Jala Neti (Nasal Irrigation) with video demonstration

In the ancient text on the practice of Yoga, "Hatha Yoga Pradeepika", six cleansing techniques have been prescribed: Neti: nasal cleansing, Dhauti: cleansing of the digestive tract, Nauli: abdominal massage, Basti: colon cleansing, Kapalabhati: purification and vitalization of the frontal lobes, and Trataka: focused gazing.

In this post, we will be focusing on one of the nasal cleansing techniques called "jala neti" (saline nasal irrigation). Jala Neti is a simple technique which involves using a special "neti pot" filled with warm, slightly salted water. The nose cone is inserted into one nostril and the position of the head and pot is adjusted to allow the water to flow out of the other nostril. Whilst the water is flowing through the nasal passages one breathes through the mouth. After half a pot has flowed in one direction, the water flow is reversed. When the water in the pot is finished, the nose must be properly dried.

To a person who has never used it before, the technique may seem a little intimidating. However, the technique is not hard or uncomfortable. Most people are pleasantly surprised after even their first attempt at just how simple and effective this method of health maintenance is. Once learned, the practice can be done in about 3-4 minutes, and like showering and cleaning the teeth, Neti is easily integrated into one’s daily routine.

For general nasal cleanliness, practicing neti a couple of times a week is usually sufficient. In the case of a cold, once a day or even more frequently will give great relief. Always make sure that the nose is well dried each time and this frequency does not induce nose bleeds. Reduce this frequency when the worst of the congestion is over.

Jala Neti is best practiced first thing in the morning to clear out the night’s grogginess and prepare the body and mind 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.

In my own practice, I have been doing the jala neti practive at least once a week, sometimes twice a week. When I have any indication that I may be coming down with a cold/cough, I do the practice every day until the symptoms are gone.

Benefits

• Neti removes all the dirt and bacteria filled mucus from within the nose.
• It helps to drain the sinus cavities. This in turn, will help to reprogram the body’s natural mechanisms against nasal infections such as hay fever, allergies, sinusitis and other upper respiratory complaints like sore throats and coughs, post nasal drip, inflammation of tonsils and adenoids.
• It is beneficial for illnesses such as asthma and bronchitis as it reduces the tendency for mouth breathing by freeing the nostrils of mucus.
• It has a cooling and soothing effect on the brain by drawing out excessive heat, and is therefore beneficial for headaches, migraine, epilepsy, temper tantrums, hysteria, depression and general mental tension.
• Neti is of great benefit for problems associated with the eyes. It helps flush the tear ducts, encouraging clearer vision and gives a sparkle to the eyes.
• It can be beneficial for certain types of ear disorders such as middle ear infections, glue ear, tinnitus.
• Neti improves sensitivity of the olfactory nerves, helping to restore lost sense of smell, and thereby benefits the relationship with taste and the digestive processes.
• It has subtle effects on the pineal and pituitary glands which control the hormonal system. This has a harmonising effect on emotional behaviour.
• Neti affects the psychic centre known as Ajna Chakra which helps in awakening higher states of meditation.
• It helps to stimulate better powers of visualisation and concentration and gives a feeling of lightness and clarity to the mind.
• Neti is excellent for those trying to give up smoking. Since it reduces the tendency for mouth breathing, Neti re-sensitises the nose to the actual pollution of ingesting smoke, thereby de-programming the brain of the physical and psychological addiction.

Technique

I am pleased to present a video demonstration of the Jala Neti technique.

• Nasal cleansing can be performed over a sink, a bowl on a table, in the shower or outside. First fill the Neti Pot with warm water of a temperature suitable for pouring in the nose – neither too hot nor too cold. It is recommended that the water temperature should be same as the temperature of the tears. Pure water is best if available but this is not obligatory.
• Mix in salt to the proportion of one level teaspoon for half a litre of water. This equates to 0.9% – the same as human blood – and is called isotonic or physiological solution. Mix the salt thoroughly. Be sure to fully mix and dissolve the salt, as you don’t want fresh water in the spout or very salty water at the bottom of the pot. Pure sea salt is the recommended salt. However, if that is not available, clean table salt which is used for cooking can be used.
• Place the nose cone into the right nostril, sealing it to the nostril with a slight pressure. Try to point the spout straight up in line with the nasal passage so as not to block off the tip of the nozzle on the inside of the nose. Open your mouth and breathe gently through the mouth. Do not sniff, swallow, laugh, talk or have any movement of air through the nose whilst the water is flowing through.
• Now slowly bend forward from the waist so that the tip of the nose is the lowest point of the head; and then tilt/roll the head to the left so that the left nostril is now the lowest point of the nose. Tilt slowly so that water doesn’t run out the top of the pot onto your face! Keep the nose cone fully sealed into the right nostril so that water doesn’t leak out. Keep on mouth breathing whiles the water comes through. Just wait a few seconds and the water should run out the left nostril. Keep breathing slowly and gently through the mouth. After the water begins to flow, wait for about half a pot to flow right to left, and then remove the pot and stand up.
• Before changing sides, blow out gently through both nostrils to clear water and mucus from the nose. It is important that you do not blow hard at this point or you will send water up into the ear tubes and sinuses. All that is needed is a couple of slow, soft blows out into the sink to remove the water in the nose. Do not pinch the nostrils to create extra force, or blow hard and vigorously.
• Repeat steps 3 & 4 as above, but with the nose cone entering from the left nostril and the flow of water going left to right. After the pot runs dry, stand up, blow out gently through both nostrils and then prepare to dry out the nose.
• Drying the nose properly is a very important part of the practice. First bend forwards from the waist and hang the head down with the nose pointing towards the floor, letting any residual water drain from the nose for 10 – 20 seconds. Then point the nose towards the knees. Closing one nostril at a time, gently breathe in the mouth and out the nose about 10 times. Then stand up to do some rapid breathing 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.
• Another effective technique of draining out any residual water from the nose is to practice a few rounds of the cat-and-cow pose. Failure to dry the nose properly may manifest the symptoms of a cold for several hours, or leaving dirty water in the sinus passages or Eustachian tubes may result in infection.

Limitations and Precautions

Persons who suffer from chronic bleeding of the nose should not do neti without expert advice.

Make sure that the water is not too hot or too cold when you introduce it into the nostrils. Do not breathe in and out too deeply when removing the moisture from the nose; we are trying to improve the condition of the nose, not damage it. Also, when your sinuses are blocked with mucus, be careful not to blow your nose hard. It is very easy to push the mucus further into the cavities. Ensure that the salt fully dissolves in the water before pouring it into your nose.

Be careful to hold the head correctly and not to hold the neti pot too low. In order for the water to flow into one nostril and out the other, the water level in the pot must be higher than the region at the back of the nose, where the two nostrils merge with each other. If you tilt your head too much then the water will go down your throat instead of the other nostril. If you tilt the pot too much the water will merely overflow out of the pot. You must adjust the position of your head and the pot so that they are at correct levels.

If you have nasal congestion due to cold, the water may not flow through when trying jala neti. My recommendation in that situation is to first inhale steam for about five minutes, lightly blow the nose and then try out jala neti. I find inhaling steam a highly effective technique in clearing out clogged nostrils.

People who have great difficulty passing water through the nose may have some structural blockage. Expert advice should be sought. If there is a slight burning sensation in the nose during your first attempt with salt water, don’t worry. This will disappear as your nose tissue becomes accustomed to contact with water.