My entire family neti’s!!!!  It’s awesome and it’s the first thing I recommend to anyone who suffers from allergies or sinus infections.  The idea is simple:  clear the sinus’ of the yuck that’s irritating them whether a virus or allergens.  We use it several times a day when necessary and I take it with us whenever we go out of town.  I say RUN, don’t walk, to the nearest pharmacy and buy one!

Oh I’m so glad you posted this!
I read on Barbara Curtis’s ‘Mommy Life’ blog about neti pots in a piece she did about flu prevention. Intrigued, I Googled them and was persuaded to buy a few.
They arrived yesterday and I’ve been working myself up to actually trying it out.

I think I’ll try it in the shower, it might be less messy that way.
I’m really interested in reading the comments here.

We purchased a neti pot last winter in the midst of a very stuffy & congested period.  We prefer to try alternative remedies first.  Only my husband has used it thus far…but I will if the opportunity arises to need it.  Anyone out there tried ear candles?  Our local co-op used to sell them & a friend of mine said her children all really liked using them.  We often use warmed olive oil that has had raw garlic steeping in it for earaches—it always works!  Any tried & true natural remedies to share?

Yes, neti pots are amazing and helped my daughter’s chronic sinus problems immediately.  As she said, “you don’t want to know what it looks like”, but it did help her.  However, I have used a saline rinse kit (same principle but using a plastic bottle with specially shaped tip) available at pharmacies.  I didn’t get quite the same measure of relief and my dr. said it’s because often sinus problems are because of inflamed and swollen sinuses, not always congested sinuses.  But this is definitely an item to keep on hand!

A doctor from Nebraska started the neti pots here in the states…he’s at the Med Center in Omaha.
I tried it and got relief and then put it away…now, I’ve been suffering from allergies what with the farmers doing harvest. I’ll get it out tonight! It makes you feel really clean. And it’s not that messy over the kitchen sink. (Now, if they’d just make them prettier ... be sure to use the salt additive or it will really smart.)

My husband introduced me to the neti pot last year when I had some congestion and wow! it relieved the pain and pressure immediately. I use it every day in the fall and winter and have been cold and flu free thus far. In addition to clearing out the congestion, as others mentioned, it also stimulates your cilia to more effectively filter out viruses. I’m now a huge Neti enthusiast and recommend it to everyone who tells me they’re having congestion problems.

I was intrigued by the neti pot idea but never acted on it because it did sound awkward to use. However my chiropractor recommended another type of nasal irrigation which is called Nasaline. It is like a giant syringe but instead of a needle on the end it is a rubber tip that fits securely against your nostril then you just push up the syringe and the water goes in your nose and out the other side. It is easy to use and to clean. And the benefits are great as mentioned above. One day when I couldn’t breathe at all through my nose due to congestion it was like a miracle - I could breathe clearly after using it!

I have one.  I have been too chicken to try it yet.  I really should.

I have been getting sinus infections regularily for the past 7 years.  I bought a neti pot a few years back and used it a few times with great results.  But last year I used it again and had lots of pain in my sinus right below my eyes!  I think water was trapped somehow.  I have been too afraid to use it since.  But now I have had a sinus infections (no pain just very congested with lots of swollen tissue making it hard to breathe) for the last 2 months!  I am on my second round of antibiotics and now have a cold too!  I don’t know if I should use the neti pot again since I can see that my nostils are almost swollen shut? Any suggestions?

I use the pump variation with premixed hypertonic saline solution.  Got turned onto it by an ENT physician after nasal surgery.  Fantastic!

Arwen, thanks for posting this. I’ve never even heard of such a thing, but you can bet I will try it with all the positive comments! I always appreciate different ideas (especially medication free ones) for curing illnesses. Any ideas for helping me clear up my congested chest and persistent cough that I’ve had for the past 2 1/2 weeks?

My neti pot has been a life saver for me.  I used to get persistent sinus infections every winter; many would eventually lead to bronchitis and pneumonia.  Back-to-back antibiotic doses didn’t always help and I was miserable.  I bought a neti pot a few years ago on the suggestion of a friend (I was desperate) and have been amazed with the results.  I haven’t had to go on antibiotics since I started using it regularly.  So glad it’s working for you too, Arwen!

I was given a NetiPot by my pediatrician for one of my kids, but we’ve never used it.  I am in the midst of a horrible cold and feel miserable.  Does it have the same effect with a cold?  I’m feel so bad that I’ll try just about anything.

I just posted a blog entry yesterday on this very subject.  I love my Neti pot.  I had been taking 2 allergy pills a day every day from March to November each year but this year I started using my Neti pot twice a day since April and in that time, I have had a total of TWO pills in that entire time.  I am sold.
http://cynsreality.wordpress.com/2009/11/03/neti-pots/

I just want to say that I love the title of this blog post. Definitely made me LOL

I’ve never used one, and I really think I should. I have constant sinus problems; it wouldn’t be too much of an exaggeration to say I’ve been somewhat congested for 4-5 years. As you can imagine, when I do get sick and my congestion rises above that baseline, I get miserable and FAST. People have recommended the neti pot to me in the past, but I guess I’ve always just ignore them. Maybe that should change, since this post makes it clear that people who swear by the neti pot aren’t limited to my crazy relatives.

I started using the netipot after I had Septoplastic Surgery on my nose, I had a deviated septum, and because of the stitches I couldn’t put any pressure on my nasal passages.  Imagine needing to blow your nose for 2 weeks but unable to because of stitches.  So I tried using the Netipot because it relies on gravity to do all the work.  The saline solution was also great for soothing the walls of my nasal passages.  What I love is that the Netipot gets the water to go into my sinuses and pull all the garbage I’ve been breathing out.  It is weird at first but once you get used to it you will be amazed at how clearly you can breathe again.  The doctors were amazed that I healed so fast after my surgery and I credit it all to using the netipot.  Just make sure you breathe through your mouth while pouring the water through.  It will keep the water from backing down your throat.  Also, never use plain water without saline mixed in.  Plain water will dry out and hurt the membrains in your sinus cavities and nasal passages.  It could even cause a bloody nose.  Always use salt water or water with a saline packet to rinse your nose.

I have been using my neti pot for a couple of years now at least once a day (depending on how my sinuses are doing).  I LOVE it and would highly recommend it!!  I won’t even travel without mine!

I love using the neti pot.  Considering where I was before, this is the quickest relief and there are no side effects. 

It’s great to hear that this is also considered preventative for colds and flu, along with saltwater gargling and handwashing.

My doctor gave me this recipe to use following sinus surgery: 
2 tsp. salt (some say sea salt is best)
1 tsp. baking soda
1 pint comfortably warm water

The packets that came with my neti pot sting and this one seems more gentle.  It is also cheaper.  I make a big jar of it using the 2:1 ratio.

I love my neti pot and recommend nasal irrigation all the time! No, it’s not exactly killer party conversation but good habits w/ the sinuses can go a long way toward good health.
I am a huge believer in natural cures, and in not jumping to meds or surgery too quickly. However I must say that if things get to the “chronic” stage don’t mess around. See your doctor and then if you get a ct scan make sure you know all your options (it used to be that sinus surgery was the only option. but now there are less invasive choices like balloon sinuplasty).
That’s my two cents. Take care everybody and keep those nasal passages clean!