Nasya Oil: The Simple Ayurvedic Ritual I Struggled With (Until I Found the Right One)

There are certain Ayurvedic practices that come easily — warm meals, sipping hot water, daily movement, self-massage — and then there are others that, for whatever reason, feel harder to incorporate into daily life.

For me, nasya oil was one of those practices.

I knew the benefits. I taught the benefits. I understood its importance in Ayurveda. And yet… it was the one ritual I consistently struggled to make a habit. The oils I had tried in the past felt heavy, sometimes irritating, and honestly just not very pleasant. So like many of us, I would do it for a few days, then slowly forget about it.

That all changed recently when I ordered Banyan Botanicals Super Nasya Oil. From the very first use, it felt like a game changer. It was light, instantly clearing, soothing, and grounding all at once. No heaviness. No discomfort. Just immediate relief and clarity.

Suddenly, nasya wasn’t something I had to remind myself to do — it became something I looked forward to.

The Nose: The Gateway to the Brain in Ayurveda

In Ayurveda, the nose is considered the doorway to the brain and consciousness. The classical texts teach that the head and nervous system can be directly nourished, cleansed, and balanced through the nasal passages.

Nasya is the practice of applying small amounts of herbal oil into each nostril to support:

• sinus and respiratory health

• mental clarity and focus

• nervous system calm

• lubrication of dry tissues (especially helpful for Vata)

• clearing congestion and heaviness (helpful for Kapha)

• nourishing the brain and sensory organs

Traditionally, nasya is used both as a daily preventative practice in small doses and as a therapeutic treatment when deeper cleansing is needed.

Regular practice is said to strengthen the senses, prevent the buildup of imbalances in the head and neck, and support overall clarity and wellbeing.

Creating a Ritual That Works in Real Life

Once I found an oil that truly worked for my body, I naturally began pairing nasya with something I already love — supported fish pose on a bolster.

Morning and evening, I gently recline with my chest open, allowing the throat, neck, and sinuses to softly open. In the morning, I use the lighter Super Nasya Oil to clear congestion and awaken the senses. In the evening, I use Banyan’s regular Nasya Oil, which feels slightly thicker and more nourishing, perfect for calming the nervous system and supporting dryness.

As I apply the oil, I focus on slow, deep breaths rather than quickly sniffing it into the sinuses. This allows the oil to gently coat the nasal passages and move gradually through the sinus cavities without irritation. I also softly turn my head slightly to each side for a few breaths, allowing the oil to travel more fully through the sinuses.

While resting in fish pose, I often bring my inner gaze to the third eye, drawing the breath into that space and feeling a sense of clearing and openness. I’ve also come to realize how deeply this posture supports the throat chakra — something I’ve been consciously working with over the past several months.

Nasya itself assists in clearing and softening the throat chakra as well, supporting clearer expression and even a softer, more relaxed quality to the voice. What began as a sinus practice has naturally become a deeply grounding ritual for both body and energy.

I jokingly call it Ayurvedic multitasking — but truly, it’s a beautiful layering of practices that complement each other.

The gentle opening of the chest and throat encourages drainage, circulation, relaxation, and energetic release, allowing the oil to do its work even more effectively. It has become one of my favorite grounding rituals of the day.

An Easy Oil Warming Hack (Because Barriers Are Real)

One of the things that used to get in my way with nasya was the extra step of warming the oil. It felt small, but in real life it was often the reason I skipped the practice altogether.

Now I keep it simple.

While I’m already heating water in my electric teapot for my morning hot water, I pour some into a small tea cup, leaving a little space at the top. Then I place my nasya oil bottle right into the warm water for a minute or two.

That’s it.

The oil warms gently, quickly, and without any extra effort. Just be sure the water isn’t too hot — warm is perfect.

Sometimes the simplest shifts are what make a practice sustainable.

The Benefits I’ve Personally Noticed

Since making nasya part of my daily routine, I’ve noticed:

• clearer sinuses and easier breathing

• less facial tension and pressure

• a calmer, more settled nervous system

• improved mental clarity

• less dryness in my nose and head (especially helpful during seasonal transitions)

One of the most unexpected and meaningful shifts has been the release of tension in my jaw — a place I had held tightness for years. I used to wake several times a night intentionally popping my jaw just to find relief.

As nasya became part of my daily ritual, paired with supported fish pose and slow, conscious breathing, that tension began to soften. I haven’t needed to release my jaw at night for the past couple of nights.

I realized how deeply connected this was to the throat chakra — to years of not always speaking my truth, or not feeling safe to do so with softness. This simple practice wasn’t just clearing my sinuses… it was creating space in my body, my voice, and my nervous system.

And like so many things in Ayurveda, consistency — not perfection — is what makes the difference.

A Gentle Note on Banyan’s Flash Sale

If you’ve been curious about trying nasya or finding a lighter, more comfortable oil, Banyan Botanicals is currently running a flash sale on nasya oils. It’s a wonderful opportunity to try one (or both!) and begin building this simple ritual into your daily routine.

Nasya Oil Flash Sale | February 7–9

Enjoy 15% off Nasya Oil, Super Nasya Oil, and the Nasya Oil Bundle

with promo code: BYE-DRY

I always share Banyan because I trust their quality and formulations, and many of the herbs and products I use in my own practice come from them.

(And as always, supporting through my links helps me continue offering free blogs, recipes, and Ayurvedic wisdom here — thank you for being part of this community.)

A Simple Practice with Profound Effects

Nasya has reminded me that healing doesn’t always have to be complicated.

Sometimes it’s just a few drops of oil, a few quiet moments, and the willingness to create rituals that feel nourishing instead of forced.

If nasya has been one of those practices you’ve struggled to incorporate too, know that it may simply be about finding the right oil — and the right rhythm — for your body.

Small shifts can lead to big transformations.

With love,

Jennifer

Disclaimer: This blog is for general educational purposes only and is not intended to replace medical care or advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with questions about your health.