Nasyam: Treatment, Cost and Side Effects

Nasyam is an Ayurvedic treatment to cure headache or ENT related disorders such as sinusitis, migraine, ear, nose or throat. During this procedure, medicated powder or juice and herbal oils are applied through the nostrils. Nasyam therapy is very effective in removing the toxins from the head region and purifying the organs. The medicated oils and powders used in this process stimulate the crucial centers of your brain that controls your emotions. Frequent use of Nasyam therapy reduces stress, detoxifies the impurities in your skin and improves your skin tone.

Nasyam therapy takes place in three phases- pre purificatory measures or Poorvakarma, the actual procedure known as Pradhanakarma, and post therapeutic measures or Paschatkarma. The first phase requires you to undergo facial oil massage or apply steam to your face, forehead, neck and ears. This is done to relax your muscles. The second stage is the most important stage where lukewarm medicinal oil is infused through your nostrils. Uncongested healthy breathing is crucial to make sure proper flow of prana throughout body and head. Nasyam protects and soothes the nasal passage and helps reduce sinus congestion. In the third and last stage your mouth will be cleaned with lukewarm water and you will be given medicated smoke to inhale.

Nasyam treatment follows a few simple steps. You will need to lie down on your back and keep your head tilted to the back so that your nostrils open towards the sky. You may place a pillow or a towel beneath your neck for support, or hang your head off the edge of the bed. Apply 5-10 drops of lukewarm nasyam oil in each nostril drop by drop. The temperature of the oil should not exceed your body temperature, otherwise it may harm the mucous membrane or nasal cavity. The different herbal oils used in the preparation of nasyam are- narayana, anu, shadbindu, guraadi, marichyadi etc. Some herbs commonly used in the therapy include- vidanga, hingu, apamarg, tulsi, lahsuna and maricha.

After applying drops of the medicinal oil, cover your left nostril with one hand and breathe in through the right nostril. Now cover your right nostril and breathe out through the left one. After repeating this action for a while, you will need to stay back and relax for sometime. The medicated oils and powders used in this process stimulate the crucial centers of your nervous system and venous system, and thus reduce the blockage in channels to overcome certain ENT related disorders.

Anybody and everybody can have an Ayurvedic therapy done. Precisely, if you suffer from ENT related problems such as sinus, migraine, ear pain or throat pain, then you are eligible for an ayurvedic nasyam therapy. This particular treatment is also effective in detoxification of your skin.

You should not go for the therapy if you are suffering from severe health conditions like fever or an infectious disease. Nasyam treatment is not recommended during menstruation or pregnancy, during an asthma attack or heart attack, or immediate after the neti pot.

There are no known side effects of Ayurvedic nasyam therapy as they are very effective and safe. However, when the oil goes down your throat, you may feel a burning sensation or irritation in the throat and all over the face. These are usual symptoms and go away automatically after a while without much complication or serious side effects.

After a nasyam therapy, you will need to keep a few things in mind- do not rinse your hair immediately after the treatment, don’t blow your nose immediately after nasyam, and avoid catching cold.

Recovery after Nasyam treatment does not take time because it is an Ayurvedic therapy. You can get back to your usual activities as soon as the treatment session ends.

Each session of Ayurvedic nasyam therapy usually costs Rs.500, depending on the kind of medicinal oils and herbs used.

Nasyam treatment does not yield permanent results. You will need to follow frequent therapy sessions at least once in every 2-3 months in order to experience long lasting results.

There are no alternatives to an Ayurvedic nasyam treatment. However, if you are uncomfortable with lying on your back and inhaling medicinal oils through the nostrils, you may consult a doctor for oral medication to treat migraine, sinus or other ENT related disorders.