And the best part? It’s cheap and doesn’t require a prescription.
Cold and flu season is upon us. Even if you got a flu shot and stocked up on vitamins, the stress of the holidays with sudden weather changes can still leave you sick in bed. But, who’s got the time to be sick? One of the most effective and oldest ways to fight off colds and allergies might surprise you: nasal saline irrigation, better known as neti pots. If you’ve never used one, the practice involves flushing your nasal passages with a saltwater solution, physically removing mucus, viruses, allergens, and other environmental irritants.
“Not only does nasal saline irrigation decrease the duration of illness, it also reduces viral transmission to other people, minimizes the need for antibiotics, and could even lower a patient’s risk of hospitalization. Better yet, it costs pennies and doesn’t require a prescription,” says physician Mary J. Scourboutakos, MD, PhD.
The concept isn’t new, as neti pots date back to 15th-century India and the ancient Ayurvedic tradition. Greek and Roman physicians had similar devices, and medical journals, including The Lancet, discussed nasal saline irrigation over a century ago.
Modern studies support the effectiveness of the ancient health practice. One 2024 study of more than 11,000 people found that starting nasal saline irrigation at the first sign of symptoms and doing it up to six times per day cut the duration of illness by about two days.
You can easily pick up a neti pot online or at stores like CVS, Target, Amazon, or Walmart, making this timeless ritual a cheap and accessible weapon against seasonal sickness.
