by Parmjit Singh, PhD
With Spring knocking on our doors, it is time to clean up, not only homes and yards but also our body and mind. Over the time, toxins build up in the body and leave us vulnerable to various allergies and other related problems. Rather than running to a nearby pharmacy for every cold and allergic break-out, yoga offers a cheap and effective method to control these flare-ups (aka wash away allergies), especially related to nasal passage. It is called the Nasal Wash, performed with a neti pot (see the image).
How to do it?
- Take the neti pot (it is available from health and yoga stores) or simply get a small kettle. Wash it properly.
- Fill it with lukewarm water and mix in approximately one-quarter teaspoon of salt. The water in neti pot is usually equivalent to normal body saline level; so do not worry if you fear that it will sting you while pouring through your nostrils. If needed, adjust the salt quantity so that it does not bother you while doing this exercise.
- Bring the spout to the nose, bend over the sink with the head slightly bent forward and slightly tilted (to the right if pouring water through left nostril and vice versa) so that water can flow out from other nostril freely.
- Raise the neti pot so that water starts pouring into nostril. Then it will start flowing out from the other nostril. The flow will depend upon whether the passage is clear or clogged.
- During this process, breathe through mouth.
- After pouring through one nostril, blow freely through both nostrils to force out excess mucus and water. If you feel still congested; kneel down, put your forehead on the floor and blow as you did before.
- Then repeat the cycle for another nostril.
Cautions
To be on the safe side and minimize the probability of side effects, use safe methods and water. Read more here about safety and cautions.
Benefits
- Clears internal sinus passages and restores their health.
- Helps fight allergies, colds and other sinuses problems.
- Allow for easy breathing during meditation and yoga.
- Dissolves excess mucus.
- Hydrates dry nasal passage due to travel, smoke and other pollutants.
- Using it on a regular basis would likely wash away allergies and prevent annoying flare-ups.
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