Nasya

Nasya is a therapeutic treatment for the nose, throat, sinuses and head. The face, shoulders, and chest are massaged with specific herbal oil and then the herbal oils or herbal extracts are inhaled and are given to the patient to smell. It is a part of Panchakarma treatment in Ayurveda.

Procedure

The procedure of Nasya starts with a gentle massage and fomentation of the face and neck. Then, the herbal oils are administered in both the nostrils which brings about the cleaning mechanism. This therapy can provide a miraculous remedy for congestion. When it is performed correctly by a skilled practitioner, it can have numerous benefits like improving hair texture, strength and vision, and improved immunity.

Types of Nasya

There are six main types of Nasya, as listed below:

• Pradhamana (virechan) Nasya (cleansing nasya) uses dry powders (rather than oils) that are blown into the nose with a tube. Pradhamana nasya is mainly used for kapha types of diseases involving headaches, heaviness in the head, cold, nasal congestion, sticky eyes, hoarseness of voice due to sticky kapha, sinusitis, cervical lymph adenitis, tumors, worms, some skin diseases, epilepsy, drowsiness, Parkinsonism, inflammation of the nasal mucosa, attachment, greed, lust. Traditionally, powders such as brahmi are used.
• Bruhana Nasya (nutrition nasya) uses ghee, oils, salt, shatavari ghee, ashwagandha ghee and medicated milk and is used mainly for vata disorders. It is said to benefit conditions such as vata headaches, migraines, dryness of voice, dry nose, nervousness, anxiety, fear, dizziness, emptiness, negativity, heaviness of eyelids, bursitis, stiffness in the neck, dry sinuses and loss of sense of smell.
• Shaman Nasya (sedative nasya) is used according to which dosha is aggravated but mainly for pitta-type disorders such as thinning of hair, conjunctivitis and ringing in the ears. Generally certain herbal decoctions, teas and medicated oils are used.
• Navana Nasya (decoction nasya) is used in vata-pitta or kapha-pitta disorders and is made from decoctions and oils together.
• Marshya Nasya (ghee or oil nasya)
• Pratimarshya (daily oil nasya) is performed by dipping the clean little finger in the ghee or oil and inserting into each nostril, lubricating the nasal passage with gentle massage as described above. This helps to open deep tissues and can be done every day and at any time to release stress.

Benefits

Nasya treatment is specifically beneficial for diseases occurring in the organs situated above the clavicle. It can prevent and treat diseases like migraine, sinusitis, ear diseases, cervical spondylosis, facial palsy, etc. It can also improve the functions of sense organs, prevent early graying of hair and beard, and prevent falling of hair. It can also have a soothing effect on the eyes and prevent diseases of the eye.

See also

• Ayurveda
• Panchakarma
• Sinusitis
• Migraine

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