# Neti Pot Flow **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 28, 2020, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neti-pot-flow/852753 "2020-04-28T17:25:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![rohit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/41988e/32.png) [@rohit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rohit)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2020, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neti-pot-flow/852753/1 "2020-04-28T17:25:12Z")
Hello All, I’ve been using the neti pot for a month. The water flows from left to right with ease but trickles or does not flow from right to flow. I do not have a blocked nose. I can breathe from both nostrils. In fact, I breathe easier from my right nostril. I use plain water (nothing added). Did anyone have the same problem? Any suggestions? ---
**Author:** ![BrickBat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac91a4/32.png) [@BrickBat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrickBat)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2020, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neti-pot-flow/852753/2 "2020-04-28T17:31:23Z")
> [@rohit](#): > > Hello All, > > I’ve been using the neti pot for a month. The water flows from left to right with ease but trickles or does not flow from right to flow. I do not have a blocked nose. I can breathe from both nostrils. In fact, I breathe easier from my right nostril. I use plain water (nothing added). > > Did anyone have the same problem? Any suggestions? I wish I knew. I have the same exact observation, though I use a saline additive to the water. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2020, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neti-pot-flow/852753/3 "2020-04-28T17:38:53Z")
This may be a hydrodynamics issue, with something preventing water from getting into the left side (although it can leave the right side), some tissue acting like a valve. That would explain why the water doesn’t flow but you can breathe better from the right nostril. Maybe you have a deviated septum. IANAD. Also you should use a saline solution that matches the salinity of the mucous membranes. Using plain water can irritate the membranes. IANAD. ---
**Author:** ![peedin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peedin/32/14095_2.png) [@peedin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peedin)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2020, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neti-pot-flow/852753/4 "2020-04-28T17:40:35Z")
Do not use plain tap water. Use distilled water and a saline additive made specially for neti pots/bottles. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2020, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neti-pot-flow/852753/5 "2020-04-28T17:56:23Z")
My PCP told me that the tap water issue depends on your latitude and local water supply. I can’t find a cite for this on my phone, but she’s pretty trustworthy. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2020, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neti-pot-flow/852753/6 "2020-04-28T18:23:36Z")
Regardless of your latitude and water supply, and whether you use distilled, boiled or straight from the tap water, you \*\*must \*\*use the saline packet (or make your own) otherwise you are completely defeating the purpose of the rinse. Like \*\*CookingWithGas \*\*said, you are irritating the thing you’re trying to soothe by using plain water. ---
**Author:** ![BrickBat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac91a4/32.png) [@BrickBat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrickBat)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2020, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neti-pot-flow/852753/7 "2020-04-28T20:02:52Z")
And do yourself a favor: if you’re going to use tap water, boil it for 5 or 6 minutes first. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2020, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/neti-pot-flow/852753/8 "2020-04-28T20:13:38Z")
Sell your neti pot on ebay and buy yourself a Water Pik adapter for nasal irrigation. [e.g. link](https://www.amazon.com/Washing-Waterpik-irrigator-WP-100-WP-450/dp/B01C4KX384)