How does the nose purify the air?

 How does the nose purify the air?

The nose is a major organ of the body and plays a role in breathing, smell recognition.

It is necessary to understand the structure and function of the nose, and its cleanliness and care are important.

Ayurveda emphasizes the importance of the nose and hygiene measures, such as Jalneti and Nasya.

The nose is an important part of the human body, which plays an important role in breathing, smell recognition and facial beauty. The nose is an external organ of the body, which is directly related to the external environment. Dust particles in the environment, various viruses that cause infections enter the human body through the nose. Allergic 'protein' particles also reach the body through the nose.

Should the nose be cleaned? What should be done to keep the nose healthy? Not much attention is paid to this. Sometimes our attention goes to the nose only when the nose is blocked or when breathing is uncomfortable.

Structure of the Nose

According to Dr. Arun Adhikari, a nose, ear and throat specialist, the structure of the nose can be divided into two parts: external and internal. The outer part of the nose consists of the nasal bridge, the tip of the nose, and the nostrils.

“The upper part of the nose is made of bone, while the lower part is made of cartilage,” says Dr. Adhikari, “which gives shape to the nose. The skin of the nose is thin at the top and thick at the bottom.”

The internal structure of the nose includes the nasal passage, mucous membrane, sinuses, turbinates, and olfactory receptors. The nasal passage is the hollow part of the nose that starts at the two nostrils and ends at the throat. The inner part of the nose is lined with mucous membrane, which blocks dust, germs, and other particles.

There are four pairs of sinuses around the nose, which help in breathing, Adhikari said.

According to him, the turbinates are bony structures inside the nose that warm, moisten, and filter the air. The upper part of the nose contains odor-detecting receptors, which connect to the brain and provide information about odor.

Function of the nose

The nose mainly performs functions such as breathing, detecting odors, warming or cooling the air, protecting the lower respiratory tract, and changing the voice when the nose is blocked, says Dr. Adhikari.

The nose lets air enter the respiratory tract, says Dr. Adhikari, “It filters, warms, and moistens the air, which keeps the lungs healthy. The nose and sinuses also act as an environmentally friendly ‘air conditioner’.

The nose recognizes odors, which are transmitted through the nerves of the brain. He said that this is also helpful in recognizing the taste of food and obtaining information about the environment.

The hair and mucus of the nose block dust, germs, and other harmful particles. The nose helps to make the voice clear and quality. The sinuses make the facial bones lighter and help in breathing, says Adhikari.

“When any foreign object or particle enters through the nose, the nose reacts and sneezes, which prevents those foreign particles from reaching the lungs. In this way, the nose also helps protect our lower respiratory tract,’ says Dr. Adhikari.

This is how the nose purifies the air

The small hairs at the entrance to the nose prevent dust, dirt, and large particles from entering the respiratory tract, Dr. Adhikari said.

According to Adhikari, the layer of mucus on the inner surface of the nose traps small particles, bacteria, and viruses. This mucus traps pollutants in the air and only clean air reaches the lungs.

Small hair-like structures called cilia located inside the nose help to remove or send particles stuck in the mucus to the throat, so that those particles can be swallowed or coughed out, said Adhikari.

‘The nose warms and humidifies the outside air to body temperature, which provides the lungs with suitable air. It also reduces some pollutants in the air, says Adhikari, adding that the enzymes and antibodies in the nasal mucus help destroy bacteria and viruses.

Importance of the nose in Ayurveda

The nose has special importance in Ayurveda because it is the main route of breathing and is considered the gateway to life air. The nose plays an important role in physical, mental and spiritual health, explains Ayurvedic physician and psychologist Dr. Shanti Timalsina.

According to Timalsina, in Ayurveda, the nose is considered the foundation of physical and spiritual health. Regular care of it, practices like nasya karma and pranayama work to keep the body and mind healthy and balanced.

‘The life air that enters through the nose controls all the functions of the body. Breathing maintains the balance of dosha vata, pitta and kapha. Correct breathing through the nose calms the mind and energizes the body.

What to do to keep the nose healthy?

Impure air reaches the lungs through the nose. Therefore, it is necessary to take care of the nose. But to keep the nose clean and healthy, it should not be scratched carelessly. It should not be cleaned unnecessarily. Avoid dust and pollution, do not smoke, and use a mask if you have to go to polluted places, says Dr. Dhundiraj Poudel, a nose, ear, and throat specialist.

Drink plenty of water and eat foods rich in vitamin C. Dr. Poudel says that foods rich in vitamin C help increase the body's immunity. 'You should drink water and plenty of fluids to keep the nose, mouth, and throat cool,' says Dr. Poudel. 'This helps prevent the entry of bacteria or viruses. When the nose and throat are dry, viruses or bacteria can multiply. 

If any symptoms are gradually increasing, he suggests consulting a doctor immediately.

Nose-related problems

Viruses cause nasal congestion, runny nose, etc. When there is a sinus infection, symptoms such as headache, nasal congestion, fever, etc. occur. Dust, pollen or other allergies can cause nasal congestion, sneezing, etc., said Poudel.

The problem of flesh growing inside the nose, which hinders breathing. When the nasal bone is crooked, it becomes difficult to breathe. Dr. Poudel says that nosebleeds can also occur due to dry environment, injury or high blood pressure.

How to clean the nose?

Generally, it is not necessary to clean the nose. The structure of the nose is not such that it needs to be cleaned. The nose is cleaned as soon as the congestion appears. However, Ayurvedic doctor Timalsina says that Ayurveda mentions the method of cleaning the nose.

According to Timilsina, Ayurveda mentions the Jalaneti method for cleaning the nose. Jalaneti is an ancient and natural practice. In this process of cleaning the nose, the nose is washed with salt water to remove dirt from the nose. It also helps get rid of pimples, prevents dirt from accumulating in the nose and also removes accumulated germs. Jalaneti helps to make it easier to breathe properly while practicing any yoga.

She suggests that this practice should be done only under the supervision of a yoga instructor and Ayurvedic doctor for the first time. “Pranayam done through the nose such as Anulom-Vilom also cleanses the nose and balances the chakras,” says Timilsina.

‘Nasya’ is an important treatment in the Panchakarma of Ayurveda, in which medicinal oil, ghee or powder is used through the nose. Nasya cures head, nose, throat and brain-related diseases such as migraine, sinus, insomnia. The nose is considered the gateway to the brain, so she said that nasya increases mental clarity and memory.