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Nasal irrigation is a personal hygiene practice which involves flooding the nasal cavity with warm saline solution. The goal of nasal irrigation is to clear out excess mucus and particulates and moisturize the nasal cavity. Either a fluid-filled syringe or a neti pot can be used. The practice has been subjected to clinical testing and has been found to be safe and beneficial, with no apparent side effects^[1][2].

Contents 1 Jala Neti 2 Methods 3 Potential benefits and uses 4 Potential problems 5 References 6 External links

Nasal irrigation is an ancient Ayurvedic technique known as Jala neti, which literally means nasal cleansing in Sanskrit, where the practitioner uses a neti pot to perform the irrigation. The irrigation-specific elements of jala neti are starting to be recognized by Western medicine under the term nasal irrigation to treat a variety of conditions.

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 brushing one's teeth using a toothbrush. It is performed daily, usually as the first thing in the morning with other cleansing practices. It may also be performed at the end of the day if one works or lives in a dusty or polluted environment. When dealing with problems of congestion it can be performed up to four times a day.

A typical method utilizes an isotonic saline solution. Recent research^[3][4] has indicated that a hypertonic saline solution may be effective.

See main article in Wikibooks.

The saline solution irrigation and nasal flush promotes good nasal health. It can be used by patients with chronic sinusitis including symptoms of facial pain, headache, halitosis, cough, anterior rhinorrhea (watery discharge), and one study has even reported that nasal irrigation was “just as effective at treating these symptoms as the drug therapies.”^[5] In other studies, “daily hypertonic saline nasal irrigation improves sinus-related quality of life, decreases symptoms, and decreases medication use in patients with frequent sinusitis,^[2]” and irrigation is recommended as an “effective adjunctive treatment of chronic sinonasal symptoms.”^[6][7]

Nasal irrigation is reputed to help prevent colds and otherwise promote good nasal health by cleaning out the nasal passages and helps alleviate stuffiness, dryness, nosebleeds and the symptoms of allergies^{[citation needed]}.

For those who suffer from chronic sinusitis, nasal irrigation is a quick and inexpensive way to promote ciliary function and mucus turnover, decrease edema, and improve drainage through the sinus ostia.

To summarize, nasal irrigation can purportedly:

• Clear out sticky, persistent mucus and help reduce nasal congestion
• Cleanse and rid the sinus cavities of allergens, irritants, and contaminants
• Treat chronic sinusitis
• Treat acute bacterial rhinosinusitis^[2]
• Treat allergic rhinitis
• Prevent common colds and flu
• Relieve nasal dryness
• Treat empty nose syndrome (a crippled nose caused by over-aggressive turbinate resection)
• Improve breathing
• Reduce cough and other symptoms of post-nasal drip
• Temporarily reduce symptoms of phantosmia
• Generally improve 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

• Some people may have hardened blockages. These may be eliminated gradually over several attempts but may be due to a deviated septum in which case a minor surgery may be needed.
• Some mild blockages may also be removed with sutra neti when Jala neti is unsuccessful.
• Burning or irritating the nasal lining. This can feel similar to irritation one may experience from the chlorine in a swimming pool. This is usually due to water being at the wrong temperature and/or salinity, but can also be due to the salt containing additive. If the salinity is correct and the water is at body temperature, try using a different type of salt.
• A person may feel sharp pains due to pressure on the sinuses. They should stop immediately and consult a doctor.
• If a person experiences ear discomfort when performing Jala Neti, they should be sure to blow their nose more gently after the wash. If the problem persists, the openings of their Eustachian tubes may be particularly wide and they may need to discontinue use.

This section may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. Please improve this article if you can (December 2007).

• Neti: Healing Secrets of Yoga and Ayurveda, Dr. David Frawley, Lotus Press, Twin Lakes, Wisconsin ISBN 978-0-9409-8585-8

1. ^ Papsin, B; McTavish A (2003 Jul). "Saline nasal irrigation: Its role as an adjunct treatment". Can Fam Physician 49: 168-73. Retrieved on 2007-06-17. 
2. ^ ^{a b c} Rabago, D; Zgierska A, Mundt M, Barrett B, Bobula J, Maberry R (2002 Dec). "Efficacy of daily hypertonic saline nasal irrigation among patients with sinusitis: a randomized controlled trial". J Fam Pract 51 (12): 1049-55. Dowden Publishing Co., Inc.. PMID 12540331. Retrieved on 2006-11-22. 
3. ^ Efficacy of daily hypertonic saline nasal irrigation among patients with sinusitis: a randomized controlled trial.
4. ^ The efficacy of hypertonic saline nasal irrigation for chronic sinonasal symptoms..
5. ^ "Sinusitis Treatment: What Is New Is Old." About.com : Senior Health
6. ^ Rabago, D; Pasic T, Zgierska A, Mundt M, Barrett B, Maberry R (2005 Jul). "The efficacy of hypertonic saline nasal irrigation for chronic sinonasal symptoms". Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 133 (1): 3-8. Mosby-Year Book. PMID 16025044. Retrieved on 2006-11-22. 
7. ^ Tomooka, LT; Murphy C, Davidson TM (2000 Jul). "Clinical study and literature review of nasal irrigation". Laryngoscope 110 (7): 1189-93. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. PMID 10892694. Retrieved on 2006-11-22. 

• Demo Video for Neti Pot
• University of Wisconsin Family Medicine Nasal Irrigation Information
• Mayo Clinic Instructional Video
• Got a Runny Nose? Flush It Out! Morning Edition, NPR, February 22, 2007
• Library of Neti research papers by Swami B. Saraswati and Dr. Steve Rabone
• Online article about Jala Neti
• Stainless steel vs. ceramic neti pot comparison
• Free Online Book On Jala Neti