Regain Your Sense of Smell in the Year of the Tiger
The lunar new year is another chance to start fresh, especially with fierce tiger energy roaring in. After this difficult, prolonged virus season, many people are struggling to regain their sense of smell--if you'd like to be able to stop and smell the flowers by springtime, start now with these tips:
Try zinc lozenges (let 15 mg dissolve slowly in your mouth one to three times per day—but no more than that, as too much zinc can also cause loss of smell).
Supplement with Vitamin A (10,000iu drops per day for a few weeks--talk with your own health practitioner, as these dosages may differ if you’re pregnant/breastfeeding or have other medical conditions).
Begin olfactory therapy (smell training). Choose 4 essential oils from different categories: floral (such as rose or lavender); fruity (such as lemon or orange); spicy (such as clove or cinnamon); and resinuous (such as eucalyptus or myrrh). It’s best to choose scents you’re already familiar with and preferably have positive memories/associations with. Write down how much/little you can smell and keep track of your progress—it could take several weeks or even several months for full function to return, so you want to note how far you’ve come. Twice a day, find a quiet moment to take out your four essential oils. Open the floral oil, hold it a couple of inches away from your nose, take gentle sniffs, and think about any memories you have of the smell (and look at pictures of the flower/food if that helps prompt your imagination) for about 30 seconds. Close the bottle and take some deep breaths for a minute or so, then repeat the process with the rest of the oils. If after twelve weeks you need further improvement, switch out the essential oils for a new set of four (replace lavender with jasmine, clove with cardamom, etc.). Look for high-quality essential oils (I like the ones from Iris Herbal and Floracopeia, among others). If you don’t have essential oils, you can try the same process with some of your old favorite foods/beverages, like coffee, chocolate, oranges, balsamic vinegar instead.
See your acupuncturist for help! A study in the Journal of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery found acupuncture to be effective in restoring olfaction after a viral infection. You can also do acupressure several times a day--for a quick demo, see my Instagram Reel co-starring my canine companion.
Annie McDonnell is a licensed acupuncturist and sound healing practitioner in Manhattan, NY, specializing in stress-related ailments, emotional resilience, and women's health. She loves sharing her natural approaches to wellness through her telehealth sessions, her online articles, her participation in community and corporate events, and in her practice, Joy Alchemy Acupuncture, at City Wellness Collective in the Chelsea/Flatiron neighborhood. To learn how her holistic techniques can help you, email joyalchemyacupuncture@gmail.com or call 917-765-2025.
