Neti & Nasya: Ancient Ayurvedic Rituals for Springtime Wellness 🌿✨
- Andree Noye
- 21 hours ago
- 2 min read
Written by Andrée Noye, updated and adapted from Paavani Ayurveda (19 April 2018) Reading Time: 2-3 minutes
As spring unfolds in the Northern Hemisphere, we find ourselves transitioning into what Ayurveda calls kapha season—a time of renewal, blooming landscapes, and shifting energy. While this fresh start is invigorating, it can also bring seasonal challenges, especially for the respiratory system.
Yet, while spring feels fresh and revitalizing, it also brings seasonal challenges. Many of us are dealing with lingering colds, allergies, congestion, or fatigue as our bodies adjust. This is where the ancient Ayurvedic rituals of Neti and Nasya come in—offering gentle, effective ways to support our respiratory health, mental clarity, and overall well-being.
What Are Neti & Nasya?
These traditional Ayurvedic rituals have been practiced for thousands of years, particularly by yogis, who discovered their ability to open the sinuses, enhance the breath, and improve overall vitality. But even if you're not a yogi, incorporating neti and nasya into your daily routine can provide incredible benefits.
Neti: The Art of Cleansing
The term neti means "to guide," referring to the flow of water through the nasal passages to clear congestion and enhance breathing. Using a neti pot—a small, teapot-like vessel—you gently flush the sinuses with a warm saline solution, removing excess mucus and allergens.
Regular neti practice helps:
✅ Reduce seasonal allergies
✅ Clear nasal passages for better oxygen flow
✅ Support a deeper, more connected breath
Nasya: Nourishing the Nasal Passages
Nasya involves oiling the nose with herbal-infused sesame or sunflower oil to lubricate, cleanse, and protect. This Ayurvedic practice restores moisture after neti and serves as a natural respiratory shield, supporting focus, brain function, and immunity.
Nasya is particularly beneficial for:
🌬 Dry nasal passages
🛡 Protection from environmental pollutants
💆 Mental clarity and relaxation
A Simple Daily Ritual
For optimal results, Ayurveda recommends performing neti and nasya first thing in the morning—helping clear accumulated toxins and mucus from sleep.
How to Practice Neti:
1️⃣ Mix warm distilled water with salt in your neti pot (¼ tsp salt per ½ cup water).
2️⃣ Lean over a sink and gently pour the solution through one nostril, allowing it to exit through the other.
3️⃣ Repeat on the opposite side.
4️⃣ Blow your nose to remove any lingering fluid.
How to Practice Nasya:
💧 Daily: Apply 1-2 drops of nasya oil to a clean fingertip and gently massage inside each nostril.
💧 Weekly: Tilt your head back, place 3-5 drops directly into your nostrils, and inhale deeply.
Breathing Life into Your Wellness
Our breath is one of the most powerful tools for transformation—it connects us to ourselves, the world, and each changing season. By incorporating neti and nasya into your routine, you can support clearer breathing, better focus, and deeper well-being.
So, as spring unfolds, embrace the wisdom of Ayurveda and breathe fully, live vibrantly, and move into the season with clarity. 🌸