Jala Neti - The Yoga Practice of Saline Nasal Irrigation

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Medical and Therapeutic Applications
for Jala Neti

Whilst certain specialist medical areas (e.g.. Otorhinolaryngology) do know about and recommend nasal lavage in different ways, it is curious that nasal irrigation has not been more widely embraced by general medical practitioners and the general public.

During the years we have been showing people the yoga method of Saline Nasal Irrigation (SNI), people have often asked us what the medical establishment think about it and why, if it is as effective as we say, hasn't their doctor mentioned it to them or why hasn't it become more popularly accepted. We tell them that although some medical specialists do know about and recommend saline irrigation, most general medical practitioners may never have seen it performed the simple yoga way. Also, due to the lack of proper research into the technique, doctors would be unlikely to recommend something of unproven medicinal value when there are other preparations available which have been better evaluated.

The traditional method of SNI which yoga has been advocating for centuries is unique in its simplicity and effectiveness. The differences between Jala Neti and contemporary medical nasal irrigation are possibly the reason why SNI has not taken off in a big way for the average person with nasal complaints. We believe the reasons for this are as follows:

- Whereas some nasal specialists recommend a buffered hypersaline solution, Jala Neti recommends only normal saline. Hypersaline even if buffered, whilst working well for mucus extraction over short periods, is known to irritate the mucosa after prolonged use. Normal saline on the other hand can be used just as effectively over time with no discomfort or side effects. For chronic complaints (which most patients have) this would appear to be a more appropriate application of the treatment.

- Whereas ENT patients have tried SNI injected into the nostrils by way of a bulb syringe or an adapter fitted to a low powered water jet, both of which can cause an uncomfortable pressure build up in the sinuses or Eustachian tubes, Jala Neti utilises only gravity pressure where blockages of material in the nose are released more gently over time. Such patients may also be of the opinion that SNI is only necessary as a post operative adjunct and that such "therapy" need only be tolerated short term.

- Whereas most other methods we have seen recommend that the water is sniffed or forced through the nasopharynx and oropharynx and out via the mouth, (this is called Stage 2 in the yoga version), we recommend that initially the practitioner performs only Stage 1 for some time (frontal cleansing - where water only flows as far as the turbinates and out the nostrils) before proceeding onto the slightly more difficult and uncomfortable Stage 2 (post nasal irrigation).

- Whereas SNI has usually been promoted as a specialist, consultative, post operative, invasive kind of therapy, the method we advocate can easily be performed at home, anytime, self administered with a minimum of equipment in only 4 minutes as part of a normal daily ablutions regime.

For the above reasons we believe that many people are perhaps not enjoying nasal irrigation as much as could be and may be shunning the technique for of reasons of discomfort and inconvenience. We aim to address this lack of knowledge and public acceptance of SNI in the following ways:

- By popularising the simple self administered, gravity fed, normal saline method performed in 2 stages over time;
- By encouraging proper medical research into the reputed benefits of the technique;
- By encouraging occupational health applications for nasal cleansing.

For more information on Jala Neti and yoga specifically relevant to medical applications, proceed to these short cuts or navigate the website with the directory bar at bottom.

Comments made by Health Professionals and Medical Practitioners

Research into Jala Neti and Yoga Therapy

Comparison of Nasal Irrigation Methods and Devices 

Link to Dr. Murray Grossan, ENT and Nasal Irrigation Researcher