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Natural Treatment for Nasal Polyps

Written by Institute for Natural Medicine Staff
Medically Reviewed by Signe Poquette, ND
  • Last Updated September 9, 2025
woman in white sweater scrunches itchy nose

In this article:

Nasal polyps are growths inside the nose or sinuses. Although they don’t often pose specific health risks, polyps can cause uncomfortable symptoms, such as a runny or stuffy nose, excess mucus flowing down the throat, loss of smell or taste, and facial pain. Larger polyps can block the nasal passages. Sometimes, the condition interferes with sleep and contributes to anxiety or depression.1Mullol J, Azar A, Buchheit KM, et al. Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps: quality of life in the biologics era. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2022;10(6):1434-1453. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213219822002434

Chronic congestion (or sinusitis) may result when nasal mucosa, the protective tissue lining the sinuses, becomes irritated and inflamed.2del Toro E, Hardin F, Portela J. Nasal polyps. StatPearls. 2025;May 5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560746/?report=reader#_NBK560746_pubdet_ These conditions, or poorly controlled allergies, usually precede the formation of nasal polyps.

Although viral sinusitis typically resolves on its own without prescription medicine, antibiotics may be required to fully treat bacterial sinusitis.3Kwon E, Hathaway C, Sutton AE. Acute sinusitis. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls 2025;Jan. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547701/?report=reader Hallmark signs of sinusitis are a runny nose with pus-like nasal discharge, dental or facial pain, decreased sense of smell, headache, ear pain, bad breath, cough, fatigue, and nasal obstruction.4Kwon E, O’Rourke MC. Chronic sinusitis. StatPearls. 2023;Aug 8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441

Causes and risk factors

bee pollinates white flowers

Rhinitis (nasal inflammation) and allergic rhinitis are considered the most common contributors to nasal polyps.5Narasimhan G, Deshmukh PT, Gaurkar SS, Khan FQ. A Comprehensive Review Exploring Allergic Rhinitis With Nasal Polyps: Mechanisms, Management, and Emerging Therapies. Cureus. 2024 Apr 28;16(4):e59191. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11130740 Some research ties an imbalance of flora in the nasal cavity to chronic sinus inflammation.4Eloy P, Musat G. What we know about nasal polyposis: the clinician’s point of view. Sinusitis. 2024;8(2):37-50. https://doi.org/10.3390/sinusitis8020006 Harmful microbes can overgrow healthy bacteria in the nose, much like what occurs with a compromised gut microbiome.

Recent studies have also shown a potential link between autoimmune conditions and nasal polyps.6Huang J, Xu Y. Autoimmunity: a new focus on nasal polyps. Int J Mol Sci. 2023;24(9). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24098444

People with allergies, asthma, or aspirin sensitivity have a higher risk of developing nasal polyps.4Eloy P, Musat G. What we know about nasal polyposis: the clinician’s point of view. Sinusitis. 2024;8(2):37-50. https://doi.org/10.3390/sinusitis8020006 Polyps tend to exacerbate asthma, with more severe disease and airway obstruction resulting from severe inflammation.7Laidlaw TM, Mullol J, Woessner KM, et al. Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps and asthma. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2021;9(3):1133-1141. https://www.jaci-inpractice.org/article/S2213-2198(20)31113-2/fulltext

Steroids, nasal spray, and other conventional treatments

Nasal polyps are conventionally treated with steroid medications, nasal sprays, and saline rinses. Treatment can take time—two to three months for some individuals. If polyps return, endoscopic sinus surgery may be necessary for complete recovery.2del Toro E, Hardin F, Portela J. Nasal polyps. StatPearls. 2025;May 5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560746/?report=reader#_NBK560746_pubdet_

Taming nasal inflammation

Addressing chronic inflammation is a central focus of naturopathic treatment for nasal polyps. People with both chronic sinusitis and nasal polyps have significantly higher indicators of inflammation in their nasal mucosa compared with those who have chronic sinusitis but no nasal polyps.8Gan W, Xiang Y, Wei B, et al. The inflammatory microenvironment of nasal polyps and its relationship with the nasal microbiome in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. Asian J Surg. 2024;47(1):124-133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asjsur.2023.08.096

“Recent research links chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyps to systemic inflammation,” explains Michelle Durney, ND, a clinician at Wild Horse Health in Tempe, Arizona. “Identifying and addressing the root cause often leads to less invasive and more effective treatment options, providing the patient with more longstanding and sustainable relief from the condition.”

All-natural nasal rinses & neti pots

diffuser on table releases steam

Xylitol nasal irrigation is among the most popular natural treatments for nasal polyps. Xylitol rinses have proven effective not only for addressing chronic sinusitis9Lin L, Tang X, Wei J, et al. Xylitol nasal irrigation in the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis. Am J Otolaryngol. 2017;38(4):383-389. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0196070916306093 but also for recovery following nasal polyp removal surgery.10Jiang R, Chiang Y, Liang K. Efficacy and safety of xylitol nasal irrigation after functional endoscopic sinus surgery: a randomized controlled study. Biomedicines. 2024;12(6). https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12061377

“Studies support the use of xylitol-enhanced nasal rinses to improve mucociliary clearance and reduce inflammation caused by allergies, mucosal irritation, and local biofilm,” says Dr. Durney.

Neti pots are an easy way to try nasal irrigation at home. Using warm (not hot) distilled water and proper amounts of salt will help prevent irritation.

Dr. Durney also recommends steam inhalation to moisten the sinuses. “Add one tablespoon of dried thyme to a bowl of freshly boiled water, then carefully position [your] face over the bowl with a towel draped over your head to trap steam,” she instructs. “Inhale for approximately two minutes.” She notes that caution should be taken to avoid burns from hot water or steam exposure.

Preventing nasal polyps

Polyp prevention starts with allergy and asthma management, regular nasal irrigation,11Park D, Choi J, Kim D, et al. Clinical practice guidelines: nasal irrigation for chronic rhinosinusitis in adults. Clin Exp Otorhinolaryngol. 2022;15(1):5-23. https://doi.org/10.21053/ceo.2021.00654 and proper nasal hygiene. Humidifiers and steam inhalation may help alleviate dryness, which can exacerbate inflammation of the nasal mucosa.

Vitamin D supplementation may also help keep nasal polyps at bay, as people who struggle with the condition tend to be deficient.12Chandrakar A, Alexander A, R M, et al. 25-hydroxyl vitamin D deficiency in nasal polyposis. Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2019;24(3). https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0039-3399541 Similarly, low levels of vitamin C have been reported among people with chronic sinusitis.13Poudineh M, Nikzad F, Parvin S, et al. Therapeutic effects of vitamins and nutritional supplements on sinusitis: a narrative review. Nutr Metab Insights. 2024 Oct 15;17:11786388241263680. https://doi.org/10.1177/11786388241263680 Both nutrients contain anti-inflammatory and immunoprotective properties.

Adopting a generally healthy lifestyle and seeking prompt treatment for sinus infections can further reduce the risk of polyp recurrence. These preventive strategies help support the immune system and minimize inflammation.

Footnotes

This article is provided by

The Institute for Natural Medicine, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. INM’s mission is to transform health care in the United States by increasing public awareness of natural medicine and access to naturopathic doctors. Naturopathic medicine, with its person-centered principles and practices, has the potential to reverse the tide of chronic illness overwhelming healthcare systems and to empower people to achieve and maintain optimal lifelong health. INM strives to fulfil this mission through the following initiatives:

  • Education – Reveal the unique benefits and outcomes of evidence-based natural medicine
  • Access – Connect patients to licensed naturopathic doctors
  • Research – Expand quality research on this complex and comprehensive system of medicine

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Institute for Natural Medicine Staff

Our dedicated content team of professional staff writers represents decades of experience covering essential natural health topics in an accessible, evidence-based, and engaging way. Guided by a shared passion for holistic well-being, each and every one of our writers strives to empower our readers to take charge of their health.

Supported by a rigorous fact-checking and medical editing process from licensed naturopathic doctors that examines the latest in peer-reviewed research, our team brings their in-depth knowledge of natural health practices into every piece of content we produce. We strive to be the gold standard for evidence-based natural medicine, providing trustworthy information and inspiring narratives to help you live your best health, naturally.

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