How Essential Oils May Be the Answer to Anosmia


Imagine having no sense of smell.

It's hard, because we actually use our sense of smell for much more than we realize. For example, without a sense of smell, it's impossible to taste what we're eating.

A sense of smell is necessary to enjoy ice cream...

.. or a spring morning

.. or a flower

.. or the scent of fresh baked bread.

Now, imagine going in for an operation and waking up after the anesthesia with your sense of smell gone.

Completely vanished.

And it doesn't come back.

That's exactly what happened to Birthe.


Anosmia

There's a term for not having a sense of smell. It's called anosmia.

Although I was aware some people suffer from anosmia, I'd never really given it much thought until I met Birthe, who told me a fascinating account of how she got her sense of smell back by a rather unusual method.

She used essential oils.

"Essential oils? Must be some kind of alternative voodoo method," some might think.

But no.

It was in fact Birthe's regular doctor who recommended she use 4 specific essential oils to help restore her sense of smell.

She was instructed to open and sniff each bottle 3-6 times a day for 3 months.

The oils:

  • eucalyptus
  • lemon
  • clove
  • geranium


This precise choice of oils represents 4 distinctly different categories.

  • eucalyptus = woodsy
  • lemon = citrus 
  • clove = spicy 
  • geranium = floral 


Anyone with a sense of smell would be able to distinguish the difference. Not so much a person with no sense of smell.

Birthe struggled with the task she was set.
'I couldn't tell the difference from one to the other in the beginning. I had the bottles so close to my nostrils that the skin got irritated - and I still couldn't smell a thing.'

But she was determined to give this a chance, so she continued. And after a few short weeks, she began to be able to tell the difference between them.

And it just kept getting a little easier every day after that.

Today, she says her sense of smell is 'pretty much back to normal'.


Is it true? 

Can essential oils really help restore the sense of smell? I was fascinated by Birthes story and did a bit of digging around.

It does indeed look like it's true that essential oils can help restore the sense of smell.

Not only that, but science seems to be taking an in-depth look at the human olfactory system and what it means to have a functioning sense of smell.

Did you know certain odour compounds can even impact our skin function and influence stress levels?

This is definitely one area of research I will be following with interest. Meantime, I have a new appreciation for the many functions my nose performs on a daily basis.

Do Tell

Do you know anyone with anosmia? I'd love to hear about it in a comment below!

Info and Links from Readers

Thanks to those of you who have taken the time to contact me via my website or placed a comment with information.
Diabetes Council - article on sense of smell and diabetes

Check Facebook for these groups*.
Anosmics of the World
Living Well with Anosmia

*The groups are both closed and you will have to ask to be added

A Few of The Places I Found Info

Altered taste and smell after anestesia
Physiological effect of olfactory stimuli in humans
Essential oils and fragrance compounds in single healthcare
Assessing the impact of anosmia - Steve van Toller
Anosmia - Wikipedia
Anosmia what it is and how it impacts humans - WebMD

Comments

Unknown said…
I read your piece regarding anosmia and essential oils. I use and am a consultant for a certain essential oil company, which happened because I wanted healthier options for my family VS pHARMaceuticals. However, I have no recollection of ever having a sense of smell and was amazed by a brother who could smell others hands blindfolded and be able to know who it was. He also knew what we were having for dinner just by walking in the door. I had to SEE what was cooking to know. I had a history of sever sinus and ear infections since I was an infant. He did not. I've had sinus surgeries. Steroids. Nothing ever blessed me with sense of smell. I think I have taste... But it's what I've always known. Can't smell or taste herbs and such, have to follow recipes closely, and maybe what I think is taste may be more of a mouth and throat feel. Can't clean in small enclosed places with heavy cleaners...knocked myself out once when cleaning a filthy kitchen with ammonia I was provided with yo do the task. All others left the house and were shocked I couldn't smell it (but I could feel it in my chest). All sorts of funny and also scary situations due to lack of smell. I'd probably be blown away if I gained sense of smell....but I want one. I'm 53.... It's about time I find out what it's like to really smell. I was always told it's probably genetic and can't be fixed. Going to follow the information on your site to see if my oils can help me. Also going to try castor oil warm drops up each nostril 2X per day....found that suggestion today. Mother has minimal sense of smell. We both have lengthy history of sinus problems, polyps, and severe post nasal drip(super thick/gross 24/7) which has been reduced by severely limiting sugars. We do natural sugars from real fruits and I do stevia and avoid high fructose and othe fructose syrups (in an amazing amount of processed foods) and sugars. I hope I will gain a sense of smell (and maybe improved taste??) in this lifetime. I fear coming back as a cadaver bloodhound in next life. lOL
LisaLise said…
HI Karen - This is a fascinating account and certainly an eye-opener to hear that it can be downright dangerous to not have a sense of smell (the ammonia incident!). You might find additional helpful information about the essential oil sniffing method through some of the links at the bottom of the post. I hope this method will be of some help to you and I would be very interested to hear how it goes for you - regardless of what kind of success you have. Feel free to drop a follow-up comment on this post. I follow the comments on every post - no matter how old it is. Thanks again for sharing your story. I am rooting for your problem not being genetic!
Chantelle said…
HI Lisa. Beginning tomorrow, October 1st I will try this use of essential oil to see if I can get back some of my sense of smell/taste. Feb/2012 my taste and smell pretty much went away following an emergency surgery for internal bleeding. Now, if scents get to complicated I can't pick up the distinct differences. Cigarette smoke smells different. Burnt toast triggers in my chest, not my nose. Foods,for the most part, are flat in flavor/smell because of multiple scents emerging. My favorite perfumes don't even register in my brain anymore, but I can smell basic single notes of some oils. I will try this specific combination to see if it makes a difference by the end of the year.
Feeling hopeful:)

Thanks for this info.......
Chantelle
LisaLise said…
Hey there Chantelle - Oh I do hope this works for you! Please do update on how you get on with it! My email is on the sidebar if you want to contact me directly. Fingers are crossed! :)
Unknown said…
I am just shocked and feel bad for these ladies. I read about this 7 yrs ago, after having radiation for Graves' disease and 5 nodules. The Radiation was just Unbelievably painful for me. I did not expect that reaction TBH. I was bed ridden 6 months before and after, total. Given a laptop and somehow, came across natural body are, when I realizide my dream of being a perfumer was probably unrealistic for now. I am disabled with Epilepsy.

I have a VERY sensitive since of smell, most times a GOOD thing...... Sometimes not so good.lol But reading that article after the radiation, terrified me! Because I was not sure what it would do to me later on! I have always had ear and sinus issues too.....so bad that I have gotten pneumonia. I lost my sense of smell AND much of my hearing too. Me, NOR my family understood why I had the TV all the way up, laying on the floor in front of it. I have to have a shot every 5 yrs now. ALERGIES in Spring and fall.......and MOLD SPORES, living near the beach, has caused ALERGIC ASTHMA also. I was 26 the first time that hit. I didn't even realize I could barely breath, till very very ill. My 34 yr. old, was also hit with it @ 10. He woke with blue lips and black eyes. Dr. said he was not to walk or play. It takes 3 months to heal from it.

My advice to ANYONE with just the ALERGy Attacks, do your best to keep your nose dry and blown. It is while you are sleeping, that all that infection can go into your lungs. And literally, you don't know how sick you really are, especially your children. That literally kept me scared to death, till the Dr. said he could play again.
LisaLise said…
Thank you for sharing, Debbie.
Unknown said…
This is a great article! I shared it on daocloud.com for you :)
LisaLise said…
Thank you Marissa - I hope it is of help to someone
Cathy said…
I can't wait to try this!! I would love to regain my sense of smell! I was hoping I could find a way through essential oils! I am out of town but will be back home tomorrow where my oils are. This is very exciting!
LisaLise said…
Ooh Cathy best of luck with it!!
Anonymous said…
I to list my sense of smell after foot surgery. I have tried many things including Acupunture. It has been almost 3 years. Do you think these scents would help me?
LisaLise said…
Hey there Anon - It sounds like you had the same experience as the lady I wrote about in the blog post. It certainly helped her, so my only suggestion is to give it a go. I wish you the best of luck with it.
Unknown said…
So excited to find this blog post. Last December I started experiencing a strong and constant smell of cigatettes. Sleep was my only escape, but after a while I began to wake in the middle of the night after dreaming I was trapped in a fire. So much for escaping the phantom smoke smell. I am virtually never exposed to cigarette smell and I strongly dislike it. Imagine being in a room full of chain smokers 24/7, complete and utter misery. My doctors have no explanation and an MRI of my brain ruled out any kind of tumor. I feel left alone to either come to terms with it or find my own cure. After reading that some people with similar issues have had success ridding themselves of the constant smell of cigarettes by taking a combination of garlic and St John's wort, I tried that and was at least able to being the phantom smell down to a tolerable level.
But my sense of smell remains at about 5-10% of what it used to be. I have started using therapeutic grade essential oils for other issues like headaches and insomnia. I know they work. I am so excited to give this a try. Living without smell is challenging. Since I have become accustomed to the constant smoke smell in my nose, I cannot detect actual smoke. Same goes for any spoiled food, the smell of natural gas... I never realized how many memories are tied to smells. Life feels so much emptier. Ah, and I forgot to mention that it also affects the sense of taste. My taste is currently limited to sweet, sour, salty and bitter. Most of the time I have a bitter taste in my mouth. I am going to get started on this regimen right away and hope to be able to report back with good news!
LisaLise said…
Hey there Karen - Thank you so much for sharing this. I really hope this helps you. I have had so many reactions to this post from all corners of the globe, and I feel a little privileged if this post can in some way help some people. I wish you the very best of luck with this!
Sharon said…
At this point, anything is worth a try to get my sense of smell back. In 1999, I had a bad accident with a horse that left me with a fractured skull, bruising, bleeding & a blood clot on the brain. I was in a coma for 7 days. When I woke from the coma, I didn't notice right away that I could no longer smell. I realized it a few weeKS later. It's been 17 years now with absolutely no sense of smell.I'm going to try the essential oils to see if I can get my sense of smell back.
LisaLise said…
Oh Sharon what a terrible thing to have happen! I really hope this is of some help to you. I'd love to hear back on how it works out - both positive or negative.
Unknown said…
I would like to encourage those who have posted here with some resources. I am an acquired anosmic/parosmic and have been for about a year and a half now. My quest to regain my senses of smell and taste have taken me down the road of smell training which I have just begun. There are a plethora of essential oils available for smell training which I would encourage any of you to try. I am encouraged about the possibilities! There are also a couple of Facebook groups that offer support for the very real struggles with these conditions. They are closed so you would need to be added; Anosmics of the World, Unite! and Living Well With Anosmia. Very encouraging places! Blessings to all as you struggle. I hope to see you in one or both of the groups. Thank you for posting on this Lise!
LisaLise said…
Hey there Unkown- thanks for this great input! I didn't know there were groups where people could find support. Wonderful effort!
Unknown said…
Hi,I was born without a sense of smell, as was my father and one of my sons. It's 100% genetic. I was told the oils still have an impact on the olfactory system. What information might you have on a genetic condition that is irreversible? Can the oils still have a benefit if inhaled?
LisaLise said…
Hi Annie - I sure wish I had an answer for you but I am not an expert in this particular field and hardly even know where to recommend you to ask other than checking for Facebook groups for people with this condition. If you read the comment just above yours there are a couple of hopefully useful suggestions. I wish you the best of luck.
Unknown said…
Friends, as mentioned, I am using essential oils as a part of smell training to hopefully regain some olfactory function. I can say that I have had a slight measure of success in being able to distinguish amongst the oils I started with although they do not smell as they did pre-anosmia. I am just learning about the essential oil role so I don't have any information to share to benefit congenital anosmics. I am an acquired anosmic and have parosmia as well. I can share that even as an anosmic, essential oils have benefited me. The jury is still out on the aromatherapy part but as you know, you can diffuse them and apply them topically as well. I am experiencing health and healing with them even though I cannot smell them in the traditional sense. I'm not going to let that stop me from fully taking advantage of the health benefits offered through these oils! I encourage you to join the Facebook groups referenced as there are a TON of people out there who share your experiences and will be of great encouragement!! I hope this helps. You are not alone in your struggles to cope with our conditions! God bless.
LisaLise said…
Thank you Unkown for this message of encouragement. :)
Unknown said…
Dear Lise, I am glad to have found your blog and grateful that you have shared this information. ANd now I am compelled to share my story: I started to lose my sense of smell about a 14 years ago, until it was completely gone about 9 years ago. According to my ENT, after several tests, the cause was damage to the nerve endings in my nose which send the message to the brain of a scent. This damage, he diagnosed, was caused by chronic sinus infections. I am, as the others, hopeful that the essential oils will be help. I will keep you posted of whatever the outcome.
LisaLise said…
Hi Lillian - Thank you so much for sharing this. I hope you will be returning with positive news!
Unknown said…
I have no sense of smell have lost all hope which interferes with my life I have to listen to my body when I get hungry went to an oncologist no answer Doctor told me no cure now I feel it's endangering my health what to do.
LisaLise said…
Hi Chuck - Please read some of the posted comments -- there are support groups ready to help, some on Facebook. I hope you can connect with others who struggle with the same issue and find some help and encouragement. I wish you the best
Unknown said…
I am so excited! I lost my sense of smell in the early 1980's while in the Air Force. Doctors can find no physiological reason for the loss. Said it was probably "chemical". No idea what caused it. So, I have been living with no sense of smell and the resulting loss of taste. All I have is a sense of sweet, salty, bitter, sour. I would be beyond ecstatic to regain this sense. I miss the smell of fresh cut grass, thanksgiving dinner cooking, all the memories smells and so much more. I have a smoke detector in every room. Am going to give the essential oils a try and see what happens. EXCITED!!!!!
Unknown said…
Elizabeth, please join one of the Facebook groups listed in one of my posts above. One of the members is the woman who authored smell training and us a friend of mine. There are a couple of possibilities for attending smell training sessions next spring. I am currently doing smell training myself and it has changed the nature of my anosmia. I have high hopes for recovery!! - Wendy
LisaLise said…
HI Elizabeth - Thanks so much for sharing this. As you can see from Wendy's comment, there are groups on Facebook that are ready to help you. I hope you find help, support and that your sense of smell will return. I wish you the best! Thanks so much Wendy for continuing to check back here. :D
Unknown said…
hello, my name is Haryogi, MD. I am resident in ENT department from Brawijaya University, Malang, East Java, Indonesia.

i am from Indonesia so i’m sorry if my english so bad,

i’m doing my final paper to become an otorhinolaryngologist about olfactory testing and training / smell training for patients with rhinosinusitis wheter it is acute or chronic, or vasomotor or even allergic

i need information about smell training / olfactory training,

1. is there any special store that i can buy the odorant of essential oils for my thesis?
2. is there any specific percentage of odorant / essential oils, i mean for example 70% or 95% or something specific numbers of the essential oils that can be used for professor Hummel method olfactory / smell training?
3. if don’t, is the essential oils that maybe i can found in bodyshop/perfume shop can be used for this smell / olfactory traning?


thank you very much
Haryogi Pramuditya, MD
resident of ENT department
Medical Faculty of Brawijaya University
Malang, East Java, Indonesia

+6281233445677
LisaLise said…
Hello Yogie Prana - Thank you for your comment and questions (your English is very good!). The essential oils you are looking for can be purchased from New Directions Australia http://www.newdirections.com.au
To my understanding: the oils are used pure and sniffed directly from the bottle
Be sure you are using pure essential oils - NOT a dilution and NOT a perfume. Best of luck with it.
Unknown said…
hello Lise, thank you for your reply!

well, now I know that I have to find essential oils, and NOT the DILUTED essential oils, thank's for your advice!

there's one more thing that bother in my mind,, where can I find the Sniffin' Stick Test?

i am looking and keep asking everywhere in my country, Indonesia but i cannot find any of them :(
LisaLise said…
Hi Yogie. You have a couple of possibilities here. You could obtain empty INHALER casings and make your own. Please check this blog for a how to on making inhalers if you are in doubt about what i mean. Aletrnatively, if you are looking for the kind of scent-papers usually used to test perfumes, I am guessing a supplier of perfumery items or soap making would be possibilities.
Ann said…
I lost my smell after a bout of flu. It did come back, quite a bit, but then faded away again. It would be nice to know if anyone found trying these essential oils was successful to some degree?
LisaLise said…
Hi Ann, I encourage you to check some of the comments above. There is a special group on Facebook about this.
MtnLioness said…
Thanks for posting this! I had hoped that when I got to the bottom of the page to see at least one update on those who were going to try essential oils. My husband has never really had a sense of smell, and I've been researching--hoping to find him a cure. He's had sinus issues most of his life, and I believe this is the cause. He can smell popcorn and coffee, and occasionally what I'm cooking for dinner. But otherwise he doesn't smell anything else. I'm going to see if I can get him to do the oil routine. :-)
LisaLise said…
Hi MtnLioness - If you check the comments post, you'll find a mention of a Facebook group. I believe you might find more answers there.
Anonymous said…
Just want to point out that your claim of not being able to taste with anosmia is false. I developed anosmia after a bad concussion when I was 19 (I could smell and taste perfectly my entire life leading up to that). I can still taste just fine; the taste is just a bit dulled from what it was before. Your sense of smell only enhances your sense of taste. It doesn't completely define it.
LisaLise said…
Thank you Anon for sharing this information. :)
Linda K. said…
I lost my sense of smell in early January after a bout of sinusitis and a bronchial infection. It is driving me crazy. I started doing the therapy you described in your blog today and hope to have good luck with it.
Thanks. Linda
Anonymous said…
Hi Karen. Thanks for sharing. I feel like I just read about myself. I have 24/7 gross green discharge. Ill try limiting sugars. Have u tried the essential oils? Did it work?
Lauren said…
I have had the same experience. Fractured skull and loss of smell due to a horse back riding injury. Did this help you at all?
Anonymous said…
I had surgery for removal of a brain tumour near the olfactory groove last year. The surgeon was unable to save the nerves on the left side, the nerves on the right were saved. However I have lost my smell and taste and this could be a result of scar tissue. I have been doing olfactory training several times a day since November last year with coffee beans, ground cloves, essential oils of lemon, eucalyptus, and lavendar. I sometimes get a faint whiff of what I am sniffing and usually at the first sniff and then it disappears. What I find disconcerting for me is that the faint smells have not got stronger over time, and in mid January this year I started to develop sores above my top lip and under the tip of my nose. Yesterday I stopped sniffing the essential oils but continue with the coffee beans, ground cloves and a strong rose scented body shop handcream. The sores have quietened down and are healing. I think I may have developed some sort of allergy with the essential oils and I am curious to know if anyone else has experienced this over time. It's been really interesting reading past comments. People with smell and taste have no idea what it is like to lose these senses. We take them far too much for granted
LisaLise said…
Hi Anon - thanks for sharing this. I encourage you to check the comments for the name of a Facebook group where you can interact with orhers on this issue. I wish you the best of luck.
Claire said…
Hi Lisa,

After a very bad cold, sinus infection and bronchitis I lost my sense of smell/taste. It has been 7 weeks now and I am starting an essential oil therapy regimen to try and regain my senses. I am 59 years old and am hoping and praying This therapy will work. I consulted with a specialist at Johns Hopkins and he recommended trying the essential oil therapy. I have had chronic sinusitis and allergies for many years, but I have never experienced anything like this. I will keep posting updates. The doctor started me on steroids for severe sinus inflammation and I have started using a few oils. My question is: how long do I sniff each of the oils, and how often? I also have sleep apnea and was wondering if it would be safe/effective to add a couple of oil drops to the CPAP humidifier reservoir. Has anyone asked about this? Thank you for having this blog. I am very encouraged by the posts and have faith that my senses will eventually be restored.
LisaLise said…
Hey there Claire,

Thanks you for sharing your story. I do hope you find help with this. If you scroll up and check the comments in this thread, you should find answers to your questions. You may also wish to join three Facebook group that is mentioned in one of the comments so you can share your experiences with others in the same situation. I hope this therapy works for you.
Unknown said…
Hey not sure if this will work for me I had a mva almost a year ago. Severe brain trauma. One of the lasting effects was loss of smell and altered taste. I'm a nurse I rely greatly on my sense of smell to do my job well. I like to travel trying new foods in other countries has been scary because I can't tell if there's something wrong. Sometimes I mouth hates the food but idk y. Sometimes the "smell" around me changes but idk if it's good or bad (did i remember deodorant? Did my patent use the bathroom? Did my clothes sit in the washer too long? Ect) it's awkward to ask others what's that smell? Do I smell weird? I can taste n smell alcohol but it all comes off as running alcohol. Processed sweets taste like ..... choc protein powder. The sweeter the food the stronger the taste. I have a hard time explaining to people what I experience and some don't believe me when I do. I never considered that it might have been from the surgeries I had after the accident. I don't remember exactly when I loss those senses so it's possible. I am going to try this I hope it works.
Linda K. said…
Mine is driving me crazy. The only smell that I experience is that things smell and taste like rancid grease. Most food doesn't even taste good but you have to eat.
LisaLise said…
@Megan - Oh gosh that sounds like a real pain and a half! I sure hope you get some positive results with the essential oils!

@Linda K - It sounds like enjoying a meal is a real challenge for you. I am so sorry to hear this and hope you are able to find some relief!
Jayson said…
Hi Karen,
I've just come across this story and read your comment on here about having no smell. Im 45 next week and dont ever being able to smell. I'm curious to know if you did try the method of oils in the above story and if you had any success? I look forward to hearing how you went with it.
J!
Unknown said…
Hello, I came across your blog after seeing it mentioned by Rachel Whittaker and love the articles here. I couldn't resist looking at this one as I am a clinical aromatherapist and perfumer, and I was a nurse before I found this amazing work.

I experienced a three month anosmia after a particularly nasty bout of flu last year - and as my work requires a sense of smell it was an absolute nightmare! I was horribly upset when I first realised but then fascination kicked in, because it gave me a different perspective on the world. I hadn't realised how acute my sense of smell had always been, because it was normal for me. Without it, the world seemed very one-dimensional, as I have always linked emotions and my other senses with smell. For example, a turquoise sea lapping at a sandy beach on a sunny day smells very different than a silvery UK sea lapping on a pebbled beach on an overcast day - even allowing for the fact that different temperatures make the air smell different.

There is so much I want to say in response to a lot of the comments - but I must preface that I haven't yet looked up the test you refer to.

The main thing is, I absolutely disagree with the idea that you should sniff these (or any) oils directly from the bottle - particularly close up. Whilst I understand the reason for these particular choices of oil, strength! of course, but also familiarity, that same strength makes them "dangerous". I am not surprised that at least one person developed skin lesions. Smelling strips are better, but should be wafted at least a couple of inches away from the nose. Nose bleeds are also a potential issue of unregulated deep inhalations of such strong oils.

That said, I don't believe essential oils are dangerous when used correctly - I just get upset when I see them being used incorrectly as this ultimately has the effect of discrediting essential oils when things go wrong! Essential oils have so much inherent "magic" and so much potential for good. I'm going to stop talking and go investigate this "treatment" in more depth now. Maybe there will be a suitable space for me to discuss more suitable oils, that could potentially heal whatever damage has gone on, much faster!!!

Thank you for bringing this "treatment regime" to my attention. I do love being fired up!
LisaLise said…
Hello Karen - Thank you for your feedback! It's always a pleasure to get an in depth comment like yours. I understand your reaction to sniffing directly from the essential oil bottle - I was a little surprised about this myself. You have to keep in mind this was anectdotal, so it is entirely possible the recommended method for this treatment is actually different. Researching this has been on my to do list for a while. You may find more input in the Facebook group mentioned in one of the comments above - I'm sure there are others who have tried this method and they may have been given different instructions from their doctors.
Lover of life said…
Lost my sense of smell back in the mid 1980's for some reason...I am trying these four oils suggested to see what it may do for my anosmia...ever knew there was a name for it...consequently I cannot taste herbs and essential oils. Worked with chain smokers in 1984 until smoking was no longer allowed in the workplaces...smoke hung in the middle of the room..no ventilation to speak of either. I believe that contributed to my loss of smell because I could smell just fine up until I started working at that job which I kept until I retired this year...33 years.
Thanks for all the posts and comments.
LisaLise said…
Hi Crazy AK Photographer - I sure hope this helps you. I encourage you to seek out some of the Facebook groups mentioned in earlier comments. Always a good idea to have a support group. Best of luck to you
Unknown said…
I lost my sense of smell when I hit puberty in the 1970's...also had chronic colds at that time as well. I can taste with no problem and I only got my smeller back once when I was put on strong course of steroids, but when the course was completed, my smeller left again. I also was told my tight nasal passage was due to allergies, yet several tests have confirmed I am not allergic to anything. It's been over 40 years without smeller. Have nearly burned the house down leaving things on the stove and thank goodness for fire alarms! Never had a problem changing a smelly diaper, but have never smelled the scent of a baby, or my own children. I remember what things smell like from when I was a kid, but haven't smelled in such a long long time. Just discovered the essential oils and will update when I have given it some time to work. I am hopeful!
LisaLise said…
Hey there Bingo Crickets - thanks for sharing your story. That sure is a long time to suffer from a condition and not know the cause! I sure hope this method is of use to you.
Karen Holderby said…
About 10 years ago, I had a severe migraine that lasted three days. It was my first and only migraine. I've had headaches, but nothing like that s. For two weeks after the migraine subsided, it felt like I had been hit in the lower back of my head with a 2x4. After that pain subsided, I realized I couldn't smell ... absolutely nothing! Then my sense of taste started getting a little wonky. I've tried different "detox" remedies and solutions, but ultimately was told to just get used to it.

I will definitely give this a try. I am a skeptic though. I also tried some oils for motion sickness, didn't seem to work on me and the smell bothered everyone else but me because I couldn't smell it.
LisaLise said…
Hi Karen - Thank you for sharing this amazing and unusual atory. I can't help wondering what reason your doctor gave for this, because I don't believe I've hrard anything like this. You might find some support in the Facebook group mentioned in one of the comments above. I wish you the best of luck with this method and hope it helps.
Kimberly said…
My ENT said my nerve endings, the ones that control the sense of smell and taste, are dead from having so many severe sinus infections. I have had no taste or smell for nearly 3 years. Would essential oils restore anosmia of this sort? Thanks!
LisaLise said…
Hi Kimberly - I sure wish I could tell you yes, but I just don't know. The lady I wrote about in this post didn't give me more information than I have reported here. My only suggestion would be to try it for a period of time and see if there is a difference. I wish you the very best and truly hope it helps you!
Sarah said…
Hi, I lost my sense of smell in April 17. I have had an MRI to which nothing was found to be causing any problems. However this left me without any answers and very frustrated . After trying to complete a smell training booklet given to me by my ent consultant, I got 15/40 and he told me it was highly unlikely my smell would ever return. Use my other senses he said coldly!! I came out of this appointment devastated. I joined 5th sense and decided to try the smell training I had read about. I am regaining some sense of smell and can always tell which scent I am smelling now from the essential oils, I have since bought 5 more to try and these are also easy now for me to tell the difference between :-) However I still can't smell bacon cooking or my daughters dirty nappy or my freshly laundered washing but I am hopeful as in April I could smell absolutely nothing at all.
LisaLise said…
Hello Sarah - Thank you SO much for sharing this. Your story gives everyone who suffers with this condition hope. I am hoping you will indeed be able to smell your fresh laundry and all the other scents again.
Anonymous said…
Hello. On Black Friday 2016, I came down with the most godawful head cold I ever had. It finally let go the day after Christmas. For 31 days, I constantly blew my nose. When through four rolls of TP. And, when I could breathe through my nose again, I had no sense of smell. I didn't notice it at first. I think cleaning the cat box was where I first noticed it (the only true benefit of not having a sense of smell). Over the past nine months, occasionally, a smell would come through. I use Citrus Magic (which is orange essential oil) and one day I smelled something, but it wasn't orange. Tonight, I was filling my son's diffuser and I could smell clove that had dripped on a finger and it suddenly hit me that since essential oils works with the olfactory system, maybe it could rejuvenate my sense of smell. I had lavender at hand and I smelled something, thought not the full fragrance, so I'm going to start your regimen and continue researching. I've had training in aromatherapy and have always had good results using them.
LisaLise said…
Hello Anon - Thanks for sharing your story. How good that you are finding a method that is working for you. I hope your sense of smell returns in full (even at the risk of experiencing stinky cat litter boxes in full).
Anonymous said…
Hi, I'm 17 years old. I don't think I have full-on anosmia, but I have grown up not being able to tell apart most smells and even tastes. I know the taste of most foods, and can definitely smell peppermint, but that's the only scent I might be able to determine for sure. Sometimes when I compare radically different smells, I sense a difference between them but cannot determine either of them. When it comes to certain spices in food, I usually can't name any by taste or smell. I just know sweet, salty, spicy etc., but can't specifically say sesame, cayenne, oregano, cinnamon etc. My family and friends have wondered about it, but I've never really thought about it much until recently. I have been in situations when something was burning in the oven but I couldn't smell the smoke, which makes me worry for when I live independently and don't have anyone to alert me of my house burning!
I never knew there was a word for having no sense of smell and it's really great to have a place to talk about this! I like essential oils, mostly because people hold them in such high regard honestly. I recently learned how magically medicinal they can be and want to try this experiment to see if I can learn the difference between smells!
Each morning I take a drop of peppermint oil and put it on my wrists and neck for refreshment and energy:)
LisaLise said…
HI Anon, Thanks for your input. I hope this method will be of help to you. As a side note; I would probably dilute the peppermint oil you are adding to your skin as it can be an irritant and even if your skin doesn't react to it immediately, it may cause problems (sensitivities) over time. To dilute: in a small bottle, add 4-6 drops of peppermint oil to a teaspoon (5 ml) of carrier oil (this can be almond, apricot kernel, coconut, olive, etc) and apply from the bottle to your wrists and neck. Best of luck :)
Yasmin said…
Hi
Do you know whether anyone has had success using the four oils mentioned?
LisaLise said…
Hi Yasmin - The lady who told me about her experience and who was the inspiration for this post was successful with this method. I imagine there are more.. if you read the comments on this post, there are a few references to a Facebook group that might help you. :)
Anonymous said…
I just happen to go over to my desk and I had to essential oil packets sitting on it . They've been there for a long time. One was peppermint and one was lemon . I was drawn to the lemon so I opened it and just gently started to smell the essential oil. And was very calming and I could smell it. I've lost my sense of smell about 4 years ago. I think when I hit my head on a cabinet in my kitchen. I can smell some things. The strangest thing for me is that sometimes I'm only smelling some part of a smell. Like I'm getting something different from a full smell. I can't really explain it. I can smell Foods and some things I have to put right up to my nose in order to smell. I do have a deviated septum. I'm wondering if that's my problem because I can smell some things and not others. It's disturbing for me because I'm a little bit worried how about maybe food that's bad or the gas from my stove is on and I vant smell that. Could be dangerous if I can't smell these things. I'm going to look up that Facebook page. I'm very thankful for this mystery of posts over the last few years. Finding it fascinating. And it even has a name, I did not know that! soo. thank you. Im looking forward to cure! To think I just walked over to my desk, open the packet of lemon essential oil that I have had for 6 months... And it led me to Google essential oils and loss of sense of smell. It also led me to you and all of these helpful posts.
LisaLise said…
Hey there Anon - thanks for sharing this!This is very interesting to hear that you have partial sense of smell. I really hope this method is of help to you and wish you the best!
Anonymous said…
I just read your Post on the use of essential oil’s in restoring the sense of smell. I’ve worked in the wine industry for about 10 years. About two years ago I lost my sense of smell. This affected my sense of taste as well. I managed and operated wine bars in airports. This was very discouraging since smell was the largest part of my job.
I recently joined Young living and begin using essential oil’s. I happened on to your blog today and have decided to try this method of smelling the different oils and try and restore my sense of smell.
Right now, I cannot till one from the other. The only one that I can smell is peppermint. I actually had to resign from my position with the wine bar because I was so discouraged having lost my sense of smell and taste.
We will see how it goes. Thank you for posting this.
LisaLise said…
HI Anon - Thanks for sharing your story - I can only imagine how debilitating not being able to discern scent when working with winemaking can be! A quick note: be VERY cautious about the use of essential oils - never apply directly to your skin. I wish you the best of luck :)
Hello. My name is Chris Kelly and I run the closed support group for smell training on Facebook. I also manage a website, smelltraining.co.uk, for patients with smell loss. I am a patient myself since 2012 and have successfully used smell training to amplify my recovering sense of smell. I now work with clinicians and researchers to develop a scientifically based protocol to help patients understand a) whether smell training could be helpful to them; b)exactly how to do it; c)the science behind it--what exactly is going on in the brain. The information on my website is free--anyone is welcome to come and learn the method, as well as read through the blog, which addresses many frequently asked questions (examples: how does it work? what is the role of steroids? do vitamin A drops work? will smell training work for me? how do I make a smell training kit? etc)

There have been over 12 peer-reviewed research papers to date that suggest smell training is of benefit to patients with post-viral smell loss. Some research suggests that brain injury patients are also helped. The main criteria is that you must have some minimal function of the olfactory nerve. This might mean you experience "white noise" type smells that do not really give you information about what you are smelling. The olfactory nerve does indeed regenerate, but slowly. Recovery is activity dependent. To help the nerve regrow, you must stimulate it. How do you stimulate the olfactory nerve? Through smell training. Is smell training a "cure"? No. But it is a helpful therapy, like physio for people who have had a stroke. Smell training is brain training.

For other types of smell dysfunction, such as polyps, chronic rhinosinusitis and of course idiopathic anosmia, the picture is less clear. More research is being done. The role of smell training in patients with Alzheimers and Parkinsons, which is ongoing, will be of particular interest.

The original essential oils described by Professor Hummel, of the University of Dresden in his 2009 paper on the subject (the first mention of smell training in the scientific literature) were lemon, rose, clove and eucalyptus. The important point is that the usefulness of the essential oils comes from their role as a stimulant for the nose, rather than any benefits that might be assigned to them in an aromatherapy context.

Anyone wishing to have more information about smell training is encouraged to join the Facebook/groups/smelltraining page. I also run an instagram page devoted to food issues: #smelltraining.

LisaLise said…
Hello Chris - Thank you for your comment and information. I am sure it will be helpful for the many visitors to this post. I wish you a very happy 2018.
Unknown said…
Hi, I have had total anosmia since 2011. The doctors are stumped as to the cause, other than perhaps stemming from a virus. I also have multi-system sarcoidosis (diagnosed in 2015 after many years of various symptoms) and have asked them if they feel the sarcoid could be affecting the cranial nerve responsible for smell. Again, the doctors cannot give me a definite answer.

When I first was diagnosed, I saw went to the University of Pennsylvania Taste and Smell Center. The specialist there had suggested use of alpha lipoid acid for 6 months (which I used) and he also told me to sniff bottles of some of my favorite scents, 3 or 4 times a day, for 3 months. I used vanilla, lilac, and lemon, as he did not give me more explicit instructions. He also told me, at time of his diagnosis of total anosmia, that if I did not regain my smell after 1 year, that it would be a permanent condition.

This condition may seem minor to folks who do not have it, but it has been severely depressing for me at times. The sense of smell is truly vital to ones sense of well-being. I have withdrawn from social situations involving food, as I become upset listening to folks describing how delicious the food tastes, etc.

Today I did a search on whether essential oils can benefit a person who has anosmia, that is, who cannot smell the oils. And I found your page. I am truly interested in learning about smell training. I do not use instagram, but I am an avid Facebook user and I will join the group on smell training. Please advise, if you feel there are any other channels I can explore.

Thank you Kindly,
Robbin Sneddon
Forked River, New Jersey
LisaLise said…
Hello Robbin and thank you for sharing your story. I think you will find help in the Facebook community you mentioned. If you check the comment posted just above from Chris Kelly, you will find additional links. I wish you all the best in your quest for recovering your sense of smell!
Carolee said…
OMG! I am so relieved to know that there is a name for what I experience. My mom lost her sense of smell in her later decades and it appears that I have also (I'm 70 and have not been able to smell for about 10 years). She suffered from post-nasal drip all her life, and I, too, have had sinus issues pretty consistently since I was a young adult. The strange thing for me is that I often can smell chemical aromas, but not natural gas. Once my husband came rushing into the kitchen to turn of a burner that hadn't lit - I was completely unaware! I will definitely join the Facebook group, and work with essential oils (we've been doing Young Living for 15 years, but it never occurred to me to try them for this ailment). I feel hopeful now!
Thanks to all for their very helpful posts.
Carolee
LisaLise said…
Hello Carolee and thank you for sharing. I hope you find support and help in the groups mentioned in the comments here.
MJ said…
I have an awful smell that doesn’t LEAVE my nose. I have gone to an ENT and had a CT scan and nothing shows up. Everything looks normal but I can’t get rid of the ugly smell. Will essential oils help that? I’m about ready to lose my mind,
LisaLise said…
HI MJ - Oh dear that sounds like a real annoying situation! I don't believe I have heard anyone mention this before. I wish I knew what to tell you, except maybe to give it a try and see? I hope it help!
Linda K. said…
MJ, I don't have the constant bad smell, but when I do get a smell it is a bad smell. I can imagine how that must drive you crazy. It's been over a year now since I lost my sense of smell and food is no longer enjoyable. Sometimes I just eat stuff because I have to eat it. You can't not eat. I agree with Lise--give the oils a try. I didn't have any luck but I need to try again. I got frustrated and gave up. I think I shall start trying again. Linda
LisaLise said…
HI Linda - I hope you will find some help in this method. Thank you for posting encouraging words to others.
wendymac said…
I am almost 60 years old and haven't had a sense of smell since I was 18. Over the years I have had 12 operations for nasal polyps approximately every 3-4 years. My consultant said it would take a miracle for my sense of smell/taste to ever come back. In 2014 I was diagnosed with MS and after reading as much as possible about the condition I decided to give up Gluten. Within 4 days I had a sense of smell, it wasn't perfect but I could smell !! I then decided to give up Dairy and the effect was even more impressive. I could smell properly for a couple of months,( my life was complete) before it started to fade again. My food was much more enjoyable, especially the delicate things like strawberries. I had allergy tests and was told I was allergic to Gluten, Dairy & Soy. My last nasal polyp operation was in Feb 11, the longest I have ever lasted. Apparently the worst things for nasal problems are Dairy and Gluten, just wish I had been told this when I was 18. Since having MS I have tried using essential oils, which is very difficult when you cannot smell, but after using Frankincense I started to feel it coming back again. I have recently tried other oils, mainly to help me sleep and for cramps in my legs. I haven't used Frankincense for a few months and my smell has gone again. Am I imagining that Frankincense may help a sense of smell ?
LisaLise said…
Hello Wendymac and thank you for sharing your story. I wonder if you have read some of the comments from others as there are links to some support groups for others who have the same condition. It sounds wonderful that you may be on track to getting your sense of smell back. I wish you the very best.
Carole said…
Hello! I am like the others and have anosmia due to bad polyps and sinus issues. Had sinus surgery last week for the third time and my ENT told me to pray for my smell to come back. I figure that is a sad story when that's all she's got! But she did recommend the "smell retraining" with the essential oils. So I started today. We shall see. She said that if your smell is gone for more than a year, there isn't a lot of hope to get it back. I will cross my fingers! I have read about zinc and Vitamin D deficiencies as being culprits as well. I am not one to back down from a fight, so I will find the answer! Thanks for this blog post.
Carole
LisaLise said…
Hello Carole and thank you for sharing! I am crossing fingers this method works for you.
Anonymous said…
Has anyone had success with restoring the sense of smell associated with Parkinson's and the use of essential oils
LisaLise said…
Hey there Anon - try checking some of the previous comments for support groups. Best of luck!
Unknown said…
My son is suffering from anosmia after a Traumatic Brain Injury from a fall. He, his wife and I used to love trying new restaurants, new foods, new recipes but since the injury he has little interest in food, eating only to heal. This has significantly impact all of our quality of life. My daughter in law due to her love and devotion to my son researched anosmia and discovered studies demonstrating success in restoring smell through consistent exposure to essential oils in some individuals. He plans to try it believing it can’t hurt especially since there are currently no other options. This gives us hope.
He has other issues of course he is working on, but the sense of smell can give such pleasure.
Thank you for your work in this area.
Grace from Milwaukee WI

LisaLise said…
Thank you so much for sharing this Grace. I hope this method proves useful and gives your son positive results
Anonymous said…
I was sent your post about loss of smell due to surgery. I lost mine several years ago after some surgeries and nothing has seemed to help me regain it. I am now in the process of using the 4 oils you listed but don’t feel I am improving any and trying not to get discouraged. Did you ever smell anything after you lost the sense of smell? Occasionally, but not often, I notice a fleeting smell and it’s wonderful, even if it’s a bad smell 🙂 I get excited, but it’s gone as quickly as it came. Any additional information about the process would be appreciated, and I’m so glad for you that you have regained your sense of smell!!
LisaLise said…
Hey there Anon - thanks for your comment. I am afraid there is a bit of a misunderstanding here. This post is not about my personal experience with this method, but a woman I met who said it helped her. You might find some help from one of the support groups linked in the post. I wish you the best of luck and hope you have success with this method.
Unknown said…
I find this very interesting since I have never been able to smell anything my entire life.
LisaLise said…
HI Unknown - thanks for sharing this. I cannot even imagine not having a sense of smell.
Anonymous said…
I actually suffer from anemia. I have had it as long as I can remember. I can taste perfectly fine but cannot smell ANYTHING except for nail polish remover and rubbing alcohol. However, I have been using essential oils for the past year or so (not every day) and I PROMISE YOU I smelled my deodorant earlier today. After reading your article, I will invest in bottles of essential oils and begin smell training.
LisaLise said…
Hi there Anon - Thanks for sharing! Wishing you the best of luck !
Danny said…
Hello Lise thank you so much for this blog. My mother has anosmia for 2-3 years now and a doctor told her to get four essential oils: rose, clove, lemon, and eucalyptus. The doctor said she can get them online but I’m from USA and I can only find them from a UK website. Can you please send me links to where I can buy them? Also, will these oils cure her anosmia? I really want her to smell and taste again. Thank you. :)
LisaLise said…
Hello Danny — Try Tisserand Institute or Robert Tisserand.com for reliable essential
oil information and sources. There are several USA providors. I believe you can replace the rose essential oil with rose geranium as this will be more pocketbook friendly. I truly hope this method is of help to your mom. If I could promise you this method will work, I would, but I am unfortunately unable to do that. If you read the comments here you will get an idea of the different kinds of responses people have had as well as the names of some support groups on Facebook.
Unknown said…
Hi Danny. I am the person who runs the website you mentioned in the UK. I am also an anosmia sufferer myself, and I know how terrible life can be without taste or smell. I have some answers for you. About smell training kits and oils: you can easily make your own kit and you can find instructions on how to smell train and make kits here: abscent.org/learn-us/smell-training.
The original scientific research on smell training used rose, lemon, clove and eucalyptus. They weren’t chosen for any particular properties of those oils, but because when used in smell training, they *stimulated* the smell response. You could use any oils you like. People generally want to use what was recommended in the many studies that have been done since then, but don’t be afraid to make substitutions. The instructions on how to make a kit (above link) make an important point about smell training with jars rather than straight from the bottles, especially if the person is new to smell training.
You ask if smell training is a cure. The answer to that is sadly no, but smell training can have a very positive effect on how quickly people recover. It also depends on how your mother lost her sense of smell. If she lost it after a virus or a blow to the head, smell training should be used. If her smell loss just came on its own, that’s a harder call. Here’s a link to an article about who might benefit from smell training: https://abscent.org/blog/would-i-benefit-smell-training. Good luck to you and your mother. PS we have a closed FB forum for discussion on all things to do with smell loss. You’d be most welcome. Best wishes, Chris
Linda K. said…
I have amnosia due to a virus (or the drugs they gave me). 2 years later, I still haven't gotten mine completely back. I have certain very strong smells that I can smell clearly (bleach and smoke) but only for a whiff. Certain other things trigger a scent to me but it isn't usually pleasant or identifiable. I have tried using smell training and it hasn't helped yet. I will read the above blog and see if that helps.
I know how your mom feels Danny. It really is no fun.
Unknown said…
Thanks for all the contributions. My name is James. I used to have a strong sense of smell but suddenly lost it in year 2000.I have never had an injury so it could be a sinus infection. I had it back briefly in sept 2016 then lost it.it's very encouraging to hear from so many people with diverse experiences and I saw your blog today for the first time. I have essential oils and I'll start .iam also eager to hear from those who have been on the therapy for longer.Thanks again
Christine Kelly said…
Hi James. I also had smell loss due to a virus. This year I founded a charity called AbScent.org. You can read the details of smell training there as well as find an extensive FAQ and list of blogs. There is a section on how to speak to your doctor also. Please check it out. This is a much needed resource for those with smell loss. The understanding of anosmia has changed a lot in the last 5 years.
Unknown said…
I am troubled with the opening lines of this article. I have anosmia and have had it the majority of my life. However, my tasters work just fine thank you. I'm quite handy in the kitchen when it comes to tasting when the dish needs to make it perfect. I am on a quest to see if I can fix the issue. I did appreciate the rest of the information. Thank you.
LisaLise said…
Hi Unknown — thank you kindly for sharing — do believe you are the first I have heard who can taste but has no sense of smell. I wish you luck in your quest.
Michelle said…
I am looking more for taste. I sometimes taste and smell, other times very limited. Will this help with taste
LisaLise said…
HI Michelle - I am not an expert in this area, but do know taste is directly connected to our sense of smell, so my initial impression is to give it a try and see if it helps.
Marie said…
Hi I lost my sense of smell suddenly and for no reason about five years ago. I am trying the rose, lemon, cloves and eucalyptus essential oils 10 second sniff each morning and night. My husband asked if they need to be smelt in a sequence and I really did not know. Please can you help.
LisaLise said…
HI Marie - That's a great question and to be perfectly honest I don't know the answer. I suppose it would make sense to sniff in identical order each time, but if there is one oil that should come before the other, I am not sure. If it were me I would just use the same sequence every time. Best of luck with it!
Christina said…
Hi, I lost my sense of smell and taste from a presumptive case of COVID-19. I had shoulder surgery and after I woke up I was able to smell a tiny bit better. I am now smelling of vitamin B stench everywhere I go. I can smell cinnamon and that’s about it. I can taste if something is sweet salty or spicy but I can’t actually tell the flavor I will be trying these oils and will respond back to this thread thank you. Hi, I lost my sense of smell and taste from a presumptive case of COVID-19. I had shoulder surgery and after I woke up I was able to smell a tiny bit better. I am now smelling of vitamin B stench everywhere I go. I can smell cinnamon and that’s about it. I can taste if something is sweet salty or spicy but I can’t actually tell the flavor I will be trying these oils and will respond back to this thread thank you
LisaLise said…
Hello Christina -- Thank you so much for sharing your story. I hope this method will help you and look forward to hearing some good news from you!
Jeneane said…
I am a Pharmacist and worked during Covid-19. My daughter asked me to smell something at the end of March and that is when I realized I could not smell. I could taste but could not smell. It is now September and I still can not smell. When I try to smell peanut-butter I smell a medicinal scent not peanut-butter. I have tried saline nasal rinses and flonase nasal spray. I am worried I will never get my sense of smell back. I will try these oils and respond back to this thread. If you know of anyone I can see about this or if there is a study being done I will be more than interested to be a part of it. Thank You







LisaLise said…
Hello Jeneane - Thank you so much for sharing your story. I cannot even imagine how disappointed I would be to discover my sense of smell had disappeared. I don't know of any studies being done but can recommend contacting Tisserand Institute with your question. tisserandinstitute.org
Best of luck with it and I hope you can get back with positive news after trying this method.
Unknown said…
Smell loss is now a recognised symptom of Covid-19. The British Rhinological Society and ENT UK have now created learning resources for people who have experienced loss of smell. This includes smell training, which is a recognised supportive technique that has been the subject of over 12 peer-reviewed research studies. For more information on helping yourself after smell loss, see the resources at AbScent.org/NoseWell. AbScent is a charity registered in England and Wales Number 1183468
Pamela said…
Hi, my husband realised about 10 years ago that he could no longer smell of taste anything. He was reluctant to see a doctor and just puts up with it but it is very frustrating. Now that anosmia is in the news I have suggested he tries to regain some of the senses but again says it's been so long he doesn't think anything will help. How can I help him?
Pamela
LisaLise said…
Hi Pamela, May I suggest reading the comments in this post where several folks have offered links and information to organizations and groups that might be looking into. Hope your husband is able to regain his sense of smell.