‘Neti’ is of two types. One is ‘Sutra Neti’, in which a piece of wet thread is inserted through one side, or nostril of the nose and taken out of the mouth, but it may not be easy for all to do.
Hence ‘Jal-Neti’ is the alternative. In Jal-Neti, slightly warm and lightly saltish water is taken in a cup, or a bowl. Raise the nostril which is working and bring the bowl near that.
Open the mouth and tilt the bowl, letting the water enter the nostril and come out from the other nostril. Go on doing this until the bowl is exhausted of water. For this purpose a special pot, generally made of copper, may be had from the market.
The pot has a pipe of one side, which is held inserted a bit in the nostril, letting the water enter it and come out of the other.
Another more convenient method of ‘Jal-Neti’ is to let the water enter from the nose, from both nostrils and then let it come out of the mouth, kept open. Some even use milk in place of water. ‘Jal-Neti’ is done on empty stomach.
This kriya, (practice) cures brain ailments and sharpens the intellect. While it is useful in the ailments of ears, the nose and the throat, it improves eyesight as well. To those suffering from sleeplessness, it is highly useful.