A Neti Expert Answers Your Questions
What is jala neti? Jala neti (nasal wash) is a simple and effective technique of washing the nasal passages with salt water, clearing the area of pollen, dried mucus, and pathogenic organisms. Neti pots have specially made spouts to fit gently into the nostril, making it easy to rinse. This cleansing procedure can be done daily, much like brushing your teeth. Comfortably warm salt water is introduced into one nostril, it flows through the nasal passage, around the back of the septum and flows out through the other nostril, leaving the nasal passages open and clean.
Why is Aromatic Salt different than traditional table salt? Aromatic Salt is made for the nasal rinse with the highest quality pure, natural salt. It contains no iodine, no anti-caking agents, and no free-flowing agents. It dissolves quickly and completely in water, and produces a solution that is gentle and comfortable to use. Aromatic Salt is available in Original with essential oils and unscented.
Other than this website, where can I buy Aromatic Salt? Aromatic Salt Original and Aromatic Salt Unscented are carried at select yoga centers and health food stores around the country. If your yoga center or health food store would like to open a wholesale account for Aromatic Salt, please ask them to contact us.
I've had two sinus surgeries already. A friend told me that using a neti pot and Aromatic Salt could help me. How can rinsing out my nose help my sinuses? The sinuses drain into the nasal passages through very small tubes. When the tissues around those tubes swell, or when the tubes become blocked by dried mucus at the outlet in the nasal passage, normal draining ceases. A negative pressure is created in the sinuses, and the whole head can become painful. Nasal wash helps to prevent this situation by keeping the outlet of the tubes clear of dried mucus and debris; the saline solution pulls excess moisture from the tissues, helping to open passages blocked by swollen tissue. In addition, the essential oils in Aromatic Salt Original discourage the formation of colonies of pathogens, helping to reduce the chance of infection, and the oils help to reduce inflammation and swelling. Practicing the nasal wash is one way that you can help to control your sinus condition. Of course you will want to check with your doctor.
My homeopathic physician wants me to avoid essential oils while I am taking my remedy. Can I use Aromatic Salt in my neti pot? Some aromatic substances interfere with homeopathic remedies. One of the aromatics suspected of homeopathic interference is camphor which is found in trace amounts in Aromatic Salt Original as a component of the essential oil of rosemary. The small camphor content of Aromatic Salt Original is a useful part of the formula because it helps to dissolve mucus. Knowing this, your homeopath may prefer that you switch to Aromatic Salt Unscented during the time that you are taking your homeopathic remedy. Aromatic Salt Unscented has all of the convenience and benefits of Aromatic Salt Original, but it has been formulated without any essential oils.
My doctor wants me to clean my nostrils using a bulb syringe. Can I use Aromatic Salt with my syringe? You can use Aromatic Salt with your bulb syringe or with any other nasal irrigation device. The proportion of Aromatic Salt remains the same as for use in a neti pot, approximately a slightly rounded one-half teaspoon of salt to eight ounces of water.
I have a deviated septum. Can I comfortably and easily use a neti pot and how would I go about doing so? Many people with a deviated septum do find that doing neti helps them. What it cannot do, of course, is straighten the septum. What it can do is wash out the area so that the partially blocked nostril isn't further blocked by mucus.
Plus, if there is any swelling, then doing neti can help open up the passages by reducing the swelling. Salt draws fluid from tissues, so rinsing with saltwater is a good strategy for drawing fluids from swollen tissues and helping them return to normal. Cleaning the area and reducing any swelling can really help open things up so that you can breathe better even though you'll still have a deviated septum.
People who have a deviated septum and decide to try neti sometimes find it difficult to get the water to move into one nostril and out the other. If one nostril is completely blocked, that will stop the water from flowing. What happens is that the water simply won't travel all the way over to exit the other nostril. Usually, the blockage is not complete, and eventually the saltwater will flow after a few tries. Sometimes people with a deviated septum say that they can get the water to flow one direction, but not the other direction. If that is the case, go ahead and do it on the side that works, and continue to try on the other side. Usually the blocked side opens up after a few tries. Remember that it takes a few seconds for the saltwater to wind its way through the nose, so give it some time when you try it and make subtle adjustments to your head position to find the position that works best for you.
Also, after you do neti, gently blow your nose to remove the remaining saltwater and debris, then bend over from the waist and move your head around looking for a position that allows any saltwater that still remains to drain out. Most people find that there isn't any saltwater still stuck after gently blowing, but your anatomy is such that you may find that there is still some saltwater to drain away
My daughter keeps getting sick. She's only eight - can I teach her to use a neti pot?
Is it safe for kids? Children often enjoy doing the nasal wash and the relief that it brings them. We find that the best way to introduce children to the practice is to let them see you practice it yourself. Usually, kids want to give it a try and they pick up the technique quickly. It is safe for kids.
Can using a neti pot with Aromatic Salt cure my cold? Aromatic Salt is not a cure for anything. The anti-viral and immune building essential oils in Aromatic Salt Original Formula will support your body's own healing process, and clearing your nasal passages by doing the nasal wash certainly can help you to feel better.
I have trouble with ear infections. Can using a neti pot and Aromatic Salt help me? The passages in the head are physically close together and connected. For a person who is prone to ear infections, it makes sense that keeping the nasal passages clear of dried mucus and colonies of pathogens by practicing nasal wash would improve the situation, possibly even decreasing the frequency of the ear infections. I recommend taking advantage of the anti-microbial and immune building properties of the essential oil blend in Aromatic Salt Original.
I have had hay fever all my life. Somebody suggested washing out my nose with salt water and a neti pot. Would nasal wash help me with my pollen allergies? Give it a try! Your body is trying to expel those allergens with sneezing and dripping. Try doing the nasal wash with Aromatic Salt once or twice a day to wash the pollen out and take a load off your body's defense mechanisms.
I'm pregnant. Can I use Aromatic Salt Original? Aromatic Salt Original contains a small amount of essential oils which are absorbed into the bloodstream through the mucus membranes of the nasal passages. The amount of essential oil absorbed is very small, comparable to using a hand lotion with essential oil in it. I don't see any problem with doing nasal wash with Aromatic Salt Original in pregnancy, but you should check with your doctor. If you and your doctor prefer for you to avoid essential oils during your pregnancy, you can switch to Aromatic Salt Unscented during this time.
Can I use regular tap water with Aromatic Salt? In areas where the tap water is clear and pure, such as here on the San Francisco Peninsula, you can use tap water for the nasal wash. Tap water is the most convenient water to use because you can adjust the water temperature by using the hot and cold taps. If there is any question about the quality of the tap water in your area, you should substitute bottled water. The rule of thumb is that if you wouldn't drink it, you shouldn't use it for the nasal wash. If you choose to use bottled water, either spring water or distilled water is fine. Distilled water contains no naturally occurring minerals, however, so it will require that you use more Aromatic Salt to properly salinate the water. You can use your bottled water at room temperature or warm it slightly before using.
I'm on a tight budget. How can I do the nasal wash without speending money on a neti pot?
A neti pot is a convenience. Many people simply "snuff' salted water up one nostril at a time. To try this method, pour some Aromatic Salt saline solujtion into your cupped palm. Close one nostril with the other hand and sniff the water ino the open nostril. Repeat on the other side. Be sure to blow out the saline water and debris when you are done. If you do not wish to purchase a neti salt, look for the purest, additive free salt that is available to you and be sure to get it completely dissolved before using it. When your financial situation improves, you can purchase a beautiful Into the Scented Garden neti pot and remember to treat yourself to a bottle of the original neti salt, Aromatic Salt.
Why can't I use just plain water without any salt in my neti pot? Plain water needs to be brought to a similar specific density as the tissues of the nasal passages. Salt water is used extensively in medicine because of its natural compatibility with our tissues. The salt water actually pulls excess water from your nasal tissues helping to reduce swelling and open the passageways. Plain unsalted water is not compatible with the tissues of your nasal passages and causes irritation and discomfort.
My grandmother taught me to gargle with lukewarm saltwater when I had a sore throat or felt like I was getting sick. Can I use Aromatic Salt as a gargle? Aromatic Salt makes a great salt water gargle! Use about one-half teaspoon of Aromatic Salt in 8 ounces of water.
I hate to get water in my nose when I swim. My husband uses Aromatic Salt and a neti pot every day. He says it doesn't hurt at all and that I should try it. Won't it be uncomfortable for me since I am so sensitive to getting water up my nose? Salt water is very compatible with human tissues. Unsalted water is uncomfortable to those tissues. The saline solution used in nasal wash will feel very different in your nose than swimming pool water does. Also, you may be sensitive to the chlorine in the swimming pool water. Try using a saline solution made with Aromatic Salt and distilled water instead of tap water for nasal wash. You may be pleasantly surprised at how comfortable you become with rinsing your nasal passages with a saline solution of Aromatic Salt and warm water.
I have been doing jala neti twice a day. Is this too often?
Twice a day is not too often to practice jala neti (nasal wash), and many people with sinus or other problems seem to need a twice a day regimen to maintain optimum health. Others find that jala neti 2 or 3 times a week is enough.
My eyes burn after using my neti pot. Am I doing something wrong? You may be experiencing some irritation to the mucus lining which is causing your eyes to be bloodshot right after jala neti? You may need to adjust the amount of salt you are using - or change the salt or the water you use - or perhaps the temperature of the water. Or possibly, you salt is not completely dissolved, leaving the solution at the bottom of the pot too salty. Be sure that your salt is completely dissolved! Table salt tends to partially dissolve, making an unevenly salinated solution which is much too salty at the bottom. Try being more careful to dissolve the salt. Contrary to what you might think, finer salt doesn't necessarily dissolve more quickly than coarser salt. Fluffy salt such as that used in Aromatic Salt dissolves more easily than table salt.
When I do jala neti with my head tipped to the side, I get water n my ears and they get clogged. What am I doing wrong? Your trouble may be from incorrectly positioning your head. It's very easy to tip the head too far over to the side. Only a slight tilt of the head is enough to allow the water to flow easily from one nostril into the other nostril via the back of the throat. The other possibility is that you are leaning too far forward. Leaning way far forward actually makes it harder to get the water to flow correctly because the water needs to make it's way to the back of the nasal passages, flow across the septum and then flow forward again to flow out of the opposite nostril. Don't lean forward or backward. Keep the head position neutral (except for the slight tilt) and the water should flow easily and effectively.
Take the time to encourage all of the water to drain out when you are done with the nasal wash. After blowing gently through your nostrils (blowing your nose) into a tissue, you should exhale forcefully through both open nostrils a few times to dry them out a bit. Then place a towel on the floor and lean all the way forward - bend from the waist and hang over the towel. Move your head around a bit, tilting it and lifting it slightly. Take a bit of time with this, and you'll probably find that some salt water will flow out of your nostrils onto your towel. I find that I need to hang over the towel for a few seconds (10-15 seconds) then lift my head slightly, and that when I lift my head, that movement releases any trapped saltwater. We all have slightly differently shaped nasal passages, so you should experiment with this to find what works for you.
When I use my neti pot, some of the saline solution comes into the back of my throat. Why does this happen and is it harmful? You are inadvertently practising Stage II of the nasal wash. It is quite beneficial to have Aromatic Salt saline solution bathe the tissues and glands at the back of the throat. You are having this experience because you are tipping your head slightly backward, allowing some of the saline solution to flow from the nasal passage down into the back of the throat. If you want to prevent the salt water from flowing into the throat, simply tilt your head slightly downward toward the basin while using your neti pot.
The instructions that came with my neti pot call for using 1/4 teaspoon of salt per pot. The instructions for Aromatic Salt call for 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Why is there a difference? Measurement of the salt depends on the salt you use. You will need anything from 1/4 teaspoon (for fine table salt) to a rounded 1/2 teaspoon (for flaked salt) per pot, assuming an 8 oz. pot - some pots are more and some are less than 8 oz. Know your pot capacity and the texture of your salt. Also, it will depend on the water you are using. Distilled water, for instance, contains no minerals by definition. You will probably need more salt with distilled water. Artificially softened water, or very hard water may require less salt. Be willing to experiment with your proportions. Start with the recommended amount and adjust until you find the perfect solution for you.
I can't figure out how to use my net pot. Where can I find somebody to give me personal instruction? Many yoga teachers are trained in jala neti or nasal wash. Call a few yoga studios or leave a message for the yoga teacher at your local college or recreation center. One of these dedicated teachers is sure to know how to help you.
After I use my neti pot and blow my nose I feel like all the salt water has drained out, but often I have salt water drip - or flow! - out of my nose. Usually this happens when I'm with other people and it's embarassing. Any suggestions? After you practice jala neti, blow gently into a tissue, then expel air vigorously out through both nostrils. Then you should bend all the way forward from the waist, then slowly begin to lift the head up. You may find that there is a certain point at which the trapped saltwater will flow from your nostril or nostrils. Or try bending to one side and the other experimenting until you find the head position that triggers the saltwater to drain. Sometimes, and for some people, the last of the saltwater just doesn't want to drain until 15 or 20 minutes later, so repeat these position after some time has elapsed. The exact shape of the complex anatomy of the nasal passages varies from person to person, so we all have to find our own best procedure. Take your time with all of these procedures, and look for the ones that work for you.
I've read that the salt water used for cleaning the nasal passages must be buffered with some baking soda. Is there baking soda in Aromatic Salt? In order to understand the use of baking soda in preparing the salt water solution for the nasal wash, we need to make a distinction between an isotonic saline solution and a hypertonic saline solution. An isotonic saline solution is similar to the tissues of the human body. A hypertonic saline solution is similar to seawater and is approximately four times as salty as the tissues of the body. Usually the nasal passages are rinsed with an isotonic saline solution which is similar to the body's own tissues and requires no buffering and no baking soda. Sometimes a hypertonic solution is suggested by a health practioner for the treatment of a specific condition. In these special circumstances, baking soda can be added to the hypertonic solution as a buffering agent to make the strong hypertonic solution more tolerable.
Aromatic Salt Original neti salt and Aromatic Salt Unscented neti salt are formulated for use in routine daily hygiene and are meant to be mixed with water to produce an isotonic saline solution. The instructions given for mixing Aromatic Salt with water (one rounded 1/2 teaspoon of Aromatic Salt to 8 ounces of water) produces an isotonic saline solution which requires no buffering agent. There is no baking soda in either Aromatic Salt Original neti salt or Aromatic Salt Unscented neti salt and no buffering agent is needed when Aromatic Salt is mixed as directed.
I recently visited relatives who have a water softener in their home. When I mixed my Aromatic Salt solution as I usually do, the solution burned my nasal passages. Since I don't have a water softener at my house, I'm wondering if the water softener affects the saline solution? Yes! Water softeners use salt to soften the water, and this added salt makes it difficult to make a properly salinated nasal wash solution with artificially softened water. While it's possible to reduce the amount of Aromatic Salt and use artificially softened water, it is easier and more comfortable to avoid making your saline solution with artificially softened water by either substituting bottled water for the artificially softened tap water. Some homes have artificially softened water on the hot water only. If this is the case, use water from the cold water tap only, and heat the water gently to lukewarm or slightly warm temperature, and use the normal amount of Aromatic Salt. If both the hot and the cold water is artificially softened, use bottled water for the nasal wash. This is an issue only with artificially softened water. Naturally soft water does not contain the added salts which occur in water that passes through a water softener.
Submit your questions to questions@intothescentedgarden.com.
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