Ghee In Nostrils (Nasya) for Sinus And Congestion Relief

Research on the use of oil-based nasal instillation for sinus and congestion relief is limited, and the available evidence raises safety concerns rather than supporting efficacy. The single identified study is a 1997 case series from Saudi Arabia documenting five pediatric cases of lipoid pneumonia following the traditional practice of dripping olive oil into the nostrils of young children lying in a supine position, suggesting that aspirated oil can migrate into the lungs and cause serious respiratory complications. Studies indicate that while this case series focused on olive oil rather than ghee specifically, the underlying aspiration risk applies broadly to oil-based nasal preparations, particularly in young children and in individuals who cannot control their swallowing reflex. No controlled trials, randomized studies, or systematic reviews examining ghee nasya for sinus or congestion relief were identified, meaning claims about its benefits in this context currently lack a clinical evidence base, and the documented harms from comparable practices warrant caution.