If you have strange bumps inside your nose, then you may have nasal polyps or sinus polyps. Nasal polyps are very common. They are noncancerous growths. In the USA, 4% of the population suffers from nasal polyps. Nasal polyps look like teardrops or peeled grapes. Nasal polyps are growth that lines the nasal passages or sinuses [1].
If there is a group of nasal polyps or if they get too large, they can block your nasal passages, making it hard for you to breathe [2].
Nasal polyps are soft, painless, and noncancerous. Usually, nasal polyps are classified either as ethmoidal polyps or antrochoanal polyps. The ethmoidal polyps develop from the ethmoidal sinuses, and the antrochoanal polyps originate in the maxillary sinuses and are not very common.
If you suffer from sinus polyps, then you can feel like you have a head cold. Nasal polyps do not have any sensation, so many people do not know that they have them. There are many symptoms of nasal polyps, such as snoring; a sense of pressure over the forehead and face; vocal changes; pain in your upper teeth; infections; itching around the eyes; loss of taste; difficulty with sense of smell; facial pain; runny nose; postnasal drip; sneezing; stuffy or blocked nose.
You need to talk with your doctor if you suffer from sinus polyps before you start using some of the below-mentioned home remedies for this condition.
15 Home remedies for sinus polyps
Avoid food allergens
You should eliminate food allergens from your diet because they will help you to prevent nasal polyps. If you have allergies to gluten, soy, yeast, eggs, wheat, or dairy, then you should remove these products from your diet because this will lessen inflammation and allergic reactions.
People who have a food allergy and are not sure they have it can try an elimination diet. It is a short-term eating plan that eliminates certain foods that can cause digestive problems and allergies and then reintroduces them one at a time to figure out which foods are the causes of your allergic reaction. [2]
Avoid alcohol
There was one study in which it was said that alcohol could irritate your lungs and cause sinus problems, including nasal polyps. Also, in this study was said that alcohol can aggravate symptoms in people who suffer from rhinitis. [3,4]
Omega – 3 essential fatty acids
Flaxseed and wild-caught salmon are rich sources of Omega – 3 fatty acids. They are very important compounds for our bodies because our bodies cannot make them on their own. They have many health benefits, such as protecting against inflammation and boosting the immune system. Also, this is a very effective natural cure for the fight against sinus infections and nasal polyps.
Greens and cabbage family vegetables
You should eat foods that are rich in beta carotene, selenium, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, and Vitamin A because they can boost your immune system. You should eat greens and cabbage family vegetables, such as broccoli, because this is a great way in which you can get the mentioned nutrients.
Also, these foods can be included kale, winter squash, melon, mango, apricots, sweet potatoes, carrots, and spinach. Also, they are rich in antioxidants, and they have anti-inflammatory properties. You should make your foods with onions, garlic, and greens.
Onions
This natural cure is rich in antioxidants which can protect against inflammation. This makes it one of the best home remedies for people who suffer from respiratory infections or asthma. We know that there are different varieties of onions. Sweet onions can taste better, but red and yellow onions have a higher percentage of beneficial compounds, particularly quercetin. [5]
Garlic
This natural cure has antifungal and antiviral properties. It can help to get relief from the common cold and other infections. The key component in garlic is allicin which gives its ability to kill microorganisms. You can take the garlic as a supplement, or you can add garlic to your favorite recipes. You should add a clove of garlic to your potato dish or favorite chicken. [6]
Apple cider vinegar
This natural cure has many health-supporting properties which can help to break up mucus. This makes it one of the best natural treatments for relieving seasonal allergies. It is rich in vitamins. It can boost the probiotic action, which makes it a very effective home remedy for colds. You should mix two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar into one glass of water. You should drink this mixture 3 times per day for allergy and cold relief. [7]
Cayenne pepper
You can add cayenne pepper to your cooking because it has many health benefits which can help you a lot. It is rich in flavonoids, manganese, beta carotene, potassium, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, and Vitamin B6. Also, it has antioxidants. These antioxidants, in combination with Vitamin C, can boost your immune system.
The Vitamin A in this natural cure can help prevent allergies and inflamed nasal passages and reduce inflammation. You can add powdered or dried cayenne pepper to your vegetables, nuts, eggs, pasta, and meat for a spicy kick. Also, you can add it to your drinks and sauces and use it as a pickling spice.
Turmeric
There are many studies in which curcumin, a component of turmeric, has healing properties and are equal to or better than pharmaceutical medications. This is a very effective home remedy for treating sinus infections and nasal polyps because it is a powerful anti-inflammatory compound worldwide. [8]
You can add this natural cure to your diet by using it as a cooking spice. It is known that turmeric is commonly used in curries. Also, you can sprinkle turmeric in a smoothie. You can find turmeric as a supplement, but first, talk with your doctor before taking it.
Probiotics
There are some studies in which are shown that probiotics can boost the immune system. There was one study in which was demonstrated that an individual’s microbiome can impact sinus health. You should eat sour and probiotic-rich foods because they can help to boost the probiotics in your system.
Also, you should know that you need to feed the probiotics in your system with high–fiber and good-quality foods, such as sweet potatoes and chia seeds. One of the best and easiest ways to boost your probiotic intake is to take probiotic supplements on a daily basis. [9]
Zinc
You should know that chickpeas, cocoa, and salmon are rich in zinc. They are essential to bodily functions as a trace element because a small amount of zinc on a daily basis is needed by our bodies to function optimally. In many cases, zinc is taken over the counter because it can help to fight colds, and also it can be a very effective home remedy for treating nasal polyps and chronic sinusitis.
You should eat protein-rich foods because they have the highest amounts of naturally-occurring zinc. Some examples of these foods are eggs, cashews, yogurt, turkey, chicken, and lamb. Also, you can take zinc supplements, but you need to talk with your doctor about the correct dosage.
Tea tree oil
This natural cure has antimicrobial properties, which make it a very effective home remedy for treating sinus polyps. You should not use this natural cure internally.
Goldenseal
You should drink a cup of goldenseal on a daily basis because this can help to soothe nasal polyps. It has antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. Goldenseal should not be consumed by pregnant or lactating women, and the continuous use of goldenseal should not exceed 3 weeks.
Magnesium
This natural cure has anti-inflammatory properties, which can relax the body tissue. You should eat a diet that is rich in magnesium-dense foods, such as legumes, seeds, nuts, and leafy green vegetables. Also, there is another option, and that is to take magnesium supplements after you have talked with your doctor about the correct dosage and suitability. You can fill a bathtub with Epsom salt and then soak your body in this water because, in this way, your body will absorb the magnesium directly through your skin. [10]
Bromelain
Bromelain is a component that is found in pineapple. It has anti-inflammatory and immune system-boosting properties, which can be used as a natural treatment for nasal polyps. It has the power to reduce swelling, which means that it can help to reduce the symptoms of sinus infections. Also, it can protect you against asthma and allergies. You can add pineapple core to your smoothie. Also, you can take bromelain as a daily supplement. [11]
References
[1] Liu Z, Kim J, Sypek JP, et al. Gene expression profiles in human nasal polyp tissues studied by means of DNA microarray. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2004;114(4):783-90.
[2] Mygind N, Dahl R, Bachert C. Nasal polyposis, eosinophil dominated inflammation, and allergy. BMJ Journals. 2000;5(2).
[3] Sisson JH. Alcohol and airways function in health and disease. Alcohol. 2007;41(5):293-307.
[4] American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology. Wine and beer may make your lungs and sinuses worse. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
[5] Griffiths G, Trueman L, Crowther T, et al. Onions – a global benefit to health. Phytotherapy Research. 2002;16(7):603-15.
[6] Wilson EA, Demmig-Adams B. Antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties of garlic and onions. Nutrition & Food Science. 2007;37(3):178-183.
[7] Akanksha S, Sunita M. Study about the nutritional and medicinal properties of apple cider vinegar. Asian Journal of Science and Technology. 2017;8(12).
[8] Wu S, Xiao D. Effect of curcumin on nasal symptoms and airflow in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis. Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. 2016;117(6):697-702.
[9] Koskinen K, Reichert JL, Hoier S, et al. The nasal microbiome mirrors and potentially shapes olfactory function. Scientific Reports. 2018;8:1296.
[10] Nielsen FH. Magnesium deficiency and increased inflammation: current perspectives. Journal of Inflammation Research. 2018;11:25-34.
[11] Pavan R, Jain S, Shraddha, Kumar A. Properties and therapeutic application of bromelain: A review. Biotechnology Research International. 2012;2012:976203.
