“Two of the great joys in people’s lives are sensations of smell and taste”-R Peter Manes
Have you ever imagines what would our world be if we did not have the sense of smell? Many of the animals around us in the nature have much more powerful sense of smell than us humans, but even that we tend to ignore until we have a problem. Anosmia–loss of sense of smell is one of the increasingly raising health concern in the recent times. It not only effects our sense of smell but over a period of time it is seen to affect our food habits, emotional wellbeing and overall wellness. Ayurveda the ancient holistic science provides us with one of the most effective, non-invasive and amazing treatment for anosmia. Nasyam-one of the panchakarma treatments which can be practiced even as a daily regimen not only helps us in treating and curing anosmia but also helps in preventing the various lifestyle and pollution related conditions in the modern age.
Before we go into the details of anosmia let us just see the science behind the sense of smell and its importance
Today’s world has become more of a visual world. People depend on visual /sight to understand but science says that in all living things memories are created by sense of smell easily rather than visuals. this is because, the information from all other senses except olfactory/smell has to pass through thalamus to reach the memory/emotional center of the brain but in case of olfactory, the information directly reaches the emotional/memory center of the brain in the shortest period of time and quickest path. Our sense of smell enriches our experience of the world around us. Our ability to smell and associate them to various things, memories or people plays a key role in our health as they can affect our diet and nutrition, physical wellbeing and everyday safety. Odors can also influence the various aspects of our lives such as memory, moods and emotions. Smell is also very important for our perception of taste. Have you observed that when you have a cold, or stuffed nose, food does not taste good or no taste at all. This is because the olfactory senses are blocked and this leads to loss of taste as well. so anosmia also leads to loss of taste thereby decrease in nutrition to the body as well.
In the recent times, after COVID 19, research has shown that the corona virus effects the olfactory senses, in turn the nervous system and memory as well. It has been observed that some people have suffered temporary anosmia whereas in others there has been a long term effect. This is a very serious condition considering the further effects of anosmia on the body.
Some people have anosmia hereditarily, some get it due to various infections and diseases-bacterial, viral etc. and some may develop it due to injury to nervous system or nose. It can also be developed when people suffer from long term respiratory allergies and inflammation which is left untreated.
Though in most cases, anosmia is temporary in nature, it is a condition which requires intervention when it occurs in long term.
In Ayurveda, Anosmia is mentioned as Ghrana nasha-Ghrana means smell and Nasha means loss. ghrana nasha or gandha nasha is said to be due to imbalance or vitiation of vata in the body. Gandha or Ghrana sense is said to be due to action of Prithvi Mahabhuta which forms the kapha dosha in the body. when due to various causes vata starts vitiating in the body, it decreases the kapha dosha and thereby causes the dryness in the body. This dryness effects the functioning of the nervous system thereby leading to gandha nasha or ghrana nasha condition. Depending upon the lifestyle and causative factors, the condition can become short term or long term.
Ayurveda provides a very holistic line of treatment for cure from this condition of anosmia. Vatahara treatments along with elimination of causative factors is the line of treatment. since anosmia is a condition occurring in the area above the neck region, Ayurveda advises the Panchakarma chikitsa-Nasyam.
Nasyam is a nasal cleansing therapy which is used to cleanse/detox for all 03 dosha vitiation in the head and neck region. The medicines used are altered according to the dosha vitiation. Ayurveda mentions that nose is the direct doorway to the brain. Even the modern science proves that nasal route is the quickest route to the brain. Ayurveda practices administration of medicines through nasal route in many emergencies, nervous disorder and diseases of the head & neck region.
In case of Anosmia or Ghrana nasha, there is dryness which is because of vitiation of vata dosha. So as per Ayurvedic principles Nasyam with medicated oils like Anu thailam Shadbindu thailam are very effective. How does Nasyam work in treating temporary or long term anosmia?
In Ayurveda texts, it is mentioned that any drug administered through the nose reaches the Sringataka marma …then reaches the Murdha(brain)passing through various sinuses of the ear, throat, eyes & throat & opening the blocked srotas on the way. Anatomically, there are no connections or openings from the nasal cavity to the brain and the brain barrier is quiet tough in letting molecules across membranes. so how does the medicines affect? Ayurveda mentions the Sringataka marma, the area between the eyebrows/centre of the forehead from where the nasya dravya gets absorbed. Sringataka marma is a vital point where there is presence of large amount of blood vessels supplying various organs of the face and also the brain. When the nasya dravya is administered it causes irritation to the membranes of the marma area thereby increasing the blood circulation to the part, which leads to absorption of the micromolecules of medicine therby helps in reaching the brain and other parts. It is researched that the nerves and the terminal nerves of the olfactory system are a little different from the normal and they have a direct connection to the limbic system which in turn connects to the hypothalamus and the hormone system. According to Ayurveda, nervous system is controlled vata element, so vitiated vata makes it hyperactive and when sneha is administered through nasal route the macromolecules of the sneha along with the medicines helps to pacify the vata and improve the functions of the nervous system. the hormones are also chemical messengers which require certain amount of fat and other chemicals for their proper functioning.
Depending upon the requirement, the sneha and medicines are used in Nasya karma. Modern medicine also uses lot of medicines in nasal route including anesthetic drugs vaccines, hormonal medicines etc and the effect seen is higher than systemic administration of the same. The medicines administered are also said to affect the behavioural aspect of th eperson through the limbic system. All these aspects make the treatment of Nasyam effective in lot of conditions, physical, physiological & psycholodical.
In case of anosmia as well, Nasyam not only cleanses the nasal pathways but also stimulates, strengthen and rejuvenates the nervous system thereby aiding in repairing and refunctioning of the senses.
In Ayurveda, any Panchakarma process is accompanied with several pre procedure therapies and post procedure therapies. These therapies include massage, formentation, medicated smoke and medicated decoction gargling. Research has shown that massage and fomentation enhances drug absorption through systemic circulation and lymphatic circulation. This helps in increasing the efficacy of the treatment. The post procedure therapies ensures that the nasal and oral cavities are disinfected and sanitized thereby preventing spread of infections to any other part of the body.
A simple and miraculous treatment gifted to us by Ayurveda is one of the best therapies to prevent as well as cure Anosmia especially increasing in the post COVID 19 era. Administered by trained therapists under the spervision of an experienced Ayurvedic physician, Nasyam is indeed an answer to this irritating problem.
So, Do Not panic or worry if you are unable to enjoy the fragrance of flowers in your garden or the spices in the kitchen, just consult an Ayurvedic doctor, take the treatment of Nasyam and start enjoying the small pleasures of your wonderful olfactory sense,.
Unless an anatomical deformity or damage, Ayurveda is here to prove its efficacy in repairing this functional problem to its maximum extent.
The great thing about Ayurveda is that its treatments always yield side benefits and Not side effects.
