How to cleanse your nose with Yogi's NoseBuddy
Clean the pot and spoon with hot water before using them for the first time.
1. Put one level measuring spoon of salt in NoseBuddy (4.5 g)
Use a fine grained table or cooking salt, preferably free from additives such as iodine and anti–caking agent. Coarse grained salt may be used, although make sure it is fully dissolved. Some people use sea salt, but others have reported allergic reactions, such as congestion, caused by that type of salt.
2. Fill the pot with lukewarm water up to the mark (0.5 litre)
Tapwater is usually fine, but let the water run awhile before filling the pot. First dissolve the salt in some hot water, then add cold water up to the mark bringing the salt water to body temperature. Poor quality tap water may require boiling or filtering.
If you experience dry mucous membranes, e.g. after a long flight, then add a drop of vegetable oil such as almond oil to the water.
3. Stir the water until the salt has dissolved
The water should now have the same salt concentration as the body cells when in a state of physiological balance. This is called an isotonic solution (0.9% salt).
Correct water temperature and salt concentration will ensure a pleasant experience.
4. Cleanse the nose
Stand over a wash basin and put the NoseBuddy’s spout firmly in one nostril. Breathe gently through the mouth.
Bend the upper body slightly forward. Tilt the head to create a gradient so the water will pass easily into one nostril and out of the other.
Pour half a pot through each nostril, gently blowing your nose dry in between.
If the nose needs a more thorough cleanse to remove phlegm or dust particles then use a full neti pot for each nostril.
5. Let the water run out
Bend forward with the head and upper body hanging down in a relaxed way for a while, so the water runs out of the nose. If you already know some yoga, you may find it beneficial to use a yoga posture, ‘the clown’ or ‘the headstand’.*
6. Blow your nose
Gently blow each nostril individually. Avoid vigorous blowing. Finish with:
7. The blacksmith’s bellows
Sit with your back straight and head upright. Place your right hand as shown in the illustration.
Feel which nostril is most open. Then close the other nostril using either the thumb or third finger.
Gently breathe in and out twenty times through the open nostril using fast and short breaths. Then breathe in fully and hold the breath with both nostrils closed. Hold the breath in with a light pressure in the nasal cavity, just as long as it is comfortable. If your nose is blocked, hold the breath for longer.
Finally breathe out slowly through the same nostril. Repeat on the other side. Do the whole sequence three times with each nostril.
If you want to receive the maximum from neti, or if you suffer from a blocked nose, sinusitis, allergies or asthma, then always use the blacksmith’s bellows* after nose cleansing.
* For more information on ‘the clown’, ‘the headstand’ and ‘the blacksmiths bellows’ breathing exercise, see Swami Janakananda´s book “Yoga, Tantra and Meditation in Daily Life” (Weiser books) or contact the Scandinavian Yoga and Meditation School.
You are welcome to download this User manual as a Acrobat PDF file >>>
Some tips
If the water runs out slowly or if it doesn’t come out through the other nostril
a) Perhaps you are pressing the spout too hard into your nostril, preventing the flow of water.
b) If the spout is not fitted tightly into the nostril, the water may be running out of the same side.
c) If you have a cold or a blocked nose, the water does not always flow through immediately.
In this case, keep the spout in your nose for a few minutes to allow the salt water to loosen the congestion. Then blow your nose carefully one nostril at a time and change sides repeatedly until the water begins to flow. It will come drop by drop, then in a steady stream. Blow your nose with special care if you have a cold as inflamed mucous embranes are more sensitive.
NoseBuddy's unique construction, with a large volume and a long curved spout, facilitates a good flow of water. This means that in nearly all situations you can clear your nose.
If water flows down into the mouth
This may be due to a blocked nose and therefore requires altering the pressure of the water.
If a lot of water runs down into the mouth, adjust the body position by bending further forward, tucking the chin closer to the chest or changing the tilt of the head. Remember to breathethrough the mouth and avoid wallowing.
If it stings
Check the concentration of salt as this can be caused by either too little or too much salt. Always use the measuring spoon to add the correct amount of salt.
You may need to use a heaped measuring spoon of salt instead of a level one. Different kinds of salt can have different weight per volume ratios. The mixture is correct when it tastes like a salty tear and the water should be lukewarm (body temperature).
Perhaps you have used a coarse grained salt that has not fully dissolved. Check again and follow instructions 1–3.
How often and how much?
Once or twice a day is recommended (morning/evening). However neti may be done as required eg if you are developing a cold, or to clear a blocked nose, alleviate sinusitis, asthma, hayfever or allergy symptoms. You can also use it to remove particles if you have been in dusty, smoky or polluted air.To reduce snoring, do neti before going to bed.
For a more thorough cleanse use a full pot for each nostril. The positive effects of nose cleansing are increased with regular daily use.
Cleaning
Rinse the pot and spoon in hot water before and after use. Allow to dry at room temperature.
Wash the pot by hand with a mild detergent if necessary. NoseBuddy can be washed in a dishwasher, although lime stains may occur inside the pot.
We recommend that you have your own personal pot and use it only for nose cleansing.
NoseBuddy is a long–lasting quality product, therefore if you follow the instructions you will enjoy it for several years.
