One of the prime signs of COVID-19 is the loss of smell and taste. This is a phenomenon that we refer to by the name of Anosmia. This culprit has been robbing many people of life’s basic blessings, like enjoying a meal or smelling a flower’s fragrance. Because of the many inquiries I’ve had from people around the world with post-COVID anosmia, here is some practical advice for relief. With the Creator’s help, you can renew your sense of smell and taste in a matter of days or a few short weeks. First, let’s briefly understand what we’re up against.

Anosmia – Why the Loss of the Sense of Smell?

Good question. The Coronavirus easily travels up the nose and attaches itself to the olfactory nerve. That’s the nerve at the top of the nose and responsible for conveying smell-related sensory information related to your brain. Then, the virus disrupts communication between the olfactory nerve and the brain. Metaphorically, if the olfactory nerve were a wine glass and your sense of smell fine wine, the COVID would be like mud in the glass. Consequently, the taste and aroma of the wine would be destroyed! This brings us to loss of taste.

Why Loss of Taste?

Many of us learned that tastebuds on the tongue are responsible for tasting. We therefore think that taste and smell are separate senses. Really, they’re not.

The tongue conveys only partial information on sweetness, saltiness, sourness, spiciness and bitterness. Odor molecules from food rise to the nasal tissues surrounding the olfactory nerve (olfactory epithelium). And, these are the important molecules that supplement the information from the tongue with much more sophisticated data. As a result, food tastes like sawdust or plywood when you have a head cold. COVID-19 is the hacker that invades the olfactory epithelium and undermines its proper functioning.

Don’t worry, though. Help is on the way.

Taste Therapy – restoring taste while boosting immunity

Garlic

If you’re stronghearted, chew on a big fresh garlic clove. The anti-inflammatory properties of garlic reopen clogged nasal passages. Therefore, garlic helps you regain taste.

For the less stronghearted, chop two cloves of garlic into a 7 oz. (180 ml) coffee cup. Pour boiling water over the chopped cloves and add a heaping teaspoon of natural or organic honey. Let the mixture sit for 3 minutes then drink it.

Ginger

Peel a slice or chunk of fresh ginger and chew it. If that’s too hard for you, make a tea with honey the same way as with the garlic, above. A chunk of 10-15 grams (half-ounce) is fine for either chewing or the tea. Do this every 6 hours.

Hot Red Peppers

Use peppers no hotter than you can stand. The powerful ingredient present in hot peppers is capsaicin, which can jumpstart olfactory senses. Take 7 oz. (180 ml) of boiling water, add a flat teaspoon of dried hot red peppers and a spoonful of natural honey. Do this once in the morning and again in the evening.

Smell Therapy – Regaining sense of smell

Essential Oils

Here’s how essential oil therapy works: take four essential oils of your favorite scents. I suggest rose, peppermint, eucalyptus and lemon. Tea tree, lavender and clove bud are also fine. Make sure that they are scents that you remember and enjoyed in the past. Don’t be afraid of the cost because they are less expensive than many people think. Sniff each oil separately twice or thrice daily for 20-40 seconds each. Do this for as long as you need. Before you sniff, tell yourself, “This is rose scent…this is peppermint scent” and do forth. You are reminding the brain to recall what it knows. The brain then stimulates olfactory regeneration. Gradually, you feel a faint, familiar smell that will become progressively stronger as you heal.

Ground Spices and Green Herbs

Smell these the same way that you’d smell the essential oils. Cloves and cinnamon are effective. Fresh basil, sage and rosemary are the go-for green herbs.

Smell the Coffee!

Brew the strongest coffee you can get. Best to use fresh-ground roasted coffee beans. Smell the coffee like you would the essential oils.

The Good News

The olfactory system has a unique capacity for recovery from the damage in general and COVID-19 in particular. Unlike other nerves, olfactory and epithelium mend themselves if the damage is not severe. If it is, as one of the zillions of the Creator’s miracles, they grow anew. That’s why some folks regain taste and in a few short weeks and for others it takes months. The home remedies we listed above are not the result of scientific research, but of Torah sources and my own experience in helping clients recover from COVID-19, the flu and common colds.

Don’t Forget Prayer

While you’re treating yourself, ask the Physician of all Flesh to help you regain your sense of smell and taste. If you elicit His help, He’ll be glad to oblige. Let us know how these ploys work for you. Meanwhile, much good health and every blessing!