How would you like to get rid of winter colds and summer allergies? How would you like to stop buying the usual cold medications and nasal sprays and save a little money? You can by regular use of a yoga cleansing technique called Neti.
Neti is a simple method of cleansing the nasal passages of daily dust and various allergens - before they end up in the lungs and eventually into the bloodstream (which then causes the body to react defensively to expel the invaders, hence, the cold or allergic reaction, sinus infections, etc.).
To perform Neti you will need a Neti pot (looks like a small teapot), some sea salt (any pure sea salt will do fine - but do not use the usual store-bought table salt), and warm water (tap water works fine for me, but if you're a purist use filtered or distilled water - warmed).
Some tips:
*Nasal passages are sensitive. Water too hot, or too cold, or not salty enough will be irritating. To find the right temperature, use Mom's trick of testing baby formula temperature by pouring some of the warm salted water on the palm side of your wrist. If it feels okay it will feel comfortable in the nasal passage.
*As you become used to the technique, learn to slowly draw the water down your throat as you pour, and then spit it out (don't swallow) for more thorough cleansing.
*Do bend over a few times afterward to eliminate excess water more thoroughly (and avoid a possibly embarrassing situation later when someone is watching you bend over to pick up a magazine!) :)