Herbal & homeopathic remedies for tinnitus (ringing in the ears)

Tinnitus
HEALTH HERBS & NUTRITION - REMEDIES - EAR, NOSE, AND THROAT - tinnitus

· General Description

· Symptoms

· Causes

· Herbal & Homeopathic Remedies

· Helpful Dietary Habits

· Dos and Don'ts

Natural herbal & homeopathic products for tinnitus (ringing in the ears)

General description & overview of tinnitus (ringing in the ears)

Your Ear

Your ear can be broadly divided into three sections: the outer, middle and inner ear. The outer ear consists of the ear flap (pinna) and the ear canal. Both of them are designed to channel sound waves to the eardrum which is nothing but a thin membrane stretching across the entrance of the middle ear. It vibrates in response to the frequencies of the incoming sound waves. Then there is the Eustachian tube that connects the middle ear to the back of the nasal cavity (into the throat) and equalizes the air pressure on both sides of the eardrum. It also does the important job of draining fluid and bacteria from the middle ear out to the throat.

The middle ear also consists of three bones: the hammer, the anvil and the stirrup. These bones conduct sound vibrations from the eardrum through the oval window (or vestibule), present in the inner ear, into the fluid-filled cochlea. The inner ear also has sensory cells, the auditory nerve and the special fluid-filled semicircular canals which are responsible for keeping you in balance, i.e. they provide you with the sense of balance. Sensory cells in the cochlea convert the sound waves, which are now in the fluid form, into nerve impulses, which are then transmitted to the brain by the auditory nerve.

About Tinnitus

This extremely irritating and stressful condition of the ear is usually not caused by any external noise. This auditory sensation, or ringing in the ears, as it is widely known affects thousands of people. It involves a ringing noise in the ears which may or may not be accompanied by hearing loss. Although many tinnitus sufferers can hear perfectly well, some others experience such loud ringing in the ears that other sounds are virtually blocked out. This severe condition renders them helpless as they loose sleep and concentration.

Tinnitus can be broadly classified into two types: Objective which is caused by vascular sounds in the head and neck or muscular contractions of the middle ear or the soft palate in the mouth. Your doctor can easily hear the same sounds on examination as you are yourself hearing.

Subjective tinnitus refers to buzzing, roaring, ringing or whistling in the ear which may be continuous or intermittent and are only heard by the sufferer, i.e. a doctor is unable to hear the same sounds. Subjective tinnitus is more common than objective tinnitus. Nearly 36 million Americans suffer from this disorder. In almost all cases, only the patient can hear the noise.

Therefore, a visit to your doctor is extremely important to identify the origin of your problem as that only will determine the line of treatment. This said, it is important to state here that there is very little you or your doctor can do to cure tinnitus. All you can hope for is controlling and treating the underlying causes.

According to the American Tinnitus Association (ATA), there is no known cure of tinnitus with the conventional line of medicine. For a long time though, herbs & herbal formulas have come to the rescue of these tinnitus sufferers (read more below).

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Symptoms of tinnitus (ringing in the ears)

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Intermittent or continuous thudding, felt in the arteries of the neck, the temples and in the rear part of the head

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Buzzing, hissing, whistling and ringing sound inside the ear

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Reduced ability to hear the external sounds (e.g. tinnitus due to Ménière’s disease accompanies hearing loss as well as dizziness)

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Reduced ability to hear specific sounds like low or high pitched sounds

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Causes of tinnitus (ringing in the ears)

Tinnitus may be caused by a variety of disorders in all the three parts of the ear as well as the auditory nerve and brain. The major ones are:

In the outer ear

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Wax build-up or other obstructions

In the middle ear

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A ruptured eardrum

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Fluid build-up (congested Eustachian tubes)

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Otosclerosis (excessive bone growth)

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Disease of the middle ear bones or ear drum (tympanic membrane)

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Some infection

In the Inner Ear

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One of the most common causes of tinnitus is damage to the microscopic endings of the hearing nerve in the inner ear

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Age related hearing loss (presbyacusis)

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Ménière’s disease

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Side effects of certain drugs like sedatives, antidepressants, pain killers etc. (in some cases like aspirin, the tinnitus is nothing but a transient side effect)

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Damage caused due to overexposure to loud noise (particularly firearms and high intensity music including ipods)

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Tumours

Other Causes

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Certain diseases affecting the auditory nerve

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Certain diseases affecting the brain like the ones affecting the auditory centers inside the brain

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Elevated cholesterol and triglycerides level

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Hypertension/hypotension (objective tinnitus)

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Atherosclerosis (objective tinnitus)

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Diabetes

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An attack of flu

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Certain allergies

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Injury to head or neck

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Tinnitus can in very rare situations be a symptom of such serious problems as an aneurysm or a brain tumor (acoustic tumor)

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Herbal & homeopathic remedies useful in tinnitus (ringing in the ears)

Valium, Xanax and Klonopin are benzodiazepine drugs that many doctors prescribe for tinnitus. These are conventional medications which achieve only limited success in tinnitus symptoms relief, and usually their bothersome side effects such as dry mouth, blurred vision, and constipation often discourage use.

Although they are helpful in reducing tinnitus symptoms and aid in sleeping, they are addicting to varying degrees and cannot be used continuously for a long period of time.  Valium is the most addicting of these and is not used often for this reason.

Xanax is very popular and is prescribed often for tinnitus. However, the ATA report on medications that cause tinnitus lists Xanax as causing it in 6.6% of cases.

Others include:

- Tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline and nortriptyline
- Migraine medications gabapentin (Neurontin) and acamprosate (Campral)
- Baclofen (a muscle relaxant)

Additionally, ATA clearly states that there is no cure for Tinnitus with the conventional line of medicine.

However, some natural and holistic tinnitus remedies have been found to be extremely effective in assisting with the relief of symptoms, as well as addressing the individual’s overall health and well-being. These herbal and homeopathic remedies are gentle, yet effective - without the harmful side effects of conventional medicine.

Tinnitus herbal remedies can be used to support all body systems involved in helping the ear to perform its tasks of clear hearing and balance, as well as the circulatory, cardiovascular, and nervous systems.

These are a few herbs that are extremely helpful in alleviating the symptoms related to tinnitus.

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Ginkgo biloba - Leaves of ginkgo are the ones having medicinal qualities and their main constituents are ginkgolide terpenes and flavonoids - antioxidants that strengthen the blood vessels and improve the circulation. Terpenoids (such as ginkgolides) improve blood flow by dilating blood vessels and reducing the stickiness of platelets. These particular traits of ginkgo are used to treat tinnitus by improving the circulation in the ear area. As many a times, tinnitus is attributed to nerve damage and certain blood vessel disorders, some researchers believe that ginkgo relieves symptoms of this hearing disorder. Although the quality of most studies was poor, the reviewers concluded that ginkgo moderately relieves the loudness of the sound heard by tinnitus sufferers.

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Rosmarinus officinale (Rosemary) - Rosemary contains many active constituents like flavonoids which act as a stimulant and antioxidant. Its other constituents include rosmarinic acid (a phenol) which is known for its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory powers and is also considered an excellent antioxidant. Another constituent rosmaricine has analgesic property along with being a stimulant. Then there are astringent tannins that fight infections. The essential volatile oil of rosemary is attributed with the characteristic sharp, stimulating smell and it also contains many other active compounds including camphor and cineole (eucalyptol) and has excellent antibacterial property along with the ability to relax smooth muscles of the lungs. Rosemary’s expectorant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties are used extensively to treat bronchial, ear, nose and throat infections. Rosemary is particularly useful for tinnitus that is caused or worsened by high blood pressure and other circulatory conditions. Rosemary also acts as an invigorating herb, relieving depression and imparting a zest for life, preventing fatigue and stress which both affect tinnitus.

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Avena sativa - This is made from the wild oat plant and is a well known restorative and nerve tonic. Avena sativa is effective in reducing high cholesterol levels which can contribute to circulatory problems which cause tinnitus. This herb is also used to treat depression, low libido and lack of energy. Recent studies have suggested that it is also effective in reducing the craving for nicotine in people who are trying to quit smoking.

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Salicylic Ac. (30C) - This is a homeopathic remedy indicated for tinnitus with loud roaring or ringing sounds, which may be accompanied by deafness or vertigo. This remedy is particularly useful in people whose symptoms began with a bout of flu, Meniere’s disease or long-term use of aspirin. Because it is presented in homeopathic potency, Salicylic Ac. carries none of the negative side effects of pharmaceutical aspirin, yet offers excellent benefits.

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Ferrum phosphoricum (Ferrum phos. D6) is a homeopathic biochemic tissue salts which supports the absorption of iron in the body. The protective myelin sheath which surrounds all nerve tissue needs iron to supply this vital nutrient to the nerve cells it encases. Iron in hemoglobin also helps to keep all body tissue, including the brain, supplied with oxygen. Regular use of Ferrum phos. can help to prevent dizziness, headaches and restlessness and is of great benefit for those who tend to feel irritable, tense and tired.

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Magnesium phosphate (Mag. phos. D6) well-known as a homeopathic painkiller, Mag. phos. is also of great benefit to the health of the nerves. It acts as a natural anti-spasmodic and a nerve and muscle relaxant and is also frequently recommended for stress headaches

 

Herbal & homeopathic products recommended in tinnitus (ringing in the ears)

TinnaRex

Keeps ears healthy with clear and undisturbed hearing.

Product Details

Nerve Tonic

Promotes nervous system health, maintains balanced mood and worry free mind.

Product Details

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Helpful dietary recommendations in tinnitus (ringing in the ears)

A few things that you can do to alleviate your tinnitus symptoms with the help of your diet are by incorporating certain foods that contain the below mentioned vital minerals and vitamins that help in tinnitus in their own ways. These foods along with the herbal & homeopathic remedies discussed above, go a long away in alleviating tinnitus symptoms.

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Zinc – Zinc supplements have been used to treat people who had both tinnitus and hearing loss (usually age-related). But such large amounts of zinc should be monitored by a doctor. Your doctor can measure blood levels of zinc and if you are deficient in it, start taking a zinc rich diet immediately. Zinc is mostly found in foods such as dairy products, seafood (oysters), chicken, beef, egg, collards, spinach, papaya, Brussels, sprouts, asparagus, beans, cowpeas, prunes and cucumber.

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Vitamin B12 - People who are exposed to loud noise on the job and who subsequently develop tinnitus have been found to be generally deficient in Vitamin B12. Intramuscular injections of Vitamin B12 reduced the severity of tinnitus in some of these people. It is generally believed that a diet containing good amounts of this vitamin should help the sufferer in maintaining the status quo after getting treated by the injections. Foods that contain generous amount of it are liver, fish, milk, lean meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, fortified soya drink. Remember, folic acid supplements may hide deficiency of vitamin B12 and hence you better get yourself checked for its deficiency if your folate intake is good enough.

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The other important vitamins needed are A, B and E, which you can get easily if your diet is full of fresh fruits and vegetable. Also remember that proteins are what your body needs for cell building and repairing. So, your diet must definitely be protein rich.

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Avoid saturated fats as their consumption leads to you developing all kinds of circulatory problems and also high blood pressure. These in turn can initiate and definitely add up to your vows..

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Bring your salt, sugar and processed foods consumption under control. This helps in regulating blood pressure and prevents clogging of veins.

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Tea, coffee and alcohol also play around with your blood pressure. So decrease their consumption to basic minimum levels and see the difference for yourself.

Some most effective home made remedies for tinnitus are:

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Dried ginger powder - Mix jaggery and clarified butter with dried ginger powder, heat it and then eat it. It shall cure rustling noises in the ears.

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Sesame oil - To calm the ringing in the ears, ten drops of warm sesame oil can be applied daily to each ear. Pour oil in the first ear and allow it to remain for five or ten minutes, then let it drain out. Repeat the same procedure with the other ear, lying on the other side. Typically, this treatment should alleviate tinnitus within eight to ten days.

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Head massage and foot massage, wherein the soles of the feet are massaged with warm sesame oil, has a specific effect in reducing the noise in the ear. At bedtime, warm sesame oil should be applied to the soles of the feet and also to the scalp.

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Dos & don'ts (precautionary measures) in tinnitus (ringing in the ears)

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Earwax – Never remove earwax with a sharp object. This can cause a wax impaction against your eardrum which can cause tinnitus and you should consult your doctor about it and get it removed periodically.

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People who are exposed to loud noises at job should protect their ears by using earplugs or earmuffs. Also as a thumb rule, avoid too much exposure to loud noises, music, speakers, and professional activities which involve high frequency sounds. Even everyday noises, such as blow drying your hair or using a lawnmower, can require protection.

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Check your smoking as it not only raises your blood pressure but also provides enough contamination to your already troubled ear/ears increasing the chances of further infections.

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Control blood pressure. Take blood pressure medicines and other prescribed medications as they are ordered by your doctor.

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Avoid excess TV viewing, sitting in front of computers, or sleeping near an equipment emitting RF field.

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Utilize masking noise. Tinnitus is usually more bothersome when the surroundings are quiet, especially when you are in bed. A competing sound such as a ticking clock, a radio, a fan or white noise machine may help mask tinnitus. Small hearing aid like devices which generate a competitive sound may help reduce the awareness of the tinnitus. You may combine such maskers along with herbal & homeopathic remedies like TinnaRex for complete relief from tinnitus by attacking the bothersome symptoms from all corners.

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De-stress – You should consider relaxation techniques to conquer anxiety due to tinnitus. As tinnitus could be quite suffering, you need to first of all calm yourself to carry on with your normal, day to day life. A lot of biofeedback techniques and other therapies are on offer but yoga may help you a lot more.

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Herbal & homeopathic products recommended in tinnitus (ringing in the ears)

TinnaRex

Keeps ears healthy with clear and undisturbed hearing.

Product Details

Nerve Tonic

Promotes nervous system health, maintains balanced mood and worry free mind.

Product Details