There are lots of COVID-19 side effects that are unpleasant. For example, there is nothing pleasant about extreme fatigue, body aches and shortness of breath. Yet, when people recover from COVID-19, symptoms like the ones we just mentioned go away; however, there are two symptoms of COVID-19 that sometimes last long past the virus.

If you have had COVID-19, you may have lost your sense of taste and your sense of smell. At first, the thought of losing these two senses might seem like it’s not all that big of a deal. After all, you can pretty much go through life as usual without these senses. It’s not like you’re in bed feeling sick.

Yet, losing two out of five of our senses is a big deal. Imagine never tasting anything again. It could be good for a diet, but it could also be dangerous, for example, if you can’t tell if food tastes or smells like it has expired.

While many COVID patients regain their sense of taste and smell as they recover from the virus, some do not. Dr. Sunthosh Sivam is an ENT specialist at Baylor College of Medicine. He said, “People usually show up in tears of frustration” when they have not regained their sense of taste and smell. Thankfully, there is a home remedy that is successful for many people.

Watch the video below to learn how many people have successfully recovered their sense of taste and smell by using smell therapy.

If you want to try the smell therapy mentioned in the video above, Dr. Sivam recommends the following essential oils: cloves, eucalyptus, lemon and rose.

In the morning and in the evening, put one scent on a cotton ball in a jar. Go somewhere quiet and waft the scented cotton ball in front of your nose while thinking about a memory of that specific smell. Choose a memory that makes you happy. Do this for 15 to 20 seconds every morning and evening until your sense of taste and smell return.

Keep in mind that your sense of taste and smell may not return right away, but don’t give up. Within 6 months, 95% of patients regain their sense of taste and smell.

Do you know anyone who never regained his or her senses of taste and smell after recovering from COVID-19? Do you plan to try smell therapy?