8 Natural Remedies for Nasal Polyps

Nasal polyps are teardrop-shaped, pulpy growths that develop inside the sinuses or nostril walls. They can block the airway and also cause sinus pain, headaches, congestion, etc. Nasal polyps are painless, benign growth, and they vary in size. Their color range from yellowish-brown to pink, and they have the shape of tear-drops. These polyps may either grow in one nostril or both simultaneously. You can deal with this condition with natural remedies for nasal polyps.

You will learn the following from this post:

What are Nasal Polyps?

Nasal polyps are growth that develops in the sinuses or nose. They are common and may occur as a result of infection, inflammation, or allergies. Ordinarily, nasal polyps do not bring any symptoms. In addition, as opposed to some other types of polyps, nasal polyps are usually noncancerous.

However, there may be symptoms like difficulty breathing, sneezing, runny nose, itching, and more in some rare cases. In dealing with this condition, doctors may prescribe prednisone or nasal sprays for relief, which can help remove the polyps or stop the symptoms. The symptoms and polyps may return though.

Polyps can either grow on their own or in clusters; also, large polyps or clusters may cause difficulty in breathing and may also affect the patient’s sense of smell. About 4 to 40 percent of the general population suffers from nasal polyps, and the condition seems to be 2 to 4 times more common in males than in females. People who develop nasal polyps tend to do so when they are young or middle-aged adults. People with allergies, frequent sinus infections, and asthma are more prone to developing nasal polyps. Some children with cystic fibrosis may also develop the condition.

Symptoms of Nasal Polyps

People with nasal polyps usually have chronic inflammation of the nasal passage mining and sinuses (chronic sinusitis). The patient’s sinuses or nasal passages may be blocked if there are large polyps or clusters. Some individuals with small polyps may exhibit no symptoms; however, the following are common symptoms of people with nasal polyps:

• Double vision: This occurs only in severe cases, and it is more likely to occur when a patient has cystic fibrosis or allergic fungal sinusitis
• Obstructive sleep apnea: This also occurs only in severe cases. This is a potentially severe condition where the patient is unable to breathe while sleeping
• Itchiness around the eyes
• Snoring
• Headache
• Pain in the face
• Poor sense of taste: This may not change even after treatment of the polyps
• Either poor sense of smell or no sense of smell: This, too, may not change even after treatment of the polyps
• Postnasal drip: a feeling of mucus constantly running down the back of the throat
• Blocked or persistent stuffy nose: The patient may have problems breathing through the nose in some cases, resulting in sleeping problems
• Runny nose: This may be so chronic that the patient may feel like they always have a cold

You can battle these symptoms with natural remedies for nasal polyps that I will soon discuss.

Risk Factors of Nasal Polyps

The risk factors associated with nasal polyps include the following:

• Genetics: people that have parents who have had nasal polyps are more susceptible to developing the condition.
• Age: nasal polyps can affect anyone, but young and middle-aged adults suffer more risk.
• Churg-Strauss syndrome: a disease that leads to blood vessel inflammation.
• Cystic fibrosis: a severe disease that attacks organs like the intestines, pancreas, lungs, and liver.
• Rhinosinusitis/Rhinitis: an inflammation of the sinuses and nasal passages which can last about 12 weeks or more. This condition also includes hay fever.
• Allergic fungal sinusitis: a kind of allergy to airborne fungi.
• Sensitivity to aspirin: individuals with allergies to aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) have a greater risk of developing polyps.

Causes of Nasal Polyps

Nobody knows the exact cause of nasal polyps. However, a significant number of cases have links with non-allergic asthma. In some cases, no allergic or respiratory trigger is identified. Nasal polyps are not related to uterine or colonic polyps found in the uterus or digestive system, respectively. No one knows the exact mechanism of polyp formation. Still, most scientists and researchers agree that nasal polyps result from inflammation in the sinuses or nose – they are not a disease.

Some experts also believe that swelling causes an accumulation of liquid in the space between mucus-forming cells (interstitial space) of the sinuses and nose. Eventually, a kind of gravity pulls down these heavy cells, causing polyps. Researchers believe that possible triggers include immune response to a fungus, an allergy, or a viral or bacterial infection.

Nasal polyps are most frequently near the openings to the sinuses; however, they can also develop anywhere throughout the sinuses or nasal passages.

Diagnosing Nasal Polyps

A doctor may correctly diagnose nasal polyps after examining a patient’s nose and asking about symptoms. Then, the doctor can view the polyps by using a lighted instrument. The doctor may also carry out the following test:

• Cystic fibrosis: if the patient is a child, the doctor may order a cystic fibrosis test on the child.
• Skin prick allergy test: if the doctor believes that allergies may contribute to polyps development, then an allergy test may be carried out.
• CT scan: This will allow the doctor to locate nasal polyps and other abnormalities associated with chronic inflammation. The CT scan will also enable the doctor to identify other obstructions.
• Nasal endoscopy: This test requires that a narrow tube with a small camera attached to it be inserted into a patient’s nose to view the inside of the nose and possibly the polyps. In some cases, instead of a camera, a magnifying glass may be attached to the tube.

Natural Remedies for Nasal Polyps

If the symptoms of nasal polyps relate to a specific allergic reaction, it may be best to avoid the allergen that triggers the reaction. The following natural remedies for nasal polyps will help ease the symptoms of the condition:

1. Cayenne Pepper

This spicy pepper contains capsaicin, which is a compound that can help clear sinuses. Cayenne pepper is as effective as a nasal spray. Cayenne pepper has properties that will help relieve inflammation, enhance immunity, and open up nasal passages.

Directions:

Add cayenne pepper to your food or recipes. For most people, about 1 to 2 teaspoons of pepper are enough. You can also make a hot cayenne tea by mixing 1 to 2 teaspoons of the pepper in a cup of boiling water. You can decide to sweeten the tea with flavor, raw honey, or other herbs to taste. Alternatively, you can buy cayenne or capsaicin products as supplements to nasal sprays.

2. Neti Pot

The system of using a neti pot is called nasal irrigation, which relieves symptoms caused by nasal polyps. The use of neti pots may also help deal with polyp causes, such as sinus infections and allergies.

Nasal irrigation uses a small pot to run warm sterilized or distilled salt water solution through sinuses or nasal passages. When you use it correctly, nasal irrigation can complement allergy or sinus treatment.

Directions:

First Step: Fill your neti pot with sterilized or distilled warm water. You can also make use of purified or filtered water. Make your water warm by first boiling it and allowing it to cool. You can use warm tap water, but make sure that it has first been filtered or purified. Do not run hot water into your nose.

Second Step: Add 1 or 2 teaspoons of salt to taste. The solution should taste as salty as sweat or tears.

Third Step: Tilt your head sideways and pour the solution through one nostril and let it run out the other over a sink. Do not plug your nose when this is going on. Ensure that the water entirely runs through.

After the process, blow out your nose to remove the salt solution. Then, repeat the same method to irrigate the other nostril and sinus cavity.

3. Steam Inhalation

If you do not have a neti pot, you can practice a simple hot steam inhalation. Steam inhalation may help symptoms of nasal polyps as much as nasal irrigation. Steam inhalation includes humidifiers, steam rooms, baths, showers, or even steam from boiling water from a stovetop.

Directions:

Take a hot bath or shower, or use a steam room and inhale the steam for relief from nasal polyps symptoms. If you are going to make use of a humidifier, ensure that you follow the product instructions.

You can also choose to simmer distilled or purified water in a clean pot on a stovetop under a medium heat setting. Inhale the steam directly from there. Ensure that the water is not at a boiling point because the steam may cause burns or scald.

4. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is an effective and well-known essential oil that helps in reducing itching. It also addresses infection and inflammation as an antimicrobial. In addition, tea tree oil may help correct both the causes and symptoms of nasal polyps.

Directions:

Create a diluted tea tree oil (3 to 5 drops of tea tree oil to every ounce of carrier oil – sweet almond oil and olive oil are examples of carrier oils). Dab the solution in nasal passages with a clean cotton swab. You can include tea tree oil to steam inhalation or aromatherapy diffuser.

5. Chamomile

This flower essential for preparing tea has been available for centuries for the relief of inflammation and allergies.

Directions:

Create a diluted chamomile essential oil (3 to 5 drops of chamomile essential oil to every ounce of water). Then, dab the solution in nasal passages with a clean cotton swab. You can also include chamomile essential oil in a diffuser or steam inhalation. Or, you can enjoy drinking a hot cup of chamomile tea.

6. Butterbur

Butterbur has many benefits to sinus-related problems, such as asthma, headaches, migraine, sinusitis, and allergies. However, each of these problems may result from nasal polyps or even cause the condition.

Directions:

Source a pure butterbur extract or supplement and follow the directions on the label. Ensure that your butterbur is from a trustworthy supplement company only, as many fake products are out there.

7. Turmeric

This yellow spice is popular for its healing and anti-inflammatory benefits. The properties of turmeric can also help irritation and inflammation of the airways.

Directions:

Liberally add spices of turmeric to your food. About 1 to 2 teaspoons are enough. You can also make a hot turmeric tea by mixing about 1 teaspoon of the spice in a cup of boiling water. You can sweeten with flavor, honey or other herbs to taste.

8. Eucalyptus

The oils extracted from eucalyptus have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and decongestant properties altogether. Ensure that you do not have allergic reactions to eucalyptus before using it. You can determine if you are allergic by diluting a drop of eucalyptus essential oil into 1 teaspoon of carrier oil. Apply the mixture to your forearm and wait to see if there will be a reaction after 24 hours. Observe the symptoms of allergy whenever you inhale the essential oil.

Directions:

Create a diluted eucalyptus essential oil (3 to 5 drops of eucalyptus essential oil to every ounce of carrier oil). Dab the solution in nasal passages with a clean cotton swab. You can also include essential eucalyptus oil in your water for an inhaler or steam inhalation.

Final Thoughts

Prescription medications are essential for severe nasal polyp symptoms. However, if your symptoms are still in the mild stage and you are searching for home remedy approaches, give these natural remedies for nasal polyps a try.

If your symptoms become severe or get worse, consult your doctor immediately. Do not depend entirely on natural remedies for nasal polyps.