Nasya oil is an easy and powerful, centuries old Ayurvedic remedy that works by opening up the nasal passages. Find out what all it can do for you & how to use it correctly. Keeping our respiration working properly provides many benefits - the most crucial of them being the ability to breathe better and keep our nasal passage clean and healthy. In today's article, let's discuss one such therapy that can help you with better respiration, better sleep, and even relief from allergies!
What is Nasya Oil? Nasya oil is a traditional Ayurvedic remedy used in India since centuries for cleaning the nasal cavity. It works by putting a specific blend of therapeutic, herbal oils in the nose, and getting the health benefits from using this blend nourishing the nasal passages. Nasya oil is considered an essential part of the respiratory care in Ayurveda, coming from the perspective that our breath (prana) is the source of life, and our consciousness. Our breath is what gives us the ability to be alive and experience this life, so naturally, by nurturing it, we nurture our body and our life force. Since our nose is the doorway to life (breath), improving its function and clearing out the toxins also helps in better brain health. Our nose is connected to our brain - hence, nasya oil is used for enhancing brain functions such as memory, sleep, intelligence, focus, clarity, etc. Nasya oil remedy is used for all doshas - kappa, vata, and pitta. What ingredients does Nasya Oil contain? In Ayurveda, sesame oil is considered to be the most sacred and beneficial for use in traditional remedies. So, you should look for sesame oil based nasya remedy, and then, it usually contains herbs like brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), skullcap, calamus, and eucalyptus. Some may even contain bit of peppermint essential oil - there are variations, and you can decide whether you want to buy from somewhere or make your own. What are the benefits of using Nasya Oil? Nasya oil will help with the following conditions - 1. Soothe and moisturize the nostrils. 2. Promotes healthy, clear breathing. 3. Helps with sinuses by clearing out the excess mucus. 4. Helps with allergies, dry eyes, runny eyes, etc. 5. Promotes better sleep - esp. for those who have dry nose and can't breathe properly, thus impacting their sleep. 6. Enhances whole-body healing and detoxification. 7. Helps our brain by improving cognitive functions like memory, focus, calmness, etc. 8. Helps the throat clear of excess mucus and bacteria. Will also help with tonsils. 9. Helps with stress and promotes sleep - by massaging the nasal cavity with warm nasya oil, you are going to sleep better and wake up more refreshed. 10. Nasya oil will also help soothe sore throat, dry throat and helps improve the quality of your vocal chords (voice). 11. Helps with the stiffness and pain of jaw, head, throat, and neck. 12. Helps with headache and migraines. How to use for best benefits - It is easy to use nasya oil for all the amazing benefits listed above. Your nasya oil will come with clear instructions but if not, here is how Ayurveda advices to use nasya oil - 1. Sit or even better lie down in a comfortable position and avoid any distractions. 2. Tilt your head backwards, and take a few drops (about 5 drops max.) of the nasya oil in the dropper and put in each nostril and inhale. 3. It is best to close one nostril while putting the oil drops in another. 4. Do not get up immediately - it takes time for the oil to travel back the nasal passage. Remain lying down for about 15-20 mins. 5. Best time to do it is right before bedtime - so you can stay in bed and will not get up. Who should NOT use Nasya Oil? 1. Women who are pregnant should NOT use it. 2. People suffering from cold because the oil may pull the toxins like bacteria and not be able to pass through properly for full detoxification - thus increasing the infection. 3. Do NOT use nasya oil remedy along with neti pot cleansing. 4. Do not use it mixed with water - use the oil as is in your nose. 5. Children below 7 yrs of age are advised not to be given nasya oil. 6. People older than 80 yrs of age should not use it. Ref. (1). Ref. (2). Ref. (3). -Somyata
22 Comments
3/6/2022 07:12:07
I like to go on your site I learn best for the people that already did the research on stuff I'm a researcher I love to learn and I thank God that I Stumble up on y'all because it helps me with my breathing problems too
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Somyata
3/7/2022 17:26:18
Awwww...Thank YOU Gloria for such a sweet feedback! Yes - plz. enjoy the site and let me know if you have any questions. Also, check out some recipes and give them a try. I hope you will like them. -Somyata.
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Marika
5/17/2022 13:12:53
I have vocal cord paralisis. Can I use this oil? Is it effective for me?
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Somyata
5/17/2022 13:59:07
Yes - As per Ayurveda, this is one of the recommended treatments for vocal cord paralisis. You can definitely try it and be consistent and that should help you a lot. -Somyata
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Somyata
7/30/2022 15:54:07
Well, if you don't put herbs then what is the use of using it in a child's nose? The whole point is to deliver the herbs to the nose/mind..So no - it is not recommended.
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I appreciate the information you provide, though I have studied Ayurveda and have wonderful mentors, there is always something to learn from another teacher. Ayurveda is a life time study. My question is, I'm very sensitive to eucalyptus, it burns my throat, though I can use it in steaming. All the nasya oils I've tried have it in them. Even diluted with more sesame oil it's too much. Yet I need to clear my sinuses, I get terrible headaches every night. I'd like to buy a naysa oil, or make my own, that would still clear sinuses but not have that burning. Can you make a suggestion? Thank you.
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Somyata
10/21/2022 22:02:53
Hello Penny - Thanks for your wonderful compliment and I am so glad you are finding the information useful.
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Penney
10/22/2022 12:10:45
Thank you for the ideas, I especially like the idea of making an oil infusion.
Somyata
10/26/2022 20:22:45
Aww - you are so welcome Penny! Glad you liked the ideas. Hope they prove useful to you! -Somyata
Linda M
12/6/2022 16:23:44
Love your articles. Were would you find the prepared oil?. I have constant allergies and nasal congestion, how often would I use this.? Occasionally I use nasal wash with saline.
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Somyata
12/6/2022 19:22:00
Hi Linda - Thank you so much for your compliment. I am so glad to hear that you love my articles - that makes me so happy..:)
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Pamela Haas
12/6/2022 17:42:09
This sounds like a wonderful solution; thank you. Just one question: I have a severely deviated septum, which has resulted in a pit next to my nose that captures liquids. It has made it impossible to use a neti pot, because the salt water sits in there and gets infected. Will the same thing happen if I use this oil by tipping my head back and sleeping with it?
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Somyata
12/6/2022 19:18:56
Hi Pamela - So with the deviated septum what I would suggest you do is buy a high quality nasya oil and then -
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Pamela Haas
12/6/2022 20:07:23
Oh my gosh - this is so helpful! You are amazing, and I will do exactly that.
Somyata
12/6/2022 21:20:45
YESSSSS!!!!!!!! I am so amazing! And yes! you will do exactly that! And YASSSS again! you will feel better...
Pamela
12/14/2022 16:26:25
I got my oil from Banyan, ready to rock n roll - but one last question: when you say add a drop or two of peppermint and lavender, do you mean add them to the nasya drop on my finger, or add that amount to the nasya oil bottle?
Somyata
12/16/2022 22:27:47
O-M-G! I never saw this comment - I am so sorry! You would add them to the nasya oil bottle as adding the drops of peppermint and lavender oil on your finger might be too strong...
Pamela Haas
12/17/2022 13:51:42
I went ahead and added THREE drops of each, cuz why not and I’m that kind of a gal. 😎 Smells wonderful now!
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Somyata
12/17/2022 16:40:29
Ok. Glad to hear! Let me know how it works out for you..:) 😊
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Shena
1/23/2023 13:18:16
Can you recommend one of these to purchase in the UK please? Do you sell one? Thank you
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Somyata
1/23/2023 15:43:11
Hello dear Shena - I wish I could recommend in the UK but I am in the U.S. so I do not know..but what you can do is type 'nasya oil' in your Google and it will definitely lead you to some sellers or amazon..
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