An Ayurveda Secret For Preventing Colds – Nasya
Right functioning of your nasal passage way and breathing freely through your nostrils is the secret for preventing colds.
It allows prana (energy) to directly enter your brain.
This subtle prana or life-force stimulates and rejuvenates your brain keeping it active, sharp and adaptable.
In addition, proper functioning of the nostrils help maintain your immune system and prevents disease as prana is able to flow more freely to all the tissues of your body.
Prana absorbed in the nasal passages becomes purified so that your lungs are able to absorb and extract the life-energy from it.
But, in order for prana to be absorbed effectively, you must keep your nasal passage clean.
The best way to clean your nostrils and nasal passage is through the Ayurvedic art of Nasya
What is Nasya?
Nasya consists of various nasal treatments used in Ayurveda to clear and cleanse the nasal passage.
They include things such as neti pot, sniffing of herbs, oil application to the nose and aromatherapy.
Nasya often involves applying water with a little salt or cleansing herbs to be applied into your nose.
Salt water using a neti pot is the simplest way to cleanse your nasal passage.
Using and applying oils or herbs such as calamus, eucalyptus, camphor or mint is more detoxifying and a more advanced method.
Applying a small amount of ghee on your finger, placing it in your nostrils and then massage it into the nose or sinuses is also an effective Nasya treatment.
What is a neti pot?
A neti pot is a special pot in which you can add un-iodized sea salt, or oils to water that creates a mixture for cleansing the nasal passage.
Use natural spring, distilled or reverse osmosis water as is much better than regular tap water.
This is something I have been using daily for years and has helped me reduce sinus problems and colds.
I believe this is a tool that everyone can benefit from and as a yoga teacher and Ayurvedic practitioner, I recommend a neti pot for anyone who wants to improve their breathing, sinuses and allergy conditions.
How to use a Neti Pot?
Using a neti pot to cleanse the nasal passageway is quite simple. First you need to buy a neti pot and the salt to create a saline solution.
You can buy a neti pot and salt at a variety of different places these days – most commonly at a drug store or a yoga studio.
Once you have your water, pot and salt, fill the pot up with warm water, add a pinch or about a 1/4 teaspoon of salt and gently swirl the warm salt water solution around in the neti pot.
It is important to note that too much or too little salt will cause discomfort in your nose, in the form of a burning sensation.
Next, place the spout from the neti pot firmly in the left nostril and tilt your head to the right or bring your right ear towards the sink.
The stream of water should flow freely into the left nostril and nasal passage and then flow out of the right nasal passage and nostril.
Once all the water from your neti pot has flowed through the nostrils and into the sink, repeat the same process on the other side – pouring more saline solution into the right nostril and out the left.
Once both sides of the nose and sinuses have been flushed, you should gently blow each nostril into a tissue to expel any excess water.
If both nostrils are plugged, it may be difficult to use the neti pot and you should wait until your nostrils are cleared to attempt this.
If one nostril is plugged it also maybe difficult to do as the plugged nostril won’t let the saline solution flow freely through it.
Also, it is important that the spout of the neti pot be fitted to the nostril securely to form a water-tight seal.
Most neti pot kits that you buy come with directions which can be helpful.
Practice make perfect and after a while, using a neti pot will become quick and easy for you to do.
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