Find out how to regain your sense of smell after COVID
Are you one of the unhappy millions worldwide desperate to discover how to get your smell back after COVID-19? If so, this article is for you.

A huge number of people suffer from a loss of smell during and post-COVID, and not being able to smell does a whole lot more than just make it feel like you’re living with one of your senses switched off.
Fortunately, there are tips and tricks that can bring your olfactory system back to life. Essential oils can play a huge role in reactivating your sense of smell, and we’re going to delve deeper into why they’re so efficient and how you can use them to get your nose working again.
Content/Quick links
- Why losing your sense of smell is problematic
- A global olfactory issue
- What does the science say?
- Essential oils’ fostering of the recovery of damaged olfactory nerves
- The efficacy of olfactory training in reducing smell dysfunction
- Smell training works
- The best essential oils for COVID smell loss
- Eucalyptus
- Geranium
- Lemon
- Peppermint
- FAQs
- What should I do if I can’t smell as a result of contracting COVID-19?
- Which essential oils for COVID loss of smell symptoms should I use?
- How do I use essential oils for COVID loss of smell treatment?
- Awaken your sense of smell with essential oils
Why losing your sense of smell is problematic

Not being able to smell goes much further than making it difficult to enjoy your favorite food and fragrances, it’s also quite disorienting.
In a world designed by and for people with five senses, losing one can have serious implications, like not being able to smell smoke from a fire or gas from a leak. Finding out how to get your smell back after COVID is thus a priority.
The unknown factor makes COVID loss of smell symptoms that much more unpleasant too. The loss of your sense of smell could last just a few days or stretch out over several months.
Plus, you have to deal with the possibility that, when you do start being able to smell again, it may be a confusing experience. You may find that the aroma you’re perceiving from known sources is quite different to what you remember, and sometimes very unpleasant.
A global olfactory issue

Roughly 5% of patients who contracted COVID-19 are suffering from an extended loss of smell and/or taste. That's an estimated 30 million people globally, so it’s no small number.
According to the BMJ, the peer-reviewed British Medical Association’s journal, roughly three-quarters of COVID-19 sufferers regained these senses within a 30-day period and rates further improved over time. However, that still leaves a large number of patients dealing with COVID loss of smell symptoms that do not diminish.
Worryingly, losing smell has been linked to a higher death rate in older adults and has also been shown to have an enormous impact on our emotional and psychological well-being. Experts are saying that having millions of people across the globe with difficulty smelling should be viewed as another public health crisis.
It’s absolutely vital that you learn how to regain sense of smell after COVID.
What does the science say?
The COVID-19 pandemic saw more than four million confirmed cases and nearly 300,000 deaths globally. It should thus come as no surprise that scientists are working hard at finding ways to not only protect us from it and its possible mutations but also to discover ways of handling the fallout, like COVID loss of smell issues and other long-lasting side effects.
Essential oils’ fostering of the recovery of damaged olfactory nerves
The international group of doctors who form the Clinical Olfactory Working Group has found that using essential oil for COVID smell loss works. Sniffing these potent oils has been seen to help in the recovery of damaged olfactory nerves.
Scents used in the studies they looked at included eucalyptol, citronella, eugenol, menthol, thyme, tangerine, jasmine, green tea, bergamot, rosemary and gardenia.
The efficacy of olfactory training in reducing smell dysfunction
This study found that exposure twice daily to four mixed odors, made up of rose, orange, citrus, peppermint, raspberry, chocolate, vanilla, cinnamon and leather, saw a reduction in olfactory dysfunction in patients suffering from a lack of smell for less than 2 years. The results prove that the link between scent exposure and retaining a sense of smell is clearly evident.
Smell training works

Using essential oils for COVID smell loss symptoms has been proven to work. This kind of Smell Training is based on the premise that this sense can be changed and refined. Take aromatherapists, chefs, food scientists, perfumers and sommeliers as examples. They are constantly training and developing their noses - and there’s no reason you shouldn’t be able to do the same.
Smell Training can help you learn how to get your smell back after COVID. It’s simple and safe and may help you combat the COVID loss of smell symptoms you’re dealing with. Here’s how to do it:
- Smell 4 different aromas between 2-4 times daily.
- Smell each one for at least 20 seconds, focusing on the memory of the aroma.
- Continue this routine for a minimum of six weeks.
Not only will doing this help you learn how to regain sense of smell after COVID, you’ll also reap the amazing mental, emotional and even physiological benefits essential oils have to offer.
The best essential oils for COVID smell loss
With so many different essential oils to choose from, it’s important that you know which ones are the best options for your Smell Training. You can use them in many ways, including sniffing them directly from the bottle, adding a few drops to a cotton ball, or putting the oils in your diffuser so that the fragrance surrounds you.
Eucalyptus

The invigorating scent of eucalyptus essential oil is the first recommended essential oil for COVID smell loss symptoms. As it works to restore this sense, you will also enjoy its other benefits, including its ability to refresh and re-energize your body, calm and soothe your mind, reduce stress and stabilize your mood.
Geranium

Geranium essential oil is usually used to boost mental health overall, combat PMS, ease mood swings, fight depression and lower anxiety. It’s also a recommended essential oil for COVID smell loss.
Lemon

When you use lemon essential oil, you’ll find your mood improving, your anxiety lessening and your spirits being lifted in general. It’s also a recommended essential oil for COVID smell loss, so include it as part of your training.
Peppermint

Peppermint essential oil is commonly used by aromatherapists because of its ability to uplift and invigorate. Use it and benefit from these advantages while you combat your COVID loss of smell symptoms.
You can also purchase all four of these essential oils at once and get the ideal Smell Kit delivered to your door.
FAQs
What should I do if I can’t smell as a result of contracting COVID-19?
Learn how to regain sense of smell after COVID by using certain essential oils as part of a training program for your nose.
Which essential oils for COVID loss of smell symptoms should I use?
Eucalyptus, geranium, lemon and peppermint essential oils are recommended.
How do I use essential oils for COVID loss of smell treatment?
You can put them in a diffuser, inhale directly from the bottle or sniff their scent from a cotton ball or tissue.
Awaken your sense of smell with essential oils

An interesting fact to bear in mind while you learn how to regain sense of smell after COVID-19 is that under normal circumstances, our brain prepares to smell by calling on our memories to create expectations of the odor molecules it’s about to receive. Maintaining and restoring these connections is how your olfactory function will improve.
Using essential oils for COVID loss of smell treatment is highly recommended, but you need to remember that their effectiveness will rely heavily on your regular commitment to training.
Volant makes this easy. Our 100% organic essential oils smell incredible and are sure to make regaining your sense of smell a pleasure. In time, you’ll find that you can sniff out all the scents that you’ve been missing. And, you may discover a few new ones that you love too!