Neti Pot

[Jeepers]

I heard a report today concerning Neti Pots and tap water. I Googled it and most of the info is over 5 years old. I don't know why I never heard about it. Or maybe I did and forgot. Sigh.

 

Anyway, all of the consensus' were to always use boiled, sterilized or distilled water in the Neti Pots. I have used one many years ago and used tap water as the directions stated. To be honest, I rarely get colds or sinus issues any more so I don't ever remember I even have one.

 

Supposedly, there are microbes and nasties in tap water that can be introduced into the sinus cavity which is close to the brain. Two people have been thought to have contracted brain eating disease, and died, and it was contributed to using a Neti Pot with tap water.

 

Just throwing it out there. Most older Neti Pot instructions say to use warm tap water. If you use a Neti Pot just make sure to use sterile water to be safe.

 

 

Now I'm wondering if room temp water will be okay as opposed to warmed water. I'm thinking of a stinging effect. Warm water is so soothing. If anyone tries it, be sure to report in.

[TheCG]

 

 

Now I'm wondering if room temp water will be okay as opposed to warmed water. I'm thinking of a stinging effect. Warm water is so soothing. If anyone tries it, be sure to report in.

I have a NasoPure (same theory, different design). I use it with room temperature distilled water from the jug. Definitely not as soothing.

[Jeepers]

Thanks The CG. It just entered my mind as I was typing the post that the instructions say to use warm water. Mine is pretty old so the instructions are old too.

[The WE2's]

We each have one (of our own) but have never used them. We use the inhaler machine (from WM) where we can add menthol or ??? and stick our whole face in the mask (or just our nose in the nasal mask) and inhale. It really opens things up. When I was a kid, mom heated a pan of water, put some vicks in it, set it in a pillow case, and we stuck our heads inside and took breathing treatments. Those were the days? LOL

[Jeepers]

We did the same thing with Vicks back in the day too. Only we put a towel over our head and leaned over the pan.

 

If I was really sick mom would rub some Vicks on my chest and put a piece of cloth on top to keep my jammies and the bed from getting greasy. That stuff can get messy.

 

They used to have those Vicks inhalers too. They looked about like a tube of lipstick. We'd take one to bed with us and snort it through the night. LOL. I don't even know if they still make them.

 

I've heard that coroners and morgue workers will put a smear of Vicks on their upper lip under their nose to help mask 'difficult' odors. Aren't you glad you mentioned Vicks?

[TheCG]

We did the same thing with Vicks back in the day too. Only we put a towel over our head and leaned over the pan.

 

If I was really sick mom would rub some Vicks on my chest and put a piece of cloth on top to keep my jammies and the bed from getting greasy. That stuff can get messy.

 

They used to have those Vicks inhalers too. They looked about like a tube of lipstick. We'd take one to bed with us and snort it through the night. LOL. I don't even know if they still make them.

 

I've heard that coroners and morgue workers will put a smear of Vicks on their upper lip under their nose to help mask 'difficult' odors. Aren't you glad you mentioned Vicks?

Yes, they do still make those. There's also versions using just essential oils. :-)

[Jeepers]

Thanks CG. I never thought to look for them in stores. Actually, I haven't even thought about them for decades.

[TheCG]

Thanks CG. I never thought to look for them in stores. Actually, I haven't even thought about them for decades.

I keep the ones with essential oils in my purse and travel bags. Such a little thing, but it can make a big difference.

[The WE2's]

Saw an article recently where they put hot water and vicks (or menthol rub from $Tree) in ice trays and put them in the freezer. When they take a shower, they drop one on the shower mat and they have a nice mentolatum-type sauna! Wonder if it will clog up drains? I buy a cheapy shower liquid and put a few drops of eucalyptus in it...use it on my scrubby. Feels and smells so good!

[Daelith]

I've always used distilled water with my neti pot. I pop it in the microwave for 20 -25 seconds to warm it up. Much better than cold.

Been using it quit a bit lately since our weather here is acting like it's spring. We had a high of 79 the other day. My Azaleas are blooming.

[The WE2's]

Not sure if we had the flu or just a cold turned bronchitis, but it's lasted nearly 5 weeks! It's the coughing fits that continue. We did find a wonderful helper for the coughing...and really got us over the hump! It's Mullein Leaf and we make a tea. The recipe I've been using: Two small cups of water (I use my microwave coffee pot) with 3 slivers of fresh ginger diced up into small pieces...bring it to a boil, and boil for one minute. Then 2 teaspoons of Mullein Leave, I just put it in my coffee pot strainer and perk it...otherwise use a tea ball. Let it perk for one minute and then steep for about 5 minutes to cool down a bit. Then in each cup I put 1 teaspoon of lemon juice and 2 tablespoons of honey (you may like it sweeter) and then using a very fine mesh strainer, I pour the tea mixture into each cup.