Nasal Polyps (Nasarsas)

दोपैस्त्रिभिस्तैःपृथगेकशश्च l
ब्रूयात्तथाऽसितथैवशोफान् ll

Nasal Polyps - Causes, Symptoms and Ayurvedic Treatment

Nasal Polyps is an inflammatory disease characterized by abnormal lesions that originate from any portion of the nasal mucosa or paranasal sinuses. It is a relatively common disease, occurring in 1-4 % of the general population, but is rarely described in the pediatric population. Nasal polyps in the pediatric population appear to occur as inflammatory responses to bacterial infections and it could represent an alert sign for other underlying systemic diseases.

In Ayurveda, nasal polyps can be correlated to Nasarsas described by Susrutha and Charaka Acharya according to its symptoms. We at IAFA® under the guidance of Dr. Sahil Gupta provide safe and effective herbal remedies for ayurvedic treatment of nasal polyps. Dr. Sahil Gupta is providing proper care and treatment for the successful management of various ailments.

Ayurvedic Reference of Nasal Polyps (Nasaras)

Causes of Nasal Polyps

Some people can develop polyps with no previous nasal problems, but there is often a trigger for developing polyps. These triggers include:

Chronic or recurring sinus infections
Asthma
Allergic rhinitis (hay fever)

Cystic fibrosis
Sensitivity to non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or aspirin

In Ayurveda, nasal polyps are called Kapha-Rakta grandhis. The enlarged Kapha dosha accumulates in the wall of blood vessels and surrounding muscle tissues and leads to swelling known as Kapha-Rakta granthi or nasarsas and is caused by chronic irritation.

Symptoms of Nasal Polyps

A sensation that your nose is blocked
Runny nose
Postnasal drip, which is when excess mucus runs down the back of your throat
Nasal stuffiness
Nasal congestion

Reduced sense of smell
Breathing through your mouth
A feeling of pressure in your forehead or face
Sleep apnea
Snoring

As Per Ayurveda, Symptoms Include:-

Nasal block (Nasa-avarodha)
Breathing difficulty (Krucha swasa)

Running nose (Nasa srava)
Snoring

“Dr. Gupta’s offers traditional and successful Ayurvedic management for Nasal Polyps. Institute of Applied Food Allergy® has particular ayurvedic medicines for nasal allergies and its associated treatment. Dr. Gupta’s IAFA® provides the finest care for all health problems and allergies through a holistic approach.

– Dr. Sahil Gupta (B.A.M.S., M.H.A.)

Ayurvedic Allergy Specialist
CEO & Founder of IAFAⓇ

Ayurvedic Treatment for Nasal polyps

Ayurvedic Treatment for Nasal Polyps aims to bringing about the doshas to normalcy, repair the inflamed mucosa, and drain the polyps. Both purificatory and palliative treatment are necessary for the condition.

Internal Medications for Nasal Polyps

Chitrak Haritaki Avaleha
Triphala Guggulu
Kanchanara Guggulu
Varanadi Kashayam
Nityananda Rasa
Lakshmivilasa Rasa
Arsha Kuttara Rasa
Haridra Khanda

External Medications for Nasal Polyps

Shikhari Thaila
Tuttha
Kasisadi Taila
Tulasyadi Tailam

External Therapies for Nasal Polyps

Nasa Pichu
Nasyam
Snehana
Swedana
Gandusha
Dhoomapana

Single Herbs that are Used in Nasal Polyps as per Ayurveda

Haridra (Curcuma longa)
Tulasi (Ocimum sanctum)
Kaseesa (Ferrous sulphate)
Tutha (Copper sulphate)

Diet in Nasal Polyps

Pathyam or Do’s in Nasal Polyps

Maintain good hygiene of the self as well as the environment so that infection can be minimized.
Timely and appropriate intervention for Common Cold, Bronchitis, Asthma, or any other respiratory ailment you may be having
Take steam inhalation if there is a persistent cold

Apathyam or Don’ts in Nasal Polyps

Avoid exposure to allergens like pollen, perfumes, smoke, tobacco, dust, chemical fumes which cause inflammation and irritation of the nasal passage
Do not stuff cotton in the nose in case there is a nasal bleeding

Yoga Therapy for Nasal Polyps

Yoga for nasal polyps and pranayama yoga is very helpful for balancing your chakras and recovering from any inflammations and infections. Pranayama yoga is extremely useful because it is a set of breathing exercises that will not only help with the clearing of your nasal pathways but will also help you feel more relaxed and clear-minded.

Asanas Include:-

Gomukasana (Cow’s Face Pose)
Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose)
Sarvangasana (All Limbs Pose)

Pranayama Include:-

Bhastrika Pranayama
Kapalabhati (Frontal Brain Cleansing Exercise)
Jalaneti (Nasal Cleansing with Water)
Sutraneti (Nasal Cleansing with Thread)

References

Child Health and Ayurveda, First Edition 2021, by Sahil Gupta, Nasal Polyps Chapter No. 43, Page No. 178-181.
Chakrapanidatta, Chakradatta, Vaidyaprabha Hindi Commentary by Indradeva Tripathi, edited by Ramanatha Dwivedi; Chaukhambha Sanskrit Bhawan, Varanasi, Reprint:2012; Nasaroga Chikitsa 58/28-30; p 346
Anonymous (2008) The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, Part 2, Volume – 1, appendices. 1st Edn. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Department of AYUSH, Govt of India. New Delhi, p 02.
Shastri KA, editor. Nasagatroga Vijnaniya Adhyaya. Sushrut Samhita edited with Ayurved Tattv Sandipika, Uttaratantra. Vol. 2, Ch. 22. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Sanskrit Sansthan; Reprint 2014. p.144.

Article Written By: Dr. Sahil Gupta (B.A.M.S., M.H.A.)

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What is Nasal Polyps?

Answer: Nasal polyps are benign (noncancerous) growths of the lining tissues, or mucosa of nose.

Question: What are the causes of Nasal Polyps in children?

Answer: During an infection or allergy-induced irritation, the nasal mucosa gets swollen and red, and it may produce fluid that drips out. With prolonged irritation, the mucosa may form a polyp.

Question: Is breathing exercise useful in nasal polyps?

Answer: Yes, practicing anulom-vilom (alternate nostril breathing) is quite beneficial.

Question: What is the Ayurvedic treatment for Nasal Polyps?

Answer: Ayurvedic treatments of Nasarsa as described in Ayurvedic literatures may be divided as purificatory and palliative, depending on the severity of affection of the Doshas as well as the Bala (body strength) of the patient.

Question: What is the most common cause of nasal polyps?

Answer: Nasal polyps occur commonly in people with allergies, asthma, repeated infections and inflammation in the nasal passages.

Question: Can a nasal polyp turn cancerous?

Answer: Nasal polyps are usually benign.

Question: Can Ayurveda treat nasal polyps?

Answer: Ayurvedic treatment can definitely provide relief in nasal polyps without causing any side effects. Ayurvedic treatment by IAFA® has been found to be very effective in nasal polyps.