We have been using the neti-pot for many years now, and we are very happy with it. We use it on a regular basis as a preventive method, and actively when a cold strikes. The real advantage in using it for a cold is that the cold never has a chance to enter the nose. No stuffy, running, or inflamed noses. Breathing clear all night without any medicines! Considering that our environment is full of pollutants, both in the house as well as outside, using the neti-pot improves our health.
The following is based on an extract of a very good booklet about neti: Jala Neti, The Yogic Nasal Cleansing Technique by Swami Bhavchaitanya Saraswati. If you want to know more about Neti, the booklet can be ordered at Nunyara Yoga Ashram, P.O. Box 622, Windsor NSW 2756 Australia. Phone/fax Local (045) 66 4477, ISD 61 45 664477.
 

Introduction to Jala Neti

Jala Neti, or nasal cleansing using warm salty water, is a very ancient technique which has been passed on for thousands of years by the Yogis for both physical as well as deeper spiritual benefits. Now is possibly a time of the greatest need for such a practice by modern people. With the ever increasing incidence of respiratory illnesses such as asthma, allergies, hay fever, sinusitis, colds, influenzas, etc, as well as the rapid degeneration of spiritual consciousness in some sections of society, the practice of Jala Neti could serve as a panacea for helping to improve the lives of many people. Neti is a practice which is very beneficial to the cleanliness of the eyes, ears, nose, throat, lungs, as well as the thinking processes. There are more than 7 different methods and stages of doing Neti, however we will only be describing the essential beginners ones here which may easily be learned from any yoga teacher experienced in them.

Some neti pots on the market:

Anatomy of Jala Neti Practice

For those who may not have a good idea of the internal workings of the nasal cavities, it may seem like a stupid or dangerous thing to pour warm salty water through one's nose! But when examined with an open mind and a clear picture of the physiological structures involved, fear and misunderstanding can be cleared up. Although there are many factors which govern our body's overall condition, correct nasal function is of primary importance to good health.

In Stage 1, the water simply flows up one nostril to just above the
bridge of the nose where the usual air flows meet, and then the water flows down and out the other side. There is usually very little sensation and only a slight smell of salt when done correctly. The water should have been warmed to the same temperature as the blood, and the salinity of the water should be mixed to the same salinity as the blood. As a result, the nose hardly notices the flow through. In Stage 1 there should be no flow of water further up into the nasal passages nor back towards the throat.

In the more advanced Stage 2 version, only attempted after mastery of Stage 1, the water flow is allowed up into the main nasal cavity, down the back of the nasopharynx and into the mouth where it is then spat out. In neither version is there any discomfort or damage to the nasal functions.

Ideally, no water should go into the sinus passages or the Eustachian tubes.
However, this may happen if the practitioner breathes incorrectly or blows too strongly when drying. In such an event, a few minutes of air drying will clear out any stray water droplets.

The way in which Jala Neti rinses out the dirt and bacteria-filled mucus lining would be obvious to most people as the warm water loosens and dissolves any internal build ups, and takes them outwards. But what may not be so obvious is that, due to gravity and a venturi effect, the sinus passages are also drained by vacuum pressure from the flow of the water. Whereas it would normally be impossible to drain a 'dead end street' like the sinuses, Jala Neti achieves this ingeniously and simply.

For those with thick mucus conditions as well as those with running sinuses, the relief of sinus pressure can be felt within seconds. As well, the eustachian tubes (which are also 'dead end tunnels') receive exactly the same effects as the sinuses, that being a drawing outwards. Hence Jala Neti is of great benefit for blockages and infections of the middle ear, by draining the tubes to relieve the pressure build up as well as removing germs. In a more detailed examination, it would also be seen that through the effect of osmosis and capillary action, the blood vessels of the nose are stimulated to cleanse as well.

The eyes are also affected beneficially by Neti. The tear ducts, which connect from the eyes into the nasal passages, get the same drawing out effect as the sinuses and this results in a brighter, clearer sense of vision.

The nose is the 'air conditioner' of the body. One of the many functions of the nose is to regulate the temperature and humidity of the incoming air. This is necessary so that the breath does not strike the throat and enter the lungs too hot or cold, too dry or wet. Upon exhalation, the nose also helps to draw out excessive heat from the frontal portion of the brain, which is the part where the heavy thinking is done and where the greatest heat builds up.

People with chronic nasal blockages who end up being habitual mouth breathers, therefore have a cooled throat, which imbalances the thyroid function. They also have cooler lungs, which creates excessive moisture and mucus secretion in that area. Mouth breathers also fail to get enough of the cooling effect from exhalation at the front of the brain and can therefore be described as 'hot heads'.

Some people have 'dry noses' and suffer dry, crusty, nose bleed type problems. Others are 'wets' with the constantly running sinuses and the tissues always up their sleeve! Others have perpetual stuffy and blocked nostrils. Regular practice of Jala Neti helps to establish the correct working environment of temperature and humidity regulation in the nose. Depending on one's living conditions, one's diet, one's personality dispositions, etc, many common ailments can be relieved by simply re-establishing this balance.

Another aspect of physiology which Jala Neti affects, is the relationship between olfactory function, and the body's nervous systems. According to Science and Medicine, there are two branches of the Autonomic Nervous System called Sympathetic and the Parasympathetic which are constantly working to try to keep a balance of human function. Each of these affect different organs and functions of the body. Basically, one controls the functions of stimulation and the other controls the functions of sedation. This dualistic "push/pull" conflict correlates exactly with what the Yogis say about the forces of Pingala and Ida, or Ha and Tha.

According to Yoga, by balancing nasal breathing function, better balance of the Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Nervous Systems is gained and hence better balance of the whole body's nervous function is achieved. So by cleansing, balancing and manipulating these two complimentary opposite forces, better physical and mental health is maintained. Hence it is one of the known effects of Jala Neti that mental tension and headaches can be relieved, as well as such severe nervous system disorders as epilepsy, and psycho-emotional imbalances like temper tantrums.

Details of the Method, stage 1

Nasal cleansing can be performed over a sink, a bowl on a table, in the shower or outside.
We use 1 cup of distilled water and 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt

3. Tip the head slightly forward again, blow out gently through both nostrils to clear water and mucus from the nose.
4. Repeat but with the nose cone entering the other nostril. Do twice on each side if desired or needed, as when you have a cold.
5. After the pot runs dry, stand up, blow out gently through both nostrils and then prepare to dry out the nose.

If, after doing Neti as directed above, there is still a mucus blockage, the whole process may be repeated several times. If this still fails to clear the nose, it is recommended that you visit a doctor to ascertain if there is some structural blockage in the nose. Once a day is usually enough but in sickness it can be done twice. Do not go outside into cold air right after doing neti.
 

Drying the Nose

Drying the nose is important. People with high blood pressure should be careful, if dizziness results when blowing to clear the nose, only do it standing upright.

Bend forward and hang the head upside down so any residual water drains from the nose. Then point the nose towards the knees. In each position, gently breathe in the mouth and out the nose about 10 times. A few droplets of water may run down.

Then stand up to do some rapid breathing (not too hard!) through the nostrils. First do 10 breaths through both nostrils together, sniffing in and out moderately with a bit more emphasis on the exhalation. Then close off the right nostril with one
finger and do 10 rapid sniffing breaths through the left nostril only. Then do 10 sniffing breaths through the right nostril only. Finally, do 10 breaths again through both nostrils together. This should clear and dry the nose. If it feels as if there is still some water in there, repeat the drying process again.

Pay Attention To:

- the angle of the head and/or pot is incorrect
- breathing in through the nose while the water was passing through
- one blocked nostril causes 'damming up'.
Stinging in the nose may be due to:
- too little salt and/or the water being too hot
- newness of the practice which will pass after several attempts
- pollutants in your water or contaminants (dust, bugs, etc.) entering the pot.
If water will not flow freely:
- the end of the nozzle may be blocked against the inside of the nose
- relax the nose, don't tense up
- it may be a temporary mucus blockage, which will clear after several attempts, gargle first
- the water could be too cold which causes the nose to close up
- if it is a permanent blockage, consult a medical practitioner.
Nose Bleeds:
- can happen initially to those with high blood pressure, or those with extremely sensitive, raw or irritated nasal lining. One should desist
from the practice and seek guidance before continuing.

Recommended Frequency of Neti Practice

For general nasal cleanliness, once or twice a day is usually sufficient. Nasal Cleansing is best practiced first thing in the morning to clear out the night's grogginess and prepare the body for the day's breathing activities. However, if you live or work in a dusty or polluted environment where the nostrils have an increased load of filtering, a good second occasion is upon returning from such work. Neti should always be done before rather than after meals. It can be done up to a maximum of 4 times a day for therapeutic applications: upon waking before breakfast, before lunch, before dinner, before bed; but only upon qualified advice. In the case of a cold, 3 - 4 times a day will give great relief, providing the nose is well dried and this frequency does not induce nose bleeds.

Limitations

- Persons who suffer chronic nose bleeds should seek qualified guidance.
- Jala Neti is not contra-indicated for any particular illnesses or ailments per se, but care should be taken and guidance sought, by those with high blood pressure, migraine headaches and those with a history of nasal medications.
- May be done by children with guidance.
- Do not recommend the practice to others or attempt to teach anyone yourself unless fully competent and confident in the technique.
- No other substances or additives other than warm, salty water should be used by the novice.

Recommended Salts for Use in Jala Neti

Confusion often arises as to which type of salt is best for use in Jala Neti. Ideally pure Sea Salt should be used. Below are some of the different types of salt available on the market today and their suitability for use in Jala Neti.

Cooking Salt. This is generally nothing other than pure sea salt, but check on the packet. It varies in coarseness depending on the brand. The finer the better for quick and even dissolving. If you can't get it fine, grind your own from whatever you can buy. Store it airtight to avoid lumping up. Found in most supermarkets and health food shops.

Table Salt. This is just finely ground cooking salt with a free-flowing agent in it to stop it lumping up in your salt shaker. Who needs aluminum, silicone or iodine up their nose? Can be used for Jala Neti without any harm when cooking salt is not available, but try to avoid it if possible.

Vegetable Salt. This is a compound mixture of salts, herbs and spices, and will do your nose and olfactory senses NO GOOD AT ALL!

Rock Salt. Depending on where they come from, rock salts can have a range of other mineral salts in them and are therefore not recommended for Neti. They are usually very big, hard crystals requiring a salt cellar. Nice for cooking with, but not for up your nose.

Macrobiotic Salt. Often gray in color. Usually just sea salt from Japan and therefore more expensive than local salt. May be used for Neti with no harm.
 
 
 
 
The material in this site is provided for educational and informational purposes only, and is not intended to be a substitute for consultation by a healthcare provider. Please consult your own physician or appropriate healthcare provider about the applicability of any opinions or recommendations with respect to your own symptoms or medical conditions.