Breathe Better with Ayurvedic Nasal Care Rituals

Do you ever find your nose to be super dry, constantly running, your breathing obstructed, or feeling inflamed and raw? So many of my family and friends have approached me over the years, and especially this winter, with varieties of these complaints. I personally struggled with parched sinuses in the summer and runny noses that reminded me of being a snotty nosed kid in my youth - ugh!

When I discovered the benefits of rinsing the sinuses daily with a neti rinse, I was hooked. Clear out microscopic debris, allergens, and pathogens? Yes! Give myself the opportunity to smell delicious and beautiful scents better? Please! Improve the flow of prana? Without question!

Then, I learned about the importance of rehydrating those mucosal membranes with nose (nasya) oil. When they are properly moisturized, help our lungs stay hydrated, allow antibodies and enzymes to neutralize harmful pathogens, and even reduce headaches and neck tension by improving circulation. Once I tried it, the impact was almost immediate. I found the need to blow my nose decreased, my breathing felt easier, my nostrils felt less itchy, and I believe it aided in keeping those cyclical colds at bay.

My mom was struggling with what felt like stuffed sinuses specifically when she slept for years. This made it difficult for her to feel comfortable falling asleep and staying asleep. After she shared this with me, my hunch was that her sinuses were dried out, so I got her some of my favorite nasya oil. And, it worked! So much so that months later she’s still thanking me after nearly ever restful night’s sleep.

Similarly, not too long ago, a friend shared that her nose basically “drips” constantly. She was convinced it was hereditary, but I wasn’t so sure. She was frustrated and annoyed by the whole experience that has been going on for years. I offered neti and nasya to her and her sinuses have acclimated to this more moist environment, which has decreased and almost eliminated that degree of mucous production. She’s relieved, to say the least.

Here’s How to Get In On the Goodness

You can make these practices part of your daily self care rituals. Neti pot is best done in the morning. It is safe and recommended to do daily. You can do it over your sink or in the shower. Be sure to clean and dry your pot regularly. Nasya oil can be done daily with a deeper weekly practice, as described below.

Supplies

• Neti pot

• Neti salt mix

• Warm water

• Nasya oil (or pure, organic, and cold-pressed sesame, coconut, or olive oil)

Neti Pot Instructions

1. Mix ¼ teaspoon of neti salts with hot water in your neti pot and let the salts dissolve for a couple of minutes.

2. Lean over a sink and tilt your head slightly to one side and gently nuzzle the spout into your upper nostril, creating a seal.

3. Tilt the neti pot to pour half the mixture your nasal passage and out the lower nostril.

4. Repeat the process on the other side.

5. Gently breathe through your nose to clear out any remaining water or mucus.

Nasya Oil Instructions - Daily

1. Place a drop of nasya oil on the tip of your pinky finger.

2. Insert your finger into your nostril and coat the complete lining of it.

3. Repeat on the other side.

Nasya Oil Instructions - Weekly

1. Warm the nasya oil slightly by placing the glass bottle in hot water for a few minutes.

2. Sit in a comfortable position with your head tilted back or lie down with your head supported and tilted slightly downward.

3. Using the dropper, place 3-5 drops of warm nasya oil into each nostril.

4. Gently sniff the oil to help it reach deeper into the nasal passages.

5. Rest for a up to 10 minutes, keeping your head tilted back to allow the oil to settle.

Note: I understand that some of you truly can’t get through a neti pot session or feel viscerally opposed to trying. So instead, I suggest using a natural saline rinse without preservatives or artificial ingredients; I’ve heard good things about that from people in my community. We have to meet ourselves where we’re at and in a world full of so much optionality, why not?

If you’d like to go deeper about any of these practices, how to make your own neti salt mix, or determine which oil is best for your dosha or imbalance, please reach out!

In wellness & love, Renee