Nostril vs. Mouth-Breathing
Inhale-Pure Nosefilters
One of the first lessons in the Yogi Science of breathing, is
to learn how to breathe through the nostrils, and to overcome the common
practice of mouth-breathing.
The breathing mechanism of a human is so constructed that he may breathe
either through the mouth or nasal tubes, but it is a matter of vital importance
to him which method he follows, as one brings health and strength and the other
disease and weakness.
Many contagious diseases are contracted by the habit of
mouth-breathing, and many cases of cold and catarrhal affections are also
attributable to the same cause. Many persons, who, for the sake of appearances,
keep their mouth closed during the day, persist in mouth breathing at night and
often contract disease in this way. Scientific experiments have shown that
soldiers and sailors who sleep with their mouths open are much more liable to
contract contagious diseases than those who breathe properly through the nostrils.
The organs of respiration have their only protective
apparatus, filter, or dust-catcher, in the nostrils. When the breath is taken
through the mouth, there is nothing from mouth to lungs to strain the air, or
to catch the dust and other foreign matter in the air. From mouth to lungs,
dirt and impure substances have a clear track, and the entire respiratory
system is unprotected. Moreover, such incorrect breathing admits cold air to
the organs, injuring them. Inflammation of the respiratory organs often results
from the inhalation of cold air through the mouth.
The mouth affords no protection to the respiratory organs,
and cold air, dust and impurities and germs readily enter by that door. On the
other hand, the nostrils and nasal passages show evidence of the careful design
of nature in this respect. The nostrils are two narrow, tortuous channels,
containing numerous bristly hairs which serve the purpose of a filter or sieve
to strain the air of its impurities, which are expelled when the breath is
exhaled. Not only do the nostrils serve this important purpose, but they also
perform an important function in warming the air inhaled. The long narrow
winding nostrils are filled with warm mucous membrane, which coming in contact
with the inhaled air warms it so that it can do no damage to the delicate
organs of the throat, or to the lungs.
The refining, filtering and straining apparatus of the
nostrils renders the air fit to reach the delicate organs of the throat and the
lungs, and the air is not fit to so reach these organs until it has passed
through nature's refining process. The impurities which are stopped and
retained by the sieves and mucous membrane of the nostrils are thrown out again
by the expelled breath, in exhalation, and in case they have accumulated too
rapidly or have managed to escape through the sieves and have penetrated
forbidden regions, nature protects us by producing a sneeze which violently
ejects the intruder.
Air, when it enters the lungs, is as different from the
outside air as distilled water is different from rainwater. The intricate
purifying organization of the nostrils, arresting and holding the impure
particles in the air, is as important as is the action of the mouth in stopping
cherry stones and fish bones and preventing them from being carried on to the
stomach.
Another drawback of mouth breathing is that the nasal
passages, being thus comparatively unused, consequently fail to keep themselves
clean and clear, and become clogged up and unclean, and are apt to contract
local diseases. Like abandoned roads that soon become filled with weeds and
rubbish, unused nostrils become filled with impurities and foul matter.
One who habitually breathes through the nostrils is not
likely to be troubled with clogged or stuffy nostrils, but for the benefit of
those who have been more or less addicted to the unnatural mouth breathing, and
who wish to acquire the natural and rational method, it may perhaps be well to
add a few words regarding the way to keep their nostrils clean and free from
impurities.
A favorite Oriental method is to snuff a little water up the
nostrils allowing it to run down the passage into the throat, from thence it
may be ejected through the mouth. Some Hindu yogis immerse the face in a bowl
of water, and by a sort of suction draw in quite a quantity of water, but this
latter method requires considerable practice, and the first mentioned method is
equally efficacious, and much more easily performed.
Another good plan is to open the window and breathe freely, closing
one nostril with the finger or thumb, sniffing up the air through the open
nostril. Then repeat the process on the other nostril. Repeat several times,
changing nostrils. This method will usually clear the nostrils of obstructions.
In case the trouble is caused by catarrh (an inflammation of the mucous
membrane), apply a little Vaseline or camphor ice or similar preparation. Or
sniff up a little witch-hazel extract once in a while, and you will notice a
marked improvement. A little care and attention will result in the nostrils
becoming clean and remaining so.
We have given considerable space to this subject of nostril breathing, not only
because of its great importance in its reference to health, but because nostril
breathing is a prerequisite to the practice of the breathing exercises.