Nasal cleansing – Jala Neti
Nasal cleansing – Jala Neti
I fell in love with Jala Neti (nasal cleansing procedure) even before I learned about Ayurveda. I tried it without hesitation and was amazed that not only my nose but also my mind and eyes became clearer. A friend of mine compared it to drinking up a cup of coffee or strong tea when you want to wake up quickly. I practice jala neti on a daily basis and find it soothing and pleasant.
Neti was traditionally used as a purification exercise for the practice of yoga. It is useful to remove dirt, pollen, excess mucus, pollution and other irritants. It is also soothing and moisturizing to dry nasal passages and can help prevent nose bleeds. Nasal cleansing is a safe, gentle and effective way to improve overall health.
Use of jala neti helps with following conditions:
- Allergies
- Colds
- Flu
- Sinusitis
- Sinus headaches
- Sinus pressure
- Dry nasal passages
Usage instructions:
1. Mix ¼ tsp plain non – iodized salt into 1 cup of warm water and pour it into the neti pot.
2. It is best to practice over a basin or sink or outside over the earth. Tilt your head to the side. When you have the proper angle, the water will flow easily from the upper nostril and out from the lower nostril. It takes just a little practice to get it right. Adjust your head to get the most comfortable angle. You may find that having your forehead at an angle about the same level as your chin will be just right.
3. Insert spout of neti pot gently into the raised nostril and create a seal between the pot and your nostril. Raise the neti pot slowly to develop a steady flow of saline through the upper nostril. The higher you hold the pot the faster it will flow.
4. Breathe through your mouth only. You may find water draining into your mouth. If it happens, simply adjust the angle and start over again.
5. Upon completing the process, exhale gently several times to clear the nasal passage. You may want to use a tissue to catch any excess mucus.
6. Repeat on the other side. You can use only one pot on both sides or use an entire pot for each nostril. Once you get into a regular routine, the entire process will only take a couple of minutes.
Completion Routine
Do some gentle exhalations blowing through each nostril separately and then both together and to blow your nose a few times. You may do some easy forward bends to complete drainage.
After use, simply wash out the pot with warm water and mild soap.
TODAY’S TIP: Experiment and see what works best for you. Once done you will feel great!
I’d like to try it! Is iodized salt good for nasal cleansing?
Thanks. Paul.
Hi, Paul,
No, iodized salt isn’t good for jala neti. Ayurveda belives that we should use only natural salt without artificial added components. No matter how good the new combination seems to be, our body doesn’t recognize this new item as food and eleminates it through excretoty organs. In this case simple is better.
Beautiful site!
I want to post quick hello and want to say appriciate for this good article.
Tanks,Robert,
let’s stay in touch. We have new interesting topics almost every day.
Larisa.
Hi,everyone! I am new at this website and love it already. I do nasal cleaning with nati pot about 2 years. I like it, it helps me a lot. I use to have several colds and flu during a year and since I started using nati pot every morning I have none. Indeed, it cleans your sinus and your mind and get you ready for the day. Also right after nasal cleaning I do three exercises which I’ve found in the instruction for nati pot. It helps as well.
Thanks,Nadia.
Are the exercises you do for getting exess water out of your nose or for something else? I do lateral bends to clean the nose after the use of neti pot .
Larisa.
I do forward Bending and Alternate Toe touching after nasal wash. I think we are talking about the same things.
I have a Q for you. Tell me, please, about Ghee oil /butter/. I am trying to loose weight and another concern about cholesterol. I like coconut oil. Is it OK to use both of them? Thank you
Ghee (clarified butter) is the oil of butter that increases enzyme production in the body so the food is digested easily. Actually Ghee is sucsessfully used in weight loss plan. It doesn’t clog the liver, as do other oils and fats, but strengthens it.. One tablespoon Ghee a day will help to lose 2 or 3 pounds a month. More is not nesessrely better, 1Tbsp is enough.
Coconat oil is cooling so it is good for Pitta,OK for Vata and not that good for Kapha. Whatever Dosha you are a small amount of it is OK.
Good luck.
Larisa.