Olfactory training with essential oils

Anosmia is a condition characterized by total loss of smell and can be temporary or permanent.

Hyposmia is a condition characterized by partial loss of smell.

In recent years, due to the global pandemic, these two conditions have received increased attention. It is estimated that more than 90% of people infected with COVID also suffer from loss or diminished sense of smell. One study put the figure as high as 98.6%. But these conditions have existed before, at a lower but by no means negligible incidence (over 20% of the population over 40, one study estimates) (1, 2). (1, 2)

The causes of these conditions are multiple, ranging from certain** diseases or conditions** (diabetes, epilepsy, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, viruses,...), exposure to certain toxic chemicals (pesticides, solvents, smoke,...) or other substances (antibiotics, antidepressants, cocaine,...) to genetic factors or age. (3, 4, 5, 6)

In addition to the obvious odor-related problems, there may also be other adjacent problems such as loss or diminished taste, sexual problems, depression, poor appetite, hygiene problems (personal, home or children's), life-threatening risks (inability to recognize the odor of harmful chemicals, smoke, gas,...).

Treatment depends on the cause of the anosmia. In addition to the traditional methods of treating the disease with drugs and/or surgery, \"olfactory training\" is recommended. Studies conducted over more than 10 years indicate that smell training (olfactory training) could be a complementary method to improve anosmia and hyposmia. The patient is advised to smell the same four known odors twice a day to stimulate olfactory function (7)

Odor training

The 2009 studyThe study involved people with anosmia who had lost their sense of smell either as a result of head trauma, severe upper respiratory tract infections or for unknown (idiopathic) reasons. People in the treatment group were given four essential oils - Rose, Eucalyptus, Clove, Lemon - and told to smell each of the scents for ten seconds each morning and evening for 12 weeks. The other group did not participate in olfactory training. Both groups were tested at the beginning and then at the end of the treatment period. Compared to baseline, 30% of patients in the trained group experienced an improvement in their olfactory function. In contrast, function was unchanged in patients who did not undergo olfactory training. The results indicate that short-term, structured exposure to selected odors may increase olfactory sensitivity(8)

Studies from 2013In other studies in 2013, the same type of olfactory training was performed with the 4 odors for 119 patients with post-infectious and post-traumatic olfactory dysfunction for 16 weeks and for 70 patients with reduced olfactory function in Parkinson's disease for 12 weeks. There was a substantial increase in odor in patients who underwent the training. The increase was 67.8% in postinfectious patients and 33.2% in posttrauma patients (9, 10).(9, 10)

2014 StudyThis study was conducted in 12 medical centers. Olfactory training (for patients with persistent post-infectious persistent olfactory dysfunction) was performed with 4 scents, a high and a low scent intensity group. After 18 weeks 26% of the high-intensity group and 15% of the low-intensity group had improved olfactory function. At the 12-month assessment, 63% of the high-intensity group and 19% of the low-intensity group had an improvement in olfactory function. In conclusion, olfactory training, especially high-intensity and long-term olfactory training, improves olfactory function. This procedure has also been determined to be safe. (11)

The 2016 studyThis study recruited 111 patients with post-infectious olfactory dysfunction. Long-term olfactory training seems to be associated with better outcomes in patients with post-infectious olfactory loss than a short-term scheme (12)

The positive results have led to the acceptance of olfactory training with essential oils or compounds thereof as a complementary method to improve olfactory function.

Olfactory training at home

Before starting training, carry out a test to measure the degree of impairment of olfactory function. Repeat this test at regular intervals (12, 18, 24 weeks) to assess progress.

• Choose 4 essential oils and put a few drops (5-10) of each oil in a jar (preferably dark) with a tightly sealed lid. They may be those named in the studies, Rose, Eucalyptus, Clove, Lemon, or others. It is not very obvious why these 4 were chosen, so others could be used.
• Open a jar and hold it close to your nose (a few centimeters away).
• Breathe in and out for 20 seconds. Really concentrate on what you are doing and try to \"find\" that smell.
• Relax as you inhale and exhale, then move on to the next jar. There is no need to inhale deeply. The volatiles only need to reach the upper part of your airways.
• Repeat this process twice a day, morning and evening, for at least 12 weeks. The best results were obtained when the training was of long duration.
• Sanitize the jars and replace the oils in them every 2-3 weeks.
• Arm yourself with a lot of patience! Consistency and time were the success factors in all trials.

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