Taste Loss: Causes, Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Preparations

Taste loss, or ageusia, is a condition characterized by the reduction or complete absence of taste sensation, often affecting the sense of sweetness, sourness, saltiness, and bitterness.

Causes of taste loss include oral health issues, sinusitis, neurological disorders, certain medications, and aging. Taste loss can lead to malnutrition, poor food choices, and decreased quality of life. To alleviate taste loss, herbal remedies like ginger, turmeric, and licorice root are used to stimulate taste buds.

However, it's essential to consult a healthcare professional and follow proper preparation and dosage guidelines when using medicinal herbs, as some may interact with other medications or worsen underlying conditions.

This article explains in detail what are the causes of taste loss, what medicinal herbs to use to relieve this problem and how to prepare these herbs to get the best results.

What are the main causes of taste loss?

The main causes of taste loss are various and multifaceted.

Age-related decline in taste perception is a significant factor, with studies showing that up to 66% of people over 65 experience some degree of taste loss. Damage to or loss of taste buds, particularly on the tongue's surface, can be caused by viral infections, smoking, and exposure to certain chemicals. Additionally, certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and gastrointestinal disorders, can also lead to taste loss due to nerve damage or inflammation.

Furthermore, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and some medications can also cause taste loss as a side effect.

• Medication: Medication such as certain antibiotics, antidepressants, and antihistamines can alter taste perception by affecting the functioning of the taste buds or changing the way the brain processes taste information.
• Hormonal Changes: Hormonal changes during pregnancy, menopause, or thyroid disorders can disrupt the taste system, leading to a loss of taste due to changes in the sensitivity of the taste buds and the brain's processing of taste information.
• Tongue Problems: Tongue problems such as oral candidiasis, tongue cancer, or tongue ulcers can cause a loss of taste by damaging the taste buds on the surface of the tongue.
• Smoking: Smoking can lead to a loss of taste due to the damage it causes to the taste buds and the small hair-like structures called papillae on the surface of the tongue.
• Dental Problems: Dental problems such as gum disease, tooth decay, or missing teeth can cause a loss of taste by damaging the nerves and tissues that are responsible for transmitting taste information to the brain.
• Sinus and Nasal Problems: Sinus and nasal problems such as sinusitis, rhinitis, or nasal polyps can cause a loss of taste due to the blockage of the olfactory nerves, which are responsible for transmitting smell information to the brain.
• Neurological Disorders: Neurological disorders such as stroke, Parkinson's disease, or multiple sclerosis can cause a loss of taste due to damage to the brain's taste centers.
• Aging: Aging can lead to a loss of taste due to a decline in the sensitivity of the taste buds and changes in the brain's processing of taste information.
• Nutritional Deficiencies: Nutritional deficiencies such as zinc deficiency can cause a loss of taste due to the essential role that zinc plays in the functioning of the taste buds.
• Infections: Infections such as a cold or flu can cause a loss of taste due to inflammation and damage to the taste buds and the small hair-like structures called papillae on the surface of the tongue.

What are the primary medicinal plants used for taste loss?

The main medicinal herbs used for taste loss are Zingiber officinale, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Curcuma longa, Cinnamomum verum, Ginkgo biloba, Mentha x piperita, Piper nigrum, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Foeniculum vulgare.

Zingiber officinale contains gingerols that stimulate saliva production and enhance taste, while Glycyrrhiza glabra has licorice extract that increases the sense of taste by promoting saliva and mucus production. Curcuma longa contains curcumin that has anti-inflammatory properties which can help in reducing taste loss due to inflammation. Cinnamomum verum and Cinnamomum zeylanicum contain cinnamaldehyde that has antioxidant properties which help in reducing oxidative stress that can cause taste loss.

Additionally, Mentha x piperita, Piper nigrum, Trigonella foenum-graecum, and Foeniculum vulgare have bioactive compounds that help in improving taste by increasing saliva production and reducing inflammation.

• Zingiber officinale: Zingiber officinale, commonly known as ginger, contains compounds that stimulate saliva production, which helps to restore taste by providing a sufficient amount of saliva to the tongue to detect flavors.
• Glycyrrhiza glabra: Glycyrrhiza glabra, also known as licorice root, has anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce inflammation in the mouth and throat, thereby alleviating taste loss caused by conditions like dry mouth or oral inflammation.
• Curcuma longa: Curcuma longa, commonly known as turmeric, contains curcumin, a polyphenol with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in the oral cavity, potentially aiding in the recovery of taste loss.
• Cinnamomum verum: Cinnamomum verum, also known as Ceylon cinnamon, has been traditionally used to stimulate digestion and increase appetite, which may indirectly help restore taste by improving overall oral health and reducing conditions that can cause taste loss.
• Ginkgo biloba: Ginkgo biloba, one of the oldest living tree species, has been traditionally used to improve blood circulation, including to the mouth and tongue, which may help restore taste by providing a sufficient supply of oxygen and nutrients to taste buds.
• Mentha x piperita: Mentha x piperita, commonly known as peppermint, contains menthol, a compound that can help stimulate saliva production and reduce inflammation in the oral cavity, potentially alleviating taste loss caused by conditions like dry mouth or oral inflammation.
• Piper nigrum: Piper nigrum, also known as black pepper, contains piperine, a compound that may help increase the bioavailability of other nutrients and antioxidants, potentially aiding in the recovery of taste loss by promoting overall oral health.
• Trigonella foenum-graecum: Trigonella foenum-graecum, commonly known as fenugreek, contains compounds that may help stimulate saliva production and reduce inflammation in the oral cavity, potentially alleviating taste loss caused by conditions like dry mouth or oral inflammation.
• Cinnamomum zeylanicum: Cinnamomum zeylanicum, also known as cinnamon, has been traditionally used to stimulate digestion and increase appetite, which may indirectly help restore taste by improving overall oral health and reducing conditions that can cause taste loss.
• Foeniculum vulgare: Foeniculum vulgare, commonly known as fennel, contains compounds that may help stimulate saliva production and reduce inflammation in the oral cavity, potentially alleviating taste loss caused by conditions like dry mouth or oral inflammation.

What are the main herbal preparations used for taste loss?

The main herbal preparations used for taste loss are Tincture, Decoction, Capsules, Salves, Ointment, Gel, Cream, Suppository, Poultice, Pills.

Tincture is a concentrated liquid solution of herbs in a solvent, typically ethanol or glycerin, which enhances the bioavailability of active compounds and can be administered sublingually to stimulate taste buds. Decoction is a liquid herbal extract prepared by boiling herbs in water, which can be used as a mouthwash or gargle to soothe and stimulate taste receptors. Capsules and Pills are solid dosage forms containing powdered herbs, which can be taken orally to provide a standardized dose of active compounds that support taste function.

Salves, Ointment, Gel, Cream, and Suppository are topical preparations used to treat underlying conditions such as oral thrush, gum disease, or mouth ulcers, which can contribute to taste loss by reducing the sensitivity of taste buds.

• Tincture: A tincture of the herb Zingiber officinale, also known as ginger, helps with taste loss due to its anti-inflammatory properties that reduce inflammation in the mouth and throat, allowing taste buds to function properly.
• Decoction: A decoction of the herb Glycyrrhiza glabra, also known as licorice root, helps with taste loss due to its demulcent properties that soothe and protect the mucous membranes in the mouth and throat, restoring the sense of taste.
• Capsules: Capsules containing the herb Curcuma longa, also known as turmeric, help with taste loss due to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in the mouth and throat, promoting the health of taste buds.
• Salves: Salves made from the herb Echinacea purpurea help with taste loss due to their anti-inflammatory properties that reduce inflammation in the mouth and throat, allowing taste buds to function properly and promoting the healing of oral tissues.
• Ointment: An ointment of the herb Calendula officinalis helps with taste loss due to its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that reduce inflammation and infection in the mouth and throat, promoting the health and function of taste buds.
• Gel: A gel made from the herb Aloe barbadensis helps with taste loss due to its anti-inflammatory properties that reduce inflammation in the mouth and throat, soothing and protecting the mucous membranes and promoting the health of taste buds.
• Cream: A cream of the herb Plantago major helps with taste loss due to its demulcent properties that soothe and protect the mucous membranes in the mouth and throat, restoring the sense of taste and promoting the healing of oral tissues.
• Suppository: Suppositories made from the herb Peppermint oil (Mentha piperita) help with taste loss due to their anti-inflammatory properties that reduce inflammation in the mouth and throat, allowing taste buds to function properly and promoting the health of oral tissues.
• Poultice: A poultice of the herb Echinacea angustifolia helps with taste loss due to its anti-inflammatory properties that reduce inflammation in the mouth and throat, allowing taste buds to function properly and promoting the healing of oral tissues.
• Pills: Pills containing the herb Pimpinella anisum, also known as anise, help with taste loss due to their carminative and expectorant properties that reduce inflammation and promote the drainage of mucus in the mouth and throat, allowing taste buds to function properly.