The Ultimate Neti Guide: Ayurvedic Wisdom for Nasal Cleansing + Respiratory Wellbeing
There are few health problems the practise of Neti can’t help or improve.
Do you experience nasal congestion?
Are you prone to recurring sinus congestion?
Do you have difficulty breathing?
Neti is a fantastic and useful tool for prevention of disease and promote greater awareness and vitality.
So What Exactly is Neti?
The word neti originally means to guide and refers to the water that guides or. draws our energy through the nasal passage. Neti, as it’s referred to in short, is a practise that uses a neti pot to pour water or other substances through one nostril at a time, allowing the water to flow out the other side. If you’ve never practised neti before, trust me when I say it’s easier and simpler than it sounds!
Why Practise Neti?
Because the nose is the most used organ of our body - we use it to breathe, and breathing is essential for all other functions in our body to be carried out in harmony. Disruption of the breath leads to disruption in our system - not the mention the direct channel between our nose and our brain, or intangible mind.
The nose is a direct way to positively affect the mind. That is why neti is part of sat-karma cleansing practises in both the yoga and ayurveda systems. Sat-karma practises have a sattvic effect on the body-mind. This means that it’s an action (karma), or practise which increases clarity, purity of mind and harmony.
If our sinus’ are blocked or impaired, our energy, circulation and digestion can all become sluggish and adversely affected.
Our nose is also the most direct contact with our external environment and so there are many opportunities for potential toxins and irritants to affect us including dust, pollen and even substances in the air we may not even detect or smell. The effects of seasonal changes such as winds which cause dryness or congestion such as colds and flus are all subject to our environment, and not entirely up to us!
It can reduce the need for antibiotics or sinus medications for those who are prone to sinus congestion. It can aid us in deep breathing which can totally transform our lives, help us to sleep better and think more clearly. By improving the power of your breath, neti can also be a helpful aid to improving your digestion.
Benefits of Practising Neti
Treating cold and flu’s & sinus congestion / allergies
Helps reduce asthma attacks
Improves breathing and for deviated septum
Helps mouth breathing and snoring
Improves energy and chronic fatigue syndrome
Improves immunity & digestion
Improves emotional disturbances such as anger, fear, anxiety, irritability or depression (due to their link with poor breathing)
Balances the left and right hemispheres of the brain (ida & pingala nadis, or channels)
Increases prana, or vital energy, which can be directed towards healing
Improves all sensory functions including smell, taste, etc through the increase in prana and uninhibited flow of breath through the nostrils
Increases blood flow to the brain, improving mental energy & clarity
Can improve sleep quality and reduce insomnia
Treat headaches due to congestion of airflow
Why Cleanse Your Head?
Both Yoga and Ayurveda emphasise regular cleansing and protection of the senses including the mouth, eyes and nostrils. These orifices are the main locations for taking in substances from our environment, as already mentioned, however it’s also the sites that we take in sensory impressions. Of these openings, the nostrils are the most important as they are responsible for both our sense of smell and our intake of oxygen, or prana, that is our primary fuel source.
There are many factors in our present culture which attributes to the formation of congestion in our nose. This includes mucus-forming foods such as dairy products, bread, pastries, sweets, fatty and fried foods, as well as foods that are sweet and salty also have the tendency to promote mucus.
Additionally, mental focus and concentration actually puts more pressure on our sinus’ because all our energy is focussed within our head! Morning sluggishness, difficulty breathing or having a coating on the tongue are can all be signs of toxin accumulation and can benefit from practising neti to cleanse and clear the passages of your head.
How to Practise Neti & Simple Neti Pot Solution
First thing you will need is a neti pot. So if you don’t have one, you can purchase a neti pot on my self-care shop.
Fill the neti pot with this simple neti pot solution, which is safe for all constitutions; 1/4 tsp non-iodised table salt mixed with 1 cup of warm water. Roughly 1/2 a cup of this solution is enough to cleanse one of your nostrils (then repeat on the other side). It’s important the water is a little warm or tepid and that the salt has dissolved - so one way you can do this is to blend the salt into slightly warmer water and then allow to cool a little before practising.
Take your filled neti pot into the bathroom or kitchen sink
Begin with your right nostril. Tilt your head slightly to the opposite side, so that your left ear is almost parallel with the bench, and the opening of your left nostril is slightly facing down (the exact angle you will need to play around with!)
Instert the neti spout gently into the raised right nostril
Slowly tilt the neti pot so that you are pouring the water into your right nostril until the water begins to flow out your opposite, lower (left) nostril. Repeat on the other side.
Gently block one nostril at a time and gently blow with an exhalation out of the opposite nostril 10 x to get rid of any water, then repeat for the other nostril 10x, then both nostrils 10x - then you can use a tissue to blow your nose.
Would You Like to Learn More About Neti?
Learn how to;
Adjust the practise of neti to suit you as an individual
Use neti in different seasons and environments
Troubleshoot difficulties such as burning, bleeding, etc,
Advanced understanding of the use of neti & the doshas
Advanced practises of using neti with yoga (such as with pranayama, mantra & asana)
Add oils and herbs with your neti practise for specific ailments
Use marma therapy (facial massage) to support the practise & effects of neti
Combine the practise of neti with other ayurvedic self-care practises such as nasya
Reference: Neti, Healing Secrets of Yoga and Ayurveda by David Frawley
Book a Consultation to chat and learn more in-depth about how neti can support you in your life.