Jala Neti & Sutra Neti Kriya demonstration

Jala neti kriya, more commonly referred to simply as neti is a simple procedure for maintaining nasal hygiene by means of irrigating the nostrils with warm salty water. Neti effectively removes dirt and bacteria filled mucus from the nasal passages. It is an ancient yogic purification technique that is all the more relevant and helpful in our modern times where air pollution and airborne pathogens are becoming increasing health risk factors. By practicing neti you can breathe clearly and freely, thus enhancing your quality of life.

The nostrils are filled with tiny hairs called cilia whose role it is to prevent large particles entering the respiratory system. Sometimes, due to a gradual build up of dirt they can become clogged. Practicing neti with warm salt water keeps the mucus moist. The cilia hairs are stimulated and encrustations, dust and allergy provoking substances are effectively removed.

The nasal passages and upper respiratory tract are covered with a layer of mucus. This mucus is secreted from within the mucus linings and its function is to trap smaller foreign particles and bacteria that the cilia haven't managed to catch. The sinus passages are an even finer mechanism of filtering which, if infected, secrete a runny mucus to evict the germs. Cleansing the nose with warm salty water activates these mucus membranes and also others in the stomach and in the eyes and removes bacteria and dust laden mucus from the body.

Some other medical conditions that neti can help improve include:
Aging rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis - hay fever
Asthma
Atrophic rhinitis - ozaena
Common cold
Empty nose syndrome
Facial pain or headache associated with sinusitis
Halitosis - bad breath
Nasal congestion
Nasal dryness
Nasal polyposis
Phantosmia - phantom smells
Post-nasal drip
Rhinitis medicamentosa - rebound nasal congestion
Rhinorrhea - runny nose
Rhinosinusitis - inflammation of the nose and sinuses
Sinusitis - inflammation of the sinuses (including chronic sinusitis)

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Neti
• neti pot
• neti lota
• jala neti
• sutra neti
• yoga
• yoga langkawi
• yoga malaysia
• yoga now malaysia

[Bzymas]

One more thing. I was scared to use salt in my water at first, so I did it only with pure drinking water. Do you think its good or bad and if bad than plz explain why. Im still not using salt and if I do its like 1/10 of a tea spoon. I was afraid of the salt due to my eye canal problem and the water that was leaking throu my eye. What do You think about that ?

[YogaNowMalaysia]

@Bzymas

Hi Pitir,

This is the first time I have heard of water coming out of the eyeball, but obviously if that is what is happening then it is possible.

You have to use some salt to achieve the correct degree of osmotic pressure (the saline/salt water solution stimulates the mucous membranes through osmosis). If you don't use salt you will (and apparently have) experience a burning sensation. The whole body is salty - think of all the liquids, blood, tears, urine - all taste salty.

[YogaNowMalaysia]

@Bzymas The ideal level of saltiness is the same as tears or blood - it must taste salty, but nowhere near the same level as sea water for example. You can read more on this link.

[sackhatri]

@vibhuindia you are right..one should never tilt head while doing jal neti..otherwise it can cause water retention in sinuses and clogging resulting in severe headaches and pain in ears.

[marcdefaoite]

@MrWristspinner sounds like a shortcut to a serious headache. There is an Ayurvedic technique called Nasya (part of Panchakarma) which involved heated medicated ghee and qualified therapists. Sounds like what you need.

[MrWristspinner]

please can someone help? I've heard this technique doesn't reach the frontal sinuses (above each eyebrow). i have an infection here, how can I flush these out?? Is it safe to put my head backwards so my nose is facing the sky, fill my nostrils with salt water, pinch them closed and then bend over so my head is between my legs? Will this reach the frontal sinuses? Anyone with tips pls let me know your technique.

[whiteowlonfire]

I use a small amount of peroxide in my neti. don't put in too much or your eyes burn really bad.

[marcdefaoite]

@TheChakrahealer - That's okay, just observe what happens. Most people breathe predominantly through just one nostril, so it is very common for the water to flow more freely on one side than the other. If it's very uncomfortable then just practice on the side where it flows easier - the water is still going through both nostrils.

[marcdefaoite]

@vibhuindia Absolutely no need to learn how to drink from your nose to do Jala Neti

[marcdefaoite]

@vibhuindia Gravity becomes a bit of a problem then - usually water doesn't flow upwards.

[vibhuindia]

in case you have nasal problems an indian herb called giloy(reintroduced by baba ramdev) is like the complete cure for asthma i mean cure!! also for any nasal problems. i recommend you learn this technique from someone otherwise if you get water in your head itll cause problems afterwards nice try though!!