Hoarseness, dry nasal mucous membranes, and sore throats are unpleasant conditions of the ENT area that appear especially during the cold season. In this article, we introduce you to one of the classic applications of Ayurvedic medicine, which is used for many complaints above the collarbones: "Nasya". Nasya describes an Ayurvedic therapy in which medicated Nasya oils or herbs are administered through the nose. This is primarily intended to eliminate excess Kapha-Dosha, which is responsible for mucus congestion and cold in the head area. Learn how to use Nasya, which conditions it is used for, and what forms of Nasya exist in this blog article.
The Most Important Points at a Glance
- Nasya eliminates excess Kapha-Dosha from the head area.
- There are oiling and head-cleansing forms of Nasya therapy.
- Nasya can be part of the daily Ayurvedic morning routine.
Nasya – Meaning and Origin
The gerundium "nas" appearing in the compound "Nas-ya", often also "nas-hya", comes from Indian Sanskrit and means something like "banish" or "destroy". So it only coincidentally resembles the German word for nose. According to its name, this Ayurvedic cleansing therapy, which takes place through the nasal openings, seems to be very powerful. And indeed, "Nasya" is already mentioned in the Charaka Samhita, one of the most fundamental textbooks of Ayurvedic medicine. Here it is known as Nasya-Karma and describes one of the five cleansing processes of the Pancha Karma treatment in Ayurveda.
Important: The five-fold Ayurvedic cleansing cure Pancha Karma: The intensive Ayurvedic elimination procedure called Pancha Karma [five actions] takes place through the skin, intestines, and mouth. This includes: Virechana (purgation), Basthi (enemas), Vamana (therapeutic vomiting), Nasya (nasal cleansing), and / or bloodletting. A complete Pancha Karma cure should only be performed under the supervision of an Ayurvedic physician.
Nasal cleansing Nasya does not necessarily have to be used as part of a Pancha-Karma cure. It can also be soothing and cleansing independently, for example as a single therapy form or as a daily Ayurvedic cleansing routine.
Forms of Nasya Therapy
Nasya therapy is divided into two forms: oiling and head-cleansing.
Prevention with Nasya Oil
Especially during the colder season from fall to early spring, prevention with Nasya oils is advisable. Especially people with increased allergy potential are recommended to protect the nasal passages daily with a Nasya oil from external influences. The cold air outside, the wind, but also dry heating air and dust put the nasal mucous membranes to the test especially in winter.
Nasal Cleansing with Nasya Karma
For acute, but especially for chronic conditions, Ayurveda recommends Nasya Karma. This is the somewhat more involved, very effective cleansing of the upper airways through the nose. For this, we use the medicated Nasya oils. A detailed description of the oils can be found at the end of the article.
Nasya Karma – The Intensive Cleansing of the Head Area
Ayurveda describes the effect of Nasya therapy as Dosha-eliminating. Primarily, it eliminates the accumulation of Kapha (mucus and cold) from the head area. Typical conditions here include chronic sinusitis (sinus inflammation), as well as mucus congestion in other sinuses, such as the frontal or maxillary sinus, rhinitis (common cold runny nose), headaches, laryngeal conditions, bronchitis, or asthma. Additionally, Nasya improves the sense of smell.
Instructions for Performing Nasya Treatment
You only have two hands, and for the uninitiated, self-treatment with Nasya can be difficult. Accordingly, we recommend performing the application in peace and possibly with the help of a second person. You can perform this treatment daily or as needed, trust your intuition here. After three to seven days, however, you should take a break in any case.
What You Need
- Bowl with hot water, mortar, Ajowain, towel (for inhalation)
- 6-16 drops of Nasya oil, bowl for spitting, warm water for rinsing (for Nasya oiling)
- ½ liter of warm (ginger) water for drinking
Step by Step
- Inhalation: Grind 1 tsp Ajowain in mortar, add to hot water, cover head with towel, inhale through nose and exhale through mouth for about 10 minutes.
- Nasya Oiling: Lie on your back, stretch head back, apply 6-16 drops of oil into each nostril, sniff gently, spit out mucus and oil, rinse mouth with warm water.
- Rest: Drink ½ liter of warm ginger water, rest, keep warm.
What You Should Pay Attention To
Drink at least ½ liter of warm ginger water and rest. Keep yourself warm. Do not swallow the oil!
These Persons Should Not Perform Nasya Treatment
Ayurveda does not recommend Nasya treatment for children under seven years of age and for older people (over 75). It is also not indicated for pregnant women, after childbirth, after eating, after alcohol consumption, not for dizziness, head injuries, breathing difficulties, or digestive disorders. If you are unsure whether you are allowed to perform Nasya treatment, contact your Ayurvedic physician.
Nasya as Part of the Ayurvedic Morning Routine Dinacharya
While a therapeutic Nasya treatment is intensive in duration and application, daily nasal care performed at home requires much less time and effort. Like oral care Gandusha (oil pulling and tongue cleaning) and self-massage, Nasya belongs to Ayurveda's daily body care ritual. Many yogis also know this branch of Ayurveda as "Kriya-Yoga" – it describes the daily cleansing of the physical body performed daily. Many already know the Ayurvedic morning routine as Dinacharya.
As part of the daily Ayurvedic morning routine performed daily, Nasya acts preventively on various conditions above the collarbones. Thus, Nasya oils are said to have a decongestant, antibacterial, moisturizing, and regenerative effect on the nasal mucous membranes and strengthen the respiratory tract. There are several ways to perform the daily Nasya routine.
1. Sniff Oil in Small Doses Multiple Times Daily Instead of Using Nasal Spray
Daily, 1 – 4 times, drop one drop of Nasya oil into each nostril and sniff it up. To apply the oil, place it on the tip of your little finger and put it in one nostril, then do the same with one drop in the other. The Shrotas are opened and secretion is stimulated. According to Ayurvedic writings, this works preventively against colds and is effective for sleep difficulties.
2. Oil the Inside of the Nose Morning and Evening to Counteract Dryness
It's best to keep a bottle of Nasya oil in your bathroom and take one drop of oil on your little finger each morning and evening, and anoint the inside of your nose with it. You perform this ritual throughout the entire winter. It protects the nasal mucous membranes from drying out at night, thereby strengthens your immunity, and lets you enter spring healthy.
Use either high-quality organic sesame oil or a special Nasya oil as the oil.
3. Nasal Irrigation with the Neti Pot
Instead of sniffing the nasal oil upward, for swelling and inflammation of the sinuses, daily nasal irrigation with a Neti pot and warm salt water is recommended.
What Belongs to the Ayurvedic Morning Routine
1. Early Rising – The time before sunrise is full of harmony and energy, so Ayurveda recommends getting up early in the morning before sunrise.
2. Drinking Two to Three Glasses of Lukewarm Water – Immediately after waking up, it activates and cleanses the body channels that have become sluggish from sleep at night.
3. General Cleansing Measures – Cleaning of mouth and teeth after elimination of stool and urine.
4. Abhyanga (Full Body Oil Massage) – Includes an important aspect of the daily routine. Ayurveda recommends massage every day, as it has a rejuvenating effect and dispels fatigue.
5. Nasya or Jala-Neti – The nasal application of sesame oil or warm water is helpful in preventing and treating problems of the nasal cavity and sinuses.
6. Yoga – Ayurveda recommends physical exercises appropriate to body strength. They promote body growth, bring stability and ease, and increase tolerance to fatigue.
7. Gandusha – Holding sesame oil or Ghee in the mouth. Strengthens the jaw and voice, nourishes the cheeks, improves taste perception and appetite, prevents dry mouth, cracked lips, cavities, toothaches, sensitive teeth, and strengthens teeth in general.
8. Udvartana – Dry massage with various plant powders or chickpea flour to remove excess oil from the body surface. It also improves blood circulation of the skin, promotes shine and color of the skin.
9. Snana – A bath (or shower) is performed last to cleanse the body. After the previous procedures, the use of soap is no longer necessarily required. If deemed necessary, however, a mild soap may be used.
These Nasya Oils Exist
In our Ayurvedic medicine practice, we use so-called medicated oils for both oiling and cleansing. This is often a sesame oil that has been infused with various herbs and is either applied locally to the nasal mucous membranes or sniffed in through the nose. Here is an overview of the most common Nasya oils:
Sesame Oil
For daily routine, preventively, and for care of the mucous membranes in winter or during hay fever season. Organic sesame oil is relatively inexpensive and is therefore suitable for frequent use. Reduces Kapha.
Ghee
The use of Ghee is recommended for sensitive mucous membranes and nosebleeds, crusting in the nose. Anti-inflammatory, cooling.
Anu Tailam (Janu Taila)
Anu Tailam eliminates all three excess Doshas in the head, namely Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. The Nasya oil is recommended by Ayurvedic writings for rhinitis, sinusitis, and migraine. It prevents hair loss and premature graying, eliminates facial palsy, neck stiffness, and head tremors.
Shadbindu Tailam (Shadvindu Nasya)
Shadvindu Nasya Tailam eliminates Vata and Pitta. According to Ayurvedic writings, it eliminates the associated complaints of head and nose: chronic sinusitis, stiffness in the head, neck and jaw area. Promotes eyesight.
Narayana Tailam
For diseases of the peripheral nervous system in the head area.
Brahmi Gritham
Brahmi Gritham is medicated Ghee with Brahmi herb. In the Charaka Samhita, it is called Medhyarasayana, i.e., "brain tonic". Accordingly, according to Ayurveda, it improves memory and general brain function, is effective for migraine and headaches.
Conclusion
Nasya is a valuable Ayurvedic practice that can be applied both as part of intensive therapy and as a daily routine. It helps eliminate excess Kapha-Dosha from the head area and strengthens the respiratory tract. The various Nasya oils offer specific benefits and can be selected based on individual needs and health requirements. Whether as part of the morning routine or for acute complaints, Nasya offers a natural way to support the health of the upper respiratory tract.
