Springtime has always been my favorite season of the year. It brings to mind images of rolling grass hills, the perfumey scent of flowers in bloom, and melodious concerts of birds finally able to enjoy Seattle weather. But, when April rolled around this year, something strange happened. Around the time that my senses would usually be overwhelmed with springtime miracles, I instead heard, smelled, and saw only one thing: allergies.

At first, I was hesitant to accept my fate as prey to the evil institution of springtime congestion. Allergies have always been the complaint of boring, stuffy adults who couldn’t relate to my love of the season. So, in light of my new affliction, I have begun the search for an allergy solvent fit for someone not ready to give up her throne as daisy chain princess.

After careful consideration, I decided I would have the most fun ridding my head of its cluttered, I-was-just-on-an-airplane congestion by trying a nasal rinse. Also called a nasal irrigation, a nasal rinse is a solution of warm water, salt, baking soda, and other optional herbs that you pour into one nostril and let empty out the other. Its main use is to increase drainage of the sinuses, which leads to a plethora of relief from various sinus irritations.

This practice may seem a bit odd, but is actually part of an ancient yoga technique, Jala neti, which means “water cleansing.” Traditionally, one would use a neti pot, which is a small pot resembling a tea kettle. In parts of India and other Eastern cultures, performing a nasal rinse is a daily routine, as normal as washing one’s face would be to an American. Still, India is a weird place; in the Indian village of Deshnoke, there is a temple dedicated to worshipping rats! I decided I would have to try out this method of sinus cleansing myself.

For safety and simplicity’s sake I decided to make the most basic type of nasal rinse I could find: an isotonic saline solution. This solution is made up of warm water, salt, and baking soda and is similar to the concentration of our body’s natural fluids.

Since I don’t have a neti pot or really any kind of pot because I tried this in my single dad’s unequipped kitchen, I first tried to pour the solution into my nostril by placing a cut-off straw in a mug. This turned out to be a horrible mistake that resulted in salt water in my eyes, nose, and throat and lots of misplaced snot.

Instead, I used my hands to filter the solution into my nose, which turned out to be slightly more successful. Initially, the salt was still uncomfortable, but a few minutes later (and after some serious nose blows) I could feel my nasal passages beginning to clear up.

I had truly forgotten about the glory of breathing through my mouth and my nose, so all in all the experience was worth while. A more suitable pouring device would surely enhance the experience, but I still don’t know if I will be joining the ranks of an ancient yoga master just yet.