Castor oil applied topically can increase blood flow and help drain the sinuses. [1] X Research source Your sense of taste and smell are intimately linked, and loss of one can affect the other. That’s why you tend to lose your sense of taste when you have a cold, flu, or congestion caused by allergies.
You can drink as much herbal tea in a day as you want, but aim for at least one cup a day when you’re battling illness. Consuming hot herbal teas when you have a cold helps to thin out the mucus in your nostrils. This restores your senses of smell and taste. The hot flavorful drinks can also stimulate your taste buds. There are many kinds of herbal tea you can try. Chamomile is anti-inflammatory and peppermint is anti-microbial and good for your digestive tract. Both are excellent for helping to fight off illness and ameliorate cold symptoms. [2] X Research source
Pregnant women shouldn’t take more than 1 clove of garlic medicinally in a day. [3] X Research source You can also add garlic to your meal, which can help perk up your taste buds with its strong flavor.
If you want you can add 2 teaspoons (9. 9 mL) each of thyme, oregano, and rosemary to the water. You can also try putting 1⁄2 cup (120 mL) of vinegar into the water to help fight off your illness. [4] X Research source
Rinse your mouth out with warm water and brush your teeth. Oil pulling can combat harmful bacteria in your mouth that can impair your sense of taste, and cleanse out bad tastes. Do oil pulling once every morning before eating or drinking anything. [5] X Research source
Cinnamon has many health benefits, including anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. It can help reduce swelling from colds and flus that diminish your sense of taste, as well as prevent tooth decay and gum disease that can affect your ability to taste. Like any food, cinnamon consumed in too large quantities can be bad for your health. Limit yourself to 1 to 2 teaspoons (4. 9 to 9. 9 mL) a day and you should be fine if you don’t have any underlying medical conditions. Always consult your doctor if you’re unsure. [6] X Research source
Foods like oysters, beef, pumpkin seeds, tahini, dark chocolate, crab, lobster, pork, and beans are all rich in zinc. Sometimes a zinc supplement is required, but don’t take one without first consulting your doctor. Consuming too much zinc, more than 100 to 200 milligrams (0. 0035 to 0. 0071 oz) a day can lead to reduced iron and copper levels, vomiting, and gastrointestinal issues. [7] X Research source
Your fluid intake is likely sufficient if you’re rarely thirsty and your urine is clear or pale yellow. Some people might need more or less than 8 glasses of water a day to be adequately hydrated. On average, women need about 11. 5 cups (2. 7 L) of fluid a day and men need about 15. 5 cups (3. 7 L). [8] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
Not only is smoking bad for your overall health, it can impair your ability to taste foods. You can regain your sense of taste in as little as 2 days after quitting. [11] X Research source It can certainly be challenging, but don’t give up trying to quit smoking because there are lots of strategies and one will work for you. Some smokers have success quitting by using hypnosis, acupuncture, and meditation to help break the mental and physical habits associated with smoking cigarettes. [12] X Research source
If your diet permits, put cheese, bacon bits, butter, olive oil, and toasted nuts on vegetables to get more flavor out of your food. Avoid adding too much salt or sugar, which can be unhealthy. Avoid dishes like casseroles that combine many ingredients and mask individual flavors. This can dilute the taste. [14] X Research source Make sure your spices aren’t too old, since they lose their flavor over time. [15] X Research source
Decongestants come in pills, liquid form, and nasal sprays. Some over-the-counter decongestants containing pseudoephedrine are found behind the pharmacy counter, though you don’t need a prescription for them. [17] X Research source
There is debate in the medical community about whether you need to complete a course of antibiotics or stop when your symptoms improve. Without a clear consensus yet, consult your doctor on how long you need to take your medicine and whether to continue after your symptoms have cleared up. [19] X Research source
The otolaryngologist will examine your ears, nose, throat, and mouth and perform a taste test to determine the lowest concentration of taste quality that you’re able to detect. You might be asked to compare the taste of different chemical concentrations by sipping them and then spitting them out, or chemicals may be applied directly to the surface of your tongue. [20] X Research source Certain disorders, including Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, and Bell’s palsy, can cause impaired sense of taste, so it is important to get examined by a doctor if you’re experiencing a prolonged loss of taste. [21] X Trustworthy Source Johns Hopkins Medicine Official resource database of the world-leading Johns Hopkins Hospital Go to source
Your doctor may prescribe corticosteroids to shrink your polyps and reduce inflammation. If medication doesn’t work to reduce or eliminate your nasal polyps, your doctor may perform endoscopic surgery. The surgeon inserts a tube with a camera into your nostrils and then uses tiny instruments to remove the polyps and possibly enlarge the openings from your sinuses to your nasal passages. This surgery is typically an outpatient procedure with a recovery time of about 2 weeks. [25] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
