectively manage your sinus and allergy symptoms. If you need more help, we treat allergies everyday in our clinic. NOW is the time make an appointment for your allergy symptoms rather than waiting until April. Prevention is the best medicine and you will suffer less this spring if you make an acupuncture appointment now before the world is in full bloom!
