How to Make Solution for Neti Pots
"Jala Neti" (also written sometimes as "Jala Netti") is the name for a wellness technique said to come from the ancient Himalayan yoga masters. It's a method for cleansing and re-balancing the nasal passages and for opening the ducts to the sinuses. To perform Jala Neti, you pour a warm, saline solution from a small container called a neti pot into one nostril and it flows out the other nostril. Yogis and many ear, nose and throat doctors recognize this simple practice as a powerful tool for improving breathing while bolstering immune function, and thus, for supporting vibrant health. Those in the yoga realm believe this practice to have the deeper additional benefits of promoting a balanced mind-body-spirit state. Here's how to prepare the solution, assuming you will fill your neti pot twice--once for each nostril.
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Things You'll Need
- Cooking pot
- Neti pot
- Filtered water
- Spoon
- Sea salt or non-iodized kosher salt
Instructions
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The word 'jala' comes from the Sanskrit language and means water. Measure out the amount of filtered, non-chlorinated water that would fill your neti pot twice. Pour that water into a pot. Heat the pot slightly, until the temperature of the water becomes lukewarm only. It should be body temperature and no more.
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In the 1840's, it was discovered that salt-mine workers had especially good respiratory health. Add two, rounded, one-quarter teaspoons of finely ground, non-iodized salt such as sea salt to the water. Mix well to ensure that the salt dissolves entirely. It should be the saltiness of tears.
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The OM symbol can be understood to represent the source from which all teachings arise. Imbue the solution with the healing power of gratitude. Note that this inexpensive, simple and time-tested means toward greater vibrancy comes from the ancient yoga masters, whose wisdom teachings have been passed down through many thousands of years and to humanity's healing benefit.
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Tips & Warnings
Ensure that your neti pot, cooking pot and spoon are all sterile. Many favor stainless steal neti pots, suggesting that the stainless steal variety offers a better capacity for sterilization.
If the solution is too hot or too salty it will burn and aggravate the lining of the nostrils. Before attempting Jala Neti, get thorough instruction from a qualified and experienced individual such as a holistically minded ENT or a skilled yoga teacher. In the case of a complex ear, nose, throat and/or eye imbalance, first discuss Jala Neti with your health care provider for their input and guidance.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Human nose macro shot image by Gleb Semenjuk from Fotolia.com abstract water drop image by Anatoly Tiplyashin from Fotolia.com salt image by Andrey Rakhmatullin from Fotolia.com om on cloth image by paul prescott from Fotolia.com
