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Anosmia is the loss of the sense of smell. To overcome this, there are several ways to restore the sense of smell lost due to anosmia. This method is easy and practical, so you can do it yourself at home.

Anosmia occurs when the sense of smell cannot smell something, such as the smell of flowers or strong odors. There are several causes of anosmia, ranging from nasal congestion due to a cold, nasal polyps, to COVID-19.

In people with colds, anosmia generally goes away when the cold subsides. Meanwhile, in patients with COVID-19, anosmia will last a little longer and can be overcome by doing several ways to restore the sense of smell, ranging from smell training to giving medication.

How to Restore the Sense of Smell Due to Anosmia

Anosmia may subside on its own within weeks or months and some are permanent. However, there are several ways to treat anosmia that you can try at home to restore your sense of smell more quickly, including:

1. Olfactory training

Olceral training is performed by relying on the memory of smell to reactivate the olfactory nerves. This exercise involves repeated smelling of several scents, such as lemon, rose, clove, and eucalyptus.

Each scent is inhaled deeply for 15–20 seconds. When you inhale it, try to remember what the ingredients smell like. Imagining the smell of an object is thought to be able to train the work of the nerve endings of the sense of smell.

This way to restore your sense of smell you can do 2-3 times a day for at least 3 months. Research shows that there is an increase in the ability of the sense of smell in COVID-19 sufferers who experience anosmia after doing this exercise.

2. Consumption of ginger tea

Ginger tea can also be used to treat anosmia. Ginger itself has a distinctive and pungent aroma that can help you train your sense of smell.

In addition, drinking ginger tea when the nose is blocked can relieve inflammation in the respiratory tract while reducing the formation of mucus that clogs the nasal passages.

How to make ginger tea is very easy. You can simply steep a tablespoon of raw ginger that has been sliced ​​and pounded into two cups of hot water for about 15 minutes. After that, ginger tea is ready to be enjoyed.

3. Nasal irrigation

If the anosmia is due to an infection or allergy, you can try the nasal irrigation method to restore your sense of smell.

This method is performed using a saline solution that can be purchased over-the-counter. at the pharmacy or make your own by mixing half a teaspoon of salt and half a teaspoon of baking soda in 1 cup of boiled water.

Next, put the salt water solution into a spray bottle or irrigation bottle. Well, here's how to clean the inside of your nose using a saline solution:

• Tilt your head to one side of your body.
• Spray the saline solution into one nostril simultaneously. slowly in the opposite direction to the slanted side of the head.
• Let the saline solution drain out of the other nostril or mouth.
• Repeat for the other nostril and repeat several times in a row. a day to restore the sense of smell.

4. Consumption of certain drugs

If anosmia does not improve, you need to see a doctor for further treatment. The doctor will prescribe medications to restore your sense of smell, such as:

• Decongestants
• Antihistamines
• Steroid nasal sprays
• Antibiotics

Studies show that olfactory exercises accompanied by a steroid nasal spray, such as budesonide, can improve olfactory ability compared to cleaning the inside of the nose with a saline solution.

If some of the ways to restore your sense of smell above are not able to overcome your anosmia, consult your doctor to get the right treatment, especially if it has caused malnutrition and weight loss due to lack of appetite, shortness of breath, or depression .

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