At this point, I have never worked with COVID-19, though I have dealt with flus and colds. I know the COVID-19 is different from the common flu but both present uncomfortable symptoms and the body needs support during these times. As we are all preparing for a time of social distancing, our health care system will become overwhelmed and taxed, along with disruption to our food and medicine supply chains. So, I want to share some supportive remedies that you can find in your kitchen cupboard or growing in your backyard that provide some relief. These tips are not to replace medical attention: if you are in respiratory distress ~ seek medical immediately attention, go the ER!

I just want to give you some tools that can be found in your home to empower you, so you don’t have to venture too far away from home during this period of social isolation. I will be sharing our family’s remedies that help ease discomforts experienced during flu and cold season.

Through the years, we all develop our favorite “go to” remedies. They sit on our top shelf (literally or figuratively); soothing and providing relief for what ails us. Then, as we explore and experiment, sometimes they are replaced with new “go to” and move to our handy toolbox of remedies.  The neti pot is one of those remedies that I recently pulled out of my toolbox.

Years ago, before I learned about the magical powers of Goldenrod (Solidago, spp.), I  would get a postnasal drip each Fall from seasonal allergies that developed into sinus infections and splitting headaches. I was miserable. My life changed when I was introduced to the neti pot. A neti pot is a small pot made from ceramic or a lightweight plastic. It holds a warm saline solution that you pour into and flows through your nasal passages. The pot has a handle with a small, narrow spout that you put into one nostril. It looks like a genie’s lamp. Neti pots are used primarily for nasal cleansing, rinsing or nasal irrigation. They also help remove pollen, pollutants, allergens, relieve dryness, and it basically cleans out the snot.

Over the years, the neti pot was there when I needed it and was the only thing I used or needed for my allergies during my pregnancy and while my son was nursing. After, I discovered Goldenrod for my allergies, I needed the neti pot less and less, and so it went into my toolbox. However, this winter I had brutal headaches across my eyes, from ear to ear, no mucus or runny nose; it just felt like my head was in a vise grip. It was almost impossible for me to concentrate or execute tasks competently.   I did feel a little pressure in my ears, so I decided to give the neti pot a try. And folks, what a brilliant idea it was! Always go with your instincts. The relief was almost instantaneous, thank goodness.

If you have pressure around your sinuses or face, sinus headaches, a crushing headache over your eyes, allergies, postnasal drip, or just feel like you are coming down with a cold, I encourage you to try a neti pot. You can purchase one at most drug stores, supermarkets, co-ops or health food stores. Some come with a saline solution kit, but simple kosher salt and water works great. Some people suggest sea salt, but I found that sea salt crystals do not dissolve easily and you must be diligent to ensure that all the crystals dissolve, if not, the process could become uncomfortable and irritate your nasal cavities. Kosher salt dissolves more easily than sea salt in warm water.

How to use the Neti Pot:

Step 1                                                                                                                                  Mix ¼ tsp. of non-iodized or kosher salt with a cup of warm water in the neti pot until all the salt crystals have dissolved.  It is important that your water is safe from all pathogens. If you are unsure, boil it and let it cool until it is lukewarm (boiling also helps the salt dissolve faster). Always make sure the saline solution is adequately cool, don’t overdo the salt and if there is any pain or discomfort discontinue use immediately ~ it should soothe, never burn or irritate.

Step 2                                                                                                                                  Tilt your head over the sink, keeping the nostril you are treating pointing towards the upper corner of the wall across from you, tuck your chin in a little.

Step 3                                                                                                                              Gently, insert the neti pot spout into your nostril, and allow the solution to gently flow into the nostril. The solution should flow through the first nostril and exit through the second nostril. If the solution goes down your throat, stop and tilt your head a little (chin in, nostril towards the top portion of the opposite wall), slowly adjust your head until all of the solution has flowed out your second nostril. If your nostrils are very clogged, be patient, the solution will eventually trickle through and then eventually flow.

Step 4                                                                                                                         Once you have emptied the neti pot, bend over the sink and blow three times to clear excess water and mucus from nostrils. Wipe with tissue.

Step 5                                                                                                                             Repeat step 1 – 4 on other nostril

Step 6                                                                                                                          When both nostrils are done, bend over as if you are touching your toes and hang your head down for a minute or so to encourage all the liquid to flow out your nostrils, blow gently into a tissue. If you are adventurous, for postnasal drip with a cough, you can make a strong tea of Plantain (Plantago, spp.) leaves. Strain it through a coffee filter ~ you do not want any plant material in your sinuses. Then mix with a ¼ tsp. of salt and flush your sinuses to heal irritated tissues. Plantain is an early spring plant and is currently growing in the northeast, please use a field guide to make sure you correctly identified it and collect away from roads and sidewalks where dogs make their deposits. You do not want to collect from polluted areas.

Narrow Leaf Plantain is coming up now in my yard. Broad leaf and Rugel’s Plantain will come up a bit later. They are all medicinal and can be used interchangeably.

If you can’t find a neti pot, a nice long hot shower is always helpful to loosen up everything, let the water run down your face and then you can blow you nose in the shower to get the snot out.

May you find relief.

How do you relieve sinus pressure? Please share and I will continue to share.

All information is shared for educational purposes only and has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.