Natural remedies for loss of smell caused by COVID-19 primarily involve olfactory training using aromatic essential oils such as rose, lemon, cloves, thyme, eucalyptus, and lavender. This approach is safe, self-driven, and leverages neuroplasticity to retrain the olfactory system by repetitive exposure and memory association with distinct scents, showing promising results in improving olfactory function for some patients NICE CKS Alkanat & Arslan 2024 Akbari et al. 2024 Brandt & Huppert 2025.
Certain natural products containing flavonoids like quercetin, luteolin, kaempferol, and liquiritigenin display potential antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects, which may support regeneration of olfactory epithelium and reduce neuroinflammation. These compounds have shown inhibitory activity against SARS-CoV-2 replication in vitro and may aid in mitigating olfactory dysfunction, although clinical evidence is still emerging and under evaluation. Use of antioxidant compounds such as melatonin is currently being studied for their effects on neurological functions post-COVID-19 Akbari et al. 2024 Brandt & Huppert 2025.
Traditional usage of plant-derived essential oils and aromatic herbs dates back to ancient medicine, where fragrant substances like thyme, mint, rose, and wormwood were inhaled or applied for respiratory and sensory benefits, indicating historical precedent for aromatherapy approaches in treating smell disturbances Brandt & Huppert 2025 Akbari et al. 2024.
While oral or nasal corticosteroids have been trialed in some patients, the evidence for their efficacy is limited and inconsistent. Thus, priority should be given to natural and low-risk interventions like olfactory training and the use of certain natural antioxidants, pending further guidance from evolving research findings Alkanat & Arslan 2024 Brandt & Huppert 2025.
Incorporation of these natural remedies within a wider supportive framework addressing nutrition, mental health, and social wellbeing is essential, considering that long-term smell loss can profoundly impact appetite, safety, personal hygiene, and emotional health Alkanat & Arslan 2024 Akbari et al. 2024.
Therefore, the recommended natural remedy approach for COVID-19-related smell loss combines structured olfactory training using essential oils with supportive natural antioxidants and attention to psychological and social factors, all within an individualized care plan NICE CKS Alkanat & Arslan 2024 Akbari et al. 2024.
Key References
- NICE CKS: Coronavirus - COVID-19
- NICE CKS: Common cold
- NICE NG127: Suspected neurological conditions: recognition and referral
- NICE CKS: Halitosis
- (Alkanat HÖ and Arslan S., 2024): Long-term smell loss experiences after COVID-19: A qualitative study.
- (Brandt and Huppert D., 2025): The mysterious sense of smell: evolution, historical perspectives, and neurological disorders.
- (Akbari et al., 2024): Systems Thinking, Causal Loop Diagram, and Systems Dynamic in Public Health Challenges: Navigating Long COVID Syndrome and Sense of Smell in LGBTQIA+ Communities.