With the holidays comes the dreadful winter sniffles—neti pot to the rescue! You may have heard Oprah or Dr. Oz mention the wonders of the neti pot. (For the un-initiated, some research has indicated that using a neti pot may help to reduce sinus congestion and other symptoms of allergies or cold. Always consult with a medical professional before beginning any treatment.) If you’re in the market for one, look no further: Baraka makes awesome neti pots, and they’re produced locally in Sebastopol, California! Baraka uses food-grade ceramic glazes on lightweight stoneware to turn out really beautiful, hand-crafted neti pots that you can even pop into the microwave and dishwasher. Follow our little step-by-step for how to use your new neti:

1. Fill your neti pot to just below the lip with distilled or boiled water, cooled to room temperature.

 2. Add a heaping ½ teaspoon of mineral sea salt (Baraka offers a few great varieties). Stir until the salt is thoroughly dissolved.

 3. Bend over a sink or tub and turn your head to one side.

 4. Keeping the pot level, place the spout into your top nostril until it fits snugly.

 5. Breathe through your mouth and slowly tip your head downward, allowing warm water to travel up through your sinuses and out the other nostril.

 6. You may need to adjust the angle of your head slightly in order to allow the water to flow out of the other nostril.

 7. Use half the water and repeat on the other side.

 8. Blow your nose gently to remove excess water and mucous.

 9. Once you’re done, it is helpful to bend over at the waist (with the top of your head pointed towards floor) and exhale to release any trapped water.