Oiling Your Nose: How Nose Oiling Can Improve Your Immunity & Reduce Allergies

Fall is a great time to lubricate the inside of your nose with oil. The heating season has begun and this dries out your sinuses. Coating your mucus membrane with oil will help to keep your nasal passages moist. Last week, my son had his first cold of the season. Coating your nose will add a protective barrier and reduce airborne illnesses. It also reduces allergies. The oil layer traps the dust, mold, pollen, and other allergens and prevents them from penetrating your mucus membrane.

When I was in Ayurveda school a doctor shared a story about nose oiling. He was visiting from India with a friend, another doctor who lived in Ohio. Apparently, Ohio has one of the highest rates of people suffering from allergies in the country. The Western doctor asked the Ayurvedic doctor, “What is one thing Ayurveda recommends for treating allergies?” The Ayurvedic doctor explained about nose oiling. The Western doctor shared this with his patients. He was astounded when most of them reported a significant reduction of allergy symptoms. This has been confirmed in several studies on the treatment of Allergic Rhinitis.[1]

Oiling your nose is called Nasya in Ayurveda. It is used in both Dinacharya (daily self-care regime) and as a treatment in Pancakarma (a full detoxifying process). You can oil your nose in two ways. I find it easiest to stick my finger in oil and rub the inside of my nose. This is the best way to coat the mucus membrane. The second method is using a tincture bottle and dropping oil into your nose. This method is better for getting the oil into your head for treatments such as soothing anxiety, etc. (This is the method for applying medicated oils in Nasya in Pancakarma.) You will need to tilt your head back and keep it back for a minute if you apply the oil this way.

You can buy a medicated Nasya oil from an Ayurvedic medicinal company or you can use a food grade oil. Most Nasya oils are Tridoshic, meaning, suitable for all three Doshas. If your main Dosha is Vata or Kapha you can use sesame oil. If your main Dosha is Pitta, you can use coconut oil.

Oiling your nose is a simple practice that can help you stay healthy. This time of year, I will not leave home without it.

Need more help with your immune system or allergies? Schedule an Ayurvedic Wellness Consultation.

[1] Journal of Ayurveda Case Reports -one of several studies