Monday, October 20, 2008

Ode to the Neti Pot



(Editor's Note: The following blogpost is brought to you with our sincerest apologies and assurances that the next entry will be worth reading.)

Ode to the Neti Pot
(sung to the melody of "My Funny Valentine")

My little neti pot
Blue little neti pot
You clean up stuff that's in my nose
Yes, you may gross some out
Still, you clear up my snout
You wash away those allergies

Is your method less than cool
When you cause my mouth to drool

Yes, you cause my mind to freak
when my nostrils start to leak
But you work...

But don't change your ways for me
Not if you care for me
Stay little neti pot stay
Each day is neti pot day

After raves reviews from several friends (and by "several", I mean 3) as to wondrous healing powers of the neti pot, I purchased one yesterday. (Much to my husband's dismay.) I gotta tell you, for me, it actually works. For those of you unfamiliar with the benefits of this little homeopathic tool, you may find this video helpful.


14 comments:

Kris said...

ed does not use the 'pot' method, but a large spray bottle device that does the same thing...very gross, but works.
kw

Helen said...

Katdish,
Did this really work for you, or are you joking? I am expecting my autumn allergies to kick in soon (I am not kidding, I get bronchitis every year), and I would rather do a homeopathic remedy than more antibiotics. I am not anti antibiotics, I just am concerned about developing resistance to them and having nothing to help me if a bad infection comes along.
Goood luck with you allergies.
God Bless!
Helen

Anonymous said...

Nasal Washing Works During The Cold and Flu Season
My patients often say “you want me to do what” when I suggest nose washing for nasal congestion from colds and other infections. I explain why nasal washing makes so much sense, why it is safe, and why it is effective in reducing both the symptoms and the use of medications. I then demonstrate the simple technique to little ones as young as 2 and to folks up to age 90, they are then ready to try it. My patients require my services less often during the winter cold and flu season if they wash daily. You may think I am trying to put myself out of business but since my job is keeping people healthy and helping them feel better, I love teaching people how to wash his or her nose, I have been doing just this for more than 20 years.
With cold and flu season here, this is a wonderful time to share basic preventive health care. It has been clearly shown that daily nasal washing will reduce the number of infections a person experiences. Exposure to irritants such as bacteria and viruses causes swelling of the mucus membranes and an increase in mucus production as well as thicker and stickier mucus this results in abnormal environment. A buffered salt solution washes particles out, shrinks nasal membranes, increases the efficiency of the nose hairs, thins secretions and allows the tiny sinus openings to drain. Washing the body’s filter just makes sense!
Nasal washes are also useful for those who frequently encounter pollutants: allergy sufferers, firefighters, factory workers, farmers, gardeners, painters and exercise enthusiasts. People who are fed up with using too many medications sincerely appreciate the benefits of cleaning their nose. Almost daily, the news announces a medication is recalled, the side effects are too risky and most recently, children should NOT be given cold remedies. We have known for some time that over the counter cold remedies do not shorten the course of the cold. It is clear that antibiotics, decongestants, antihistamines as well as nasal steroids are over prescribed and overused. However, the side effects, the expense, the potential drug interactions AND the development of bacterial resistance is a concerning issue for our modern society. I tell my patients when discussing any recommended treatment option, “You should look at the pros and cons of each option offered to you prior to making your decision.” How can washing with buffered salt water cause any harm?
Nasal cleanliness is central to good health and is effective for anyone that wishes to prevent nasal woes or wishes to reduce their use of medications. It is important to have a system that makes washing easy, safe and effective. There are several methods currently available. For example, there is a squeeze bottle, a Neti pot and several squeeze bottles. The Nasopure delivery system that I personally developed to help my patients offers full control over pressure and flow and offers convenience. Pick the system that works for you because any washing is better than no washing.

People are more likely to wash their nasal passages if it is incorporated into their daily routine - like brushing teeth, washing hands, shampooing hair, and YES: Nasal Washing!

Jeff said...

Wow- I can't match an honest-to-goodness medical endorsement. But I will say, for our family, it works. All of our allergy and sinus-related symptoms have decreased. And, the bottom line: we just feel better.

At roughly the cost of a decent sized box of over-the-counter allergy meds, it's worth a try.

Plus, the very act of using the Neti Pot brings on, as an added bonus, a healthy dose of humility.

And we can all use that.

katdish said...

There you have it folks! One out of every, um, however many doctors there are, endorse the content provided on "Hey look a chicken". For the record, I checked out the doctor's website, and was actually quite impressed.

I'm lovin' me some nasal passage cleansing!

Anonymous said...

I'm going to have to say that I'm thoroughly disgusted by this whole thing! I'll try not to think less of you because of this. All I can picture is you doing everything in the video with the same bewildered expression as the lady they show.

But thanks for the compliment and I hope you're html coding successfully soon!

katdish said...

kris - "a large spray bottle device?"...I don't even want to know.

helen - it's helped me so far; I've only used it 3 times, but twice a year I suffer with allergies, and I don't like to take too many medicines. I'd give it a try.

jeff - speak for yourself. I'm plenty humble, just ask me.

vanity - yes, it's disgusting. There's just no way to look attractive with a big blue pot sticking out of your nose. Don't hate me because my nose is clean. You probably won't want to check back for my follow-up post: "Ear wax irrigation and its many benefits".

Jamie {See Jamie blog} said...

I haven't broken down and used one of these yet, but there are days I wish i had one! I do remember when I was a kid constantly had sinus issues & stopped up ears, that the doctor would have my mom give me warm saltwater nose drops. Same effect. Always felt better, but seems like it would gag me these days.

Hey, by the way, I'm reading a book I think you'd like: The Debt by Angela Hunt. It's basically about reevaluating whether what we're doing as a church is really reaching the ones that need to be reached.

Beth said...

1. How is it that I've never heard of these? I need one!

2. Since I see/touch/smell/wear poop 342 times a day, nothing you write will ever gross me out. I was actually considering writing a poop song today....but I don't think I can finish it before church tonight. Dang.

3. Can we overdub the video and replace the words "forcefully exhale" with my husband's favorite term "farmer blow"?

4. I'm happy I found your blog.

Mary Ann said...

Oh. My. Word.
I think I might have nightmares tonight.

I have always thought those sprays were oh...I don't know...satanish...but now, wow. Now, I don't even know what to think.

I'm a little speachless. I've seen a lot of things...but...

Anonymous said...

Actually, I might be interested in the ear thing. I'm OCD with the q-tips.

Mary Ann said...

Your prayers were heard. I had a neti nightmare free sleep last night.

I would be incredibly grateful to be put on your churches prayer anything!! I need em.' =)

Mary Ann said...

I was in such disgust and horror over the neti pot that i posted this video on my facebook page. Turns out my people use it!!!!!
Thank you for opening my eyes...

Beth E. said...

Hopped over here from Stacy's blog after seeing the link to your "Ode to the Neti Pot."

I loooove my Neti Pot. It has made a big difference with my allergies and has greatly lessened the frequency of sinus infections! I'm not sure about using the one she posted about...the thing that looks like it would shoot a jet stream into your brain! I'll stick with the original.

I loved the ode...just wanted to let you know!