Neti Pot Support Lyme Detox This Spring

My Neti pot gets regular use to detox and move mucus all spring long. Do you deal with stuffiness in the spring? Is it part of Lyme or due to diet, allergies or an everlasting spring cold? Everything is in bloom and pollen is everywhere. It can be hard to tell whether Lyme is involved or not.

Lyme symptoms are many and in part a reflection of individual body and experience.  Lyme and co-infections exploit the individual weaknesses we all have.  I design my detox and my symptom management based on what actually is going on.  Allergies and sinus infections are one of my weaknesses.

I was always snotty in the spring especially for as long as I can remember.  What I mean by that is often from March until July, my sinuses were clogged or running.   I need to take care of my sinuses, and manage mucus.  In my study of Ayurveda I learned foods and self care to dry things up.

When Lyme hit, the snottiness resumed. Constant sinus inflammation increased pressure and tooth pain in my upper teeth. Initially I didn’t make the connection, I just figured my allergies were flaring. After all not everything that goes wrong is due to Lyme disease and co-infections.  Later I learned that sinus infections and sinusitis are associated with Lyme. So I redoubled my self-care to get this under control.

Salt Water works to carry toxins out

So I got out my neti pot.  I do a regular sinus rinse with salt water, and oil my nostrils.  The salt water is warm and soothing and helps mobilize mucus and release pressure. This process helps move out some of the excess mucus in the nasal area, and by extension, benefits my eyes, ears, throat, and entire body.

Neti pots come in many designs made from a variety of materials. I have a plastic one, because it is unbreakable and won’t react with the salt water it will be filled with. The salt creates a higher osmotic pressure than water alone, which helps nasal and sinus fluids flow into the water and get flushed out, rather than absorb the water and stay put. You want to flush the mucus and any toxins out of your body.

Click this link to see a detailed procedure on neti pot use.

Key things to remember when using a Neti Pot to Detox

• Water Temp

I like the temperature about body temperature or a little warmer.  Too cold will not move the mucus as well.  Too hot burns. I have an electric tea kettle just for my bathroom, where I heat the distilled water.  Then I combine hot and cold distilled for just the right temperature. Test the temp on your wrist before you start.

• Remember the Salt

Sea Salt is the salt of choice, not idodized or mineral salt. Plain water is dehydrating and irritates your nose and sinus tissues.

• Use distilled water.

Distilled water is tested and pure. No worries about metals or parasites so near your brain.  It is only a buck a gallon and well worth it for safety.

• Breathe through your mouth

Always breathe through your mouth while you are pouring water into your nose, otherwise you will suck the water into your throat and gag.  That is just not fun.

• Clean up your pot

Wash, rinse and drain the pot after each use.

• Oil your nostrils

Keep the area from drying out.  This is most important if you use a neti pot more than three times a week. Click this link to find out more about sinus lubrication.

 

Great Times to break out the Neti Pot to Detox

Feeling Stuffy

I jump right on the neti.  A rinse or two deescalates potential clogging

After a Flight

I travel with the salt and pot and pick up the water where I go. Airplanes recirculate the air.  The neti cleans out any gifts from the passenger sneezing in the seat next to yours.

After Yard work

It is easy to stir up dust dirt and mold doing yard work.  Wash that out before you go to sleep that night.

Put the tools you need in place to detox from pollen this spring.  This helps keep inflammation down and mucus at bay.  Do you have natural ways to deal with spring allergies, Please share in the comments below.

The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional medical care, treatment or advice. All the material here is for information purposes only. Always share strategy and work with your health care team.