Please read this information bulletin entirely to avoid the neti pot danger lurking inside your neti pot.
As you may know, the neti pot techniques are considered to be one of the best ways to improve energy and health, and is specifically designed for cleaning your nose cavities and passageways. Sometime, however, some side effects can occur, but by understanding how the neti pot works, you can avoid any risk of these problems.
If you are thinking of starting a daily nasal irrigation routine, you’ll want to make sure you have all the facts and equipment ready, so you don’t have an unpleasant experience.
Neti Pot Danger
While using the neti pot can be extremely beneficial, the most dangerous and highest risk chance of infection with a neti pot is the dreaded ear infection. If you allow the neti pot solution to drain into the ear cavity, it is possible to carry bacteria and fungii from the sinus passage into the ear cavity, and this can lead to some painful ear infections.
Avoiding ear infections is quite simple, and all you need to do is get into the right position for your jala neti irrigation sessions. Basically, you should be facing a sink or other large basin that can receive the saline solution that will drain out of your nasal passage. Bend over almost 90 degrees (70-80 degrees is adequate), and turn your head to one side so your nose is almost parallel with the sink (but not quite). When you are using the sideways technique, it is impossible for saline solution to drain into the ear cavity.
Getting into the right irrigation position is critical so you avoid having any mucus run down into the ears (I bet you never realized you had so many tunnels in your head!).
(If you would like to see a neti pot demonstration of this position, visit the neti pot instructions and watch the first neti pot video.).
The other important thing is to get the saline solution mixed properly, because there are a lot of mis-informed people online who are recommending either too little or too much salt. The actual amount of salt you must use is 5mg (one level teaspoon) for every 16 ounces (500ml) of water. The water itself should be body temperature, not too hot or cold, and you can get this perfect warm water at body temperature by running the previously boiled lukewarm water so that it feels perfect when it runs onto the sensitive inner skin of your wrist. When it feels nice on your wrist, fill up your mixing container with 2 cups of water and one level teaspoon of salt, and mix it completely so there are no salt granules remaining. If your nose begins to burn during your neti practice, it is either the salt mixture or water temperature that is causing this discomfort.
If you find yourself blowing your nose hard, and water goes into your ears, just remember that the water is taking the path of least resistance, and it means your nasal passages are blocked. The best thing to do is to lean over the sink after your neti session, let the water drain out naturally, and then close one nostril and gently breathe out the other nostril, repeating for the other nostril a total of 2-3 times, before you even think of really blowing your nose. If you have a history of sinusitis infections, you could have passages that are difficult to drain, and in this case, you’ll need to be more patient in letting all the water out before you finish the process.
Remember, you must insert the neti pot spout into the nostril that is highest, meaning if you turn your head to the right, then you will insert the neti spout into the right nostril and let the liquid flow out the left nostril. Once you let 8-16 ounces flow in that direction, turn your head to the other side, and change the spout over to the other nostril, and repeat. Once the salty water has finished to flow out the right nostril, be sure to blow your nose gently to clear any remaining saline solution left in the nasal cavities. You should breathe through your mouth during the entire session (breathing is highly recommended during this process!)
Make sure you use non-iodized salt, as the iodine can cause problems. Sea salt is good, or any pharmaceutical grade salt can also do the job.
Cleansing your nasal cavities in this way will ensure you get maximum benefits without the danger of an ear infection. If you find the water flow is blocked in any way, be sure to check your body position, and your ability to pass air through both nostrils. If you have sinusitis or other nasal disease, please consult with your physician or health practitioner before beginning a jala neti routine.
Neti pots are best when made out of ceramic, or stainless steel, as these will prevent any bacterial buildup while left in storage. Other neti pots made of plastic must be reviewed to make sure they are bacterial resistant and non-toxic. The worst thing is to pull out a pot that has some bacterial growth, and use it without fully disinfecting it first. If you stick with the ceramic or stainless steel neti pots, you won’t have to worry about this danger when trying out this hatha yoga technique.
{ 49 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m a caretaker of an elderly lady and her daughter has me include in the Neti Pot solution a small dose of baking soda (about half the amount of the salt I add). She is CONSTANTLY stuffed up and I’m wondering if the baking soda (arm & hammer) may be a contributing factor? ? ? ? ?
I’d stick with just the uniodized salt, and see if her symptoms clear up in 5 days or so. You can go to 7.5mg of salt per 16 ounces of water to get more mucous out.
How often can you or should you do this technique per day?
By the way, thank you for the information on your website. It was very clear and very informative…and appreciated.
Thanks,
graz
Normally, it is done no more than twice per day, once in the morning and once at night.
In medical circumstances, it can be done up to 4 times per day, but most people will get maximum benefit from once or twice per day.
How likely is it to go into your lungs? Is this possible?
Jessica,
We all have a natural reaction to cough and react when water enters our lungs…
The reality is when you tilt your head a little (as suggested), there is never a concern of
it going into the lungs…after all, when you drink water, does it enter the lungs? It’s the same
process with neti irrigation – some may run down your throat if you don’t lean correctly, but your
body will close that valve and it will go to the stomach, and since it is normal saline solution, it
is just fine for you.
This irrigation of the nasal cavities, will this neti pot system raise my IOP,( intra ocular pressure) in my eyes as I am a Glaucoma sufferer and certain decongestants are well known to increase pressure for glaucoma patients.
There are a lot of articles that tout the advantages of getting zinc into one’s mucous membranes to speed the recovery time from the common cold and other respitory ailments. (Zinc is now often available in lozenges etc. along with vitamin C and echinacea.) Does anyone know if there are saline packets (for mixing saline solution for neti pot use) that might include zinc or any supplements in addition to the sodium and baking soda that seem ubiquitous?
There are indeed products with zinc and other “useful” additives…just visit amazon.com and you should find the packs that contain these extra nutritional components.
I don’t think they are essential, but some people, with some conditions, certainly benefit from them.
I just started using my neti pot again and I noticed that the first time I used it I blew my noise and felt fluid in my ear canal (I believe I was positioned correctly over the sink and with my head tilted.) This morning I heard a clicking noise in both my ears – am I in danger of an ear infection now?
There is always a slight risk of ear infection if the saline solution exits via the ears…the main, important point in the process of using the neti pot is to drain the fluid gently after you irrigate…and that means taking a breath of air through the mouth, and ever so gently exhaling through the nostrils…repeating a few times before doing it again with one of the nostrils closed.
If you find you do get water in your ears, follow the process of any swimmer, to tilt that ear toward the ground, and then gently tap your skull (above the ear) as if you are trying to get some water out…
If you do develop an ear infection, go see your doctor, as some common antibiotics will clear it up in 2 or 3 days.
I am continually fighting headaches, many of which feel that they are started by some type of sinus / allergy issue. I amvery congested each morning and wake up with headaches that sometimes turn into migraines. After researching the Neti Pots, I thought that it sounded like a good ideas to try one. So, I bought one yesterday, and used it twice then. I purchased the Pot with the premixed saline powder. It felt very soothing, not uncomfortable at all. This morning, I got up and used it again, and it felt like my head was on fire. It hurt from the back of my head down my ears, neck glands, forehead, etc. It felt like I had just eaten some fresh wasabi! The water temp was just lukewarm, didn’t feel too hot or cold. According to the information that came in the box, it should never hurt. Now I am wondering if this is a good thing for me to use or not. Perhaps I started an irritation? Any ideas ot suggestions?
It sounds like it could be a number of things.
I’d highly recommend you visit an ENT physician (ear, nose, throat) and make sure you don’t have a condition that can be fixed permanently with a specialist.
If you had a “wasabi” experience on the second day, you most likely inflamed your sinus passages, which can only be done by using too much saline solution…be very careful to use only the 5mg salt/saline for 16 ounces liquid, and go to higher concentrations only when you really understand what it does.
If you did use too much salt, then 3 days rest is what you need to get back to normal (no neti activity for 72 hours).
Neti pots are recommended for a wide variety of sinus conditions, so I think you will benefit from it, but you do need to make sure you drain the excess fluids, and use the right mixture of salt and water.
Remember, it *should* feel really, really good, each and every time you use your neti pot.
I think the directions are reversed:
“…you must insert the neti pot spout into the nostril that is highest, meaning if you turn your head to the right, then you will insert the neti spout into the right nostril and let the liquid flow out the left nostril. ”
With your head to the right, you need to pour the water into the LEFT nostril.
No . . . it was stated correctly. If you turn your head to the right, your right nostril is on top, and that’s where you pour the solution.
No, the directions are correct. Turn your head to the right and pour the water into the right nostril; conversely, turn the head to the left pour the water into the left nostril.
Just remember you need to tilt your head forward, 20-45 degrees, and this is what changes the nostril that comes to the top (if you didn’t bow, and lilted to the right, the left nostril WOULD be on top, but this is wrong – you need to bow forward 20-45 degrees and then look to the right, and insert the neti pot into right nostril, and vice versa). Basically, the nostril receiving the neti pot should be nearly parallel with the floor.
Thank you for your very clear explanations and answers. One thing I’ve discovered is that the ideal place to “neti,” at least for me, is in the shower. The sinuses are already more open from the steam, and more importantly, no worries about wet clothes/hair/bathroom counter from water going awry. A much more relaxed experience!
I have severe cold and congestion with conjunctivitis. I have tried neti pot but no water came out. I made sure my head was tilted. I tried several time both nostrils nothing came out. Do you think the water went deep into the sinuses or my ears? By the way my throat feels wierd but I did not taste any saline water in my mouth.
This does not sound good. I would seek immediate medical attention.
I’ve always used mine over the sink and I’m lucky that I got the right angle since the beginning.
I used to suffer from a lot of ear infections myself and my eyes would get irritated easily, however I’ve found that since using a neti pot regularly my ear infections have gone down dramatically and my eyes feel as they have more moisture.
I tend to get colds less and when I do get them it is usually when I have forgotten to use my neti pot. I recommend anyone to keep on trying because the rewards are definately worth it once you get the procedure right.
A few hours after I do neti, when I lean forward during pilates, drips of water comes out of my nose, is this normal?
Sometimes when you first start doing neti cleaning, it can happen. Just be sure to clear your nasal passage using the gentle breathing after doing neti.
One point to make is if you try to blow your nose too hard after doing neti, the water takes the path of least resistance, so this can make the saline solution go back inside the head, towards the ears, or higher towards the tear ducts, and then through movement and gravity, the water slowly makes its way back down to the nostrils.
This has been very informative. I have rinsed my nose with a bottle of saline. But not with the techinque of a neti pot. Can that be used in place of a neti pot. My husband says I do not snore as much when I rinse my nasal passages.
Thank-you for all your helpful comments
Sally
Your feedback is the reason we put this site together – to provide the secrets of nasal irrigation for everyone to discover. In fact, over 80% of the people who try these techniques report better sleep and reduced snoring.
Thanks for your very kind feedback!
Thanks for the info. By the way, in your description you got left and right mixed up…you say “insert into the nostril that is highest” which means when you tilt your head to the right it should be the left nostril and not the right. Tilting your head to the right and inserting the neti pot into the right nostril makes no sense because then the solution would never drain out of the left nostril.
You are welcome, Mike…and this head turn left/right is causing some confusion, but the description is correct.
Some people keep their head facing straight forward and tilt their head to the right…this is incorrect…
You must bend your head forward, as far as 45% (but 20-40% is good enough) and then, in that bowing position, LOOK to the right…you will find your right nostril is the one that is highest, and it is where the neti pot is inserted.
I think I’ll need to think the description over carefully, to make this more clear, and I do appreciate you taking the time to bring it to my attention.
I have used a neti pot on and off this year when I noticed an increase in congestion due to allergies or a cold. I woke up yesterday with extreme congestion. When I tried do do a rinse tonight it didn’t work. On one side I could get the flow to occur only in tiny drips — it would have taken forever to get the whole pot to drain through like that. And when I tried the other side it wouldn’t drain at all. I could feel some of the water go in but nothing would come out the other nostril. I am confident that I am using the pot correctly as I never had any problems rinsing my sinuses in the past. Is it possible that my sinuses are so swollen as to block the flow of the water? Or is there another explanation?
The saline solution isn’t able to burn through a wall of congestion…you’ll need to first get air to flow through your nasal passages, and usually a decongestant and one of those nasal sprays will be enough to get you some air flow.
Thanks for the feedback. The congestion is a bit better today with the help of a decongestant and I am able to get a rinse through with a steady drip. Hopefully as the congestion continues to loosen I will be able to use it again more effectively.
Can using a nasal rinse cause tinnitus?
Yes, especially if you don’t follow the process for clearing the nasal passages after using your neti pot. In particular, never blow your nose with force after doing the neti process – bend, tilt, gentle breathing…let the water drain out your nose, not out of the path of least resistance, because your nose and ears are connected.
This has been around for centuries and i have used it on a few occasions and found it refreshing, how ever live in sinus vally and have truouble of infections and always stuffed up in the evenings. I have used Ocean nose spray for years and when really stuffed up I use the BREATHE AGAIN with SINO MARIN. It also dries the sinus up and helps with the infection.
Many I know for years just suff salt water up there nose when infection is present.
Other nose spray can become addicted as like the ones of years ago,,,even Vicks,,,So my best solution is the saline spray.and less of a hassel with the neti pot.
It’s a very important tip you bring about drug-based nasal sprays – my doctor confirms they can be HIGHLY addictive, even to the point where you cannot breathe without using it again and again.
One thing the neti pot is not designed very well for is to clear clogged sinuses, so if you suffer from clogged passageways, you should always clear your passages with whatever works best for you. If convenient, a spicy curry will usually get things flowing!
Has anyone had problems with saltiness in the mouth remaining over 72 hours after using the neti pot with the salt/baking soda rinse?
I just started using a neti pot about 4 weeks ago while recovering from a cold. After about 5-6 uses over about a week or so, when suddenly — after eating some cheesecake — I became aware of an excessive salty taste, which has pretty much remained with me ever since. It seems to emanate from the sides of my palate and to be constantly present, but only very pronounced when eating certain foods.
I would not have expected the saline to remain in the nasal cavities over more than a few days, if that.
Furthermore, in the past I had no problem irrigating my nasal passages by using a mix of a bit of table salt with water in my palm, which I would sniff up into a nostril bending to let gravity work. I had done this from time to time for years, so I did not expect to have any problem with the neti pot.
Can anyone comment on this problem? I’ve read that saltiness can be a sign of sinus infection, so although I am otherwise feeling well, I wonder if I should be getting that checked out.
Thank you.
Is there a danger using the neti pot when you have a sinus infection?
May have answered my own question. We’ve had a fair bit of salt put down on the roads hereabouts due to snow. Am now thinking that breathing in the “salt-air” may be the cause. Condition improved during a warmer, no-snow period but has come back in force with the latest dose of frost.
Follow up: The saltiness didn’t disappear with the road salt. Saw ENT who diagnosed sinus infection. Saltiness did eventually go away after several weeks’ treatment with antibiotic.
I did notice later, however, that after using the neti pot, I tend to retain some of the fluid in my head/sinuses. Up to a good half hour later, more would drain out if I bent down to pick something up, basically with my , head almost vertically down. So it seems that the structure of my head/sinuses is such that I need to be bent over double before the fluid fully exits. (I have a deviated septum which may or may not be a factor in this.)
My theory about the infection is that it happened in a manner similar to the ear infection described above–namely, the solution spread the infection into uninfected areas of the sinus and, since the fluid did not drain but remained there, caused the infection in the sinuses instead of flushing the infected matter out.
What can be done to relieve the tinnitus caused by not correctly clearing the nasal passages?
DO NOT use tap water!!!!! Tap water is not sterile and may contain organisms that can kill you if they get into your sinuses…I implore you , use sterile water if you intend to use a neti pot. I found out that a few people have died recently, and I just used the neti pot with tap water the other day…I am so scared now, and so pissed that the product did not inform me of the risk.
At my allergist’s urging, I began to use the neti-pot. was fine for a few weeks, then I developed a sinus infection. That went away on its own, or maybe it just migrated, because now I am dealing with an earache. I have a little bit of a stuffy nose, but other than that, no other cold symptoms are accompanying this. I have yet to decide if I am going to call the doctor and make an appointment. Some of the people I have talked to have had massive sinus infections from using the pot, this seems to be a common ailment. I guess I don’t have a question, I just wanted others to know what is going on from my experience with the ‘wondrous neti pot’.
i put some zinc in my neti (changed brands) and now have very painful sinuses (sorry for the misspelling). my eyes are watering, my nose is burning and running and my ears are plugged up. any suggestions?
first of all, i heard that using tap water can be deadly… i used tap water so i’m a little worried. second of all, i decided to use it because i’d run out of breath at night and can’t sleep. so i didn’t know the technique and hardly any water came out the other end… so what am i supposed to do?
First of all, don’t use tap water again if you can avoid it. Truth be told, I use tap water with salt and don’t notice a problem, but many people have interesting sinus passages, which can make it easy to get sinusitis and other nasal illnesses…
The most important thing is to get a saline solution – meaning mixing salt, the 5mg per 16 ounces (or 7.5mg, 1.5 teaspoons) if you want a strong but manageable mixture.
How many times to practice jala neti? These neti pot instructions should be followed a maximum of two times per day – once in the morning and in the evening. One time per day is fine as well, and if you feel like using your neti pot just a few times a week, then that’s ok too.
Great site! Thanks for all the informative info. I was wondering how long boiled water will stay sterile for the nose? I have been lugging home large gallons of distilled water but have grown tired of that. i was wondering if I boil a large amount of water on the stove and then once cooled it i store it in a fresh plastic container if it will stay sterile for the nose (if yes for how long??) or if i have to boil fresh daily (that gets to be a drag!) Thanks so much!
You can leave boiled water in either a plastic container (non BVA) for 7 days or in a clear glass container for 7 days. If it is kept sealed from the environment, you might be good for another week, too.
Looks like you suggest using Tap water. You may want to correct that as people have died from using tap water in neti pots. http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2011/12/19/143960631/second-neti-pot-death-from-amoeba-prompts-tap-water-warning
KM, you bring a good point about tap water – it is required to boil any tap water and let it cool down to a point where it is comfortable when it touches the inside of your wrist.