@Jim Eshelman said
"
I wonder, though, if you don't need something simpler. If it is swollen nasal tissues, try a decongestant. Or, for even simpler things (including some psychosomatic ones), just get a cheap menthol nasal inhaler to use before practice. This both relaxes the tissues allowing more air through, and sensitizes sensation so you are aware or more air passage (which calms the psychosomatic issues of thinking you surely aren't getting enough air, which often is a mind trick). The menthol inhaler should be standard equipment for anyone trying pranayama with even minor nasal congestion issues....
...PS - A simpler alternative to a neti pot is just a saline rinse. This both physically rinses and reduces actual swelling. From the drug store, get a nasal saline rinse, spray it up each nostril (or the affected nostril) and press the nostril closed for (say) 5 seconds, then blow your nose. The saline has the value of shrinking mildly swollen nasal tissue."
Thanks for the suggestions, I am pretty sure I have both saline and a menthol inhaler laying around from when my wife had a cold a couple months back.