Saturday, December 10, 2005

Ode to a Neti Pot

Oh how I love my Neti pot
a finer implement I know not

its makes my breathing clear and true
I think I shall get one for whoever is reading this

*** *** *** *** ***

I am a victim of seasonal allergies every fall and spring. Sometimes I think I have allergies, sometimes I think its a cold. Whatever it is, its a pain and I'm sick of it. I hate taking decongestant because it makes me spacey and doesn't seem to help me breathe clearly. Also, nowadays its harder to get your hands on pseudoephedrine lest you be mistaken for someone running a meth lab.

Anyway, I had seen the neti pot for sale in the Chinaberry catalog some time ago. I always read the ad, but the idea of "irrigating my nasal passages" was just too gross a concept for me. Until I got my second cold/allergy attack in a month. Luckily, I didn't have to wait for shipping, netis are sold at most yoga studios, it seems, so I was able to buy one in person.

So, how is it? My breathing is much, much clearer. Clearer than if I was on meth or Sudafed. And I'm drug-free.

No, really, how is it? You know, pouring saline into one nostril while it runs out the other? Quite frankly, it seemed bizarre and unpleasant at first. Its sort of like drowing in the sea, and yet being able to breathe. It makes me feel positively aquatic -- only I don't have any gills (at least not that I'm going to show YOU). There is something about using a neti that forces you to be aware and calm, because if you're not, you will sputter saltwater all over the place.

Namaste.

4 comments:

Marjorie said...

Sounds like its just what you need, especially since you are not grossed out by the concept. Everytime I do it, I find it very refreshing. To breathe is quite a gift, to breathe clearly is bliss.

Anonymous said...

Marjorie, you have a way with words that I love! And now it is only a matter of time before I go out and get a beloved neti pot. I suffer from allergies too, and reading your testimony made me feel less stuffy!
See you at a park day activity!

Marjorie said...

Thanks, Lisa. You will breathe much more freely at park day once you've neti-ed! See you!

Anonymous said...

yay for the neti pot! i'm a big fan, too.

i've found that it works best if i start irrigating as soon as i feel the slightest bit of congestion, and i lay off milk/dairy, since that thickens mucus. that's the tough part, though--i love my cheese!