Am J Chin Med. 1999 ; 27(1): 19-24.

The effect of auricular acupuncture on olfactory acuity.

Tanaka O, Mukaino Y.

Laboratory of Sports Medicine, Faculty of Physical Education, Fukuoka University, Japan.

The modulation of olfactory thresholds by auricular acupuncture at a specific auricular acupuncture point was examined. The Lung Point, supplied by the auricular branch of the vagus nerve, was employed in a controlled single blind study of a randomized population of 23 healthy volunteers. Two odorous substances, beta-Phenyl ethyl alcohol and Methyl cyclopentenolone were used to evaluate the modulation of olfactory thresholds after acupuncture. A significant decrease in the olfactory recognition threshold by acupuncture in comparison with controls (P < 0.05) for two standard odors was observed. Our findings suggest that auricular acupuncture stimulation can decrease the recognition threshold of olfactory sensitivity.