Taste Disorders: Some Amazing Natural Treatments

Many people have lost taste and smell when they have a cough or cold. The taste loss can be partial or complete, which depends on the severity of the condition. There are three types of taste disorders – hypogeusia (this is a diminished sense of taste), ageusia (this is the complete loss of taste), and dysgeusia (it is an alternation or distortion in the perception of taste). The rarest condition is ageusia.

Most commonly, people will complain of diminished ability to perceive or distinguish taste quality, which can happen as a general loss across all taste qualities or reduced perception of specific taste qualities, such as bitter, sweet, or salty. Taste disorders can be complex a lot, because of the broad spectrum of presenting clinical symptoms, as well as the multitude of neuroanatomical structures involved in the handling of taste information.

Some people are born with taste disorders. Most people develop taste disorders after an injury or illness. Some of the most common causes for taste problems are poor oral hygiene; dental problems; head injury; upper respiratory and middle ear infections; radiation therapy for cancers of the head and neck; etc. When you have a loss of taste, then it can cause you to add too much salt or sugar to make food taste better. This can be a problem for people who have certain medical conditions, such as high blood pressure or diabetes.

If you have a severe taste loss, then it can lead to depression. It is very important to talk with your doctor if you have some type of taste disorder, so you will get the right diagnosis and you will know that below mentioned home remedies will not make side effects.

Here are some natural treatments for taste disorders:

Vitamins:

Vitamin D deficiency is associated with the loss of taste, as well as smell. Vitamin A, Vitamin B, and Vitamin E can help to regulate chemosensory function, but there is little medical evidence to prove the link of their deficiencies with the loss of taste. You should consume foods that are rich in these vitamins, such as milk, cheese, cereals, and shellfish, so you will combat the deficiencies. Also, you can take additional supplements for these nutrients after talking with your doctor.

Eucalyptus oil:

This oil has eucalyptol. It has anti-inflammatory and mucolytic properties which can help you to get relief from the symptoms of upper respiratory diseases which could have triggered the loss of taste. You should add one drop of eucalyptus oil to a bowl of hot water. Then, inhale the steam and cover your head with a towel. You should continue doing it for 10 – 15 minutes. You can do this treatment one to two times per day.

You should remember that the excessive inhalation of undiluted vapors of eucalyptus oil can cause weakness, nausea, stomach pain, and dizziness. So, you should be sure to stick to the amounts specified above.

Drink enough water:

When you drink a lot of water, then it can help you to stay fit and healthy. Dry mouth is one of the leading causes of loss of sense of taste. Also, when you drink water every hour, this can help you to stay hydrated and improve your overall sense of taste and smell.

Taking steam:

This home remedy is a solution to many health problems. One of the basic steps to give away the problem of nasal congestion and blocked air paths of the nose is inhaling steam. Also, it can help to reduce inflammation and it will improve the smelling buds. If you have problems with your taste, then you can inhale steam twice a day, so you will get immediate results.

Oysters:

You should add oysters to your diet because they are high in zinc. Zinc deficiencies can lead to loss of the senses of smell and taste. You will have a quality meal in your diet.

Mint:

Mint is one of the best remedies worldwide. It has great freshness and great taste. It is a very efficient treatment for regaining the lost sense of smell and taste. You can make a refreshing mint tea by adding some mint leaves and water. Then, boil them together and drink them two times per day.

Lemon:

This fruit is rich in Vitamin C and has a refreshing fragrance. It can help you to restore back the sense of smell and taste. It can fight against bacterial and viral infections and it can make the nasal passages clear. You should mix lemon juice and honey in a glass of water and use it as your home remedy for taste disorders. Also, you can try consuming lemon pickles to treat your taste buds.

Garlic:

This is an effective home remedy that can bring you back the sense of taste. You should boil two to three cloves of garlic with water and drink this home remedy when it is lukewarm. You should repeat this procedure, two times per day, so it will help you to clear out the congestion from the nose. It can help you to smell and taste things like before.

Eat only when you are hungry:

When you are hungriest, then your sense of taste is strongest.

Avoid very hot foods and fluids:

They can make worse damage to your taste buds, so you should avoid them.

Serve food that looks like itself:

If you are serving a fish, then keep it looking like a fish. Your sense of taste will be stronger if your brain can connect what you are eating with how it looks.

Curry leaves:

In some studies are shown that curry leaves have anti-inflammatory properties. They can help to reduce the inflammation which is associated with cold and flu which may be blocking your nasal passages and at the same time, this will restore your sense of taste. You should add ten to fifteen curry leaves into a glass of water and soak them for about thirty minutes or more. You should drink this mixture, two times per day.

Cinnamon:

This home remedy has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. It can help you to reduce any infection which causes nasal congestion, thereby enhancing your sense of taste. You should mix half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder with one teaspoon of honey. Then, apply this paste to your tongue and let it stay there for ten minutes. You should do it two times per day. You should remember that the excessive consumption of cinnamon can cause mouth sores. You should not use this home remedy more than the stipulated dose.

Carom seeds:

These seeds have anti-inflammatory properties which can help to eliminate nasal congestion. It can help to enhance the perception of taste. You should put a tablespoon of carom seeds in a small piece of muslin cloth. Then, tie the cloth and inhale the strong aroma of carom seeds. You can do this natural treatment multiply times per day.

Apple cider vinegar:

This home remedy has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. It can help to fight off the microbes which cause infections and clear nasal congestion, thereby enhancing the senses of taste. You should add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to a glass of warm water. Then, add little honey as needed. Mix it well and drink it as your home remedy for your taste disorder.

Cayenne pepper:

This home remedy has capsaicin which is known to clear nasal congestion. This can help you to restore your sense of taste. You should mix a teaspoon of cayenne pepper with one teaspoon of honey in one glass of water. Then, drink this home remedy. You can drink it at least once per day. When the cayenne pepper is taken in large quantities, then it can cause stomach ache. If you take medications for high blood pressure, then talk with your doctor before you use them.

Ginger:

Ginger has warming properties that can help to treat the cold. It has a strong aroma and flavor which will stimulate your taste by activating your taste buds. You should chew small bits of peeled ginger at regular intervals. Also, you can consume ginger tea. You should do it on daily basis. When ginger is consumed in large quantities, then it can cause throat irritation, heartburn, and in some cases diarrhea, so you should consume it in moderation.

Castor oil:

The castor oil has ricinoleic acid which imparts powerful anti-inflammatory properties to it. When you use castor oil as nasal drops, then it can help to alleviate the symptoms of swelling and inflammation associated with cold or flu, thereby restoring your sense of taste. You should put one teaspoon of warmed cold-pressed castor oil into each of your nostrils. You should do it two times per day, once in the morning and once in the evening.

References:

1. https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/taste-disorders. Published May 12, 2017
2. https://jcda.ca/article/d86. Published September 17, 2013
3. https://www.fifthsense.org.uk/taste-disorders/
4. https://www.jgoldbergmd.com/taste-disorders.php