5 natural ways to regain your sense of smell at home

The Covid-19 pandemic reminded people what loss of smell or anosmia feels like. Ask those who’ve been through it, and you will know how frustrating it can get. It has undoubtedly been one of the most confusing yet common Covid-19 symptoms. If it is something you are going through, come let’s get some expert recommendation on how to regain sense of smell naturally.

Health Shots reached out to Dr Piyush Goel, Consultant Pulmonology, Manipal Hospitals, Gurugram, to know how to bring back the sense of smell.

The expert says, “Our lives can be significantly impacted by loss of taste and smell. This frequently results in poor nutrition and a loss of appetite. Loss of smell and taste may also lead you to season your meal with too much salt or sugar to improve its flavour. Although, anosmia can be treated medically, there are some powerful home remedies that can help you cure anosmia or regain sense of smell and taste at home.”

Tips to regain sense of smell

1. Carom seeds

Ajwain or carom seeds are regarded as a reliable treatment for allergies and colds. It is an Indian spice that is bitter in taste, but it also helps in increasing one’s sense of smell and at the same time helps in clearing up congestion. One can try this hack as it can help in bringing back the sense of smell and taste post recovering from Covid-19 or normal flu. An individual can also wrap a teaspoon of seeds in a towel or napkin and inhale the smell while taking a deep breath. This can be done several times in a day.

2. Garlic

Garlic is known as a strong anti-viral and immunity-boosting home-treatment. According to Ayurveda, the pungent garlic may also have characteristics that reduce edema and inflammation surrounding the nasal tube, facilitate breathing, and ultimately can help in the recovery of the senses of taste and smell. For better results, one can chew crushed garlic cloves and have it along with a glass of hot water to regain their sense of smell. For added advantages, a squeezed lemon can also be added in the glass of water.

3. Ginger

Ginger is useful in smell training because of its distinctive, strong fragrance. It is widely known to be a powerful antioxidant and is used as a flavoring agent. Ginger can be consumed either raw, powdered or in the form of ginger tea as it acts as a natural medicine. Ginger tea reduces excess mucus that obstructs nasal passages and impairs smell, as well as inflammation of the nasal airways.

4. Castor oil

Castor oil is useful to regain sense of smell because it has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristics. These are used for treating allergies and chronic sinusitis pain to slow down the formation of nasal polyps. It also helps in restoring the sense of smell and relieve the symptoms of a cough and cold. It also aids in reducing nasal passage swelling and irritation brought on by colds and allergies. Wondering how to use it? Trust the good ol’ Ayurveda method of putting one drop of warm castor oil in each nostril.

Also read: Vitamin A could help in restoring sense of smell post Covid-19, says new study

5. Saline irrigation

A saltwater wash could be beneficial if a person has some allergies or sinus congestion. Sinus congestion leads to loss of the sense of smell. This treatment clears the nasal cavity of mucus and allergies. One can buy ready-made sterile saline solution, or one can even make their own. It can be prepared by adding a half teaspoon of salt and baking soda to the water. Then add this solution to the nostril. One should repeat this process several times to regain smell naturally.