Treat Your Nasal Polyps with Homeopathic Medicines

Nasal polyps are soft, painless, non-cancerous growths that move freely and arise from the mucous membrane of the nose or paranasal sinuses. They are caused due to allergies and recurrent nasal infections.

Homeopathy has an applaudable natural treatment for nasal polyps with zero side effects. Homeopathic medicines treat nasal polyps to achieve two outcomes. First, they provide symptomatic relief for complaints like nasal blockage, nasal discharge, loss of smell, etc. Second, the use of homeopathic medicines stops the increase in the size of nasal polyps, followed by the gradual shrinking of their size. The latter is accomplished by uprooting the underlying root cause that predisposes a person to nasal polyps. Homeopathic medicines strengthen the immune system which keeps recurrent nasal infections at bay. In some cases, they moderate the overactive immune system to prevent frequent allergy episodes.

Non-habit forming medicines

The use of nasal spray, antihistamines and antibiotics is very commonly recommended for symptom management under the conventional mode of treatment. However, these offer only temporary relief and also carry the risk of possible side effects and can also be habit forming. Homeopathic medicines, on the other hand, offer long term relief in nasal polyps symptoms without any worry of dependency. If homeopathic treatment is followed regularly as guided by a homeopathic physician, it can be discontinued once the desired results have been obtained.

Alternative to surgical procedure 

Homeopathy is a very safe and highly effective alternative option to surgery to treat nasal polyps.  Generally, one would  want to avoid surgery; even if one opts for it, it does not guarantee a permanent cure. In many cases, nasal polyps tend to regrow as the root cause remains untreated. Here, homeopathy is a great alternative which shrinks nasal polyps gently, safely and naturally.  Surgery should only be considered as an option in complicated cases that fail to respond to non-surgical medical treatments.

Top 7 Homeopathic Medicines for Nasal Polyps

Some top-rated medicines for treating nasal polyps are Lemna Minor, Teucrium Marum,  Sanguinaria Nitricum, Calcarea Carb, Allium Cepa, Kali Bichromicum and Phosphorus.

1. Lemna Minor – Best Homeopathic treatment for Nasal Polyps

Lemna Minor is one of the top grade medicines for nasal polyps. Lemna Minor works well where there is obstruction of nose and loss of smell from nasal polyps. A putrid smell in the nose may also be felt in some cases. Thick, yellow-white discharge from the nose is another attending feature. In some cases, mucopurulent nasal discharge is observed. In cases where nasal polyps worsen in wet weather too, Lemna Minor is the medicine to prescribe. It also treats swollen nasal turbinates very well.

In the list of all major homeopathic medicines for nasal polyps, Lemna Minor occupies the top rank. In my clinical practice, I have found Lemna Minor very effective in curing nasal polyps. Lemna Minor is indicated when nasal blockage is very intense from nasal polyps. Loss of smell (anosmia) may also be present. The nasal turbinate may also show marked swelling. A person may complain of thick, profuse, yellow-white nasal discharge. A foul smell from the nose may also accompany it. Polyps that typically worsen in wet weather, indicate the use of Lemna Minor.

When to use Lemna Minor?

Lemna Minor is highly recommended for managing nasal blockage and loss of smell from nasal polyps.

How to use Lemna Minor?

It is used in mother tincture (Q) form generally. Lemna Minor Q can be taken once or twice a day.

2. Teucrium – Homeopathic Medicine for Post-Nasal Polyps

Teucrium is a well-indicated homeopathic medicine for post-nasal polyps. I usually prescribe this medicine when nasal polyps lead to the obstruction of the nose on the side a person lies down on. Other symptoms that indicate its use are – There is much sneezing and blockage of nostrils. A crawling sensation in the nose may also be felt. Sense of smell is lost. Large offensive crusts may pass from the nose. The person may also complain of a bad taste in the throat.  Hawking of mucus from the throat also appears.

When to use Teucrium Marum?

The key feature of using this medicine is the blockage of the nose on the same side on which a person lies down.

How to use Teucrium Marum?

It can be used in different potencies from low to high as per the severity of the complaint. Initially, it is advised to use Teucrium in 30 C potency two times a day for good results.

3. Sanguinaria Nitricum – For Right-sided Nasal Polyps

Sanguinaria Can is the next best homeopathic medicine of great help in treating nasal polyps. It shows great affinity to treat nasal polyps on the right side. A person who needs a prescription for Sanguinaria Nitricum shows watery, nasal discharge or burning nature. Other features are pressure over the root of the nose, plugged sensation in nostrils, enlarged nasal turbinates, sneezing, and yellow, bloody mucus discharge from the nose.

When to use Sanguinaria Nitricum?

Sanguinaria Nitricum is an ideal medicine for cases of right-sided polyps along with watery nasal discharge and blocked nose.

How to use Sanguinaria Nitricum?

This medicine can be used in 30 C power one or two times a day.

4. Calcarea Carb – For Left-sided Nasal Polyps

Calcarea Carb is an extremely suitable medicine for left-sided nasal polyps. This prescription is given to persons who complain of a blocked nose on the left side. Other attending features are fetid smell and yellow discharge from the nose. In the morning, dryness in the nose may be felt. Sneezing, markedly in the morning time, may also attend. Persons given Calcarea Carb tend to catch a cold easily, with the slightest change in weather.

When to use Calcarea Carb?

It is particularly indicated for left-sided nasal polyps with nasal blockage and yellow, smelly nasal discharge.

How to use Calcarea Carb?

Both low and high potencies of this medicine work well, however, it is advised to begin with 30 C potency once a day initially.  To use high potencies like 200C, 1M consultation from a homeopathic doctor is required.

5. Allium Cepa – For Constant Sneezing in Nasal Polyps

In the case of nasal polyps with constant sneezing, Allium Cepa offers the perfect treatment. An attending feature is the watery discharge of burning, acrid nature from the nose. The nasal discharge corrodes the upper lips. Headache may also persist along with fluent coryza. Some feel there’s a lump at the root of the nose. Nose stoppage may also be observed.

When to use Allium Cepa?

This medicine can be selected to manage nasal allergy symptoms like intense sneezing and burning watery nasal discharge present in nasal polyps cases.

How to use Allium Cepa?

It is recommended to take Allium Cepa 30 C twice or thrice a day depending on symptom severity.

6. Kali Bichromicum – For Post-Nasal Discharge

For postnasal discharge in nasal polyps cases,  Kali Bichromicum is selected. The post-nasal discharge is thick, lumpy, and ropy. It is attended with much hawking. Marked pressure at the root of the nose is a common complaint. A fetid smell from the nose is another concern. Violent sneezing in the morning may accompany the above features. Kali Bichromicum is also a prominent medicine for treating nasal polyps from chronic sinusitis.

When to use Kali Bichromicum?

The characteristic feature indicating the use of this medicine is thick, lumpy, ropy nasal discharge in nasal polyps cases. One may also opt for use when nasal polyps are linked with long-term sinusitis.

How to use Kali Bichromicum?

This medicine can be used in 30C potency one or two times in a day.

7. Phosphorus – For Bleeding Nasal Polyps

Phosphorus is a very effective medicine for nasal polyps that bleed easily. Apart from the bleeding, the condition is accompanied by coryza with dull headache and sneezing which worsens with strong odors.  A blocked nose early in the morning is a sure sign that Phosphorus will work. Also, in cases where coryza and dryness of the nose alternate, Phosphorus is the best medicine.

When to use Phosphorus?

This medicine is prescribed usually in cases of nasal polyps that bleed often.

How to use Phosphorus?

It is suggested to take this medicine in 30C power. The dosage should not exceed one dose a day. Do not use its high potencies without a physician’s consultation.

8. Formica Rufa  – For chronic recurrences of Nasal polyps

Formica Rufa is a best remedial measure when the nasal polyps recur. This medicine helps minimise the recurrences of nasal polyps and reduces the size of active nasal polyps. Formica Rufa is also prescribed for acute symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, and nasal blockage.

When to use Formica Rufa?

Formica Rufa is prescribed usually in cases of recurring nasal polyps

How to use Formica Rufa?

It is mostly used in 30C potency. The repetition of dose could differ on a case to case basis.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are there any risk factors that predispose one to nasal polyps?

Risk factors like chronic nasal infection or inflammation, sinusitis, and nasal allergies play an important role in making one prone to nasal polyps. It needs mention here that not everyone with the above risk factors will develop nasal polyps even though they would be likely to develop the condition. Various other diseases that are associated with nasal polyps are asthma, cystic fibrosis, chronic rhinosinusitis, allergic fungal sinusitis, and aspirin sensitivity.

2. How do I know I have nasal polyps?

There are several symptoms unique to nasal polyps, the most prominent among these being a stuffy nose. Other signs accompanying the nasal blockage include breathing through the mouth, loss or decrease of the sense of smell, snoring, post nasal drip, sneezing, runny nose, headache, and feeling of pressure in the forehead. Polyps that are small in size show no symptoms at all.

3. What medical investigations do doctors propose for nasal polyps?

Investigations for nasal polyps include nasal endoscopy, CT scan or MRI. In addition to this, skin prick tests to detect allergic factors are also done.

4. Are nasal polyps of different types?

There are two types of nasal polyps. These are antrochoanal polyps and ethmoidal polyps. The antrochoanal polyp arises from the maxillary sinus and is single and unilateral (one-sided). The ethmoidal polyps are usually multiple, bilateral, and arise from the ethmoidal sinus, the middle turbinate lateral wall of the nose, mainly from the middle meatus.

5. Can sinusitis cause nasal polyps?

Yes, sinusitis i.e. inflamed mucous membrane of the paranasal sinus can lead to nasal polyps. Sinusitis is one of the major risk factors behind nasal polyps. However, all cases of sinusitis do not lead to nasal polyps. Why only a few having sinusitis develop nasal polyps is still a matter of study.

6. Is turbinate hypertrophy another name for nasal polyps?

No, nasal polyps and turbinate hypertrophy are not the same thing. Turbinates are the normal structures i.e. curled bones located bilaterally inside the nose. They play an important role in heating and filtering the inhaled air. While nasal polyps are soft, painless growths arising from the mucous lining of the mucous membrane of the nose or paranasal sinus. However, the major risk factors for both turbinate hypertrophy and nasal polyps are recurrent nasal infections and nasal allergies.

7. I snore at night, could it be from nasal polyps?

Snoring is a symptom of nasal polyps. But, snoring in isolation can be attributed to other causes as well. Few other causes of snoring include enlarged adenoids, deviated nasal septum, obesity leading to bulky throat tissue and elongated uvula. A CT scan or MRI will confirm whether the nasal polyps are causing snoring or other factors are in play.

8. Do nasal polyps bleed?

Yes, nasal polyps can bleed, but not in every case.