In Ayurveda, snehana nasya, or oiling of the nasal passages, has been used for thousands of years to prevent and treat many causes of physical and mental imbalance. In these times of covid-19 (and in a world now literally awash with air-, water-, and earth-borne toxins and stresses), snehana nasya has perhaps never been so important. Noted Ayurveda practitioner Dr Susie Colles writes…

Applying warm oil inside the nostrils provides a thin moist coating that can catch airborne particles before they enter the body. In this way, snehana nasya can prevent the influx of viruses, bacteria, yeasts, pollens and other allergens and elements that can challenge and disrupt the body. It helps to prevent virus infection, colds, flus and allergic rhinitis (hay fever).

Oiling and moistening the nasal passages also helps to protect, lubricate, nourish, strengthen and clean the sensitive tissues of the nostrils, mucus membranes and paranasal sinus. The Charaka Samhita and Bhavaprakasha state that persons habituated to nasal oiling acquire good vision, smell, and hearing; a sweet and pleasant voice and breath; and avoid wrinkles and grey hair, stiff necks and headaches.

As the nose is the gateway to the brain, snehana nasya also helps to nourish and clarify the mind and senses and support the cerebral tissues. It can help to improve sleep and snoring issues, and benefit breathing and the yogic practice of pranayama.

Within the dinacharya or daily routine, all Ayurvedic constitutions can benefit from snehana nasya. In the morning, nasal oiling helps to remove excess congestion and kapha. In the heat of the day it can help to cool pitta. In the evening snehena nasya helps to mitigate the dryness of vata. Specifically, snehana nasya works on prana vayu, bodhaka kapha, tarpaka kapha and sadhaka pitta.

How to practice:

-- Use warm oil as advised by your Ayurvedic practitioner. Various options include:

Untoasted, cold-pressed sesame oil – good for vata constitution and good for general use

Plain ghee (clarified butter), or coconut oil – good for pitta constitution

Extra virgin olive oil – useful for pitta and kapha constitution

Or medicated, herb-infused oil such as:

Anu tailam -- pungent oil with a strong cleansing effect – good for kapha constitution (It can also be diluted with extra sesame oil for congested vata types).

Bramhi ghee or oil – good for pitta constitution, and if one does intellectual work.

-- Warm a small amount of oil on a teaspoon and take a little onto a clean pinkie or ring finger or on to a cue tip or take it into a glass dropper (if applying from a glass dropper, tilt the head back or lie down; it may help to hold a small mirror).

 -- Administer 1 to 4 drops of oil into one nostril.

 -- Block the other nostril and sniff gently and deeply.

 -- Repeat the oil administration and inhalation on the other side.

 -- When administering snehana nasya it is advised to stay warm and avoid over-stimulation of the sense organs.

In general, one can apply oil to the nasal passages twice a day—morning and evening. A good time to administer oil is after bathing or showering. But snehena nasya can also be performed when and as needed, according to an individual’s constitution, circumstances and season. For example, those with kapha dominance may best use a small amount of pungent oil such as anu tailam, and during warm, moist seasons need not apply oil daily. If congested, kapha types can also use steam to help loosen nasal, sinus, throat and lung congestion. Vata types, who are constantly prone to dryness, can benefit from nasya year-round, and may apply oil more regularly in dry, and very hot and very cold seasons.

 Amid the world pandemic threat covid-19, it’s advisable to use snehana nasya as part of the daily routine to bolster good health and immunity, and reduce your risk of infection.

References:

Dash, B. and Sharma, R. K. (transl.) Caraka Sam.hitā, vols; I—VII, Varanasi, Chowkhamba Sanskrit Series; 2015 reprint.

Ministry of AYUSH Ayurveda’s immunity boosting measures for self care during COVID 19 crisis. Available at: https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/ImmunityBoostingAYUSHAdvisory.pdf

Murthy, S. K. (transl.) Bhāvaprakā ā, vols–II, Varanasi, Krishnadas Academy; 1998.

Tillu, G., Chaturvedi, S., Chopra, A. and Patwardhan, B. Public Health Approach of Ayurveda and Yoga for COVID-19 Prophylaxis. J Alt Compl Med. May 2020.360-364. http://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2020.0129