Jal Neti Pot

Description

JAL NETI POT

 Neti is a cleansing process related to upper part of the respiratory system.  It helps for cleaning and opening the nasal passage and to increase the sensitivity of the nasal mucosa. 

Technique :-

• Neti can be practised either by sitting or standing comfortably. One has to slightly bend forward especially for Jala Neti.
• Lukewarm water with some salt in order to make it slightly hypertonic is taken in a Jala Neti pot.
• The nozzle of the Neti pot is put in one of the nostrils and the head is gradually tilted to the opposite side till due to gravitational force, water from the Neti pot starts flowing through the upper nostril and comes out through the lower nostril.
• If the head is slightly tilted forward, no water comes in the mouth.
• Breathing is continued through the mouth during the practice.  The same process is repeated in another nostril.

Taking water inside the nose with the help of Neti pot and bringing the water out through the mouth, then taking the water inside the mouth and bringing it out through the nose (as described in Gheranda Samhita) is possible. It requires better control over the muscles related to that area and control over the respiration. After Neti Kriya is over Kapalabhati (forceful expiration) should be performed.  It removes the excess of secretions and water from the nasal passages.

Precautions:-

• Preparation of water: Water should be clean, fully boiled, then brought into the condition of lukewarm up to – 40°c and salt mixed (approx: 5 gms per lit.)
• Clean and check the Neti pot before the practice.  (Insects, dust or other foreign particles may stick inside).
• Practise in empty stomach to avoid vomiting sensation. Preferable time is morning.
• Nails must be cut neatly and hands cleaned.
• The position of the head: Nasal passage should be parallel to each other for easy flow of water.
• Keep your mouth opened and breath through the mouth during the practice; otherwise, water may enter into the trachea.
• Mixing of more salt in the water will produce burning sensation and if no salt is mixed in the water it will be painful.
• Avoid spectacles.  One gets sneezing if water touches the sensitive olfactory mucosa present in the roof of the nose.  There will be a cough if water enters the trachea or bronchial tree.
• After Neti, practice Kapalabhati but don’t practice forcefully. If Kapalabhati is found not suitable then perform the Ujjayi type of breathing (breath in and breath out with slight closure of glottis), otherwise, the water remaining behind can give rise to cold, sinusitis and headache.
•  Benefits

• Neti cleanses the frontal sinuses, bestows perfect vision, and soon destroys the multitude of diseases of the region above the shoulders – Hatha pradipika – II: 31
• By the practice of Neti Kriya germs are destroyed from the nasal passages – Satkarma Sangraha. Gives purification of Nadis and chakras in the region of the forehead (Ajna) and throat (Vishudda).
• Neti relieves sinusitis, cold, nasal catarrh, cough, wheezing, cough with expectoration, migraine and bronchitis.
• Temperature and salt content (hyper tonic) in Jala Neti varies from the temperature and osmotic pressure of nasal mucosa.  It helps to acclimatize the nasal mucosa to withstand various temperature, osmotic pressure changes, humidity changes, dust, pollen grains, chemical agents and vapour present in the air.
• Neti increases the blood circulation and functional efficiency of mucous membrane and olfactory nerves. Neti removes stagnation of blood and maintains healthy nasal passage.

 Contra-Indications:-

• Persons who have had a recent (within 1 year) sinus puncture operation or middle ear surgery should avoid Jala Neti. Because the water may get locked up in the sinuses and give a headache or enter in the middle ear to cause discomfort and pain

If there is an injury in the nasal passage or nasal bleeding (epistaxis) don’t practice Neti without guidance.

Additional information