What is Ayurveda?

Nasya Treatment in Ayurveda

The nose is the direct route to the brain and also the doorway to consciousness. It is the entrance for prana, the life force, which comes into the body through the breath. Healthy uncongested breathing is important to ensure proper flow of prana throughout the head and body. When an excess of bodily fluids accumulates in the sinus, throat, nose or head areas, it is best eliminated through the nose. Administration of herbally infused oil, or nasya, helps facilitate this cleansing process. Nasya Oil soothes and protects the nasal passages and helps relieve sinus congestion. Daily nasal lubrication helps to release tension in the head and relieve accumulated stress. Balancing for vata, pitta, and kapha, Nasya Oil is also traditionally said to improve quality of voice, strengthen vision and promote mental clarity.

Here is a simple procedure to follow for self-administration of nasya:

1. Begin by comfortably lying down on your back and tilting your head back with your nostrils opening towards the sky. If you are lying on a bed, you may hang your head off the edge of the bed, or place a small pillow beneath your neck for support.
2. Place 5-10 drops of nasya oil in each nostril. With skill, you can administer the oil, drop by drop, circling the inside perimeter of the nostril, thoroughly coating the nasal membranes.
3. Take a big sniff in, then rest for a few minutes allowing the nasya to penetrate.

If lying down is not convenient, you can also apply nasya this way:

1. Place a drop of nasya oil on the little finger and carefully insert it into the nostril.
2. Gently massage the inner walls of the nasal passage.
3. Alternate left and right nostrils until each nostril has received a total of three applications of oil.

The lubrication and gentle massage helps to alleviate stress and release any tension in the tissues.

Breathe Easy

How would your life be different if your breath were more relaxed, more fluid—less disturbed by congestion, cough, stress, or anxiety—if you could simply breathe easy? Most of us can relate to the panic we experience when we can’t catch our breath for some reason.

Both Yoga and Ayurveda hold that the quality of your breath is vital to your well-being. Making each breath long and deep can improve your health and increase longevity. Cleansing and protecting the breathing passages, particularly the nostrils, can improve the quality of every breath you take.