Alternative therapies for chronic rhinosinusitis: A review

Griffin et al., 2018 | Ear Nose Throat J | Systematic Review

Citation

Griffin Aaron S, Cabot Peter, ... Panizza Ben. Alternative therapies for chronic rhinosinusitis: A review. Ear Nose Throat J. 2018-Mar;97(3):E25-E33

Abstract

The use of alternative medicine in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) continues to increase in popularity, for the most part without meeting the burden of being based on sound clinical evidence. New and emerging treatments, both natural and developed, are numerous, and it remains a challenge for otolaryngologists as well as general practitioners to keep up to date with these therapies and their efficacy. In this systematic review, we discuss a number of alternative therapies for CRS, their proposed physiologic mechanisms, and evidence supporting their use. This analysis is based on our review of the English-language literature on alternative therapies for CRS (we did not include any therapies that are already recommended by accepted professional bodies). Data collection was performed using the PubMed database (not restricted to MEDLINE due to the nature of the subject matter), the Cochrane databases, and bibliography searches. We found that while many of the alternative therapies we reviewed might have a firm basis in science, they lack any clinical evidence to support their use specifically for CRS. Some emerging therapies, such as therapeutic ultrasonography and phonophoresis, show some promise, based on a growing body of positive evidence. In addition, the use of baby shampoo, thyme honey, and bromelain additives to saline lavage in CRS are all supported by clinical evidence, as is Sinupret, an oral preparation that contains echinacea. However, higher levels of evidence gleaned from large, well-designed, prospective, randomized, controlled trials are needed before any of these therapies can be recommended.

Key Findings

However, higher levels of evidence gleaned from large, well-designed, prospective, randomized, controlled trials are needed before any of these therapies can be recommended.

Outcomes Measured

Requires manual extraction

Population

Field	Value
Population	See abstract
Sample Size	See abstract
Age Range	See abstract
Condition	See abstract

MeSH Terms

Bromelains
Chronic Disease
Complementary Therapies
Honey
Humans
Plant Extracts
Rhinitis
Sinusitis
Soaps
Therapeutic Irrigation
Thymus Plant
Treatment Outcome

Evidence Classification

Level: Systematic Review
Publication Types: Journal Article, Systematic Review
Vertical: echinacea

Provenance

PMID: 29554408
DOI: (not available)
PMCID: Not in PMC
Verified: 2026-04-09 via PubMed E-utilities API

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09