While there are plenty of treatments for nasal allergies, also called allergic rhinitis, there is one in particular that’s both popular and drug-free: the neti pot. If it works for you, say sayonara to runny nose, sneezing, and itchy nostrils.

A neti pot is a small vessel with a spout. You fill it with about 4 ounces of a mixture of warm water and salt. Always follow the box instructions on how to administer the solution but, in general, the liquid flows into one nostril, through the nasal passages, and out the other nostril. The salt solution loosens mucus to relieve congestion and clears out allergens, such as pollen or pet dander. And voila — allergy relief.

The neti pot is an alternative allergy treatment with many advantages — it’s easy, cheap, and safe, according to Andy Nish, MD, a board-certified pediatrician and allergist-immunologist practicing in Gainesville, Ga. In terms of effectiveness, research has shown that it works better than saline nasal sprays and can help reduce symptoms even as a stand-alone treatment, though it seems to works best in combination with other treatments. Despite its benefits, neti pots don’t work for everyone. The only way to truly find out if it's a viable option for you is to try it.

How the Neti Pot Works for Allergy Relief

Allergies flare when your body recognizes certain substances, such as pollen, mold, or pet dander, and triggers an immune response to protect itself. The beauty of the neti pot is its simplicity: Using it removes the substances that are causing the unwanted response. Inhaled pollen, for example, sits on the inner lining of the nose, called nasal mucosa. Then that pollen breaks down and comes into contact with mast cells, which are part of the immune system. The contact causes the release of histamine, which in turn triggers nasal allergy symptoms such as sneezing, itching, and a runny nose. Flushing out the pollen or other allergen before it causes problems, he says, should help.

Tips for Neti Pot Use

For allergy relief, you’ll typically use a neti pot twice a day — morning and night. Since this therapeutic treatment is pretty safe, as long as you clean it properly, and relatively inexpensive, you can use it more often. However, Nish cautions to do so only if it’s noticeably helping.

We usually think of medication as the best way to treat allergies, but sometimes the best medicine can come in an alternative format. A neti pot may relieve congestion and treat your other nasal allergy symptoms without need for medication. If you’re looking for a new way to manage your allergy-induced discomfort, a neti pot might be a great fit for you. It's certainly worth a try — you have little to lose except the sniffles.