Posts tagged ‘baraka neti pot’
How To Win the Sniffle Battle Naturally
Image Courtesy of www.telegraph.co.uk
Our immune systems are taking a hit this spring. Sniffles and coughs are rampant among my colleagues, family and even fellow MUNI passengers – and it seems that both allergies and persisting winter viruses are to blame. But instead of popping Benadryl like you do your daily multivitamin, try to bring your body back to balance the natural way. I have three chemical-free, healthy options that just might do the trick.
For stuffy noses and mucus, try flushing out your sinus and nasal passages with a Neti Pot. The warm saline mixture gently removes impurities so you can breath free and clear. I’ve been using one since last year and have seen the benefits firsthand (see my review on the great Baraka Neti Pot).
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An old wives’ tale claims that eating a spoonful of local honey lessens allergy symptoms. The reasoning behind this remedy is similar to homeopathy, in that you ingest small amounts of the substance (in this case, pollen in the honey for allergies) that is irritating you. If you live in the City, a great place to purchase local California honey is Beekind at the Ferry Building.
And lastly, I’ve become a big fan of Gaia Herbs’ organic Black Elderberry Syrup. Studies have shown that elderberry boosts the immune system and is full of anthocyanins, which are a class of powerful antioxidants that protect cells and help them heal. I’ve been swallowing a teaspoon of the syrup for a few days at a time when I feel a little rundown and have been able to keep colds and allergies at bay so far. Here’s to hoping you score some sniffle-free days!
A Breath of Fresh Air: Natural Cure for Pesky Seasonal Allergies
For the San Francisco girl, springtime brings sunnier skies, outdoor dinner dates, gorgeous blooms in Golden Gate Park…and the unfortunate arrival of seasonal allergies. If the idea of escaping from the winter flu only to encounter a daily stuffy nose or sinus congestion is enough to drive you back indoors, it’s time to look for a healthy solution that lets you embrace Mother Nature.
Instead of popping a pill, why not try an all-natural, centuries-old approach to curing your pollen woes? While perusing the aisles of my favorite alternative drugstore Pharmaca in Cole Valley, I came across the Baraka Sinus Care Kit. The set came complete with a Neti Pot, French Atlantic Sea Salt and Sinus Rejuvenating Oil, and has successfully buffered me against the severe allergy symptoms I typically battle during this time of year.
Image Courtesy of SinusSupport.com
Neti pots, which have been used for thousands of years by practitioners of Ayurveda and yoga, are teapot-like devices used to run a saline solution through the nasal passages. This practice, according to Baraka and alternative medicine practitioners, rinses out undesirable dust, pollen, mucous and other matter from the nose to maintain optimal, healthy breathing conditions. My soothing blue, ceramic Baraka Neti pot is made in the United States and is lead-free. In addition, the company, which is a small, U.S., woman-owned business, gets all of its salts and essential oils from sustainable sources – definitely a green biz model to support!
The whole nasal-rinsing process seemed intimidating at first, but now that I’ve gotten the hang of it and experienced the benefits firsthand (it has even helped with my minor sleep apnea), I’ve incorporated the Neti pot into my normal routine. I use it every other day (experiment to see what works best for you) and use the invigorating sinus oil daily whenever I feel an allergy-induced headache or nasal stuffiness coming on.
There are plenty of great videos online that make mastering the Neti pot easy (see Body+Soul’s demonstration), as well as a selection of Neti products favored by top green gurus such as Sophie Uliano. So treat yourself to a breath of fresh air this spring by splurging on a Neti pot of your choice!
**Additional tips: Make sure the water is warm (not hot!) and that you are using purified, distilled water, such as water from your Brita. High-quality salt from your local supermarket can be used, but I personally prefer Baraka’s French Atlantic Sea Salt, which is filled with minerals.
