What can my husband do about his disappearing sense of smell? 

Several underlying conditions may contribute to the loss, including post-viral inflammation, chronic allergies, and reactions to household cleaning products.

If your husband has had a bout of cold or flu that has affected his respiratory system, this can create inflammation in the sinuses. Even a mild head injury might irritate the nerves, which in turn can affect the olfactory system.

Other physiological causes that can impact the sense of smell include chronic sinus congestion or sinusitis, nasal polyps, or even as a side effect of certain medications.

Certain nutrients are associated with olfactory function, including zinc, B vitamins, and essential fatty acids (EFAs). Zinc levels are often found to be low in individuals who are experiencing a decreased sense of smell or taste.

This trace mineral can be easily supplemented or consumed through zinc-rich foods, such as pumpkin seeds, cashews, chickpeas, lentils, oats, shellfish (especially oysters), and meats.

The B vitamin group are best taken together as a B complex, and EFAs are most commonly found in nuts, seeds, and oily fish. EFAs will also help to reduce inflammation.

Daily steam inhalation using a drop or two of essential oil in a bowl of hot water may also help to gently stimulate the olfactory nerves (peppermint, eucalyptus, lavender, and thyme are all excellent options).

Pour the hot water into a bowl on a table and add the oils. Cover his head with a towel while he breathes in the steam for five to 10 minutes.

Olfactory training is a somewhat unusual technique that may help. This involves smelling a set of scents twice daily to help stimulate and retrain the olfactory nerves.

Get a set of essential oils with distinct profiles, such as clove bud, rose geranium, lemon, and peppermint, and then have him close his eyes and deeply inhale each scent for 10-15 seconds with a focus on identifying the scent or even type of scent (spice, floral, citrus, mint).

Finally, I would suggest that a medical checkup may be necessary to rule out any serious underlying causes, especially if his sense of smell continues to decline or worsens rapidly.

I picked up conjunctivitis from a young relative, and my eyes are crusted over when I wake in the morning. I’m using cooled boiled water to clear it. Is there a natural remedy I can use to speed up the healing process?

Using cooled boiled water to wipe your eyes is an ideal way to clear the crusting, as it is sterile and does not introduce any substances that might further irritate the eye area. Conjunctivitis is usually caused by bacterial or viral infection, but even seasonal pollen can trigger it.

To support your eyes with natural remedies, vitamins A and D are a good place to start. These two fat-soluble vitamins not only help ensure the eyes are well lubricated and protect against conjunctivitis, but they will also help to manage and clear the infection by supporting your immune function.

You can also make your own herbal infusion to support eye health. Eyebright and raspberry leaf make an excellent tonic tea for immune support and ocular health.

Combine equal parts of these two herbs and use one teaspoon of the dried herbs per cup of boiling water. Steep for five to seven minutes, then drink two to three cups daily.