★★★★★
Essiac Tea
All I can tell you is I brewed the tea with the four separate herbs. It is because I'm a former breast cancer patient and my naturopath says never take the pills, concentrate, or tincture if you have cancer. You have to brew the real herb. So I brew it as per my instructions if you scroll down a little I posted the instructions for someone a few days ago. gave it to my son 2 times daily just because he is asthmatic and always congested. Never dreamed he would sneeze out his polyps! I guess it makes sense if a polyp is a benign tumor and the tea stops the blood supply to a tumor I've been told. My supplier gets the herbs only from farmers that grow it organically. Take care.
Sinus Headache Link
He didn't have the headache problems you do, but I think it would be worthwhile to try stopping all dairy for a few weeks and see if that changes things for you. During that period, taking some ACV as instructed elsewhere on this site may be good to do just for general purposes. Something else that you might consider - my son recently had several slices of pizza with extra cheese (American cheese is no problem for him, but pizza cheeses are). Within a day, that telltale swampy smell began on his breath. I have a bottle of Atomidine here (it's a type of iodine, available at Amazon). I put a tiny smidge of a drop in juice and gave it to him, and I swear that 2 sips was all it took - the bad breath was instantly GONE and didn't come back! We were both floored. I believe the Atomidine knocked out whatever was brewing there from a dairy reaction. As in all things, you should always research for yourself before trying. Just a tip for something that you might find useful. Best of luck, and please do update us!
Saline Rinse
Bloodroot
"The way of Herbs" by Michael Tierra. Another very extensive and also talks about blood root.
Well, truth of the matter of it is that bloodroot certainly does work for everything from nose polyps to using it as an ink or dye for clothes. It can be used as an emetic, a stimulate, and as a topical application for pain. Now, when you go to look for it on the Internet, it will probably be expensive. But the truth of the matter is that it grows wild near ponds and similar water ways. It is literally littered all over the nearby woods along the river banks and ponds. I recommend to save yourself some money and also increase your intelligence, get a book with colored pictures for wild flowers and fauna of north America and go out and find some. It should be gathered in the early spring. But, please do get these books, they are wonderful and the authors know what they're talking about which means you are in safe hands taking their instruction, of course if you ask the doctor he'd rather cut into your face than admit an herb ( a natural gift from our Creator) would work. In truth, nutrition, herbs and exercise along with a constructive interest( such as natural medicine) are all you need to cure anything from a sore throat to skin cancer and even aids and syphilis. So, good luck! And remember, let's use all that has been given to use to keep us on the right track.
Multiple Remedies
Apple Cider Vinegar
Multiple Remedies
★★★★☆
But I have a question. If I add ACV to the nasal wash (Distilled water, TTO and saline power from CVS), I sneeze for next 5-10mins like crazy. Does anybody have the same experience?
I have been doing the nasal wash twice a day, drinking ACV+honey+hot water twice a day, rubbing the sinus area with Castor oil+Tea tree oil, and putting the castor oil+tea tree oil to my nostril at night. Since I don't take steroid, my sinus is going worse but it seems better than having nothing. It hasn't been a week yet so I'm hoping that it will get better... A lot of reviews here give me a hope :-)
Does anybody have any recommendation for AERD patients like me?
Multiple Remedies
Colloidal Silver
★★★★★
I just read your post I also have Polpys and after going to ent I am back on steroids.
Could you please tell me in more details where you got Colloidal Silver and how you made the spray if you dont mind
Thanks for your time.
Mikes
ACV, Tea Tree Oil, Astragalus Nasal Rinse
ACV, Tea Tree Oil, Astragalus Nasal Rinse
Castor Oil, Steaming, Neti Pot
Iodine Saline Rinse
As for the second question: the polyps are gone along with their underlying cause (low thyroid), I am cured, I need no remedies for that any more.
Bloodroot
Bloodroot
Bloodroot
Was dx w/nasal polyp several weeks ago. I was having nose bleeds and didn't know why, so I went to the ENT who used the endoscope and then sent me for a scan. Left nostril is blocked in back. He Rx steroids, which I cannot take, since I have a reaction to them. He wants to do surgery of course, but I also have a problem w/anesthesia, and he wouldn't do it w/a local. He said they are caused by fungus... he is the same dr who years ago told me that nail fungus, dandruff and candida are caused by the same fungi.
I don't have colds but do have sinus problems often, and for years I have had a problem w/my ears feeling blocked, and not one Dr.has been able to explain that...no fluid behind the ear drum. I have resorted to using hearing aids, but guess what..I don't hear any better w/them than w/o. Till today, I knew of no one else that had that blocked ear feeling, so I am happy to have found this site just to know I am not alone.
I was looking to see if Tea Tree Oil or Colloidal Silver would be a solution, and and happy to see that some of you have tried them and had good results. I also know that when I eat "junk" my sinuses are worse. I love my dairy, and don't really care for the substitute "milks"... have a sensitivity to the casein protein. Even when I gave up coffee and the occasional glass of wine the sinuses did not clear up... so it is back to eating better... someone mentioned eating citrus "acid food" it is not the food being acid that is the problem, it is the "ash" that is created when the food is burned for energy... citrus has alkaline ash.. meats are very acidic...turkey is okay. I will get back on track w/food and try the tea tree oil/CS combo in my little nasal spray bottle.. dislike the Neti pot... feel as if I am drowning when I use it.
Thanks for sharing your comments.. made me feel better that I was on the right track.
Ice
★★★★★
Colloidal Silver
Sometimes I do have to fight off a persistent infection for a week or longer but the infection never gets past the sinus cavity.
Best to you in your health journey. Post here if you want to elaborate or ask any questions.
Colloidal Silver
You give yourself a Colloidal Silver "irrigation" by ingesting the solution into sinus by squirting gently with an ear syringe... Or putting about a teaspoon into palm of your hand and just sniffing.... or by using a nettie pot...
I prefer the ear syringe because the pressure from the squeeze forces the solution way back into the sinus cavity. It will sting a lot the first time you use it... But ten minutes later when you do it again, it will only sting a little. The silver is killing the virus/fungus/bacteria...whatever microbe is there.
Also squirt into the ears two or three times during the day. That will not only knock out the infection, if any, in the ears but between the squirts into sinus and ears, the eustacian tubes will also be relieved of infection.
As to your other questions: I use the CS at about 100 parts per million (ppm). Here's the test for knowing if your CS is strong enough: If you are infected and you are; does the application sting when you squirt into sinus and then within five minutes are you beginning to drain from the sinus?
If yes to those questions your CS is sufficiently strong and you have a good brand.
I started using my own little "generator" twenty years ago because I was so prone to colds, sinus infections and consequently chest colds. CS saved my life. I've only had five chest colds in a twenty year span. Prior to CS in my life, I was getting two or three a YEAR. (I was also plagued by migraines, but CS didn't help that... Colloidar silver kills microbes but is not a "SILVER bullet" for everything.)
If you decide you want to get your own generator (just two strands of silver with capacity to plug into socket or battery of 3, 9 volt, batteries. Mine cost less than a hundred bucks) google something like: colloidal silver generator, or economical colloidal silver generator. I've had mine for 20 years with the SAME strands of silver. Just got a new one because the wiring on the first went bad. I got that fixed so now I have two. (I am not associated with any silver manfacturer, nor do I sell or work for any silver making company. I'm a lawyer.)
Best to you and write back for any clarification. Dave
(By the way, I love London.)
Colloidal Silver
I have sought long and hard for solutions, cures, remedies, and relief to no avail. Turmeric sort of helped, but not for long.
As I read your witness for CS, I remembered my homeopathic doctor giving me a bottle years ago. It was tucked away in the back of my medicine closet. I got it out and used it immediately. I used it in a netti-pot, and only a splash of it. I used it to rinse out the dominant side. I immediately noticed the silver as it affected my teeth, believe it or not. It was sort of uncomfortable at first.
After a few minutes, I noticed immediate relief. I spit up a gross chunk of phlegm (so sorry for being graphic there) that the CS loosened and had a bit of drainage for awhile, but could breathe again. I went to bed, and woke up breathing normally.
I do not know how long it will last, and am a bit nervous to continue the process regularly, but I will use it when I get stuffed up again.
Thank you for the help. First time something worked on these impish growths.
Grateful to you,
Jewel
Colloidal Silver
I got a lot of responses from that 2013 post. Glad the colloidal silver helped!
Dave
Colloidal Silver
Pranayama Breathing
I tried a number of different things to resolve the situation. I used the sprays given, I used nasal decongestant pills (this sometimes was effective) but what worked best was pranamaya to not only get rid of polyps but prevent their return. I know it's been said in most cases people who get polyps surgically removed discover they grow back. So it is important to treat the underlying irritation and inflammation. By the time I went to see my ENT specialist - my polyps had shrunk to a point that the ENT specialist as noted said surgery was not needed.
I ended up going to ENT several months later because while pranamaya helped shrink the polyps my right ear still felt clogged. When my ear ached I had to apply a warm compress to it and to help reduce the polyps further I occasionally used (as directed) some nasal decongestants that also helped at least for a while in suppressing and shrinking my polyps.
Using nasal decongestants or nasal sprays and/or antihistamine nasal sprays may have had some positive effects but they are only for short term use and should not be used longer than intended. Fortunately, pranamaya has worked wonders - it is the best solution of all. Even if you use the sprays to shrink the polyps they only work for a short period of time and once you stop using them they can grow back. Same with surgery which is expensive and risky I hear. A number of people with surgery have their polyps grow back and have to get surgery again later.
A better solution: even if you go for surgery all nasal polyp sufferers should try this: do nasal breathing techniques (pranamaya) for at least 5-10 mins a day to help treat the underlying irrititation and help prevent polyps from growing back in the first place.
I have now gotten rid of most of the polyps - I no longer feel any pain around or in my nose due to polyps and my right ear feels better. It is still slightly clogged but the ear canal has opened up quite a bit. Before it was completely blocked.
Pranayama Breathing
Ginger Tea
★★★★☆
Castor Oil
Multiple Remedies
Eliminate Sugar
Eliminate Sugar
This week we learned that diabetes is now considered epidemic level around the world, particularly in the United States. Corn syrup, honey, white flour or white crystalline sugar -- it is all the same. As Gloria Swanson's husband William Dufty indicated in his book "Sugar Blues, " sugar (and grains) is as incidious a poisen as heroine & cocaine.... and can be linked to nearly all health problems in our bodies today. Before she moved to another state, a friend once told me she swore off sugar for 1 year at the funeral of her beloved father who died of diabetes complications to his eyes, organs, and limbs. She said, with sugar being the only exclusion from her diet, she lost 30 pounds and she never looked or felt so healthy and beautiful. She said it was like looking in the mirror at another person. Before and after pictures of William Dufty are the same! It is UNBELIEVABLE how sugar DESTROYS our looks, our minds, our bodies! I learned some years ago that most killers in U.S. prisons were/are sugar addicts And, when prisoners volunteered to go on experimental diets that did not include sugar, their rage/desire to kill decreased. Sugar should be labeled a dangerous poisen to all human and animal species on this planet! Dare we go there? We will see....
Peace out, Caitlin
Sinus Papilloma
Anti-Candida Diet
★★★★★
I belive that candida is a big cause, I read extensively about that. Working on it and hoping for the best. yoga seems to be helping as well.
I have a DEEPER question to you all. I wonder why this happened to us? I mean other than the symptoms and similar stories what else do we share? Here are my questions.
- Do you live in a big and polluted city?
- Do you have a stressful life in general?
- Are you a contented person in general?
- Have you had seet tooth all your life?
Please let me know.
All the best
I have had a sweet tooth all of my life.
I have severe nasal polyps one of the symptoms of a condition called Samters Triad (inflammation of the lungs nasal passages and sinuses). I have tried lots of different so called remedies including the Manuel Richards method, Acupuncture and herbal infusions, nothing has has made any difference other than nasal corticosteroid spray which is no longer effective. I am trying to avoid systemic steroids due to the side effects, but feel now they are the only option left for me as surgery gives only temporary relief as the polyps grow back.
There are some drugs under trial at the moment which have shown to be effective, Fevipiprant and Dipilumab. Fevipiprant is currently available but prohibitively expensive and only prescribed to patients who have frequent admissions to hospital. Dipilumab is only available within a research study.
I have a healthy meat free diet, I have a saline sinus rinse morning and evening and I'm quite active.
I notice a slight improvement when spending time out of London, so living in a large polluted city doesen't help.
I will be trying some of the suggestions made on this brilliant website.
Fiber Supplement, Probiotics, Enzymes
★★★★☆
Since my theory in the cause of my nasal polyps has been that they were caused by food (I had them year round and in all locations where I travel so any dust, exposure to bedbugs or pets never seemed to be making it any worse) - I figured it was probably food. Recently, I changed my diet to cut out coffee, sugar, salts, wheat, alcohol (like the rest who have stated on here, alcohol is an instant trigger). I had run out of foods to eat... But, it did appear to not be getting any worse. I was due for another surgery and I really wanted a natural cure, but still wanted to eat what I wanted and to be able to breathe through my nose (something I haven't been able to do for years! ).
1 month ago I tried a 'gentle, all-natural fiber supplement with probiotics and enzymes' - as it says on the label. Reasonably priced at under $10 per bottle for 150 capsules taking 6 per day. And OMG, joy of all time joy - my polyps are shrinking and I am able to blow my nose and even breathe out of both nostrils!!! To all of you who have given up on ever finding a long term solution, please try this out (not sure if similar items will work as well, since I had success with this one I have not tried anything else).
I had longed to find something that will work for so many years now and this is shrinking the polyps. I am back to eating almost normally - I still stay away from alcohol. The polyps are not gone but they no longer protrude down my nostrils. No surgery for me now. I will update here again with progress. I pray for all of your speedy recoveries from this relentless suffering. Best wishes.
- ALL NATURAL: A gentle, All-Natural Fiber Supplement with Probiotics and Enzymes
Here is the Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/Futurebiotics-Colon-Supplement-Vegetarian-Capsules/dp/B001020IBS#customerReviews
Cheers,
Castor Oil
Eliminate Sugar
Eliminate Sugar
1) Besides the sugar content displayed on packaged foods, if you google or search 'nutrition data' you will find a site (no affiliations, not even a member) with all the sugar content of natural foods. Don't eat any fruit or natural food with more than 5% sugar content of total weight and the curing occurs.
2) The condition worsens initially and you may think this is a wasted effort, but please persevere. As the nasal polyps shrink and the passages to the sinuses reopen, there is a lot of trapped gunk up there that finally comes out. Take this as a positive sign of healing in action, it will soon pass.
In about 4 weeks time, it would be great to hear about your progress.
Brian.
Eliminate Sugar
You are quite right. When the skin is exposed to ultraviolet radiation it converts a cholesterol derivative in the skin into calciferol, or vitamin D3. The calciferol travels in the blood to the liver where it undergoes a first conversion and then on to the kidneys for a second conversion into calcitriol. Calcitriol is the biologically active form of Vitamin D. However, the link with the thyroid is that the conversion in the kidneys is promoted by a hormone released by the thyroid.
My theory is, when the thyroid receptors are confused by ethanol into thinking there is enough vitamin D in the body, then the thyroid shuts down the release of the hormone which is needed by the kidneys to enable the second stage conversion, which then results in a vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D is crucial to the proper functioning of the immune system. My theory included affecting the ability of the Eosinophils to battle the fungi residing in the nose - in a weakened state, they accidentally irritate the nasal lining instead, which then causes the polyps to form which then causes the breathing difficulties.
I theorised that the weakest link in this eternal loop of misery was to reduce the ethanol produced by the fungi by reducing sugar in the diet. This would not only starve the fungi but also un-confuse the thyroid, get vitamin D production going again to boost the immune system and thereby give more grunt to the Eosinophils to do their job properly and provide the knock-out blow to them.
I'll now take this opportunity to make an important alteration to my theory and therefore the diet strategy, that being in every post I have made so far:
WHEREVER SUGAR IS WRITTEN, REPLACE IT WITH CARBOHYDRATE.
About 5 weeks ago I had nasal polyps reform with a vengeance, worse than ever before. I was eating low sugar foods but they were high in total carbohydrates. Remembering what Carly from Seattle said, I took her clue and went to the next level and limited the foods in my diet to Total Carbohydrates of 10% of Volume. The body does need carbohydrates for energy, I'm not saying go to zero level, just back them off. I can only guess that being deprived of simple sugars, my body got more efficient at metabolising the sugars in the more complex carbohydrates, the starches.
So out went the pizza, potatoes, oven baked chips and crumbed fish. The fungal die off stage was the worst ever this time - sniffling, snortling and nose blowing 24/7 for about 2 weeks. I persevered through it all, staying with the revised theory and then suddenly in the space of 48 hours, almost miraculously, I went from full blown symptoms to absolutely no symptoms at all.
The result the third time is the same as my first two efforts with simple sugars, cured again. The polyps have either gone or shrunk away and I am breathing free and easy again. Life is so much better without them and I'm not about to invite them back soon - I'll stay with the 10% carbs plan instead.
Eliminate Sugar
The most successful anti fungal/anti polyp diet should consist of nothing but lean meat, eggs, nuts and low carb vegetables (luckily I love steak or lamb chops & 3 veg, beef & veg stews, mince meat recipes, almonds, strawberries & cream and for breakfast, bacon & eggs alternated with avocado & yoghurt). No other fruit except tomatoes. No cheese. Also limit caffeine which prompts the liver to dump large doses of sugar into the blood stream. I will admit I do eat wholemeal bread at 37% carbs as toast under the bacon & eggs and also for a work lunch sandwich but I offset the bread with low carb fillings so the total carbs in the meal itself is under 10%.
I don't believe this is a lifelong sentence and at a guess may need between 4-6 months before safely reintroducing sugary products again but by then, the yearn for sugar (read poison) has hopefully diminished anyway.
Thank you for the Yea!
Eliminate Sugar
I will further theorise that it should then follow that the ability to consume dairy products without any ill effects would confirm a healthy Immune System. Conversely, a bad reaction would therefore confirm a corrupted Immune System which in turn, must then confirm a yeast infection as the cause of the corruption.
Yeast infection can only be eliminated by diet, by removing their carbohydrate food source being sugar and starch. Low Carb diets abound and can be quite confusing. I ignore them all and apply a 10% Carbs Content Rule to stand alone and products in combination meals. There are only three simple qualifications to apply:
- Convert the Total Carbohydrates total on packaged products to a percentage by weight or volume. Avoid any over 10% unless to be combined with a lower offset.
- Determine carbs content in fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds by researching ‘nutrition data'. The site I use, typing “raw” after a product limits the result.
- To maintain energy levels, consume protein in moderation and healthful fats without restriction but totally avoid all products containing trans fats.
High carb diets are also implicated in probably all of the major ailments that befall the world today, even including cancer. The only happy people are surgeons and owners of white collar drug companies and their shareholders.
Life is all about choices. People can also legally choose to either smoke or not and one is a healthier option than the other. In a perfect world, everybody would live their life without medical expenses. I have been polyp free and medication free for a long time now and instead of thinking Low Carb as being a restrictive diet, I think of it as a lifestyle choice. It isn't a diet anymore, it's simply a better way of life and easily the best choice.
Cheers.
Eliminate Sugar
Concerning loss of sense of smell. I did enjoy your post and your fine analytical style.
If you google "google scholar" and then "reasons for loss of sense of smell" you'll find a number of scientifically inclined papers which discuss a primary reason for loss of smell as
......Infection. And next,
......Lesions from some trauma to the nose/head.
For infections, I use colloidal silver to knock out viruses and for the lesions the use of serrapeptase, the enzyme which seems to have the ability to dissolve tissue structure. For instance, "serrapeptase scare tissue."
Other possible causes but of the articles that come up under the search I mentioned, those two seemed to be the most common.
On the "yeast infection" theory, very close to being "right on" but also might be viral. So if this were me, I'd at least try colloidal silver. I use CS as an irrigation; if it stings, I know an infection is present. I have to repeat many times to completely knock out the infection.
"Cheer" back at you.
Helminthic Therapy
★☆☆☆☆
WARNING!
Helminthic Therapy
Bloodroot
Multiple Remedies
I do the following self help. Nasal douching, made of warm water and a teaspoon of sea salt. As I pour into one side of my nose, I also sniff it right back into my throat. Then spit it out. That really helps and I've never had a single cold in the last two years. I do this as often as needed. I have so many polyps I have to take steroid drops, but by douching have cut that down to under half the frequency.
I do yoga every day, the inverted positions are invaluable and I eat a diet of 80% fruit and veg. This is a good anti inflammatory diet.
I'm having surgery in two weeks and feel very confident, that once gone, I will keep my nose free of nasties providing I keep up the diet, douching and yoga.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Anti-Candida Diet
You didn't mention what drops you put in your nose. Can you please tell me. And also tell me if you could smell before you had used the drops? I've lost my sense of smell and taste :( and also have constant blocked sinuses. Thanks in advance.
Anti-Candida Diet
Multiple Remedies
★★★★★
Having suffered from a return of nasal polpys follwing 2 bouts of surgery I consulted an Ayurvedic doctor and have found this regime really succesful in shrinking them and giving relief. I hope it helps some else as this is a really debilitating condition.
Eat 5-7 raw Basil leaves before breakfast and again before dinner
Get a fresh turmeric finger and hold it over a tea light until it smokes. Make a paper cone and inhale the resulting smoke thru the nostrils to relieve congestion and discharge mucus.
A teaspoon of castor oil taken for 4-7 dys also helps.
Avoid sugery foods and diary products as they feed the condition.
Do some yogic breathing exercises every day.
and the very thing is to make a steam bath as follows
Put several broken Basil leaves and 4 crushed garlic cloves in a basin of boiling water. Add a pinch of turmeric. Put a towel over your head and inhale for 20 mins for real and lasting relief if done daily.
Dee
Castor Oil
Water Fasting
★★★★★
EC: Brenda is referring to the herbs commonly known as Essiac Tea.
Vitamin C, Grape Seed Extract
I have read that the roots of the upper teeth can extend into the lower sinus cavities below the eyes. If the roots are infected then the sinus can become infected. I notice my chronic sinus problem flares up when I fall asleep without brushing my teeth. I'm not sure if this is because of allergy to the dental plaque or because bacteria migrate up through the dentin tubules into the sinus. Hope this helps, Steve
About me: I have had chronic sinusitis for around 10 years. I saw a surgeon today and my CT scan shows quite a bit of sinus polyp blockage. I am strongly considering surgery after trying many natural options, but am still looking for a natural preventative. The essiac tea seems like an interesting option, which I have not tried yet.
Vitamin C, Grape Seed Extract
Vitamin C, Grape Seed Extract
Eliminate Yeast From Diet
★★★★★
I had nasal polyps for 21 years and have done years of reseach on their causes, and have had just about every medication available,they are all temporary.I had write in as I know how they can affect your life.The real cause of nasal polyps in my case was a yeast allergy. If you change your diet to vegetables, some fruits, and fish and meat you will eradicate your polyps.You must do this for at least three months maybe longer, to eradicate the bad yeast infection in your digestive system, with vitamins and minerals,good luck, greg from aus
★★★★★
The big winner in herbs is this invention of mine: 3 parts tumeric, 3 parts ginger root, 1/2 part horseradish, 1/4 part goldenseal. (example: 3 teaspoons each of tumeric And ginger , half a teaspoon of horseradish , quarter teaspoon goldenseal) All powder forms. Capped in 00 capsules, 8-10 a day. Cheap to do if you cap your own; you can buy this stuff and the essiac tea herbs at "years to your health" here in the metroplex, or online. I have no affilliation there, just been buying there for 20 years. They ship. Husband says the herbal capsules are a huge help. The food testing is great, and for sure he is eating correctly combined foods. (no protein with starch, etc. )He feels awesome and has lost 14 pounds.
Vegan Diet, Water Fasting
Vegan Diet, Water Fasting
Vegan Diet, Water Fasting
I see mention about diet. In Indian shops you will find Harad powder that taken after food prevents formation of sinus.
Vegan Diet, Water Fasting
Sinus Headache Link
Anyway, my question for the rest of you cure-seekers and diagnosticians is: does it seem plausible that this is not actually sinus or allergy based, but more of a migraine situation? I have undergone allergy blood tests and the results were very inconclusive. I suffer from this sinus-headache/nausea syndrome in all seasons of a 4-season region. It does seem to be worsened by consumption of frozen dairy (especially at night) and by having damp hair (i.e. not blow-drying my hair immediately after showering).
I appreciate any input!
Sumiyeh in Maryland
Hydrogen Peroxide
EC: Thanks for the update -- we've changed your rating to Better But Not Cured!
Hydrogen Peroxide
Saline Rinse
★★★★★
I started researching and found that Sodium can shrink swollen membranes. I then found out about Nasal Irrigation. Nasal Irrigation is where you add a small amount of salt to warm water and let the saltwater pass into one nostril and out the other. All I had available to use was a 16 ounce measuring cup.
I boiled about 4 ounces of water, put it in the 16 ounce measuring cup. Then, I added enough room temperature water so that the water was barely warm. In the summer I need to add about 12 ounces of water to the 4 ounces of boiling water and in the winter I only need to add about 8 ounces of water. I then added a little over 1/4 of a teaspoon of regular table salt. I did the following over the kitchen sink.
I turned my head so that my left ear was facing the floor. Then, I slowly poured the salt water into my right nostril and let it flow out of the left nostril into the kitchen sink. When the measuring cup was empty I stopped.
I would then place my finger on the left side of my nose and close the left nostril and rather forcefully blow excess water out of my right nostril into the sink. Then, I did the same with the other nostril. I then went to the bathroom and used toilet tissue to clean the excess moisture from the nostrils.
I did this every evening. After a few days I looked into the nostril again with the small flashlight and the polyp was gone. I was surprised and delighted.
I have continued to do this nasal cleansing almost every day since. I haven't had a nasal polyp since that first one. I'm now 64 years old. I also noticed it helped keep my sinuses clear most of the time = better breathing.
I later got what is called a Neti Pot, which a a little pot designed for the purpose of doing a nasal irrigation. The cheap plastic ones work for me. Most health food stores have them. I noticed over time that the first couple of hours after doing a nasal irrigation, my nostrils tend to be a little dry. After a couple hours they moisten back up. That's why I do the nasal cleanse at least 2 hours before going to bed. This allows the nostrils time to moisten before bed = better breathing.
A couple details:
1. I found it better to stop the cleanse just before the cup was empty. I pinch my nose so as to retain some of the saltwater in the sinuses. Then, I keep the nose pinched and bend down with the top of my head pointing towards the floor to the count of 20. Then, I keep the nostrils pinched and stand up straight and tilt my head back (when the head is tiled back you can stop pinching the nose and the water will not drain out). I would keep that position to the count of 20. Then I would blow out the excess water. This seems to allow the saltwater to get deeper into the sinus cavity.
2. If, after the first cleanse, my sinus cavity still feels a little stuffy, I'll do a second nasal irrigation (I don't have to do this very often). With practice I became more aware of when my sinus cavities were clear or not.
3. One day I forgot to put the salt into the warm water. When I started the cleanse my nostrils felt really irritated and sore. I stopped and added the salt. When I continued with the nasal cleanse the saltwater was soothing. This is how I discovered how salt is soothing to irritated skin and how water alone can be irritating to sensitive tissue.
Ron
Bloodroot
