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Anosmia is a condition in which a person loses his/her sense of smell. Smell is one of the five senses a human being possesses. The odor molecules in the air surrounding us enter our nostrils, and are detected by the olfactory receptors. These receptors send a signal to the brain center via a nerve where the smell is identified, this is how we identify different smells and odors.
Loss of smell makes a person unable to perceive pleasant odors (like fragrances) and also sense danger situations that can be detected by smell (like gas leakage or smoke). Our sense of smell also plays a significant role in how food tastes, and so anosmia can also lead to a loss of taste (ageusia) and lack of interest in eating.
A person may suffer from partial or total loss of smell (conditions known as hyposmia and anosmia respectively). Loss of smell can be present since birth, in such a case a child is born without any sense of smell. Anosmia may be temporary or permanent depending upon the cause behind it.
Homeopathic Treatment Of Anosmia
Homeopathy offers natural and effective treatment for anosmia. These medicines are suitable to treat anosmia in people of all age groups. Since these medicines are made of natural substances, they treat the condition in a safe, effective manner. They treat the root cause of anosmia to bring about excellent recovery.
Homeopathic Medicines for Anosmia
The top indicated homeopathic medicines for anosmia include Natrum Mur, Silicea, Pulsatilla, Calcarea carb, Kali Bichromicum and Lemna Minor.
1. Natrum Mur – For Anosmia With Nasal Allergies
Natrum Mur is an effective homeopathic medicine for anosmia where there are nasal allergies present. The guiding features to use Natrum Mur include loss of smell along with other nasal discharges and dryness in nostrils. In a few cases, nasal discharges (that look like egg white) may be present. Other features include nose blockage that makes breathing difficult, and violent sneezing (especially during the morning). A very specific squirming sensation of a worm crawling in nostrils may be present with the symptoms mentioned.
2. Silicea – For Anosmia Linked With Chronic Cold
Silicea is a well-indicated homeopathic remedy for anosmia where the person suffers from chronic cold. The people needing Silicea have a history of yellowish, chronic, offensive, fetid nasal discharges prior loss of smell. For using Silicea, the symptoms that may be present along with a loss of smell include a burning sensation in nostrils, dryness in nostrils and the presence of hard crusts in the nostrils. In some cases, soreness and itching in the nostrils may also be present.
3. Pulsatilla – For Loss Of Smell With Loss Of Taste
Pulsatilla is an effective medicine for anosmia attended with loss of taste. In some cases, the person may experience loss of appetite. Other attending features include thick greenish nasal discharges and sneezing, especially during sleep. The symptoms tend to worsen indoors and are better in the open air. In some cases, itching in nostrils during the evening time may also be present. Stoppage of the nose in the evening while going to bed is another symptom that may be noted.
4. Calcarea Carb – For Anosmia And Nasal Blockage
This medicine offers great help when there is loss of smell and nasal blockage. Nasal blockage makes breathing through nose difficult especially at night. There may also occur nasal dryness while in some cases yellow colored nasal discharge flows. It also offers best help when loss of smell is linked with nasal polyps.
5. Kali Bichromicum – For Anosmia with Sinusitis
Kali Bichromicum is a natural homeopathic medicine for anosmia that is linked with sinusitis. The main symptoms that indicate the need for Kali Bichromicum include constant stuffiness in the nose, stringy/sticky nasal discharge and fullness at the root of the nose. A sinus headache also appears along with nasal symptoms. Other accompanying symptoms include a tickling sensation in the nostrils and postnasal discharge of mucus.
6.Lemna Minor – Homeopathic Cure for Anosmia with Nasal Polyps
Lemna Minor is an important homeopathic medicine for anosmia in cases of nasal polyps. The person requiring this remedy experience loss of smell, obstruction in nostrils, and frequent sneezing attacks. The other symptoms include a thick, viscid or excessive purulent (pus-like) discharge from the nose. The nasal symptoms tend to get worse in damp surroundings and rainy weather.
7. Hepar Sulph – For Loss Of Smell Associated With Cold Or Sinus Infection
This medicine can be used when there is loss of smell along with cold or sinus infection. A characteristic symptom present is sneezing and nasal blockage when inhaling cold air. Discharge occurs from the nose which is thick and sometimes blood stained. At times there occur dripping of mucus from back of nose into throat. The mucus is often blood stained. Pain in bony part of nose may also be felt.
8. Phosphorus – For Loss Of Smell And Alternate Nasal Discharge And Blockage
This medicine is useful when a person complains of loss of smell and an alteration between nasal discharge and blockage. It can be attended with frequent sneezing. Sometimes there is painful dryness in the nose. The nasal discharge may dry into a crust form and stick to the nostrils. The nose may be sore to touch.
Symptoms Attending Anosmia
Depending on the cause behind anosmia, a person shows symptoms like nasal discharge, post nasal drip, sneezing and nasal blockage.
Persons having anosmia may also have loss of taste
Complete loss of smell may make it difficult to sense a dangerous circumstance and take measures to stop it, for example if there is gas leakage from cylinder or fire, a person suffering from anosmia may be unable to sense it and seek help.
Sometimes loss of smell may lead to depression.
Causes Of Anosmia
The reasons behind anosmia are variable. Anosmia may arise due to swelling in the nose, blockage in the nose that hinders odors reaching the top of nose or due to damage to brain /olfactory nerve (that sends signal of smell from nose to brain) /olfactory receptors. However, in approximately 20 per cent of the cases, anosmia has no cause (a condition known as idiopathic anosmia). The causes of anosmia are summed below:
Causes related to nasal irritation or congestion:
1. Sinusitis (acute or chronic) –Inflammation of the lining of paranasal sinuses.
2. Hay fever (allergic rhinitis) – Nasal allergy where inhalation of allergens like dust mites, pollen leads to symptoms including sneezing, runny nose, stuffy nose, itching in nose or eyes, watering from nose.
3. Common cold – viral infection of upper respiratory tract
4. Influenza – viral infection of respiratory tract caused by influenza virus
5. Non – allergic (vasomotor) rhinitis – In this condition, symptoms similar to allergic rhinitis appear, but without any known cause.
6. COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) – An infectious disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus
Causes related to blockage / obstruction of nasal passage:
1. Nasal polyps – soft, non-cancerous growths in lining of nasal passage or paranasal sinuses.
2. Tumours in nose
3. DNS (deviated nasal septum) – displacement of thin wall separating right and left nasal passage to one side.
Causes related to damage to brain or nerve
1. Ageing
2. Parkinson’s Disease – A nervous system disorder characterized by hand tremors, slowness of movement, muscle rigidity, impaired posture and balance
3. Alzheimer’s Ddisease – A neurological disorder that leads to decline in memory, forgetfulness and problems with thinking, reasoning and communication
4. Brain tumours
5. Multiple sclerosis – A disease in which there occurs damage to myelin sheath of nerve cells which impairs communication between brain and the rest of the body parts
6. Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), diabetes, head/brain injury, epilepsy (tendency to get fits)
7. Chemical exposure that causes burns inside nose, certain medicines (like antibiotics, antihistamines)
8. Zinc deficiency, poor nutrition
9. Smoking, alcohol misuse
10. In some cases a baby is born with anosmia, then condition is called congenital anosmia.
Anosmia linked with COVID-19
Loss of smell is one of the prominent symptoms of COVID-19 but the mechanism behind it is unknown. It is also one of the earliest and most common symptoms reported in COVID-19. This symptom is more prominent predictive factor for COVID-19. Researches are still trying to find the underlying mechanism behind it. Certain research has found that COVID-19 does not cause permanent anosmia.
Diagnosis
A doctor can diagnose anosmia based on symptoms provided by patient and examining the nose.
Depending on the case details the doctor may recommend some tests:
1. CT scan of brain or MRI of brain
2. X-ray of skull
3. Nasal endoscopy to view inside of nose.
Hi , I have lost sense of smell around 4 years now . Can you please help me with this issue. Thank you
My wife has a smell and taste disorder due to either nerves damage or allergic from the last 7/8 years. She had a loss of taste and smell around 80/90 %. Is there any treatment in homeopathy
I am suffering from partial loss of smell and unable to eat spicy food (no taste) since eight months
My son lost his smell and taste . Whitish cough sometimes coming out. It happened after covid possitive
Hello,
Thank you for your detailed explanations. You offer Silicea, Kali Bichromicum and Natrum Mur as remedies for my current conditions. I picked up pellets (200ch) but there is no mention of dosage. Can you please advise? I would imagine it may vary from person to person, but can you suggest a starting point?
Thank you,
Paul
23/11/2020,I have lost smell.I feel taste sweet,sour,salt,bitter.Suffering from cold and block nose but now I have no cold.Pls suggest me that I can get back smell sense again.
Dr. Sharma,
I recently have been infected with COVID-19 and have lost all taste and smell. Which remedy would you prescribe to help this condition, thank you.
Namaskar। मुझे पिछले 1month se smell aana band ho gayi hai isse pahle meri smelling power bahut strong thi. Me di n me 4bsr smking karta hu. koi homeopathy ki achi dava bataye
Hi Doctor,
I lost my sense of smell 4 years ago, physician told me it’s because of allergic rhinitis,when I use medicine like prednisolone ,I regain the smell for a few days…when I moved abroad my allergies got worsened and I had experienced breathing difficulties and it got cured for some time..but even now I am suffering from sneezing, phlegm,…and now I have no sense of smell and taste..please suggest a medicine doctor
I lost my sense of smell and taste 14 years ago. I had an operation for polyps in my nose after which I haemorrhaged and nearly list my life through the huge loss of blood. My sense of smell never returned yet I occasionally get a whiff of something but it never endures. A friend recommended Kali Mur but when I looked it up it doesn’t refer to loss of smell and taste. Looking at your article on the condition it suggests Pulsatilla Nigricans – Natural Treatment for Loss of Smell with Loss of taste. When I look this up it refers to the treatment of completely different conditions. What us best to help cure (if possible) my problem?
Sir.due to covid I lost my smell and taste 4months elapsed but still my smell and taste not returned.pl.advise.thanks.
You can take nat mur 30.
It happened with me also.. i also had lost my smell and taste due to Covid but after 14 days it became Normal just because of NAT MUR 30
Dear Dr.Sharma
I have chronic smelling problem for the past few years. I don’t exactly remember when and how I developed this problem. After reading your article on Anosmia, it appears that I. may get back my smelling.power with homeopathic medicine. Grateful if you can provide guidance and appropriate homeopathic medicine.
Regards
YogiKashyap
In the case of covid, can smell, and taste come back with homeopathy
I have losted my smell last 3 days, my nose is block by mucus,I have mygrain problem
Hi Doctor, my sister had anosmia problem.since 2 years. In addition after bath session she suffers with blocked nostrils,snnezing which remain couple of hours. She also had allergy with dust and agarbatti smoke.
Sir, pls suggest homeo medicine
I remain grateful to you
S K Biswakarma
Hi Doctor,
I lost my sense of smell 4 years ago, physician told me it’s because of allergic rhinitis,when I use medicine like prednisolone ,I regain the smell for a few days…when I moved abroad my allergies got worsened and I had experienced breathing difficulties and it got cured for some time..but even now I am suffering from sneezing, phlegm,…and now I have no sense of smell and taste..please suggest a medicine doctor
Me too,i am suffering right niw like i am losing smell din sneezing with little phlegm
I have no sense of smell since my birth. Could you suggest me to recover my sense of smell.
Hi Doctor
My husband is facing problem in smelling and tasting food.Its not because of Covid as this is from last 4 years.He is losing weight and appetite because of this now.He is diabetic and has thyroid too.
Hello Dr.
I had fever with eye burning and conversation in chest and throat I had taken antibiotics and paracetamol tables now there is no fever and congesayion but unfortunetely my smell and taste has no felling of taste and smell please suggest doctor
Hi Sir,
My son had met with a serious road accident last year on 10 april 2019 wherein he had severe injuries of cervical 2,3 broken,left mandible broken and right mandible broke with few brain haematomas,he was operated for cervical and left mandible fractures, after that he has lost sense of taste and smell to a large extent,rest he has recoved 100 percent with no other permanent damage,
suggest medicine and course of treatment.
I got covid but i was asymptomatic.I m 6 months pregnant and got covid positive on 6 june. Now my taste is mostly Flat or bitter and smell sense is just gone. Advice me please.
Hi Doctor
My husband is facing problem in smelling and tasting food.Its not because of Covid as this is from last 4 years.He is losing weight and appetite because of this now.He is diabetic and has thyroid too.
for Last 10month I lost smell completely. the cause as i think may be the pungent smell i inhaled from the air pollution from nearby chemical factory. I have no other ENT symptoms whatsoever. earlier i was ok. Any Homeo treatment.
Dear Sir
WHO recently included these two symptoms I corona attack.
My point is that Corona may be defeated or atleast tried these medicines to counter it
Dear Dr Sharma
I am Della Samkar, 63 yrs old woman and live in Canberra, (havfever capital) in Australia.
I have lost my sense of smell now for about 3 yeas and diagnosed with nasal polyps after having a CT scan.
I have suffered from nasal congestion for many years and for the last 24 years severe seasonal hayfever.
Over the years I have become sensitive to dust and allergens and get itchy and runny nose. I constantly have mucus run down the back of my throat (postnasal drip?).
Can homeopathic medicine help me get back my sense of smell. Please advise. Thank you.
Vicky Samkar