I also take pseudoephedrine when things get bad. I'm not trying to push a natural stuff only approach.
The neti pot really seems to reduce the odds that sinus congestion will spiral into a terrible sinus headache.
Do be aware of the need to use sterilized water to avoid a possible dangerous infection, though. Distilled water is the easiest way.
It must be noted that the infection is incredibly rare and requires multiple conditions (like dysfunction of the immune system, unsafe tap water...)
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naegleria_fowleri#Pathogenicit...
- https://charlotte.floridahealth.gov/newsroom/2023/03/DOHChar...
For example here in France tap water is disinfected with chlorine and hot water must be heated to at least 50°C which is enough to kill the microorganism.
On the other hand, depending how the distilled water is sourced (container bought in a supermarket...) & used (opened/closed daily...), it can actually create a much riskier source of infection.
A run-of-the-mill bacterial infection is much more common. There's more than one type of infection you can give yourself by putting water into your sinuses.
You're correct that it does require a source of the pathogen, be it the water, a poorly cleaned neti pot, or the interior of your nostril.
Guess I didn’t know how to properly use it, since I gave myself an awful sinus infection and was bedridden for next two weeks. To this day it’s the worst I’ve ever felt. Never touching a neti pot since then :/
Always distilled water, though. It’s not worth waiting to boil the water, let it cool down, and then manage the dish used after. It’s also easy to get just the right temperature using distilled water in the microwave.
I'm 58 now and I haven't had bronchitis like I used to since.
My theory is that it not only washes out stuff that might lead to infection, but also keeps your membranes from drying out and cracking, opening a vector for them.