Neti

Meaning

Neti (नेति) is the cleansing of the nasal passages, the third ṣaṭkarma. It is one of the most accessible and beneficial practices for the modern practitioner.

The texts describe two main variants:

• Jala Neti — With salt water
• Sutra Neti — With thread or cord

Nasal cleansing is fundamental because the nostrils are the gateway for prāṇa. The iḍā and piṅgalā nāḍīs terminate in the left and right nostrils respectively.

Jala Neti (Water Cleansing)

The most practiced, safe and effective technique.

Preparation

• Warm water (body temperature, 37°C/98°F)
• Non-iodized salt: half teaspoon per half liter
• Neti pot or small teapot with spout
• Tissues

The salt proportion is important: it must be isotonic (same concentration as body fluids). Water without salt or with too much salt irritates the mucous membranes.

Procedure

1. Fill the neti pot with warm salted water
2. Tilt the head to one side over the sink
3. Gently insert the spout into the upper nostril
4. Breathe through the mouth
5. Water flows by gravity, entering through one nostril and exiting through the other
6. Empty half the pot, switch sides
7. Repeat with the other nostril

Drying (essential)

After neti, dry the nostrils completely:

1. Gentle kapālabhāti: 30-50 rapid exhalations through both nostrils
2. Forced exhalation: Tilt head, exhale forcefully through each nostril alternately
3. Repeat tilting head forward, back and to the sides
4. Ensure no water remains, especially before going out in cold weather

Sutra Neti (Cord Cleansing)

Advanced technique using a waxed cotton cord or soft rubber catheter.

HYP 2.29-30 describes:

“Inserting a soft thread one span long through the nose and drawing it out through the mouth, the siddhas call this Neti Karma.”

“Neti cleanses the skull, grants divine clairvoyance and destroys all disorders that arise above the shoulders.”

Procedure

1. Moisten the cord with warm water or ghee
2. Gently insert through one nostril
3. Push slowly until it appears in the throat
4. With fingers (or tweezers), pull the end out through the mouth
5. Gently move back and forth several times
6. Remove and repeat with the other nostril

⚠️ First few times, practice under supervision. Once mastered, can be done independently.

Other Variants

Dugdha Neti (with milk)

Use warm milk instead of water. Traditionally recommended for severe nasal irritation or after Ayurvedic nasal treatments.

Ghrita Neti (with ghee)

Instill drops of warm ghee into the nostrils. Lubricates and nourishes the mucous membranes. Part of the Ayurvedic nasya routine.

Benefits According to the Texts

The HYP states that neti:

• “Cleanses the skull” — Removes accumulated mucus
• “Grants divine clairvoyance” — Clarifies ājñā chakra (third eye)
• “Destroys disorders above the shoulders” — Relieves head, eye, ear, throat problems

Practical benefits:

• Cleans and decongests nasal passages
• Relieves sinusitis, rhinitis, allergies
• Improves breathing and sense of smell
• Reduces snoring
• Prevents respiratory infections
• Prepares for prāṇāyāma
• Balances iḍā and piṅgalā nāḍī
• Stimulates ājñā chakra

Precautions

• Always use isotonic salt water (never plain water)
• Dry completely afterwards — Residual water can cause sinusitis
• Do not practice with acute infection or nosebleed
• Caution with severe deviated septum — Consult first
• Avoid very hot or very cold water
• Sutra neti: start with rubber catheter, softer than traditional cord

When to Practice

• Jala Neti: Daily in the morning, before prāṇāyāma
• During allergy or cold season: 2 times daily
• Sutra Neti: 1-2 times per week once mastered

Neti is ideal to practice before nāḍī śodhana or other prāṇāyāmas. Clean nostrils allow prāṇa to flow without obstruction.