Posted by Vaidya Jay
on August 11, 2026
Athreya · Wellness Through Ayurveda
The Nasya Ritual
A few drops of herbal oil for the nose.
An everyday Ayurvedic practice that travelers quietly swear by.
An everyday Ayurvedic practice that travelers quietly swear by.
Quick Answer
Nasya is the Ayurvedic practice of placing a few drops of herbal oil in the nostrils. Anu Thailam is the classical Nasya oil, prepared on a sesame oil base with eighteen herbs. To use it, warm the bottle in warm water, shake it well, and place three drops in each nostril. Travelers reach for it because airplane cabin air is extremely dry, and the nose is the first place that dryness lands.
The Practice
What is Nasya?
Nasya is oil for the nasal passages, one of Ayurveda's daily rituals.
The nose, the tradition teaches, is the gateway to the head and the senses. Care for that gateway, and the whole head feels the difference.
The simplest way to understand Nasya is to watch it. Here is Vaidya Jay showing the whole ritual himself, from warming the bottle to the final drops. It takes ninety seconds.
Vaidya Jay demonstrates the Nasya ritual with Anu Thailam.
The Formula
What is Anu Thailam made of?
Anu Thailam is the classical Nasya oil of Ayurveda. In the video, Vaidya Jay describes the preparation in his own words:
“Sesame oil is the base oil and it's concocted with goat milk and rain harvested water and another 18 herbs that go into different parts of our head and neck.”
Vaidya Jay, from the demonstration above
Ayurveda says regular Nasya cares for the eyes, the ears and the tongue, the organs connected to the brain, and leaves the head with a sense of refreshment.
In Jay's words from the demo, these celebrated nasal drops “can really open up those ear passages” and have “the ability to improve sense of smell.”
That is the whole formula. One small bottle, a sesame oil base, eighteen herbs, and a tradition that has carried it forward for generations.
The Ritual
How do you use Anu Thailam?
The ritual Jay demonstrates has three steps. Nothing more.
The Nasya Ritual, Step by Step
- Warm the bottle by placing it in warm water.
- Shake well.
- Lie back or tilt the head, place three drops in each nostril, and breathe gently.
When to do it: before your day begins, or before you board a flight.
The Traveler
Why do travelers love it?
Airplane cabin air is some of the driest air most of us ever breathe. Humidity at altitude commonly runs 10 to 20 percent.
The nasal passages dry first. Anyone who has stepped off a long flight knows the feeling.
Ayurveda's answer is beautifully simple. Oil the gateway before the journey. A few warm drops of Anu Thailam help keep the nasal passages moisturized and comfortable, and a lubricated nose simply travels better.
The bottle is small enough for any travel bag. The ritual takes two minutes in the morning before you board.
From Our Community
In Their Own Words
Thirteen reviews sit on the Anu Thailam product page. Every one of them is five stars.
★★★★★
“Using anu thailam has been so so helpful for me. My sinus are so much clearer, and it has become a really lovely part of my daily routine. My whole head feels healthier and more lubricated because of this - I even feel less dry during winter! Highly recommended.”
Kate
★★★★★
“This is my dinacharya staple.”
Anonymous · Verified Buyer
★★★★★
“Love this anu thailam and I use it often for nasya at home! I appreciate that I feel like I can trust this company willl maintain high standards of quality for my health and safety.”
Pranada Ma · Verified Buyer
★★★★★
“Clears out nasal and helps calming the mind.”
Anonymous · Verified Buyer
Vaidya Jay's Notes
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nasya for every day or just for travel?
Nasya is a daily practice in Ayurveda, part of the routine we call dinacharya. Travel is simply the moment many people first feel why the practice exists. Once the ritual is familiar at home, the travel days take care of themselves.
Does it sting?
Some people feel a little spice at first, and one of our verified reviewers said exactly that about the first day or two. The herbs are warming by nature, so a gentle tingle is common and it settles quickly. Warm the bottle well before you begin and the sensation stays mild.
Morning or night?
Traditionally Nasya is done in the morning, after washing the face and before food. That timing lets the oil support you through the whole day. If your mornings are rushed, simply choose a calm moment and let the ritual be unhurried.
Can children use it?
Ayurveda has always adjusted its practices to each person's age and constitution. For children, please ask your Ayurvedic practitioner or your pediatrician first. They can tell you whether Nasya is appropriate and how gently to begin.
Begin the Practice
One Small Bottle, One Daily Ritual
Warm water. A gentle shake. Three drops in each nostril.
That is the whole ritual, whether you practice it at your bathroom sink or in an airport lounge before a long flight.
Namaste,
Vaidya Jay
Founder, Athreya Herbs
Athreya
Traditional Ayurvedic Herbs & Formulas · Founded by Vaidya Jay Apte
12731 Ramona Blvd #208, Baldwin Park, CA 91706
www.athreyaherbs.com
12731 Ramona Blvd #208, Baldwin Park, CA 91706
www.athreyaherbs.com
Important Notice
The information provided in this article is intended for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult your physician or qualified healthcare practitioner before beginning any new herbal supplement, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are taking prescription medications. Statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
