Anyone Know What Will Help Post-Covid Smell and/or Taste?
Hey, guys, it's been quite some time since I've been in here.
A bit of a summary of what brings me here now: I had to go to the ER the night after this past Thanksgiving (American holiday where we give God thanks for everything we have) with no energy and I DO mean NONE, nothing tasted right (like seriously nasty bad), and I was having trouble breathing.
When I got to the ER my oxygen level was at 40%. (!!! ) I was immediately hospitalized and put in a medically induced coma so my body could heal while they gave me nutrients via IV. I spent over a month in the hospital. I've been out since about the 10th of January.
Now here's the rub: I cannot taste food, I can sometimes taste my coffee, but the only thing I consistently have is a lingering "Covid smell/Covid taste." Do any of you know what I'm talking about? I get blank stares when I tell this to people. It is the vilest, most disgusting smell that is ALWAYS in my sinuses and a horrific, equally disgusting taste. Occasionally, I'll be putting ground beef in freezer bags or, having thawed some, taking it out of a freezer bag to cook and it smells like rotting meat. I know a lot of vegans and/or vegetarians are thinking, "Well, stop eating meat." That's unlikely to happen, but I would like to know of anything that can stop this horrid taste and smell. TYIA! (Oh, I'm also still on oxygen, so there's that, as well.)
Thousand Islands
04/18/2022
Sounds like you have long hauler covid. Try searching here for it here on EC. I've read about zinc helping for taste and smell recovery. Hopefully you'll find help here!
TN
04/20/2022
Dear Kimmi,
I agree with Jngy about zinc. It did seem to make a difference when we had loss of smell/taste with covid. (We have had it twice.)
A friend of ours had what you describe - the bad taste/smell. He said it was like burnt rubber or burnt peanut butter. It lasted at least six months. And he has always been a vegan, so you can rest easy that you aren't missing out on "the cure" for it.
I would try turmeric for its anti-inflammatory properties. Some believe inflammation is the root cause of the loss of smell/taste. A teaspoon a day, or 4 capsules a day. I think Costco has a quality turmeric and is the best deal for now unless you want to make your own capsules.
You could also try burdock root. It is healing to the nerves. The best way to do this is to get some dried burdock root in bulk. At night, brink 2 T. of the root to boil in 2 cups of water. Boil 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Cover. Let sit overnight. In the morning, strain. Drink the tea throughout the day.
Take burdock root tea daily for 2 weeks to 3 months for best results.
I lost my sense of smell for a few months after my first round of covid. It was shockingly miserable. I sympathize and am hopeful that yours returns soon.
~Mama to Many~
Clearwater Fla
08/22/2022
Georgia
08/23/2022
I also lost my smell and taste 5 years ago for about 14 months. I attribute it to using otc generic Flonase for 3-4 day. Many other people had similar reaction to this medication per internet.
I researched, prayed and tried to imagine the smell of foods and spices. It is very, very difficult to enjoy any food types. I increased zinc and kept believing my taste and smell would return. Slowly, after many months, I started to smell and taste. This is a pleasure I do not take for granted anymore.
My thoughts go out to you because it is a difficult loss. Don't give up and hopefully it will return.
NY NY
08/23/2022
I heard a dab of coconut oil mixed with peppermint oil and placed inside the nose with a cotton swab works to restore taste and smell according to Joe Horn of Edens Essentials.
Kentucky
08/23/2022
This is what worked for me to re-gain my sense of taste and smell after Chronic Sinusitis and Covid19.
Povidone Iodine Nasal Spray along with Vitamin C and Zinc and Dr. Christopher's Sen-Sei Balm
Ref article: https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/coronavirus7.html#povidone
From my observance, It seems that the “covid19 virus” acts a lot like a “parasite” and invades all of the Sinus pockets and Eustachian tubes your head. That's why people complain of server headache when they first get covid19. Problem is it never fully goes away causing a lot of nasal issues and discharge.
After struggling with chronic sinusitis and my 3rd round of covid in 4 years, I slowly figured this out. Douching my sinuses with Povidone Iodine several times a day, along with lots of Vitamin C (in the form of fresh lemon-aid drank all day) and Zinc. Also, applying Dr. Christopher's Sen-Sei Balm to my face and around my ears at night. I rub a light coat of the balm over the area's where my sinuses are (i.e. forehead, nose bridge, cheeks). You have to do this when your eyes will be closed. The menthol will irritate and make your eyes water. This stuff is NUCLEAR! Imagine Vicks VaporRub x 100! Sen Sei Menthol Rub Ointment acts as a rubefacient and a vascular dilator, which draws the blood to the surface of the skin and dilates vessels like your sinus passages open so they can flow and get rid of thick mucus.
General Recipe for making Povidone Iodine Nasal Spray: (Simplified)
Material needed:
*30 ml empty clean nasal spray bottle
*Distilled water
*Povidone-iodine 10%
*1-2 drops Peppermint oil or Oregano oil (optional)
Method:
1. Add 3ml of Povidone-Iodine (you want it strong since Povidone Iodine solution 5% has only 0.5% available iodine) to the empty nasal spray bottle. Add 2 drops peppermint oil or Oregano oil (optional).
Note: Peppermint is a good anti-inflammatory and Oregano oil will kill any kind of "germ". Proof of this statement can be found in the Quarterly Review of Biology, March 1998 and the Indian Journal of Experimental Biology, June 1977, among other authoritative publications. When oregano oil was first tested in 1910 it was described by H. Merindale as "the most powerful plant-derived antiseptic known." It has been found effective both in killing multiple bacteria (germs) and preventing their growth. It demonstrated to be 26 times as potent as phenol known for its strong antiseptic properties. (Phenol is an antiseptic and disinfectant. It is active against a wide range of micro-organisms including fungi and viruses. Phenol has been used to disinfect skin and to relieve itching. Phenol is also used as an oral analgesic or anesthetic in products such as Chloraseptic to treat sore throat and pharyngitis. Phenol is also a versatile precursor to a large collection of drugs, most notably aspirin, and many herbicides and pharmaceuticals). Oregano is well tolerated in the sinus cavities. A recent 2018 study in India “Effect of oregano oil (Origanum Vulgare L.) on chronic rhinosinusitis: A randomized, double-blind, clinical trial” All symptom scores decreased significantly after the end of treatment among the three groups. After 4-weeks of medication, all SNOT-22 scores had decreased markedly and this reduction was significantly greater in the oregano group.
2. Add distilled water to the spray bottle to top it off, cap and shake til all ingredients have completely dissolved. This is your solution.
3. Use this spray twice in each nostril 2-5 times daily for a few weeks to resolve sinus infections, covid, congestion and polyps.
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Another good produce I like is Ponaris Nasal Emollient Nose Drops. There website states: This cold season reach for all-natural Ponaris to relieve your stuffy, congested nose, post-nasal drip, and nasal dryness. Ponaris is a compound of carefully selected mucosal lubricating and moisturizing botanical oils, specially treated through the exclusive J-R iodization process since 1931. Once a standard in NASA's medical space kit. It was included in the space agency's medical space kit on every Apollo mission. Ponaris had gone to the moon. https://www.ponaris.net/
Active Ingredients
Ponaris is a specially prepared iodized botanical oil blend that contains oils of pine, eucalyptus, peppermint, cajeput in a cottonseed oil base. Total Iodine 0.4% - 0.6% by weight. Assimilable hence non-lipoid potential.
Video Instructions: Ponaris to Treat a Dry Nose or Recurrent Nosebleeds
