Why cleanse your nose?
Nasal cleansing is a hatha yoga method called neti. You cleanse your nose with an isotonic solution of lukewarm salt water (0.9 %).
Neti is traditionally recommended for alleviating nasal and sinus disorders, for improving the flow of breath in the nose, increasing mental clarity and as a preparation for yoga and meditation.
Many people cleanse their nose in the morning for a refreshing start to the day. Others prefer the benefits of neti after coming home from work.
This simple method cleans and moistens the nose and mucous membranes. On the surface of the mucous membranes, in the nostrils, sinuses, airways, bronchi and auditory tube (between the nose and middle ear) are microscopic hairs called cilia. Nose cleansing stimulates the cilia’s sweeping movements to remove phlegm, dust and pollen and, with it bacteria which may precede a virus attack.
This is one of the ways in which neti can relieve or prevent common colds, sinusitis, asthma, allergies and infections of the airways, as well as problems caused by air pollution.
Dry environments reduce the effectiveness of the cilia by drying the mucous membranes. Nose cleansing restores their natural moisture and reduces swollen mucous membranes which cause a blocked nose. Neti can be beneficial during pregnancy and also as a prevention for snoring.
Nose cleansing stimulates and energises the area around the eyes and forehead. This may reduce headaches caused by nervous tension. People have experienced clearer vision, improved sense of smell as well as finding neti helpful in stopping smoking.
When you do neti regularly it becomes easier to breathe through the nose. The incoming air is warmed and filtered. Nitrogen monoxide produced in the sinuses is carried with the breath to the lungs, where it increases oxygen uptake by dilating the blood vessels.
In many countries nose cleansing is an age–old folk remedy to prevent common colds. At the beginning of the 20th Century, pots and sprays for nose cleansing were available from chemist shops around Europe. This was forgotten until the 1970’s, when this knowledge was revived through increased interest in yoga.
Today many doctors have discovered the benefits of neti and recommend its regular use.
”Nose cleansing improves general health. The more regularly you cleanse your nose the greater and longer lasting the effect is”. (Prof Thomas Schmidt MD, The Medical University of Hannover)
Read more about nose cleansing in Bindu no 3
