The West Is Catching Up To Jal Neti Now

Not many moons ago, the ayurvedic technique was looked down upon as something dangerous and unnecessary, today many seem to have changed their perception of the ancient technique of water pulling from the nose.

With new age medical devices making it look less scary, a section on social media can’t stop making videos of themselves using the technique to open their sinuses, clear their nasal passage to keep the respiratory tract clear and healthy. But why has it suddenly piqued everyone’s interest?

X (previously Twitter)

It starts with a tweet made on December 21. A couple of days ago Dr. Dr. Brandon Luu rekindled the conversation over jal neti and neti pots on X. “Washing viruses out of your nose and throat can help you get better faster,” he wrote, along with a screenshot of the study that was conducted back in January 2019. According to the research trial that had 66 randomised participants, researchers asked a group that had caught a cold to rinse and gargle with hypertonic saline (salty water) several times a day, starting within 48 hours of symptoms. They compared them to a control group that didn’t.

The group that used the salt solution felt better nearly two days earlier, took fewer over-the-counter medications, were 36 per cent less likely to pass the cold on to others, and had less viral shedding. So obviously the post linking to the trial by Dr. Luu racked up over 550,000 views as netizens delighted in (and grudgingly acknowledged) their parents’ advice. 

Others were quick to point out that jal neti or the practice of using a neti pot to rinse your nasal passages with water originated in India over 5,000 years ago as part of Ayurvedic and yogic traditions. Since, it has spread across multiple countries, including Bangladesh, Pakistan, and now America.

How To Do Jalneti Right?

So, for those living under a rock, Jalneti is a type of neti kriya, a cleansing procedure associated with the upper respiratory system using saline lukewarm water.

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All you need to do to get the exercise right is mix a teaspoon of non-iodized salt in a glass of lukewarm water and pour the saline solution into the neti pot that usually has a long stout. Next, you should lean your head sideways over a sink and gently insert the spout of the Neti pot into the upper nostril. Let the water flow through your nasal passage and out of the opposite nostril. Breathe through your mouth during the process. After cleansing one side, tilt your head in the opposite direction and repeat the process.

Also popularly called nasal wash now, jalneti works best in the morning as it is said to be similar to brushing your teeth after a good night’s sleep.

According to yogic literature, jalneti may reduce the progress and occurrence of upper respiratory tract infections. It may be more effective in managing rhinitis, which occurs due to inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nose. It may also be helpful in sinusitis, in which inflammation occurs in the nasal spaces and head or sinuses. It appears to be effective in both children and adults. Jalneti process may restore nasal mucosa capacity and fight against mucus and dirt.

Clean nasal passages help balance the body’s internal energy, leading to better mental clarity, relaxation, and enhanced physical performance. Regular nasal cleansing also promotes emotional balance by calming the nervous system, reducing stress, and improving overall well-being.

Moreover, one of the best and most effectives ways to benefit from this is to try it in winter. Since most of us are victims of a blocked nose, air pollution and everything in between that could make us hyperaware of our breathing, nasal wash or jalneti works wonders to get rid of the mucus blocking our nasal passage or sinus triggering just when you are about to head into a REM sleep. Do it 2-3 times a week (not more) and you will find it helpful with your allergies, snoring, sinus inflammation and breathing in general.

All you need is a nasal wash pot and some salt (though maybe on TikTok and Instagram some have been using a teapot…maybe leave that for a warm cup of tea?).