Anosmia: Causes, Symptoms, and Natural Treatment Options

I just ran across this site tonight and am glad I did.

I had a fall over 7 months ago and hit the front of my head and then quickly fell back on the back of my skull, fracturing the skull and spent 5 nights in the ICU. I was diagnosed with traumatic brain injury and the Drs. are treating it like I had a seizure.

I have no past of having seizures, and am currently on 500 mg of Keppra (down from 1500 mg) daily. I have no real sense of taste or smell. When I do get tastes, they are so way off that it makes me sick. I either have a taste like soap or a very burnt ash taste.

I have lost weight and like others on here have posted, I only eat to survive and keep my strength up. I have no cravings whatsoever. I am still weak and tired (have to take more rests than ever before) I am a otherwise healthy 55 year old woman with no other health issues. I am going to the Smell and Taste Clinic that is affiliated with UPenn Hospital in Philadelphia, PA in December.

The Dr. there, Dr. Richard Doty is very well known in diagnosing and treating patients with this disorder. I am very happy with the neurologist that I am currently seeing, but am discouraged that this problem is not more well known or researched. I am glad I found this site.

My young adult daughter had a bad head injury with brain bleed 2 yrs ago.. It has resulted in loss of taste and smell however she does get odd metalic or chemical tastes and smells.. Is there a treatment that anyone knows that will help her regain these senses?

I noticed that I developed Anosmia and hypertension after I slumped while carrying a heavy object. I hit the back of my head on the floor when I fell.

I still have my sense of taste in place but I can not smell at all. It has been this way for over a year now. I was booked for endoscopy to check for any possible nasal blocks but this has not been done. Viewing my nostrils exteriorly has shown no Polyps.

Can I please get any suggestion on what to use. I am in Nigeria, and the variety of options I can access may be limited. I would be glad to know what chances I have to regain my sense of smell back because the situation is really messed up for me

Russell: Magnet therapy would most likely help your injury.

Hey guys, I'm interested in both of your stories regarding eating healthy and drinking water.

Have y'all still maintained normal smells? How are you guys right now?

Jamacc, from your testimony, there is the possibility of heavy metal toxicity. You can order an hair analysis kit online to be sure of this, or simply begin using the common spice Cilantro (Coriander) and the algae Chlorella. Both these are found in food or supplement form. Following 2 wks of this, supplement Zinc 25-50 mg daily for a few days for results (loss of smell is one of the most common symptoms of zinc deficiency). Also apply some Cod Liver Oil over the nose (you will need endure the fishy smell, which you might even enjoy as it is a smell, lol! ).

Hope this helps and good luck.

How do you put the castor oil in your nostril? Do you smear it around with your finger, or do you squirt it up into the nostril further with some kind of syringe?

Hi Lydia,

I went to the same place in DC. I thought the doctor had zero personality. I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's 20 years ago about the same time I lost my sense of smell. But I also got a terrible upper respiratory virus at the same time. Blood work showed thyroid issues ( which run in my family). Also went to Chicago for tests. I can smell citrus and a few other things. It is devastating and depressing. I look every now and then for new info. I've come to live with it. Nothing has helped. Good luck. I know EXACTLY how you feel.

why not find a real traditional chinese medicine or ayurvedic med doctor, where the treatments have been used for 5k years? y'all are in a med.mafia loop... it's in their intere$t to keep us sick...Osteopathic manipulation is of great benefit, as well

I lost my sense of smell after an ablation of my neck.

I too have been suffering with not being able to smell or taste the things that I used to taste, but it has gone so much further that things that are supposed to smell good actually smell worse than awful and all the things that I used to love to eat I don't anymore. I have been to neurologists, EENT docs and had all kinds of tests done and medications prescribed and nothing has worked. It has now been a year and a half and the EENT finally said that it was probably a virus that destroyed the olfactory nerve endings that "sense and taste" the sent molecules. Unfortunately when nerve fibers die there is no regenerating, however I stumbled upon this medical study about the heavy metal Cadmium and the signs & symptoms of toxicity. Now I won't list all the symptoms beside taste and smell and taste, but it might be a good idea to discuss it with your doctor especially if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, or other kidney issues.

A virus took out my smell and along with it my taste a year and a half ago. I've seen MANY doctors but I'm working now with a medical doctor who is also a homeopathic Dr. I've had slight improvement from smelling nothing to some things. Get a smell kit to smell every day. Do sinus washes with sea salt. I would appreciate talking to anyone who has had some success with other remedies.

I found chiropractic adjustments helped restore my sense of smell.

I also had surgery on my nose. I had my sinuses removed as well as plastic surgery on the nose in order to repair a badly broken nose. I can taste a little bit, but can't smell a thing. Can I expect it to come back? It has been 5 weeks now and I am beginning to worry.

It can't be straight essential oil. And this alcohol sounds potent for the nose. I need clarity on these instructions, please!

Did it get your smell and taste back??

Nicotine patches or lozenges help with the loss of taste and smell and aid in rapid recovery in 2-3 days smell, taste come back and ringing in the ears goes away.

I don't remember it as a treatment for it though but just for the mentioned symptoms, I could be wrong though.

This I heard watching a documentary on the subject. Watch the dosage though if you're a non-smoker. I tried a 4 mg lozenge a few days ago and thought I was going to die from a heart attack, so my advice is to start as low dose as possible then increase gradually to tolerance.

Did you continue to use it? For how long?? Do you still have smell and taste??

I also have hashimoto's, and have been anosmic for 14 years. My thyroid condition is finally under control, but I am still anosmic. Can't really say docs have helped much, I am afraid...

Hi, I have Hashimotos thyroiditis too. I own a small bakery. and lost my smell and taste just over 2 years ago. I know your pain. I am constantly searching for an answer.

Did you continue to use the Castor Oil? Was your smell healed?

Susanne, what kind of Castor Oil did you use?

My granddaughter was born with a part of her corpus collosum missing. she is now 25 years old and has never bee able to smell. her condition is acc (agenesis of the corpus collosum) Anyone out there familiar with this condition?