How Effective Is the Neti Pot?
It is not often that a practice or treatment from alternative medicine becomes generally accepted and endorsed by the medical community. The use of a
neti pot is a good example of such a practice. An important part of Ayurvedic medicine, the neti pot is a treatment that many healthcare providers have now embraced.
In general, there is growing evidence that
nasal irrigation methods (such as the neti pot) are useful for a few different conditions.
Neti Pot and Scientific Evidence
Studies suggest that using nasal irrigation three times a day can significantly reduce the symptoms of
allergies and may reduce the need for oral antihistamine allergy medications. Studies also suggest that nasal irrigation can help with
chronic sinusitis (chronically inflamed and swollen sinuses), especially when used with other medicines.
Studies have also demonstrated the usefulness of nasal irrigation for treating upper respiratory tract infections such as the
common cold or
the flu. Early evidence suggests that nasal irrigation (especially with a device that creates a stream, such as a neti pot) can help reduce the hospital stay and doctor visits after nasal surgery.
It should be noted that there is little evidence to suggest that any particular form of nasal irrigation is clearly more beneficial than others. Therefore, choice of irrigation devices or techniques should be guided by personal preference.
