A few years ago Sumi gave me a gift of a Neti Pot. To be truthful, I winced when I got it. And every so often Sumi would ask whether I was using it or not. Or not was the answer. Sumi studied yoga at Himalaya Institute once upon a time and learned how to use Neti. Now she’s dedicated. I, however, have a different relationship with Neti. The water tends to dribble down the length of my arm, or chin. Water, a little pot and salt – it doesn’t get simpler than that. Right?
A few months ago I was in Garland of Letters on South Street in Phila looking for a CD for someone when out jumped THE NETI POT FOR BETTER HEALTH book by Warren Jefferson. I really didn’t want to get a book on Neti, but felt I had to step up to the plate. So I ended up with that thin Neti book and no CD. And there it sat on my bookshelf. Then Michael, another dedicated Neti user, called and, in the course of the conversation, said that Alicia had a sinus inflammation, was leaving for California on a business trip, and whatever she was doing wasn’t working, so she resorted to Neti with great success. I was happy for Alicia. I couldn’t help wonder though how it is that they’re all pros at using Neti.
In his Neti book Warren Jefferson writes that he’s been using Neti for a few years, that his mother was a smoker, that he grew up with second-hand smoke, and he himself smoked for ten years. Because of this he’d been having respiratory problems (asthma, stuffy nose, and hay fever). He wrote that as he continues using Neti these problems are greatly reduced. He writes that Neti has a long history in the East and with all the toxins, and now chemical pollution worldwide, it makes perfect sense to use saline nasal irrigation to detoxify. I’ll list a few of the benefits from his thin Neti book:
removal of debris from the nose
relief of hay fever, runny nose and itchy eyes
increase general health of respiratory system
drains sinuses
creates proper conditions for the nose to do its work
improves sense of smell
helps treat certain ear infections
cools and soothes
using the Neti has a spiritual aspect
This thin Neti book answers many concerns, e.g. Sinusitis, Nose Blowing and Sinusitis, Swollen Inferior Turbinate, Bacterial Resistance, Hay Fever, Nasal Polyps, and at the end of the book he discusses Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery, and he offers a list of resources: Neti Pot, Salt & Nasal Wash Sources, Medical Resources, and Other Useful Sources. It’s not just about Neti.
I like simple, so I’ll relate one thing from the this Neti book: “Swedish scientists discovered that “humming increases ventilation of the sinuses.” It was found that “humming sped up the exchange of air between the sinuses and nasal cavity. This may be one of the benefits of chanting Om.”
Tomorrow is another day. I’ll be with my Neti Pot, water and salt practicing so that I can do it like them. And you know who them are. If not, Neti and I will have to find our way to EastWest where there’s a Neti Pot demonstration Mondays – Fridays, Free in the Cafe! I see I’m not the only one who needs help. www.eastwestnyc.com
See you there?
Thank you for Neti, Sumi. I’m trying
www.himalayaninstitute.org/Netipot/NetiPotGateway.aspx
www.oprah.com/health/oz/oz_20070426_350_106.jhtml