Anosmia: Causes, Symptoms, and Natural Treatment Options

Hello Everyone, I was anosmic for 20 years. A handful of times I got my sense of smell back temporarily when taking steroids or having a steroid injection. Once or twice in those years I got a temporary low percentage of smell back after I had been drinking lemon water for a few days. (I realize now I temporarily alkalized my system with the lemon) I tried hundreds of different remedies to no avail throughout the years and then suddenly 2 years ago I got back my smell and it has been perfect everyday since. Looking back I believe the reason I became anosmic is because of dehydration, an acidic system and the allergies that accompany those problems.

There are 3 things that I changed in my life over the course of a year that I believe was responsible for me getting my smell back.

The first is I practiced the watercure which is drinking one half of your body weight, in ounces, of water per day along with taking sea salt.

The second is I became vegetarian.

The third is I used a silver sinus nasal spray every day.

My theory is I was chronically dehydrated and my body was way too acidic. Those problems manifested themselves into chronic sinusitis and anosmia. When I started the watercure I experience an incredible detox and as I increased my fruits, vegetables and alkalizing foods my sinuses cleared. The sinus silver spray helped heal my chronically irritated sinuses and one morning I put on some coffee & I smelled it.

That was 2 years ago and I have been smelling perfectly since. I am so thankful to have this sense back and I hope all of you suffering from anosmia take a look at yourself and do whatever you can to keep your body hydrated and at the proper ph. Every medical doctor I ever went to said there was nothing you can do about smell loss. Well with determination, luck and prayer, I proved them wrong. I hope it can help some of you out there.

The best remedy for lack of smell or anosmia is L-Carnosine. The condition is often due to excess heavy metals in the neural system, lack of vitamin B complex and excess toxins which causes loss of smell.

The remedy that I would likely to use is 500 mg of L-Carnosine usually twice or three times a day. Some cilantro or coriander taken once every two days, usually of a small amounts such as one- three tablepoonful, and B50 taken once every other day. Magnesium is synergistic, where magnesium citrate or magnesium gluconate maybe helpful.

Certain foods that should be avoided that kill the nerves includes aspartame, sugar, and avoiding paints, thinner and moldy environment. Sometimes the toxicity of chemical toxins may be neutralize includes 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar plus 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda in 1/2 glass of water twice a day.

To be correct, riboflavin is vitamin B2, vitamin B6 is pyridoxine. The zinc is not used. If fungus, moldy or allergy is indicated, the common remedy is 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in 1/2 glass of water taken twice a day to reduce the allergy and fungus problem that induces anosmia or loss of smell.

Sugar may damage the nerves but not as dangerous as aspartame, sweet n low, or diet products. Lack of balance in dietary fats are often common cause too, so I would likely take fish oils, which are high in omega 3 once a day. Granulated lecithin also helps reduced some excess heavy metals as it reduces free metals due to their hydrophopic fat soluble properties, of which granulated lecithin is soluble. The dose I would use is one tablespoon a day, often on an empty stomach.

As to the magnesium it is synergistic with the vitamin B complex, especially B6. Excessive zinc can also cause anosmia (loss of smell) and hence chelation therapies such as cilantro, fish oil, and lecithin is helpful. While l-glutathione is not a chelation it does detoxify to help recovery of neural degenerative disorders and I might take these 500 mg twice or three times a day, usually 5 days out of a week.

Quite often in certain parts of India, high levels of arsenic (usually north part) and certain regions of India, is high in fluoride, which causes neurodegenerative disorder. Fluoride increases absorption of free metal toxicity, such as aluminum, and possibly, free metal zinc, etc. causing neural damages. The demyelination of aspartame, monosodium glutamate as also causes in which avoiding these is most helpful. The lecithin can help myelination which protects neural damages and some neural transmitter supplements of vitamin B complex, but also certain amino acids that increases serotonin such as L-tryptophan maybe helpful. To further protect more damages, the use of dechlorinator in drinking water is best in reducing the inflammation of the nerves and tissues which deaden the sense of smell. Woman especially the sense of smell swings greatly depending on their menstration period, which are often linked to hormonal changes. Reduction in toxic effect of fluoride as well as more normal hormonal levels, is the use of borons supplements. The boron I prefer is borax, such as 1/8 teaspoon of borax dissolved in one liter of drinking water, perhaps once every two or three days, assuming I don't know the level of fluoride in drinking water.

The constant source of free heavy metals is usually from defected water faucet and water filtering devices. A change of old water faucets, old metal pipe fittings, old water filters, is especially helpful as the prime source of heavy metals come from that. Interestingly, I have found out heavy metals also come from vegetables and flour due to fertilizers high in heavy metals. but people without a way to check heavy metals are pretty much blind by the level of toxicity from metals going on which leads to Alzheimer, lupus, Parkinson's disease and even Multiple Sclerosis. Sometimes a mild condition starts with concentration problems, anosmia, for example. Wheat products and excess oils used in cooking products are also a problem because they are acid forming and oils used in cooking products sop up heavy metals during cooking when one uses metal frying pans, and other metalic cooking utensils. Even the excessive use of cellular phones can cook the brains as it is microwave radiation, destroying nerve cells. For example when I do use cellular phones, I often used it on a handsfree mode.

This is the updated remedy.

I knew someone years ago who had lost their sense of smell and got it back by eating horseradish daily - not too much but small amounts a couple times per day. I can't remember how long it took but thought I'd mention it!

Is castor oil safe to put in my nose? Because of ricin (very strong poison)

I had surgery in 2008 after surgery I lost my smell and some of my taste. Just would like to know if there is any hope to getting back my smell?

I lost my sense of smell & taste almost a year and a half ago. I had a head injury where I had broken my jaws and when the wires were removed I was physically sick every day for 3 weeks until they finally hospitalized me. During this time I lost both my smell and taste & vertigo set in.

I read, on the net, that if you swab your nose with castor oil, a thin coating, it will help & it has! I can't smell in full or properly, but it's there & that is HUGE for me!! I don't do it everyday, nor every week or month, but plan to do it more often now that I've realized just helpful this is.

Unfortunately, I cannot find that article that made the suggestion.

Since I use such a small amount of castor oil I'd think there is no risk or harm involved, but I am not a doctor and if anyone reads this and finds that statement to be inaccurate, I'd like to know.

My wife lost her sense of smell seven month ago. I want to contact Tenderson from St. Louis, Missouri, about the suggestion of using castor oil. I want to be sure that it works and its secondary effects. Please contact me as soon as you can. My wife is getting crazy with this situation and I really appreciate any help.

Cranial adjustments on a regular basis helped me regain my sense of smell.

Dear Sean,

If I were you, I think I would focus on nourishing the brain, reducing any possible inflammation that is there, and using herbs that are healing to nerves.

Brain Nourishing - Extra Virgin Coconut oil. Start with about 1 tablespoon a day. Try to work up to and maintain 2 tablespoons a day.

Turmeric - to reduce inflammation. 1/2 teaspoon a couple of times a day. Mixed into milk. Or 2 capsules twice a day.

Burdock Root is a blood purifier that helps the nerves. 2 capsules 3 times a day.

Also consider the supplement niacin for its positive effects on the brain and serrapeptase. It helps to get rid of non living tissue in the body, in the case that scar tissue is involved in the loss of smell.

Healing the brain could take some time. Research the above and then try out what makes sense to you. Try to stick with it for at least a few months before deciding it isn't working.

Keep us posted. I am hopeful that you will find a solution.

~Mama to Many~

Dear Antonio,

Castor oil has been considered safe for oral consumption for a long time. Many also use it topically. I use it topically a lot. I have never used it in the nose, but never thought to. I am not a doctor or chemist, but personally, I would not have a problem with using it my nose if I felt that was needed.

~Mama to Many~

I have a similar problem relating to loss of smell. See the segment on nasal polyps.

I tried the tea tree oil recommendations on my sinus polyps and they are gone. To ensure the never come back, I mixed tea tree with alkalol in a old sinus spray bottle and use twice a day.

Last Friday; a sinus polyp fell out and I have been smelling every since.

Mark from Alpena, thanks for validating what I had been thinking. I haven't had my smell for over 10 years. The only time it came back was when I was nursing (with both my babies, must have been a hormonal thing), a year at a time and then gone once I stopped nursing althogether. It wasn't until a few months ago that I got my smell back for about 1 month. I was so excited! And then disappeared again. I have been wondering what was I doing differently? Like you, I was drinking water with squeezed lemon in it all summer long. I was eating lots of fresh herbs and greens, cilantro being one of them. What I was doing was keeping myself hydrated and my alkaline levels high. Starting tomorrow, I'm going out to buy a big bag of lemons and stock up on my greens. It worked before, it should work again. What I found though was that as soon as I stopped, my sinus problems and no sense of smell came back.

Thanks again Mark, it's so nice to hear someone had the exact same story as me. Can't wait to get my smell and taste back.

I have not had a sense of smell since I was pregnant with my first child. Had opened a can of tuna fish and that was the last time I have ever smelled anything- he is 30 years old now. Went to many doctors explaining my loss of smell and they either said there is nothing you can do or you must be insane - ???

I believe prior cocaine use is truly to blame but - also had a bad car accident with head trauma. I cannot explain this but in recent years I have not been able to take pain medication and started cannabis

I have my sense of smell after smoking cannabis, usually the weed reeks bad (I can smell that) and then the occasional fragrance wafts up, glass of grape juice was the first time I had a sense, that was 12 years ago. I have learned to "feel" bad smells, hangs heavy or looks bad!!

But my 30 year old did save my life recently when a gas line in a house was left open, he came down the stairs yelling CAN"T YOU SMELL THAT??!!! It was accidentally left opened in the laundry area. I never would of noticed- thanks

super....it works and it used to help our fore fathers ........

Hello, I also have lost my taste and smell for over a year now due to a viral infection. I just wanted to know where can I buy this alpha lipoic acid from?

T: This is likely a Zinc deficiency (which is very common). Optimal zinc levels (25-50mg daily away from fiber foods) usually recovers taste & smell to all-time high levels as well as encouraging healing of tissues that otherwise struggle to do so. EFA's like Fish, Krill, and Flax Oil is also important in recovery & healing in the entire body.

Can someone please explain to me about the castor oil in greater detail? How often and how much? I lost my sense of smell 5 years ago and was told it was due to Nasal Polyps, I had them removed and my sense of smell only comes back temporarily with the use of steroids, such as a Medrol Dose Pack. It is way to unhealthy to take steroids continuously and I worry about building up an tolerance so I save the steroid route for once or twice a year when I just cannot stand not being able to smell anymore.

I have had 5 ENT's One told me he had never heard of someone losing their sense of smell only to regain it temporarily with steroids, so he never addressed my complaint. I have never had a single Doctor ever use the word Anosmia, in fact only one out of five attempted to address the issue at all. So I am looking for any ideas, I am in my thirties and the thought of not being able to smell again depresses me. One more thing that happened; I hit my head on an open cabinet door once and was able to smell perfectly for one hour before it faded away, any one else have an odd experience like that as well?

It takes years to grow your sense of smell back - it grows at a rate of 1mm per year. BUT, I used different smells to grow mine. I used Vicks Vapour Rub and held it at my chin and breathed deeply so I could smell it (then later my waist, then the floor...)

Dmortii, I would think judging by your success with castor oil that vitamin d3 is needed and it is needed by most Americans. Castor Oil is rich in D and I have had great success with it D3 changing my life. Here is a speech by Dr. Michael Holick. He has an excellent chart on his website that helps you determine dosage. Janet

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lRtx-4_FOY

If you or someone you know has lost the sense of smell, totally or in part, whether from an antibiotic or infection, it is important to protect the nose, the olfactory organs. I mean protect it from strong smells from which you would have backed away previously. Dogs and cats lick their nose in order to pick up scents.

I think my loss of smell had to do with an zithromax aka azithromycin/antibiotic, and then I did not know to protect myself and may have injured myself further by not protecting my nose; I was trying so hard to smell stuff such as tea tree oil or lavender oil; those may have been too strong. Would garlic be too strong? I tried that too. Maybe it was always going to be gone, but now I may never know.

Nobody tells you the mechanism by which an antibiotic causes loss of smell; I doubt they know or care unless they can make a lot of money off of knowing; if they would lose money by knowing, they're certainly not going to be honorable. Evolution means survival of the fittest! I might just kill myself to save the predators the trouble, LOL.

Anyway, you know there are little glands in the olfactory organs that produce moisture or mucus to facilitate smelling. I don't know why doctors do not know about this. For myself, I think that is the source of my trouble. Drying out one's sinuses in this situation is only going to make matters worse.

All of the post that I've read, both here and other sites, says to use a drop or two in every nostril morning and night. I've made myself a 60-40% Castor oil and tea tree oil mixture. I've been putting this on a Q-tip ( Cotton bud in UK, I understand), But have not had much luck bringing back my sense of smell. But I'm going to try tilting my head back over the side of my bed. And applying the oil this way. I really hope it works, I'll try to keep up on here, and let everyone know. I'm suffering from Nasal Polyps, they're not very big, but located where they block my Olfactory glands. Good Luck, and God Bless!

Loss of Smell

You should all try one month of raw food, that is everything must be raw giving more importance to raw vegetables this will liverate all the incrusted toxins and strange substances that could be from the air or chemicals that we usually eat with all the junk food and all the saturated greases and artificial colors etc.etc. Once I did it and wow! Your body really thanks you for these, the only thing is that you will really start smelling the terrible cadaveric smell of meat even in the best of beef restaurants and you will know what you have being eating erroneously all of your life.

I am not a vegetarian but please concider this because I have 35 or more years with holistic naturistic and orthomolecular medicine as my hobby.

Eat big raw smoothies in the morning plus a big veggie or frut salad in the afternoon and night ..give preference to adding cilantro to your smoothies because it desintoxicates the liver, do not forget garlic onion and radishes in your raw salads, repeat a big veggie smoothie any time you want avoid all comercial industrialized or cooked food for at least one or two months drink plain water, add sea salt to your salads lemons or lime, do not eat any absolutly any kind of oil, no even olive oil. You will desincrustate all the impurities of your smell cells and feel younger and with lots of smell.

Wish you all the best please do it do it with will and you won't regret it, see you tube for raw recepies they have many do not drink smoke or anything, give your body a break and be creative with your food there are many vegetables with wonderful flavors for you...

Best of luck to all of you.

Anosmia Triggered by Sinus Infection

Re loss of smell for past three years.

If you google "Google Scholar" and type in "loss of smell" you'll find a number of articles that reference that such loss of smell can OFTEN (not always) be tracked to sinus infection. I just recovered (four weeks ago) from a sinus infection (and some in bronchial passages) that I fought off for a full month before clearing. I used my old stand by ... Colloidal Silver and I make it myself so I know the strength will work. This recent infection was a very bad one and I suspect it was a lipid coated variety.

Well, during the illness, I lost my sense of smell.

That loss went on for a period of about a week and only as I gained control over the infection did I find the sense of smell return. That was the first time that had ever happened to me that I recall. But now, full recovery with elimination of virus.

I use an ear syringe to squirt the Colloidal Silver into sinus passages (called an irrigation) and let drain down back of throat or exhaling mucus first and then a second irrigation into back of throat. I never miss irrigating the ears also as I've found over the years that the eustachian tubes which connect ears to sinus cavity can also hold viruses and is a source for secondary infections. So; irrigate both sinus cavities and ear canals also.

And if the infection (if there is one) is the cause of the loss of hearing, the hearing will begin to return in time unless permanent damage was done to the nerves.

You might ask if the loss of hearing was precipitated by an infection or by medication? You said it started three years ago. Some more information for us might help give the cause. The idea of infection as cause is just a guess, after all.

Hi Alinthing; I've read that in infants born with B12 deficiency, some of the neuroradiological findings are; cortical atrophy, slowed myelination, and thinning of the corpus callosum.

With B12 deficiency, there can be disturbances of all of the senses, including smell.

Even though neuro-damage may be permanent, there's still a chance for improvement.