Nasal polyps are a very common benign disorder that affects the nasal mucosa. Even if their origin is still unclear, we know that the most susceptible persons are those who suffer from allergies but, in general, everyone may be show nasal polyps. At the base there is a chronic local inflammation and, once manifested, polyps can cause nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea but also facial pain (Newton et al, Ther Clin Risk Mang, Apr 2008 - Hulse et al, Clin Exp Allergy, Feb 2015). Surgical operation and cortisone nasal sprays are a typical treatment for nasal polyps, however even natural remedies can help a lot to reduce the symptoms and to avoid recurrence since the nasal polyps tend to recur.
Capsaicin
Capsaicin is the active ingredient of chili peppers and scientific studies have observed its beneficial effect in case of nasal polyps, even in the most serious cases. Nasal sprays with capsaicin have been able to improve the passage of air in the nose as well as to fight the inflammation (Baudoin et al, Acta Otolaryngol, Mar 2000). So capsaicin can help to alleviate some symptoms of nasal polyps or even the cause of polyps.
Saline solution
Nasal sprays with a solution of water and salt can help relieve the respiratory tract mucosa (Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care, 2018).
Inhalation
Even inhalations can be helpful in relieving congestion and inflammation of the nasal mucosa, thus helping to create an environment that is less favorable to nasal polyps. To a bowl full of hot water you can add 2-3 drops of essential oil of chamomile with a powerful anti-inflammatory and antiallergic action (Wu et al, Journal of Essential Oil Bearing Plants, 2018) or 1-2 drops of eucalyptus essential oil. In fact, eucalyptus contains substances belonging to the family of monoterpenes with a powerful anti-inflammatory and immunostimulating action (Choi et al, Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2016). Then, cover the head with a towel and breathe the steam.
Butterbur
Sometimes nasal polyps can cause headache. In this case, a remedy whose validity in case of migraines has been confirmed by science (Lipton et al, Neurology, Dec 2004) is the extract of butterbur, scientific name Petasites hybridus, a plant of the Asteraceae family. In addition, the butterbur also shows an interesting anti-allergic action thus proving to be useful in fighting rhinorrhea, stuffy nose and nasal congestion, all symptoms that can cause or worsen the nasal polyps (Sayin et al, ISRN Allergy, Nov 2013).
