man with nasal sprayNasal polyps are a common type of noncancerous growth that develops in the nose. The growths are often shaped like teardrops, and may sometimes be found in the sinuses. The most common location however, is at the point where the sinuses open up and lead to the nasal passage ways.

Nasal polyps are often linked to allergic reactions and asthma. These growths, for the most part, do not cause any symptoms particularly when they are small. Bigger nasal polyps, however, block proper drainage from the sinuses, and this increases the risk of getting an infection.

It is thought that polyps are triggered by long-term inflammation of the nasal membranes, and doctors have found that in many cases, the polyps run in family generations. Some of the symptoms that accompany nasal polyps include a blocked nose, extreme sneezing, a runny nose, disturbed sleeping patterns due to the blockage and inexplicable facial pain (that is not caused by trauma to the face).

Some people will experience a loss of taste and postnasal drip. The latter refers to the feeling of mucus that drips at the back of the nose, hence the name. In a few cases, this often affects the sense of smell. Depending on the size of the polyps, treatment options will often vary. Very large polyps require surgical intervention, and even then, they may recur after a while.

Home remedies are available for those whose nasal polyps are small in size. If the nasal polyps are a major cause of concern, or if they cause blockage of the nasal passages and make breathing difficult, it becomes important to seek medical advice for the proper cause of treatment. Otherwise, home remedies will offer much needed relief from the symptoms of nasal polyps.

1. Tea Tree Oil 

Time Required: 4 Min
What You Need: 10 Drops of tea tree oil, 1 cup of distilled water and a nasal spray bottle. You may also need 1.5 cups of distilled water in a neti pot, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, 5 drops of tea tree oil and 2 drops of concentrated grape seed extract.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Tea tree oil is a key home remedy for the natural treatment of nasal polyps. As mentioned above, these polyps often prevent the proper drainage of the sinuses. When this fluid accumulates in the nasal cavity, it increases the chances of getting an infection. Tea tree oil comes in handy to prevent the nasal infection, thanks to its antibacterial properties. As a potent anti-inflammatory, the oil also helps manage the pain in the nasal area.

When preparing this remedy, you will need some distilled water and a nasal spray bottle for easy application. Alternatively, use concentrated grape seed extract to compliment the oil’s functions as well as serve as a way to dilute the oil. Salt is added for its ability to clear the nasal passages and improve the remedy’s efficiency. Use tea tree oil to treat polyps and get relief from the accompanying symptoms of the same. Follow the simple directions below for this remedy.

Directions:

Using Distilled Water:

  1.  In the bowl containing the distilled water, add 10 drops of tea tree oil and mix well. You must never use tea tree oil on its own as it is very potent and may cause irritation of the nasal membranes.
  2. Transfer the mixture to a nasal spray bottle and shake well to mix some more.
  3. Spray this mixture into each of the nostrils a couple of times daily in order to reduce the symptoms of nasal polyps and offer relief.

Using Grape Seed Extract:

  1. Place the water in a neti pot and stir the salt in for dissolution purposes.
  2. Add the tea tree oil followed by a few drops of the concentrated grape seed extract.
  3. Transfer this solution to a nasal spray bottle and spray the mixture into each nostril at least thrice daily.
  4. Follow through with this remedy until you are able to manage the inflammation.

2. Turmeric:

Time Required: 10 Min
What You Need: 1 Teaspoon of turmeric powder and 1 glass of warm water.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Turmeric is another versatile remedy whose medicinal uses have made it a popular home remedy. Its excellent antioxidant properties, coupled with its anti-inflammatory properties makes it well suited for the treatment of nasal polyps. Turmeric is therefore able to lower the inflammation and fight off the nasal infection. In simple terms, it acts as a natural decongestant, and is a must-have home remedy if you have nasal polyps.

All you need to use this consistently is the turmeric powder and glass of water. Milk has long been suggested as a perfect addition to this remedy, but it is important to note that dairy has been linked to nasal congestion, and is best avoided altogether. Use drinking water instead for best results.

Directions:

  1. Place the turmeric powder in a glass and pour in the warm water.
  2. Stir the resulting mixture and drink at least twice daily.
  3. The best time to use this remedy is in the morning, and just before bedtime when the symptoms of turmeric tend to peak.

3. Garlic or Onion Juice:

Time Required: 30 Min
What You Need: 3 Cloves of fresh garlic, 1 large onion, pestle and mortar, a clean cloth and 1 glass of warm water Some fresh lemon juice (optional).
Difficulty: Easy

 

Eating raw garlic and/or onions may result in a pungent mouth odor, but for people suffering from nasal polyps, this is a key home remedy. These two remedies belong to the same family, and this explains their similar modes of action. Both are rich in sulfur-based compounds that are especially effective in eliminating infections within the nasal cavity. In addition to this, garlic and onions are packed with properties that trigger mucus drainage so that breathing is made easier, thus clearing the nasal packages.

Directions:

  1. Peel the garlic and/or onion and wash well under running water
  2. Chop them into small pieces before transferring to a pestle and mortar to crush and grind.
  3. Place the crushed garlic and onion on a clean piece of cloth, taking care not to squeeze as this will waste the juice.
  4. Pull opposite ends of the cloth to squeeze and release the juice into a bowl.
  5. Drink this juice twice daily, preferably in the morning and at bedtime. Granted, the taste is pungent, but for what it is worth, this is a small price to pay to get relief from the symptoms of nasal polyps.
  6. If the smell is unbearable, consider following this up with some fresh lemon juice. The refreshing taste of lemon helps counter that of the garlic-onion remedy.

4. Steam Therapy:

Time Required: 30 Min
What You Need: A pot of boiling water, a basin, a clean towel, your preferred essential oils such as peppermint or eucalyptus oils.
Difficulty: Moderate

One of the simple ways to treat nasal polyps is to take up steam therapy. Just as the name suggests, this involves using steam to get relief from the symptoms of the condition. The purpose of the steam is to open up the blocked nasal passages and to allow for easy drainage of the accumulated nasal fluids. The heat provided by the steam also helps thin any thick mucus present so that there is less congestion. This remedy, used regularly, alleviates the discomfort created by the nasal polyps. Essential oils are added to the boiling water to help with the decongestion and improve the effectiveness of the remedy.

Note: Take caution however, not to scald yourself as the boiling water may cause burn injuries. For this reason, this remedy is categorized as ‘moderate difficulty’, and is not recommended for the elderly or those with conditions affecting the nervous system.

Directions:

  1. Shut all the windows and doors of the room you will be using this remedy from, usually the bathroom. This is done to prevent the steam from escaping and rapid cooling of the water. It also creates a setup where the steam is contained for efficiency purposes.
  2. Pour the boiling water in the basin, taking care not to burn yourself.
  3. Drape the towel so that it hangs over your head and traps the steam rising from the surface of the water.
  4. Add a few drops of your preferred essential oil to the hot water to improve the nasal-clearing effect.
  5. Inhale as deeply as you can until you feel the steam clearing in the nasal passage
  6. Repeat this until the water cools down.
  7. You may want to use this remedy early in the morning and just before bedtime for much-needed relief.

5. Horseradish and Honey:

Time Required: 20 Min
What You Need: 2 Cups of horseradish, 2 cups of honey and a refrigerator to store the remedy.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Horseradish is regarded as one of the most important home remedies for nasal polyps, largely because of its potent antibacterial properties. This remedy not only helps in clearing any nasal infections, it is also reliable in managing allergens that contribute to the severity of the nasal polyps. Regular use of horseradish also goes a long way in preventing the recurrence of nasal polyps once they are treated.

Add some raw organic honey which is also beneficial for its healing properties. Packed with antimicrobial properties, honey helps prevent nasal infections. It also has a moisturizing effect on the nasal passages, which helps reduce the discomfort associated with these symptoms. Honey is a must-add to the horseradish to manage the latter’s strong smell and taste. It also acts as an excellent preservative as you will need to store the remainder. Prepare the remedy as follows.

Directions:

  1. Add the horseradish to the honey and mix well so that the honey is well-spread to mask the herb’s strong smell and taste.
  2. Take one teaspoon of the mixture twice daily, both in the morning and at night until you notice that the polyps have started to shrink.
  3. Refrigerate the remaining remedy and use it within a week.

6. Capsicum Annum Nasal Spray:

Time Required: 10 Min
What You Need: Capsicum annum spray.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Make use of capsicum’s healing benefits when you use the nasal spray to help treat polyps. The herb has long been used in traditional medicine to increase the strength of blood vessels as well as improve the flow of blood to key organs in the body. The herb is also packed with excellent anti-inflammatory properties that reduce the levels of inflammation in the nose. Over a period of time, regular use of the nasal spray helps shrink the polyps.

Directions:

  1. Get your diluted capsicum annum spray from the local chemist. Double check to ensure it is diluted, failure to which you are likely to cause irritation of the nasal passages.
  2. Apply the spray carefully, ensuring it does not come into contact with the eyes or any other open wounds you may have.

7. Citrus Fruits:

Time Required: Varies, but could be added to mealtimes with ease.
What You Need: Your preferred citrus fruits
Difficulty: Easy

 

Citrus fruits are a family of fruits that are rich in Vitamin C, which is required by the body to boost the immune system. The presence of vitamin C in the body strengthens your immunity so that the body is able to fight off nasal infections that come about as a result of the nasal polyps. Other benefits of using Vitamin C include the improved production of bioflavanoids. These are substances that help manage the activity of the nasal blood vessels and allow optimal functionality.

Regular intake of citrus fruits is able to significantly reduce the growth of the nasal polyps, so much so that the growths shrink in size and there are fewer symptoms. Make a point of eating citrus fruits at least thrice daily.

Directions:

  1. Some of the citrus fruits that you should add to your daily diet include lemons, oranges, limes and grapefruits among others.

8. Alter Your Diet:

Time Required: Varies depending on the changes you are keen on making.
What You Need: Make dietary changes to reduce the growth of the polyps.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Diet plays a key role in the management of nasal polyps for the simple reason that these growths are fed off long-term inflammation of the mucus membranes. The presence of free radicals has also been connected to these growths. These free radicals sometimes come from the diet one eats. In this regard, there are specific classes of food that you must avoid at all costs if you would like the nasal polyps to reduce in size. Listed below are the particular food types alongside the reason for their elimination from your diet.

Directions:

Food types that you need to avoid to shrink nasal polyps

  1. Gluten – Gluten is one of the most obvious culprits as far as food allergens are concerned. Gluten not only increases mucous production, it also has a distinct ability to upset optimal digestion. Some of the foods that you need to watch out for in this category include bread, pastries and baked foods, pasta as well as yeast products. Eliminate these foods from your diet and monitor the improvements made.
  2. Dairy and dairy products – Lactose intolerance is one of the most common factors linked to the inflammation of the sinuses. Consequently, dairy and dairy products are best avoided if you would like to get rid of nasal polyps. As a general guide, if you have been taking dairy for a while, you may want to remove these products from your diet and watch to see the improvements made. Some of the dairy products to watch out for include milk, yogurt, cheese, butter and ice-cream among others. Replace these food options with excellent alternatives such as almond milk and soy milk.
  3.  Get rid of carbonated drinks – Soft drinks are chemical-packed beverages that are known to make nasal polyps worse. Rich in glutamate, benzoates and a host of other chemicals, soft drinks can easily cause inflammation of the nasal membranes. What’s more, soft drinks cause dehydration , which in turn predisposes asthmatic patients to attacks. Eliminate soft drinks from your diet and instead take water or freshly squeezed juice
  4. Increase your dietary intake of Vitamin A and Beta carotene – As mentioned above, nasal polyps are made worse by the presence of free radicals. Increased Vitamin A and beta carotene intake goes a long way in reducing these free radicals, effectively preventing inflammation flare ups in the nasal passages. Additionally, beta carotene helps the body with Vitamin A absorption. Some excellent foods in this category include cabbages, green leafy vegetables such as kale and spinach, red peppers, broccoli, dried apricots and broccoli.
  5. Increase omega-3 intake – Since nasal polyps are triggered by the inflammation of the nasal passages, it is important to increase dietary intake of foods rich in anti-inflammatory agents. This is where omega-3, a potent anti-inflammatory comes in. Some of the foods rich in omega-3 include chia seeds, flaxseed oil, smoked salmon and a variety of seafood.

The natural treatment of nasal polyps takes time, but is a preferred option because it has minimal side effects. If you have any doubts, or start to experience severe symptoms, make sure you get a medical appointment to allay any fears and get a proper diagnosis and the way forward.