What is Neti?
Neti is a Sanskrit term derived from the roots na and ti, which together translate as “not so”. Neti is a centuries old yogic practise originated in India. It is known as a technique to cleanse and strengthen the body and keeping it illness-free.
There are types of Neti practise-
- Jela Neti
- It simply mean “water cleansing”.
- It is advised to use a pinch of salt to help dilute the mucous in nasal passage.
Photo: Neti Pot for Jela Neti
- Sutra Neti
- Nasal Cleansing Using a Cord
- This practise is suggested to only though a certified yoga teacher.
- Sutra neti is performed with a soft rubber catheter. The person tilts the head slightly backward to insert the catheter into one nostril. The catheter is gently pushed inside until it reaches the throat. The person can then gently pull out one end of the catheter through the mouth, with the other end still outside the nostril. The thread is then moved back and forth a few time. The catheter is removed and the process is repeated on the opposite side.
Photo: The rubber catheter for Sutra Neti
Benefits of doing Neti:
- Removes dirt and bacteria with the mucus in the blocked nostrils
- Soothes allergies due to dust and pollen
- Makes breathing easier
- Reduces the chance of throat and ear infections
- Reduces sinus infection and reduces migraine
- Reduces bad breath due to mucus and bacteria build up
- Relaxes nervous system and reduces stress
- Improves vision
What is Neti Pot?
Photo: Use luke warm water and non-iodized salt for Jela Neti
Neti pot is a container used for cleaning the nasal passage using filtered Luke warm water or Saline solution. The picture shows the Neti pot, regular sea salt for Jela Neti and Rubber catheter for Sutra Neti.
What do you need for Jela Neti?
- A Neti pot
- A pinch of salt
- Lukewarm water
- Optional: Using one drop of Eucalyptus oil will give an extra freshness – Beware as this may increase the nasal burn
How to use Neti Pot?
Photo: Pass water through the nostril with mouth open for breathing
- Clean the neti pot with hot water
- Get 2 cups of filtered clean water or boiled water
- Make sure the water is gently warm
- Add a pinch of non-iodized salt into the luke warm water
- Bend over the washroom sink as illustrated in the picture with head slightly tilted
- Make sure you are breathing through your mouth during the neti practise
- Insert the spout of the pot into the upper nostril
- Raise the pot so the saline solution flows from the upper nostril and come out through the lower nostril
- Block your lower nostril and gently blow out the mucus and water to come out
- Repeat the process on the lower nostril
- Once completed, blow your nostrils thoroughly to release any water stuck inside the passage
- Make sure to clean the Neti pot with soap and hot water