Are you experiencing a loss of taste and/or smell? It’s hard to miss, especially because taste and smell are two of the strongest senses in the human body. These two senses work in harmony by giving you the ability to taste something, that is highly influenced by the ability to smell something.
Your sense of smell helps caution you against several harmful or even life-threatening toxic chemicals, fires, certain gases, or even poisonous substances. Your sense of taste helps you savor what you eat and drink, and/or help you identify something fishy that you might be consuming unwittingly. So it’s imperative that you have your sense of taste and smell intact, to lead a normal life.
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Causes for loss of taste and smell
However, there are certain circumstances wherein you lose your sense of taste and/or smell, and it isn’t very pleasant. Here are some of the most common causes for loss of taste and/or smell:
- Aging
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Fever
- Gum diseases
- Certain nervous system diseases
- Viral and/or upper respiratory infections
- Blocked nasal passages
- Excessive smoking
- Radiation therapy
Home remedies for loss of taste and smell
A loss of taste and smell could have a significant impact on the quality of life, which in turn will lead to loss of appetite and poor nutrition as a result. Furthermore, if it continues, it could even contribute to depression and numerous other health problems. If you’ve lost your sense of taste and/or smell, then you might want to give these home remedies for loss of taste and smell a try.
1. Apple cider vinegar
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Apple cider vinegar has a distinct sour, acidic taste, which works to stimulate your taste buds. Also, it helps kill of any bacteria in the mouth, and help restore your sense of taste and smell, while also treating a sinus infection.
Remedies
- Add 2 teaspoons of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar and a bit of honey to 1 glass of water and stir well. Drink this twice or thrice a day, specifically before meals to find relief.
- To 1 glass of water, add 1 tablespoon of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar and a quarter teaspoon of baking soda. Stir well and drink this solution twice every day for best results.
2. Carom seeds
Carom seeds are another natural ingredient which help restore your sense of taste and smell. Furthermore, it contains anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which also make it an amazing cleansing agent. Not only will it help combat any infections, it also reduces any swelling and helps open up any blocked nasal passages.
Remedy
- Tie 1 teaspoon of carom seeds in a thin piece of cloth. Heat this sachet and inhale its fumes twice or thrice before going to sleep to find relief.
3. Castor oil
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Castor oil is one of the most effective home remedies for loss of taste and smell. Also, it contains antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial properties, which help in keeping your nasal passages clear.
Remedy
- Pour 1 teaspoon of castor oil into a microwave-safe cup. Warm it in the microwave for a few seconds. Add 1 drop each to your nostrils. Repeat this remedy twice a day, once in the morning and once at night before going to sleep, till you regain your lost sense of taste and smell.
4. Cayenne pepper
If your loss of taste and smell is caused by a common cold, upper respiratory infections, or sinusitis, then this remedy will help you treat it effectively. The active compound in cayenne pepper is called capsaicin, which helps reduce the nasal congestion, while also helping stimulate saliva production, which in turn helps improve your sense of taste.
Remedies
- Add cayenne pepper in the dishes you cook to help stimulate the salivary glands in your mouth.
- Add 1 teaspoon each of cayenne pepper and honey and mix well. Consume this paste a few times a day to help loosen up the mucous and stimulate its secretion.
Pro tip: For the first remedy, you could also use black pepper powder instead of cayenne pepper.
5. Cinnamon
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Cinnamon is another amazing home remedy for restoring your sense of taste and smell. Its pungent flavor can stimulate your taste buds, while its unique smell can help boost your smelling power.
Remedy
- Add 1 part cinnamon powder to 1 part honey and mix well. Rub this paste on your tongue, let it stay for 10 minutes, before rinsing your mouth with lukewarm water. Follow this remedy at least twice a day for several days.
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6. Curry leaves
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Curry leaves are rich in vital nutrients, which help restore your sense of taste and smell quite effectively.
Remedy
- Add a handful of crushed curry leaves to 1 glass of water. Let it sit for 30 minutes, before straining the solution. Drink this solution twice a day for a few weeks to help restore your sense of taste and smell.
7. Garlic
Garlic is an amazing natural remedy to help restore your sense of taste and smell, which it does by clearing your nasal congestion, while also helping open up blocked (if any) nasal passages.
Remedy
- Take 2-3 garlic cloves and chop them up finely. Add them to 1 cup of water and bring this to a boil. Let it simmer for 10 minutes, before removing it from heat. Strain and let it cool down a bit, before drinking it 2-3 times a day.
8. Ginger
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Ginger is an excellent ingredient which helps restore your sense of taste and smell. Not only does it enhance the sensory quality of the food, it also makes eating more pleasurable. Additionally, it also helps activate the taste buds and stimulates taste.
Remedies
- Chew small slices of fresh, raw ginger at regular intervals to help improve your sense of taste and smell.
- Add 1 teaspoon of freshly grated ginger to 1 cup of hot water. Cover it with a lid and allow it to steep for 10 minutes. Strain and drink 2-3 cups of ginger tea every day. You could even add a bit of honey to make it more palatable.
- Add a pinch of rock salt to half a teaspoon of finely chopped ginger. Mix well and consume it half an hour before your meals every day for 2 weeks to see noticeable improvement in your condition.
9. Lemon
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Lemon contains citric acid and vitamin C in huge amounts. The unique smell and flavor of lemon juice can help restore your sense of taste and smell very effectively. Since vitamin C is an antioxidant, it also enhances the body’s immunity to help combat any infections and diseases.
Remedies
- Eat a small piece of pickled or fresh lemon in between meals to stimulate your taste buds and to activate the salivary glands.
- Use lemon juice in your dishes to enhance the flavor.
- On a handkerchief, pour a few drops of lemon essential oil and sniff it twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Do this for a few seconds at a time, for several weeks to find relief.
- To 1 glass of warm water, add the juice of 1 lemon and stir. Add 2 teaspoons of honey to this and drink it twice a day to find noticeable improvement.
10. Oil pulling
In traditional medicine, oil pulling is used, which is a technique that helps restore your sense of smell and taste. The technique helps keep your taste buds from drying out, which in turn helps improve your sense of taste. Additionally, it also helps in getting rid of toxins from your mouth.
Remedy
- Put 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil into your mouth and swish it around for about 10 minutes. Then, spit it out and rinse your mouth with warm water to get the oiliness. Finally, brush your teeth as you normally do. Repeat this remedy every day before eating anything. Do NOT swallow the oil after swishing it around.
Pro tip: You can use olive oil, coconut oil, sesame oil, or any edible vegetable oil for this technique.
11. Steam inhalation
Inhaling steam is known to help restore your sense of taste and smell, if nasal congestion is the cause for their loss. The damp, warm steam will help reduce any inflammation, while also clearing up any blockages in the nasal passages.
Remedy
- Fill a small pan with water and bring it to a boil. Take it off the heat and add a few drops of peppermint or eucalyptus essential oil. Cover your head with a large towel and inhale the steam rising out of the pan. Do this for a few minutes, till you can make out unclogged nasal passages. Repeat this remedy at least twice a day for best results.
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Additional tips
- Include more zinc-rich foods like nuts, whole grains, beans, oysters, and dairy products in your diet, as this mineral is associated with a loss of taste and smell.
- Proper oral hygiene is essential. Brush and floss twice a day, rinse your mouth thoroughly after eating/drinking anything, and use a mouthwash to complete your oral hygiene routine.
- If you’re suffering from a sinus infection, get it treated as soon as possible.
- Quit smoking since it could potentially damage your taste buds and your sense of smell permanently.
- Keep yourself hydrated by drinking water at regular intervals to prevent dry mouth.
- A humidifier helps keep the moisture intact in the ambient air.
- Avoid too hot fluids and foods since they could damage your taste buds.
These are all the amazing home remedies for loss of taste and smell that we have for you today. For more updates on home remedies, fitness secrets, and health tips, subscribe to our newsletter.
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