Summary
Anosmia is the technical term for loss of smell. Loss of
smell can be a temporary or long term condition and can
result from a number of causes. Smell happens as molecules
from a substance travel up through the nasal passages to the
olfactory cells. These cells then turn the unique smell into
nerve signals that travel to the brain where they are
processed and we sense the smell. If the physical
passageways are obstructed, the olfactory cells damaged or
the nerve pathways and brain not functioning correctly there
can be a loss of smell. Since our sense of taste is highly
dependent on smell with anosmia often taste is affected as
well.
The most common cause of anosmia is the blockage of the
nasal passages. This can be temporary from a cold or
longer term from allergies, sinus congestion or nasal
polyps. Physical trauma or breathing chemicals can damage
the olfactory cells. Medications and drugs can also cause
damage. Anosmia can be a side effect of certain diseases
such as Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s and
nutritional or hormonal imbalance. Finally, just as hearing
and eyesight are affected by age, this same aging can
diminish the sense of smell.
Aromatherapy or inhalation of essential oils
and anosmia.
Someone asked, "If a person cannot smell can using
essential oils by inhalation be of any benefit?"
And the answer is yes, the fact the fragrance cannot be
detected does not mean that the other pathways to the brain
are limited and there are a number of testimonials to the
fact that the soothing, stimulating or other benefits of
oils will still occur even though the aroma is not noticed.
Oils, blends & products
recommended:
Oils & Blends:
BasilC, Breathe, Melaleuca, PeppermintC,
Rosemary
Essential oils based
products: GX Assist/PB Assist
Also consider:
DDR Prime, Lime
Note: to
understand the E and C superscript go to Home and
scroll to New Helps.
To clear nasal passages:
Inhalation of Breathe and topical application of Basil,
Melaleuca or Rosemary to sinus areas adjacent to nose and
over the eyebrows. See also
Sinus infection. Some suggest severe nasal congestion
can come from candida and can be aided using the GX
Assist/PB Assist cleanse. See
Detoxification.
To address nasal polyps:
See Nasal polyps
To stimulate olfactory
From experiences cited some suggest that by deep
inhalation of Peppermint or Breathe consistently over time
that this stimulates and helps "jump start" a compromised
system. Rub the oils on the hands and cup over the nose and
breathe deeply. Repeat once or twice a day. Couple this with
topical application of Basil to sinus areas adjacent to nose
and above eyebrows.
Experiences and Testimonials of others
Jackie - My
neighbor has lost his sense of smell, and I read that
peppermint and basil are helpful, but I don’t know how to
use them. I don't know what caused his loss. Has anyone had
any experience with this?
Pat - I have used Breathe and Peppermint
and it has helped people get back their smell. However it
really depends on what has caused it.. He would need to use
it consistently in order to get help. If I were giving his a
sample it would be the Breathe because it is pretty strong
and he might be able to smell it. Have him put some on his
palms and rub his hands together and tent the hands over the
nose and breath deep. It will take consistency and patience.
Pam - Wanted
suggestions for loss of smell and taste. My friend hasn't
had her sense of smell for many years. I actually don't know
what caused the loss. Thank you for any help anyone can
offer!
Diane - I had the same problem, and am
just regaining my sense of smell (and thereby taste is
increasing because smell is a big part of taste).
One suggestion is that chronic stuffy noses and blockage
of smell/taste comes from an overgrowth of candida albicans.
Yeast causes mucus to clog the nasal passages and sinus
cavities. Melaleuca has helped sniffing the open bottle a
few times a day. I'd also suggest the GX Assist and PB
Assist protocols for candida..
Also, for chronic allergies and sinus problems (because
my allergy season is all year) I do the same with eucalyptus
and/or Breathe. Slim and Sassy in my water is helping as
well.
I hope this helps. I know how frustrating it is when
someone says, "smell this, it's strong" and you get nothing.
My sense of smell is returning, and I can even smell some
faint or mild scents now. And food tastes less like
cardboard!
Megan - I know some recommend peppermint
or basil aromatically and topically. I have a friend who
overused an OTC medicine (Zicam) and lost her sense of
smell. She has been using peppermint, and while her smell
isn't back permanently, it helps temporarily. I think its
something that will take some time to completely heal.
Brenda - I have a
friend who is considering starting to use essential oils.
16 years ago she had 3 brain aneurisms. She had two brain
surgeries within three days of each other. Everything goes
fairly well, however, every since then she has no taste and
smell. Do you think any of the oils will bring back her
taste and smell? It is pretty dangerous, she has caught
something on fire before and can't smell it and thinks
things are fine. I was hoping something would help. Thanks
ahead of time.
Kathy - I would use a drop Frankincense
on the crown of her head daily for sure for the brain
surgery support, for the smell I do not know.
Pat - Breathe has helped numerous people
with this problem. You use it with Rosemary on the sinus
area and also breathe the Breathe blend deeply into your
lungs. There are a number of things that have helped others,
another one is the LLV.
Brenda - Thanks Pat. I have a question.
Would that help even if her loss of taste and smell is not
due to a cold or something, it was her surgery 16 years ago,
you still think Breathe will work?
Pat - Yes because the oils retrains the
body and give it what it needs to heal whatever the problem
is.
Amy - If someone
has no sense of smell, would oils used through aromatherapy
still be beneficial? I think that it wouldn't affect the
internal or topical uses, but a friend of mine who has no
sense of smell wants to know how the oils can benefit her
through aromatherapy (or if they'd affect her by "breathing"
them...ie: would lavender diffused in the room still be
beneficial to relaxation?) Any advice on this is much
appreciated, and the more scientific (in layman's terms) the
better.
Brooke - Amy, what has caused the loss
of smell? I had one gentleman who was a plumber most of his
life, and because of the chemicals and smells he was exposed
to. After using Peppermint for a while - his sense of smell
started to come back. My mom has also struggled for a while
with the loss of smell, but over the last year of using the
oils, it seems to have improved a great deal. I hope that
helps.
Pat - I have a friend who has had years
of sinus infections and one of the side effects of all the
meds and infection caused her to lose her ability to smell.
When she was introduced to oils she started using Breathe,
it really helped clear the nasal areas and she loved it. She
started a regiment of the LLV, Breathe topically and in her
diffuser with Lime and she told us last month that her sense
of smell is returning and she is so excited. I am no saying
this works for everyone, but I do know it worked for her and
your friend has nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Mindy - Everybody else has stories from
people who lost their sense of smell at some point in their
life. Then subsequently how it’s starting to heal and
return. I have a completely different personal account. My
husband was born without a sense of smell. He has anosmia. I
have been using aromatherapy on him for years. With the
exact same effect as it has on me. He has insomnia so I
flood the house with lavender when he gets home from work,
etc. Everything has the desired effect and he has no idea
I'm doing it!!. Well he knows I'm trying. He just can't tell
what is in the air or on our sheets. But he knows I use
oils. It's kinda my secret wellness weapon since he won't
take herbs or alternative methods. He believes in the oils
now.
May - The oils would still enter the
brain and blood stream through the nasal cavity even if the
olfactory lobe is not registering fragrances to the brain.
Therefore the changes in the mood, sleep etc would be
experienced. It is a different pathway than the sensation
of smell in the brain.
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