Can’t Smell or Taste? Here’s What to Do.

Many of our posts talk about awesome ways to caress the senses with lovely colors, music and scents. However, it’s almost impossible to appreciate the benefits of these sensual stimulants if you have no perception of them.

This post is for our goddesses who can’t smell or taste. First a small definition: Your sense of taste is located on your tongue. Tastes include salty, sweet, sour, bitter and umami*. Flavors are what allow us to differentiate one food from another such as a lemon from a lime. When you say can’t smell or taste, you probably mean you can’t smell or know the flavor of foods.

*Umami is a Japanese word loosely translated into “delicious.” It comes from a receptor on your tongue that is responsive to organic compounds like glutamate like that found in meat and in MSG flavor.

Why you can’t smell or taste

There are a variety of reasons including:

  • Injury to your head
  • Medications
  • Sinus problems including allergies
  • Respiratory infections
  • Smoking
  • Hormonal imbalances
  • Chemical exposure
  • Dental problems
  • Nasal polyps and tumors
  • Brain tumors
  • Depression – Studies indicate the cause is an autoimmune response
  • Age – Usually associated with a diminished sense of smell and flavor.
  • Diabetes
  • Genetics

Here’s what to do when you can’t smell or taste

Step 1

    • The first thing to do is figure out, if you can, why you are suffering from anosmia (loss of smell). Sometimes it will be obvious sometimes not so much.
    • If you get a cold or suffer from nasal allergies, you may well lose your sense of smell or taste until the cold goes away or the allergy situation is resolved. Also, just as a word of warning, you can permanently lose or diminish your sense of smell and taste (flavor) with persistent nasal infections.



  • If you fall down and bump your head. You may lose your sense of smell. How long before you get it back is determined by the extent of nerve damage.
  • If you smoke and notice the roses don’t have near the aroma they used to, in addition to the many other reasons, you may want to quit.
  • If you’re on a medication, check with your doctor to see if that might be the problem.
  • If you find the scent of your perfume isn’t as intense as it once was or food doesn’t taste quite the same, you may be suffering from a treatable medical condition. It’s time to see your doctor.

Step two

Once you’ve identified why you can’t smell or taste, the treatment might be obvious. You quit smoking, change medications, clear up your allergy symptoms, treat nasal infections, etc.

In addition, there are some things to help improve your sense of smell. They include:

  • Take 200 mg lipoic acid three times a day. One study showed marked taste and smell improvement in a human trial.
  • Drink plenty of water
  • Humidify the air in your home in the winter
  • Keep your nose unblocked with nasal spray
  • Wear your seatbelt to avoid head injuries
  • Avoid really bad odors, they numb your sense of smell
  • Train your nose – To do this check out the post Homemade Perfume Part I
  • If you think your loss of taste and smell is due to an infection, you might try a treatment using essential oils. In a humidifier, try adding a few drops of peppermint oil, tea tree, lemon, rosemary, thyme, and eucalyptus.

Important note – Don’t take Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Gel or Nasal Swab. These two products have been associated with anosmia.

Please read Thieves’ Oil Recipe – Research Says It Really Works. This recipe works wonders and can be put in a humidifying diffuser,

Conclusion

If you are a goddess who has lost her sense of smell and there’s little chance of getting it back or you are waiting for it to come back, there is still much to make your spa day a great experience. You can enjoy the wonderful effects of music and colors. And don’t forget that oh so soothing bath and the luxurious softness of your towels and linens.

Now go have fun and relax.

Related articles:

Thieves’ Oil Recipe – Research Says It Really Works

71 thoughts on “Can’t Smell or Taste? Here’s What to Do.”

  1. See another doctor or go back to the same doctor and tell him or her your problems and don’t intend to go away without answers. Good luck.

  2. I am a 33 year old female and i haven’t been able to taste or smell for almost a year now. It started with a common cold which i treated with over the counter meds and antibiotics. I saw an ent doc about 3 months after the issue started. He said he saw no nerve damage or blockage. I never knew how important tasting and smelling was until i couldn’t. Now i just want to know what advice can you give to help my situation?

  3. i have now for a long term( a few years 4 or more) that problem to taste and smell not so good anymore.what i tried is cleaning my nose with rinsong it with warm water.that helped for a short term 1-2days.then it was the same again.i went to a doc and he said there is something inside and gave me a nasal spray but i don’t like to use it.i want getting back my taste and smell.i will try now to clean my nose more often every day maybe 5-6times a day.

  4. How horribly disapointing. I can tell you this. Nerve damage repair happens over a long period of time. I won’t bore you with the process here. It sounds like your body is trying to heal. Give it more time and avoid negative thoughts such as Oh gosh I can’t taste anything. It’ll never come back. Instead focus your mind on how things tasted. Think that way. The power of your thoughts can influence what happens in your body. No woo woo here, that’s based on the latest studies of brain function.

  5. Hi there Guest,

    Surgery can mess with your body in strange ways. If I were in your shoes, I would trust what your surgeon says, he or she has seen it before with other patients.

    One thing you don’t want to do is allow yourself to stress over this. Stress can have a negative affect on healing. Instead assume your sense of smell will return soon. Be patient.

  6. Hello there Guest,

    Yep, it’s common. Blowing your nose won’t help. Your body needs to rid itself of the cold. Take good care of yourself so your body can rid itself of the bug faster.

  7. Hi there Guest,

    Yep, cat hairs can make it up your nose as they’re very fine. Is that why you think you started to sneeze?

    Anyway, a really nasty taste can mean a sinus infection. I would suggest a visit to your physician. An antibiotic might be in order.

    Good luck and get well fast.

    P.S. Say hi to your cat from all of us here at SFS.

  8. Hi there Guest,

    I know it’s terribly annoying when you lose your sense of smell. It sounds like your body is still wrestling with the bug. Give it time and in all likelihood your sense of smell will return. In the meantime, take good care of yourself so your body can heal quickly.

    1. Sometimes it takes a long time. Be patient. You can help your body heal by getting enough sleep, eating healthy and getting enough exercise.

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