Neti Pot Nasal Irrigation | Allergy Treatment | Natural Sinusitis Relief, As seen On The Oprah Winfrey Show

The benefits

Proponents claim that jala neti has numerous benefits including:

• reduction of allergy problems
• improvement to breathing
• elimination of post-nasal drip
• elimination of sinusitis or chronic sinus infections
• moistening of dry nasal passages
• temporarily reduces symptoms of phantosmia
• common colds are either avoided or the duration greatly shortened
• general improvement to sinus health.

Yogic breathing practices known as pranayama are greatly enhanced by the practice of jala neti since many of them involve deep breathing through the nostrils.

Other benefits practitioners may notice:

• vision is clearer. Jala neti will clean the tear ducts enabling better cleaning and moistening of the eyes.
• improved sense of smell
• improved sense of taste
• deeper more relaxed breathing

Though no research has been done, jala neti may help some people with sleep apnea.

The Sanskrit term Jala neti refers to an ancient yogic cleansing technique, meaning literally "water cleansing," where the practitioner rinses out the nasal cavity with water (usually salted) using a neti pot. The technique is starting to be recognized by Western medicine under the term nasal irrigation.

Jala neti, though relatively less known in western culture, is a common practice in parts of India and other areas in South East Asia, performed as routinely as using a toothbrush. It is performed daily usually the first thing in the morning with other cleansing practices. It may be useful at the end of the day if you work or live in a dusty or polluted environment. When dealing with problems of congestion it can be performed up to four times a day. Jala neti can be done at a bathroom sink without a special pot using just your hands and fresh water. Wet the palms and fingers of your hands and wet the inside of your nose. After, you can maybe tilt your head back and let the moisture enter your nasal passages. Later, blow your nose into the sink. Using warm water might be helpful.