The ruling on fragrance while fasting

Question

In homeopathy one of the principles of treatment is also this: three drops of the medicine are put into a vial of plain sugar pills and left; when the pills have dried, the patient is instructed to smell them — in such a way that one nostril is closed and the other left open; smelling once or twice is sufficient. Does the fast become invalid through this practice or not?

Answer

The fast does not become invalid (fasid) merely because some fragrance or foul smell enters the nose involuntarily, or through deliberately smelling it — whether for treatment or for refreshment. Incense sticks, perfume and medicine all have one ruling. However, lighting incense sticks or the like and bringing their smoke to the throat invalidates the fast.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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