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Ayurvedic Insight
Issue #29, March 2004
In This Issue
Nasya, Nurturing Your Nose
by Shannon Mooney
Nasya is the nasal administration of medicinal herbs,
decoctions and oils. Different types of substances are used
to treat many various aliments. Nasya oil is an herbal
infused oil which is both nurturing and nourishing,
alleviating numerous discomforts that occur above the
clavicle area. Banyan Botanicals organic nasya oil is a
balancing formula for all doshas, and especially good for
vata dosha.
This therapy is most commonly indicated for dry nasal
passages, hoarseness of voice, stiffness in the head, neck
and jaw area, headaches and certain eye and ear problems. It
relieves mental and emotional stress, anxiety, fear and
negativity.
The nose is the doorway to the brain, mind and
consciousness. Prana, the vital life force, enters our
bodies through the breath. Lubrication of the nasal passages
with medicated oil provides subtle moisture to the air we
breathe and affects the higher cerebral faculties and
sensory organs. It promotes clarity of perception, intuition
and stimulates memory. Nasya enhances cerebral circulation,
restoring and balancing prana in the body.
Here is a simple procedure to follow for self-administration
of nasya:
- Begin by comfortably lying down on your back and tilting
your head back with your nostrils opening towards the sky.
If you are lying on a bed, you may hang your head off the
edge of the bed, or place a small pillow beneath your neck
for support.
- Place 5-10 drops of nasya oil in each nostril. With
skill, you can administer the oil, drop by drop, circling
the inside perimeter of the nostril, thoroughly coating the
nasal membranes.
- Take a big sniff in, then rest for a few minutes allowing
the nasya to penetrate.
Another method of administration of nasya oil is called
Marshya nasya or Pratimarshya (if practiced daily). This is
a very useful method when lying down is not always
convenient.
- Place a drop of nasya oil on the little finger and gently
insert it into the nostril.
- Gently massage the inner walls of the nasal passage.
- Alternate left and right nostrils until each nostril has
received a total of three applications of oil.
The lubrication and gentle massage helps to alleviate stress
and release any tension in the tissues.
One commonly asked question at Banyan is, 'Can I use the
nasya oil immediately following the neti pot wash?' This is
not recommended. Especially if these therapies are new to
you, it is wise to wait at least a day after washing with
the neti pot, ensuring full drainage of the saline, before
administering nasya. Other contraindications include:
pregnancy, menstruation, immediately before or after eating,
intoxication, or acute fever.
By taking just five minutes a day to incorporate this simple
treatment into your daily ayurvedic regime, you can enjoy
the many healing benefits of nasya!
Recipe: Blue Corn Bread
Preparation time: 30-35 minutes
Sattvic, 0 Vata, + Pitta, -Kapha
- 1 egg
- 3 T. sesame oil or sesame tahini
- 1 1/2 T. date sugar
- 1 1/4 c. hot water
- 1 c. blue cornmeal
- 1/2 c. buckwheat flour
- 3/4 t. salt
- 1 1/2 t. baking powder
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a medium-sized bowl, beat 1
egg.
Stir into beaten egg: sesame oil or tahini, sugar, hot
water.
When mixture is smooth, add: blue cornmeal, flour, salt,
baking powder.
Stir lightly. The batter is a thin one. Spoon into a
well greased 9"x 9" pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a
toothpick inserted into the middle of the cornbread comes
out cleanly.
Recipe reprinted with permission from Ayurvedic Cooking for
Westerners by Amadea Morningstar, Lotus Press, P.O. Box 325,
Twin Lakes, WI 53181.(c)1995 All Rights Reserved.
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