This is a common conflict. The intellect says �Yeah, that�s a great idea� but the feelings are disgusted by the thought of it. The best way is to read all the literature about it so as to strengthen your rational argument for doing it, and then be carefully guided by a qualified person who will take into account your fears and nervousness and prove to you in about 3 minutes just how simple and easy it really is. Your irrational feelings will then be won over by a truly positive experience.

Jala Neti is in no way a dangerous practice - it will bestow only benefits. However, if misused or abused, at best, it will not work in the reputed way, or at worst, it can lead to minor side effects such as headaches, colds, nasal infections, earaches. All the reports we have heard about problems with Jala Neti have come from those who try to improvise beyond the traditional methods. This is why it is best to receive instructions personally from a qualified teacher and to always stick to the rules

But water in the nose is not unusual. Remember the way you feel after a good swim in the surf? A good flushing of the nose with salt water is a good thing. Stage 1 of Jala Neti is no more than that � a flush out of the frontal nose passages, except that the water is warm, 4 times less salty than sea water, and you are in control � not like when you get dumped in the surf and come up spluttering half drowned! That�s often what people are afraid of when they first hear about saline nasal cleansing. They may have nasty memories of nearly drowning at the beach. But it�s nothing like that. Admittedly there are certain internal nasal orifices in which the salty water should not go. It may take a few attempts to get the head angle correct so that this does not happen, but the results of a few bad attempts are not serious.

 Without being too anatomical or medical about it, the basic elements involved with Jala Neti � and all saline cleansing techniques for that matter � is that the warmth and salinity of the water is the same as the body�s own metabolism so that there is no tendency for rejection. You can use warm isotonic saline in any part of the body for health benefits. For this reason, the exact proportion of salt used is very important. Some people are worried about the salt. They think it might clog up their arteries! They ask, �Can it be done without the salt?� The answer is no. Salty water is a great body cleanser. It is used to flush out old mucus secretions that have trapped dirt and germs from the activities of everyday life. The normal function of the body�s mucous lining within the upper respiratory tract is to do that very thing, to trap dirt and germs. Normally, sniffing, blowing, coughing, sneezing and swallowing can clear out gross particles which become trapped in the mucous lining, but by washing the nasal passages with saline water, a complete cleanout is done more effectively. This then prevents rubbish passing further into the system by the �first stage filters� becoming overloaded. In a healthy person who eats well, breathes well and lives in a clean environment, the mucous lining should be able to cope alone and cleanse itself on a regular basis. But for a mouth breather, or one who eats bad food, or one who works in a dirty city or factory, the dirt and germs build up beyond the capacity of the normal cleansing mechanisms, causing all manner of malfunctions in the nose, sinus passages, eyes, ears, throat, chest. Also, unconsciously they swallow this dirt-laden mucus and then have stomach problems, and on it goes, right through the system.

Yes. The correct frequency is determined by a person�s particular problems and particular needs, but for most people, in most situations, once or twice a day, first thing in the morning and/or in the evening is sufficient. In some therapeutic situations, three or four times a day may be recommended, but this would not be continued indefinitely. This is why one should be instructed and advised in the beginning, and then checked up on occasionally if there is a difficult nasal pathology.  

No, not at all. We know that many people have tried this. Some say their grandmothers or grandfathers used to do it. Some use cold water and some use warm. Some use salt and some do not. But those methods can�t possibly work as well as Jala Neti. It also runs the risk of leaving water up the sinus passages that will remain for some time afterwards. They do say it works in clearing the nose and helps prevent colds, and it may somewhat, but after these people have tried Jala Neti, they are always impressed at how much easier, safer and more effective it is.

No. The proportion of salt is called normal saline � the same ratio as human blood. Too little salt will actually sting the nose, as will too much. There are certain mixtures, which ENT surgeons prescribe, but those things should only ever be used for severe nasal conditions. For the general user, and for preventative nasal health, always use: One level teaspoon of salt per half a liter of water.

Well, we have heard of other devices being tried � such as tea pots, invalid feeders, modified baby bottles, modified tomato sauce bottles, cooking funnels, the bowl and sniffing method. Someone even improvised with a length of garden hose?!?!? But quite frankly, why bother? You could get a tea leaf stuck up your nose! Also, all these other things may have odd smells or tastes which will spoil the experience. There is no simpler method than a well designed Neti Pot.