What is nasal irrigation?
Nasal irrigation means rinsing your nasal passages with salt water, using a neti pot or squeeze bottle, to clear mucus, allergens and irritants.
Think of it as rinsing a clogged sieve under the tap: the gunk that's been sitting there washes out, and things can flow freely again.
Why it matters for aging
In yoga it's called jala neti, one of the traditional cleansing practices. Modern ear, nose and throat doctors often recommend large-volume salt-water rinses for chronic sinusitis, where a Cochrane review found a modest benefit, though from limited evidence.
Clean the device after every use, let it air-dry and see a doctor if symptoms persist or rinsing causes pain or nosebleeds.
A common myth
Any water will do, since it's just salt water.
Tap water can carry rare microbes, including an amoeba that caused two deaths in the US in 2011. Always use distilled, sterile or boiled-and-cooled water.
Go deeper
Deep dives
- Nasal rinsing (jala neti): benefits and the one safety rule
- Ayurveda and longevity: what science says about the ancient system
Related terms
Updated Nov 9, 2026 · All terms