Breathe, breathe in the air...

....don't be afraid to care. 

(I prefer the Open Door version of this Pink Floyd song.)

Today I received a fat little envelope from America through the post. Inside were some special salts for my newly aquired Neti Pot.These were very kindly sent to me by a lovely lady from Ravelry so that I could try them out.

I purchased my neti pot after I had a sinus infection and straight afterwards a heavy cold and I was getting fed up with being blocked up, having restricted breathing that was affecting my sleep and most of all, because I am vain, having a red, sore and flaky nose. I had been taking medication but I don't like taking medication for a prolonged time as I don't think it's very good for you. I heard about the neti pot on Ravelry too, where a number of members were extoling its virtues. I found one on Amzaon for about £3.00 so I thought I'd give it a go. The particular one I purchased did not come with any instructions. There are some on the actual Amazon listing which I used in order to prepare the saline rinse. 

The saline nasal rinse is basically made with 500ml of boiled water with 1 teaspoon of sea salt dissolved into it, which has been allowed to cool until it is body temperature. I didn't have a thermometer so I just allowed the water to cool for 15 minutes and it felt like a safe temperature. 

My first few attempts at using the neti pot were not very successful so I decided to see if there were any video demonstrations on YouTube. I found this video commercial to be the best. Soon I was pouring the saline solution into one nostril and out of the other with ease.

I was really impressed with the results and the amount of mucus removed in the first instance, it made a big difference to my breathing straight away. I am trying to use it regularly now in the hope that it will stave off  further colds and sinus infections.

I am looking forward to trying these sachets to see if they are any different to using home made saline.