JALA NETI?

Nasal hygiene is extremely important as it is linked to many conditions including migraine, headaches and other allergies.

Patients with sinus problems, often due to a hypersensitive immune system, suffer frequent and prolonged respiratory infections, as well as asthma, which is difficult to control.



Since sinusitis or allergic rhinitis affects about 20% of the population and up to 40% of children, one of the easiest methods to cleanse a nasal cavity is by doing jala neti or using the neti pot.

Jala neti is a simple practice that can be done along with your daily routine, such as after brushing your teeth in the morning.



All you need is some warm water, salt and a few minutes to help relieve many of the problems related to the nasal and sinus cavities.

However, you would need to purchase a neti pot – a container made of plastic or ceramic, designed to rinse “debris” or mucus from your nasal cavity. It can be purchased from selected pharmacies or online.

To prepare, make sure you only use lukewarm water, so that it does not irritate the tissues inside the nostrils. You don’t want it too hot as it might burn the nostrils.

So all you have to do is follow a few steps;

1.Pour the salt water into the neti pot and place the cone at the end of the spout inside the left nostril.

2. Tilt your head gently to the right and open your mouth (breathing should be done through the mouth during the process). Adjust the tilt of your head up to a point where water starts flowing from your left nostril to the right nostril. Continue until the water in the pot is emptied.

3. Fill the pot again with salt water and repeat steps 1 and 2 from the right nostril. Repeat this process two or three times in one session. Then blow your nose, you will notice that your nasal cavity will be cleared.

However do note that it may seem daunting on your first session and you may get irritations in the nose, sneezing, coughing, runny eyes etc, which will disappear after few sessions, have faith and keep going! Those who are suffering from sinus problems benefit from this and it is recommended that you do it daily.

The Western world of medicine has caught up with the jala neti cleansing technique, but instead of doing it the traditional yogic way, medical practitioners prescribe a saline spray or drops to alleviate congestion. Often reffered as nasal irrigation.

The salt water causes the blood vessels in the nose to contract and dilute mucus, which helps reduce swelling in the sinus area.



When different systems of the body have been purified, the overall result is that energy can flow through the body freely. One’s capacity to work, think, digest, taste, feel, experience, etc, increases and greater awareness develops. And with boosted immunity levels, the occurrence of common colds and flus are greatly reduced.

So, just do it as you’ll still get some benefits. With jala neti, you can breathe and sleep better.