Ask the experts: What is a neti pot, and can it help improve chronic bad breath?
A neti pot is a small container
with a spout that distributes
warm water mixed with
salt into your nostrils. With regular
use, it can help freshen your
breath. Yogis and Ayurvedic practitioners
have used nasal cleansing,
known as neti, for thousands of
years to help relieve sinus and
nasal congestion, infections,
postnasal drip, and headaches.
Usually made of ceramic, a
typical neti pot holds 2/3 cup of
water and 1/8 tablespoon of salt,
tea, or an herbal-saline solution.
Depending on your dosha (an
Ayurvedic term that refers to your
constitution), different salts and
herbs can be added to the neti pot.
(Determine your dosha by visiting
the Ayurveda Holistic Community
at ayurvedahc.com, the Chopra
Center at chopra.com, or whats
yourdosha.com). To relieve congestion,
if you're a vata dosha (slight
frame, dry skin, nervous energy) or
pitta dosha (medium build, fiery
personality, energetic), you would
add sea salt or grey salt; if you're a
kapha dosha (big-boned, easygoing,
methodical), you would add
cinnamon and cloves.
To use the neti pot, place the
spout in one nostril, tilt your head
slightly to the opposite side, and
gently pour the warm fluid so it
runs in one nostril and out the
other. Blow your nose to discharge
any remaining liquid, then repeat
on the other nostril. Start with a
small quantity of water until you
feel comfortable with the full dose.
After flushing, sniff a few drops
of nasya oil (a sesame-, olive-, or
sunflower-based oil with low concentrations of eucalyptus, rose, or
mint essential oils) to protect your
nasal membranes.
-David Simon, M.D., medical
director and cofounder of the Chopra
Center for Wellbeing and author of
The Ten Commitments: Translating
Good Intentions into Great Choices
