Allergies & Asthma

Happened to come across this article in the New York Times that discusses the growing use of neti pots to treat the symptoms of allergies, asthma, colds and more.

Have you ever used one?  Would you?  Do you think they're harmful or helpful? 

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/03/fashion/03skin.html?_r=1&no_interstitial&oref=slogin

Short, Stout, Has a Handle on Colds

Angela Jimenez for The New York Times

Jan Mathews tests the water temperature at East West Living in Manhattan.

GABY HAKMAN worked as a chef in professional kitchens in Miami for nearly 20 years, standing in the vacuum of powerful venting fans, inhaling smoke. But she had even bigger nasal challenges ahead. “I work as a personal chef now, which is a lot less toxic, but I also moved to New York City, and because of the city’s pollutants and dry heat I developed painfully dry sinuses,” Ms. Hakman said.

Angela Jimenez for The New York Times

YouTube

DON’T TRY THIS AT HOME Neti pots are now so mainstream, they are the stuff of jokes. An Ohio man called Drew, right, spoofs them on a popular YouTube video.

Seeking the advice of a masseuse and acupuncturist, Jana Warchalowski, Ms. Hakman was urged to try something she didn’t even want to think about. “Jana said she had two words for me: neti pot,” Ms. Hakman said. “I’d heard about it before. I just kept thinking, ‘No way, that’s gross.’”

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I tried them a couple of time in Switzerland as my "sophrology" (an active relaxation method) teacher told us about it and recommended it to cleanse the sinus once a week. It looks more gross than it feels, it flushed quite a lot of dirt out, but pouring water down a nostril to see it flush by the other is wierd enough. Plus you might feel that a little water get stuck in the upper sinus for quite some time which is a wierder sensation.

However as my teacher pointed out this exercise should not be done more than once a week as too much flushing can irritate the sinuses more, so you are better off inhaling steam or eating something a bit spicy to increase fluidity and flush naturally with the help of a tissue.

I've seen these at Whole Foods and saw a segment on the Today show about them recently as well.  In addition, I found this article about asthma and neti pots: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4816805/

It's an interesting concept, but I think I'll stick to saline rinses without the neti pot.  LOL

By the way... they look like if you rubbed the pot, a genie should pop out! ;)