Home Remedies for Loss of Smell and Taste

Home Remedies for Loss of Smell and Taste

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What is Loss of Smell and Taste?

Smell and taste is extremely essential for your daily life[1]. They make you feel the eager to eat which is the most important activity in your life; also it even assists you in your social activities[2].

Smell and taste are parts of the chemical sensing system or chemosensation. The process of smell and taste functioning is fairly complex and complicated. However, to be simple, it is when the molecules of basically any substances around you come in contact with the nerve cells in nose and mouth. Then the signal will be transmitted to brain to identify which smell or taste would that be.

That brings us the problems when smell and taste are impaired[3]. Your daily activities will be definitely affected negatively. Smell and taste sometimes can keep us out of dangers such as fire or poisonous foods and fumes. Being loss of smell and taste will carry on other illnesses in the long term such as sinus and nasal passages problems or even tumors in brain.

What causes Loss of Smell and Taste?

  • Aging is one of the main causes for loss of smell and taste and it is often appeared after the age of 60.
  • Some people might experience loss of smell and taste since birth. The causes might be infections on upper respiratory or damages to the head.
  • Problems with nasal or sinus cavity can also cause the loss. Few other causes can be problems related to dentistry or hormone. Sometimes, using too much drugs or come in contact with chemical too often can lead to the loss.
  • Smoking is actually the most common cause for loss of smell and impairing the taste bud.
  • Cancer people who often get radiation therapy from the neck up can experience the loss.
  • People who have surgery on the larynx also suffer from the loss of smell and taste.

Here are the 10 most effective home remedies for loss of smell and taste which you can apply easily at home in case you encounter the loss of smell and taste…

1. Castor Oil

Contain various properties such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial which are effective in cleansing your nasal passage and restore your sense of taste and smell.

Castor Oil - Home Remedies for Loss of Smell and Taste

How to use:

  • Warm up the oil
  • Put 1 drop in each of the nostril
  • Apply twice per day, once in the morning and once at night before going to sleep
  • Keep doing until the sense of taste and smell are restored.

For more information about the benefits of castor oil, please read: Home Remedies for Gallstones and Sprained Ankle.

2. Garlic

Good at cleansing nasal passage and clearing any nasal blocks, garlics is an effective remedy for restoring your sense of taste and smell and even promote the sense of smell[4][5].

Garlic - Home Remedies for Loss of Smell and Taste

How to use:

  • Take 2 to 3 cloves of garlic and chop into small pieces
  • Add 1 cup of water and let it simmer for 5 to 10 minutes
  • Strain the mixture and consume warmly
  • Keep doing for 2 to 3 times per day

Garlic is an extremely popular home remedy. You can find our more about its benefits at: Home Remedies for Water Retention and Tuberculosis.

3. Ginger

With the ability to promote the flavor of foods, ginger can help encouraging and stimulating your taste buds which in turn restore your sense of taste and smell[6][7].

Ginger - Home Remedies for Loss of Smell and Taste

How to use:

  • Freshly chew some ginger pieces on regular basis
  • Chop some ginger and add a bit of rock salt. Consume this mixture 30 minutes prior to your daily for few weeks
  • Another option is consuming ginger tea 2 to 3 times per day.

Ginger is no less than garlic in term of popularity which you can find out more about it at: Home Remedies for Lupus and Stomach Ache.

4. Steam Inhalation

In case you are experiencing congestion in your nasal passage, this remedy is remarkably effective due to its anti-inflammatory property as well as blockage clearing ability[8]. Thus your sense of taste and smell can be restored soon.

How to use:

  • Use pan to boil water
  • Drop in some peppermint oil or eucalyptus oil
  • Use a towel to cover your head and breathe in the steam for couples of minute
  • Repeat the procedure at least twice per day.

5. Cayenne Pepper

In case you are having cold and sinusitis or even infections in the upper respiratory, then this remedy is the one for you. The capsaicin component is effective at clearing congestion in the nasal passage[9][10]. Furthermore, using this remedy will encourage the production of saliva that will trigger your taste buds and restore your sense of taste.

Cayenne Pepper - Home Remedies for Loss of Smell and Taste

How to use:

  • Have cayenne pepper and honey mix together with 1 teaspoon of each then consume in order to eliminate mucus and encourage secretion
  • Include cayenne pepper in your daily cooking to promote the production of saliva, also add in black pepper for the ability to trigger your taste buds.

6. Lemon

Citrus smell, vitamin C and antioxidant property are all the great benefits which lemon can bring for your health in order to enhance your immune system as well as restore your sense of taste and smell.

Lemon - Home Remedies for Loss of Smell and Taste

How to use:

  • Take the juice of 1 lemon and some honey into 1 glass of warm water. Consume twice per day.
  • Chew some fresh or pickled pieces of lemon to trigger your taste buds
  • Use lemon oil by dropping some on the handkerchief and breathe in the aroma few times per day for couples of week.
  • Use lemon juice in your daily cooking for more flavors.

7. Apple Cider Vinegar

The sour and acidic tastes of the vinegar are great triggers for your taste buds. The ability to eliminate bacteria can help bring back your sense of taste and smell by affecting the infections of sinus[11].

How to use:

  • Add 1 tablespoon of vinegar with ¼ teaspoon of baking soda into half glass of water. Consume it twice per day.
  • Another option is substituting baking soda with honey and consume 2 to 3 times per day prior to your meals.

Learn more about benefits of apple cider vinegar at Home Remedies for Bacterial Vaginosis.

8. Oil Pulling

With the function of detoxification, this remedy can stimulate your taste buds as well as restoring and promoting your sense of taste and smell. Any type of vegetable oil is acceptable for this remedy.

How to use:

  • Rinse your mouth using 1 tablespoon of coconut oil for 10 to 15 minutes and then spit out.
  • Wash your mouth with warm water before brushing your teeth
  • Keep doing this process every morning.

9. Cinnamon

The strong flavor and sweet smell of cinnamon can trigger your taste buds which can help restore and enhance your sense of taste and smell.

Cinnamon - Home Remedies for Loss of Smell and Taste

How to use:

  • Make a paste from cinnamon and honey
  • Apply the mixture on your tongue
  • After 10 minutes, wash your tongue using warm water
  • Do this remedy twice per day for couples of day.

10. Zinc

The lack of zinc is one of the main causes for loss of taste and smell. Lack of zinc can be observed from various symptoms such as white spots or deep horizontal ridges appear on the nails, loss of hairs as well as heal slowly[12][13].

How to use:

  • Consume more foods which are rich in zinc such as oysters, dairy products, nuts and cereals…
  • Take supplementary pills of zinc after consulting the doctors.

Extra Tips:

  • Use curry leaves or mint leaves to make tea and consume twice per day.
  • Make sure to get enough rest in order to fight back cold and nasal blocks.
  • Good oral hygiene is unavoidable by brush or floss and rinse regularly after meals.
  • Make sure to eliminate infections of sinus.
  • Use spices while cooking daily for more flavors.
  • Change types of food in daily meal in order to stimulate your appetite.
  • Stop smoking for improving your sense of taste and smell.
  • Keep out of hot foods and drinks in order to protect your taste buds.
  • Keep your mouth moist all the time by drinking water.
  • In case of dry air, use humidifier for moisturize.
  • Light exercise before meals is recommended as it increases your taste buds.
*Disclaim: The effectiveness from applying these natural tips will be depended on the body condition of the applicant.

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