Q With Korean medicine treatment, how long do I usually need to come before my sense of smell returns? Please tell me by stage.
A It varies depending on the cause and how long the condition has lasted. For cases caused by rhinitis or sinusitis, improvement often begins after 1 to 2 months of treatment. When there is an underlying qi deficiency (giheo) background, as in post-COVID conditions, at least 3 months is recommended. The sooner you start after onset, the faster the recovery.
Detailed Answer
The duration of Korean medicine treatment for smell disorders varies with the cause and how long it has lasted.
Expected treatment duration by cause:
- Rhinitis/sinusitis-induced (conductive): 1 to 2 months of intensive treatment with nasal bloodletting plus phlegm-resolving herbs, then maintenance care. Restoration of airflow is relatively fast
- Post-COVID: 3 to 4 months total recommended. After 1 to 2 weeks of heat-clearing detoxification, switch to lung-tonifying and vital-energy-restoring prescriptions. Combining olfactory training is essential
- Long-term chronic smell disorder (over 1 year): at least 4 to 6 months. Because the regeneration of olfactory receptors is slow, patience is needed
- Head trauma: 1 to 2 years of long-term treatment. The goal is set on maintaining function rather than complete cure
Checking early response (within 4 weeks):
- If the smell threshold lowers even slightly or odor discrimination improves, it is a good sign
- If there is no response, the prescription direction is reviewed
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
At Dongjedang, we check smell self-assessment and overall condition together at every visit and adjust the treatment direction based on data.
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