@thehookster: I have not managed to find the liquid additive yet…but may just try the cayenne liquid extract with it…Yes…I will be ordering some soon! @sandy130674: I am a firm believer in the “What comes out should stay out” theory…Thanks for that tip(I think!) 
The Wiz!
IMHO the best quality neti-pots seem to be of the ceramic variety. The plastic ones seem to corrode a bit- I can sense a slight plastic smell after months of use. Metal pots can rust at welded areas. I’d rather not take the chance with it- safe or not. Ceramic does the job, is cheap, and if taken proper care will not chip or crack.
Several forum members recommended a neti pot to me about a week ago, as I was suffering from severe congestion and nosebleeds every day for about a week. I’ve used it every evening since then, and I haven’t had a single nosebleed, and my ability to appreciate snuff has improved dramatically. It’s a strange sensation, but I can’t imagine being without one, and using it everyday now that I’ve discovered it. Highly recommended, but make sure you use a saline solution as opposed to straight water. I use packets that cost about $5 for 100, and use 1/2 packet each time I use it. I tried the urine thing, but I’m just ever so slightly anatomically deficient to make that work ; ) Mine is an inexpensive plastic device. The neti pot, that is.
Packets are a rip off. Neti Pot salt in a tub is cheap. Kosher salt is cheaper still. Any non-iodized salt will work, but get it as pure as possible.
Neil Med is giving theirs away for free, with a two sample packs, via Facebook, US and Canada only, I think, which is unfortunate, but thought some here might be interested. Current “fans” of Neil Med are not eligible, it seems.
Roderick, I’ve got this one: [url=http://www.emser.de/seiten/produkte/emser\_produkte\_index2.html]http://www.emser.de/seiten/produkte/emser\_produkte\_index2.html[/url]. It is not shaped like a pot but is easy to use. You can increase the rinsing pressure by squeezing the pot, which is great for cleaning deeper regions and opening blocked nostrils. I use it about every four days.
I consider around 3 times a week to be a good number. Some use it daily, some use it once a week or never. Honestly each person is different, use your best judgement and if you doubt that consult your doctor. Ken
I used a different neti pot than I usually do (a real one, not the ‘masaline’ thing I have) and (because I don’t happen to have any special neti pot type handy) a heaping 1/4 teaspoon of regular table salt in an 8 ounce glass of warm water, noticed the real neti pot was surprisingly nicer to use than my usual thing, nice mild pleasing ‘been swimming in a chlorine pool’ mild effect and all was well… so I thought… about an hour later someone was here helping me with things and I went out on the balcony to get out of the way and took my snuffbox of WE Garrett with me and took some out there and was overcome by the smell of a landfill, so much so I complained to my caregiver about it and asked her if she had any idea what stank so badly outside, even had her go out on the balcony with me and I could tell she was not smelling what I was smelling she kinda gave me one of those “I’m worried about you” looks but just said “I dunno, maybe that build site over there” (but it was like a very nice subtle “oookay”) and I can see why, because I came back inside and sniffed more WE Garrett and have had the exact same landfill smell and that’s when I realized that its coming from my WE Garrett (which is very unfortunate as its been my stable snuff) Its only JUST now several hours later coming around to where it sorta smells a little like a hint of the old trusty WE Garrett (under the landfill)… I grabbed another scotch and it was a bit better but still weird. If I hadn’t had my snuffbox right on my desk and then in my hand and in my sight at all times I’d swear somebody did something to it, that’s how strong its been. Other snuffs, FUBAR Grunt, etc, have still smelled okay during this. I guess the moral of the story is don’t use regular salt in your neti pot. This is the first (and hopefully last) time I’ve ever had a WE Garrett “turn on me” minute.
Regular table salt contains iodine which you shouldn’t be sticking up your nose. I don’t know if that accounts for the bad smells, but I would assume so. Kosher salt, and other non-iodine containing salts would be better for use in your neti pot.
I actually drop some snuff in my neti along with the salt. I usually use a scotch or sweet, it ads some kick to the neti.
I have been using it a Walgreens one for a couple of weeks with the packages that come with it. I do notice an unpleasant smell after using it. Not too bad but noticeable. And I guess I dislike the whole process but it seems to be worth it based on the curd that comes out.
I have two Neti pots. One is ceramic and I use it to rinse my nose. The other is a plastic contraption, almost like a baby’s feeding bottle. I fill it with Levi Garrett and, with the"spout" up my nose, gently squeeze it in order to get the snuff in my nose. By using this “neti” I easily get up to 30g of snuff up each of my nostrils. Because I’m not sniffing, there is no chance for the snuff to hit the back of my throat. However, I’ve noticed a tobacco smell/taste in my tears and my eyes seems to be a bit dull after I’ve filled up my nose. I reckon that’s a small enough price to pay for such a handy tool.
bruteforce&ignorance you have cheese byproducts in your nose. That is really gross. Makes me affraid to try a neti pot. Just had to tease because the mental image of curd from a nose is kind of amazing, guess that is what happens when you snuff too much cheese and bacon.
Good one, bob, but that would be milk byproduct. Cheese is past the curd stage. Just to make things clear, it was a metaphor. Gross indeed.
ah never claimed to be a dairiest. Still nice image. I get the metaphor thing for sure. I have to say if I’am at your house ever and you ask if I want milk in my coffee I’ll be afraid to say yes.
Recieved my free neti pot from Neil Med today. What a wonderful device!
I’m waiting on my free neti pot. Hope it does actually get here.
Free? I paid $25 a couple weeks ago for that very same Neil Med neti pot. D’oh!
Got mine a couple days ago, too! @nelsonpipeclub: It was a free promo through Facebook, If the others got theirs the same way I did.
Roderick Dec 7th 2009 I use mine daily and swear by it. I was going to offer them for sale, however I wasn’t happy with the quality of the ones I was being offered from the trade. If anyone knows of some good quality neti-pots, please let me know.
http://www.bestcare-uk.com/netipot.htm these look pretty nice… silk-screen a toque logo on there and you’d be right as rain