Neti pot

[[File:Neti pot.jpg|right|thumb|165px|A classic neti pot.]][[File:NetiPot.jpg|right|thumb|165px|A more modern neti pot.]]
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A '''neti pot''' (sometimes also called '''nasal cup''' or '''''jala neti''''' (जलनेति)) is a small gravy bowl-like pot designed to 
drown you
 rinse the nasal cavity. Basically, you pour water (usually a saline solution) down one nostril, and it comes out the other together with the mucus (that is snot for you regular folks) and whatever else happens to be in your nose (such as a [[Fun:Monty Python|tape recorder]]). The practice has some real benefits — in medical literature, it's usually referred to as '''nasal irrigation''' or '''saline nasal irrigation''' — but there's also a rather large amount of [[woo]] attached to it.

==Real benefits==
There is decent evidence that it helps reduce the symptoms of allergies, sinusitis, rhinitis, and other nasal unpleasantries (such as the common cold),<ref>Harvey R, Hannan SA, Badia L, Scadding G. [http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD006394.pub2/abstract Nasal saline irrigations for the symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis]. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2007, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD006394. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD006394.pub2.</ref><ref>[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10892694 Clinical study and literature review of nasal irrigation].
Tomooka LT, Murphy C, Davidson TM. Laryngoscope. 2000 Jul;110(7):1189-93.</ref><ref>[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18025315 Nasal saline for chronic sinonasal symptoms: a randomized controlled trial]. Pynnonen MA1, Mukerji SS, Kim HM, Adams ME, Terrell JE. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2007 Nov;133(11):1115-20. PMID: 18025315 DOI: 10.1001/archotol.133.11.1115</ref><ref>David Rabago, Thomas Pasic, Aleksandra Zgierska, Marlon Mundt, Bruce Barrett, Rob Maberry, [http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0194599805002330 The Efficacy of Hypertonic Saline Nasal Irrigation for Chronic Sinonasal Symptoms], Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Volume 133, Issue 1, 2005, Pages 3-8, ISSN 0194-5998, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.otohns.2005.03.002.</ref> but it is important to realize that mucus does play an important role in our body's immune system, and long-term use is harmful and will ''increase'' the risk of rhinosinusitis (infected sinuses).<ref name="long-term">[https://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/neti-pots-ncient-ayurvedic-treatment-validated-by-scientific-evidence/ Neti pots – Ancient Ayurvedic Treatment Validated by Scientific Evidence], ''Science Based Medicine'', Harriet Hall, December 1, 2009</ref> Excessive short-term usage may also be harmful.

Short-term usage of a neti pot is safe, but only if the water has been boiled or adequately filtered (<1µm) before using — several deaths from the ''Naegleria fowleri'' amoeba have been reported.<ref>[http://www.nbcnews.com/_news/2011/12/16/9503070-neti-pots-linked-to-brain-eating-amoeba-deaths Neti pots linked to brain-eating amoeba deaths], NBC News, 16 Dec 2011</ref><ref>[http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/common-cold/expert-answers/neti-pot/FAQ-20058305 Neti pot: Can it clear your nose?], James TC Li, Mayo Clinic, Jan. 25, 2018</ref><ref>David Rabago, [https://web.archive.org/web/20090520091857/http://www.uspharmacist.com/continuing_education/ceviewtest/lessonid/105757 The Use of Saline Nasal Irrigation in Common Upper Respiratory Conditions]. Archived from the original at uspharmacist.com, 1 June 2008.</ref><ref>[https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2018/12/10/18134676/neti-pots-safety-brain-eating-amoeba A woman died of a brain-eating amoeba infection. The suspect: her neti pot.], Vox, 10 Dec 2018</ref>

The exact mechanism of efficacy isn't well understood, but it's probably due to the removal of mucus and/or irritants such as dust and pollen, meaning it's one of the few "detox" methods that actually works. For allergic rhinitis, however, it does not address the core reason behind them: blocked nasal passageways are from inflammation and swelling, not from excess mucus. Of course, it may not be possible to use when your nose is badly stuffed up, so even for its medically sound applications, it cannot be a [[cure-all]].

==Not real benefits==
The neti pot's origins are in [[yoga]] and [[Ayurvedic medicine]], which probably explains some of the woo that is attached to it.

There is no evidence that the neti pot can also ''prevent'' diseases (such as the common cold), as is often claimed. In fact, long-term usage is associated with ''increased'' infections of rhinosinusitis (infected sinuses).<ref name="long-term"/>

Using any liquid other than (distilled and possibly saline) water is also unlikely to provide additional benefits; some people apparently think it's a good idea to use cranberry juice or even urine.<ref>{{a|http://www.shape.com/lifestyle/mind-and-body/alternative-medicine-truth-about-neti-pot}}</ref> There's also a thing called "Super Neti Juice",<ref>{{a|http://www.healthalertstore.com/product-p/8702.htm}}</ref> which contains "[[Colloidal silver|elemental silver]], [[Real Water|de-ionized water]], peppermint oil and a surfactant". The peppermint oil may make for a nicer experience much like peppermint in toothpaste does, but you can pick up a bottle of that for a few dollars; no need to shell out $45 for it.

The full list of other health benefits touted by some woo-meisters is long, and includes (but is not limited to) weight loss, better circulation, smoke cessation, ear disorders, depression (and other mental illnesses), better smell, increased [[intelligence]], better eyesight, fewer wrinkles, less grey hair, "cooling and soothing effect on the brain", and "higher states of [[meditation]]".<ref>{{a|http://www.yoga-age.com/asanas/neti.html}}</ref><ref>{{a|http://dailydownwarddog.com/2011/03/neti-pot-confessions/}}</ref><ref>{{a|1=https://books.google.nl/books?id=IcRs9TyLfeIC&pg=PA8&lpg=PA8&dq=neti+pot+weight+loss&source=bl&ots=9nNoMBVLx1&sig=juRi-Qa_CsjFprDC2l3WZpxy2KM&hl=en&sa=X&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=neti%20pot%20weight%20loss&f=false}}</ref> All of this has no evidence whatsoever and is simply [[PIDOOMA|made up]].

==References== 
{{reflist|2|80%}}
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[[Category:Medicine]]
[[Category:Diet woo]]
[[Category:New Age]]

Categories: Medicine, Diet woo, New Age