Jal Neti

Jal Neti is an ancient yogic nasal cleansing technique. While many or most of us would have heard of Neti or even practised it, many of us may not be fully aware of the number of ways it impacts our body, mind and overall well-being. In this article, I delve into the science behind Jal Neti and explore its diverse benefits. Towards the end, I have stated the precautions that one needs to keep in mind. 

Why we need oxygen ?

While we can survive without food for months and without water for days, permanent brain damage begins after only 4 minutes without oxygen, and death can occur as soon as 4 to 6 minutes later. So, clearly, oxygen helps us to survive. But what would happen if we got less than the desired quantity of oxygen ? Oxygen is essential for cellular respiration, which is the process that releases energy from the food we consume. It is this energy that powers the various functions and activities of the body. 

This is one of the reasons why our rishis developed the practice of pranayama. While the larger purpose of pranayama is to increase prana (life force) in the body, the physiological effect of pranayama is the increased levels of oxygen which revitalises the body.

Now, if our nose is blocked or is not free of encumbrances such as dust, allergens, pollutants, it would not permit the free flow of air and our body would then face a lack of oxygen. For this purpose, Jal Neti was developed by yogic practitioners as a nasal cleansing technique. However, what many of us may not be aware of is the various other benefits that Jal neti could bestow upon us. 

Benefits of Jal Neti (other than adequate oxygen intake)

1. Preventing and eliminating cold - Neti is the best method of preventing and eliminating cold. The cold virus flourishes in the nerve tissue, particularly the olfactory nerves (ie, related to the sense of smell) in the nose. During a cold, neti greatly helps by removing the accumulated mucus in the nose.
   
   

2. Neti a cure for various ENT ailments - Neti has a subtle influence on the various nerves which end in the nasal passages, such as the olfactory bulb and other nearby nerves which innervate the eyes, ears, etc.  This is why Neti is helpful in not just cleaning the nasal passage and curing ailments related to the nose but is also very effective in curing a number of ailments such as:
   
   

   1. Sinusitis 

   2. Tonsillitis 

   3. Ailments of the eyes (vision improves with the practice of neti)

   4. Ailments of the ear caused by blockage of the eustachian tubes, as Neti helps clear mucus from these tubes.  

   5. Ailments of the throat 

   6. Catarrh

   7. Inflammation of the adenoids and mucus membranes.
      
      

3. Neti a cure for various brain related ailments - For the same reason mentioned above, Neti is very effective in:
   
   

   1. Relieving headaches

   2. Curing insomnia 

   3. Depression 

   4. Migraine 

   5. Epilepsy
      
      

4. Neti a cure for various lung ailments -.Neti helps prevent and cure asthma, pneumonia, bronchitis, pulmonary tuberculosis, etc. With the practice of Neti, respiration becomes much easier, which leads to an improved intake of oxygen and improved removal of carbon dioxide, and consequently better lung (and overall) health.
   
   

5. Alternation of breath between the Ida and the Pingla Nadi - The flow of air in each nostril alternately changes. While the left nostril (represented by the Ida Nadi) represents our feminine side (associated with thinking, introversion, etc), the right nostril (represented by the Pingala Nadi) represents our masculine side (associated with action, extroversion, etc). At the physiological level, the Ida Nadi is associated with the functioning of the parasympathetic nervous system (“PSNS”) while the Pingala Nadi is associated with the functioning of the sympathetic nervous system (“SNS”).
   
   Any blockage in either of the 2 nostrils could lead to an imbalance between the Ida and the Pingala, or the PSNS and SNS. For instance, higher SNS functioning (right nostril breathing) could lead to a range of illnesses that ails the modern human:
   
   

   1. Higher discharge of our energy reserves - The SNS is what gets activated when faced with existential threats. Our so intelligent body then switches off all internal processes and supplies extra energy to organs that help us deal with emergencies - muscles, heart, etc. If and when this becomes chronic / permanent, this means that the body is continually draining out the energy reserves of the body. 

   2. A higher heart rate - This can cause blood clots that in turn can cause a heart attack or stroke. 

   3. Higher secretion of adrenaline - This could lead to high blood pressure and an increased risk of heart attack or stroke, weight gain, anxiety, insomnia, etc. 

   4. Poor digestion and constipation - Relaxation of the small and large intestines and the rectum, which could lead to poor digestion and constipation. 

Jal Neti ensures free flow of breath through both the nostrils and thereby balances the PSNS and the SNS, which prevents disease and leads to overall well being. 

Precautions

1. Do not practise Neti immediately after meals.

2. While once in a day in the morning before breakfast is sufficient, it may be practised more number of times.  

3. Avoid stepping out for at least 2 hours after Neti.  The practise of Jal Neti significantly reduces mucus in the nose. This should reduce the capacity of the nose to block the entry of dust, allergens and pollutants into the lungs. 

4. People who suffer from chronic bleeding of the nose should avoid Jal Neti.  

5. Make sure that the water is not too hot when you introduce it into the nostrils. 

6. Use salt water instead of plain water. Salt water has a much higher osmotic pressure as compared to plain water. 

7. Heart patients should avoid using salt water.  

8. Ensure that the salt fully dissolves in the water before pouring it into your nose.

9. Do not breathe in and out too deeply when removing moisture from the nose.  This could damage nose tissue. 

10. If the sinuses are blocked with mucus, be careful not to blow your nose hard. By doing so, mucus could be pushed further into the sinus cavities.  

11. Adjust the position of your head and the pot so that they are at correct levels. In order for the water to flow into one nostril and out the other, the pot must be held higher than the region 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 flow out of the pot.