A sinus wash with a Neti pot is recommended as part of your personal hygiene regimen. Daily is great (like brushing your teeth), but even a couple of times a week will make a difference in the health of your sinus cavity.
Routinely flushing your nasal passages relieves nasal dryness and allergy symptoms as well as discomforts from a cold, like excess mucus and congestion.
Here is a fantastic YouTube video with Dr. Oz and Oprah Winfrey in which they explain the benefits of using the neti pot, and this step-by-step video is a great tutorial on how to use the Neti pot. The instructions begin at 0:53 minutes if you want to skip past the intro.
Adding Hydrosols to the Neti Pot
In addition to using a saline solution, I like to add organic hydrosols to my sinus wash. Use only hydrosols from suppliers you trust. They can grow mold if not stored properly. And for Heaven’s sake, DO NOT use essential oils in the neti pot! They are far too concentrated to use directly on delicate mucous membranes. You only have to try it once to understand how true this is. Your nasal passages will burn like fire and your eyes will water. Listen to your body.
A hydrosol is the aromatic water that results from steam distilling plant material. The best hydrosols, and the only ones I use are not “by-products of distillation” but are produced from a distillation where the objective is the production of gorgeous aromatic water: hydrosol. In that type of distillation, the essential oil becomes the by-product. You can read an earlier, detailed post about hydrosols called What is a Hydrosol?.
Each hydrosol has it’s own unique set of therapeutic benefits as well as being extremely gentle and nourishing for the body. Adding them to your sinus wash will enhance the experience.
How Much Hydrosol in the Neti Pot?
I recommend 1 part hydrosol to 2 parts tepid distilled water. Any stronger and it may be uncomfortable.
Which Hydrosols to Use in a Neti Pot?
We are fortunate to have so many wonderful organic aromatic waters to choose from in today’s market. My favorites to use for a sinus wash are:
- Lavender: A classic. Calming, soothing, nourishing.
- German Chamomile: Helps with infection and inflammation.
- Myrrh and/or Frankincense: Calming, anti-inflammatory, wound healing
- Cornflower: Combine with Lavender for nourishing and cleansing wounds.
- Sweetgrass: Gentle, nourishing, balancing
- Yarrow: Antibacterial, antiseptic, helps stop bleeding
- Rose: Cooling, nourishing, relaxing, uplifting
Where to purchase excellent hydrosols?
Personally, I buy my hydrosols from NaturesGift.com since I know where the owner, Marge Clark purchases them and am familiar with her hydrosol storage practices and know that her standards are incredibly high.
Your use of hydrosols in your neti pot sounds like a pretty relieving experience. It’s great to find a seller whose standards you are familiar with and approve of as well.
Thanks Christina! Have you tried hydrosols in a net pot yet? It’s terrific for your sinuses.
I’ve never tried a neti pot, much less with hydrosols, so this is definitely something I will have to incorporate into my treatment regimen. Thanks so much for sharing!
Hi Heather, take your time getting used to the neti pot, but begin now! You will find it may change your life 🙂 Liz
I like your tip about adding organic hydrosols to your sinus wash with a Neti Pot. I’ve noticed that during the winter, my sinuses really start to act up and get really dry. I’d like to try something new like an irrigation system or maybe adding hydrosols. It seems like you’d feel so much better after a good rinse.
Hi Lucy, If your sinuses get dry, then stick with Lavender, Calendula or Geranium hydrosols with your Neti Pot. And remember to keep putting the saline in the distilled water, even when you add they hydrosols! Liz