Tinnitus is a ringing or buzzing in the ear. It is not a disease, but a symptom of underlying damage due to an injury or disorder, according to MayoClinic.com. These may include inner ear cell damage, hearing loss, allergies, medications, stress, certain diseases, blood vessel disorders or damage from loud noises. Treatment depends on the underlying cause, but medications may include antidepressants or benzodiazepines. Herbs may be effective in treating tinnitus without the side effects that drugs produce. It is important to consult a health care professional before starting herbal therapy.
Chinese Dogwood
Chinese dogwood, or Cornus officinalis, is a deciduous tree found throughout Korea, China and Japan. The fruit contains triterpenes, polysaccharides, tannins and glycosides, and is used to treat tinnitus, dizziness, fever, inflammatory disorders, night sweats, diarrhea and headache. A study published in the 2009 issue of the “American Journal of Chinese Medicine” tested an extract of the dried fruit on damaged auditory cells. Oxidative stress due to free radical damage can speed the progression of inner ear disease. The study found that ursolic acid, the main active ingredient, was a potent antioxidant. It revived some of the damaged cells, increased the survival rate of others and inhibited further free radical damage. This study validates the traditional use of Chinese dogwood for tinnitus, but clinical trials are needed to test the safety and dosage levels in humans.
Chinese Foxglove
Chinese foxglove, or Rehmannia glutinosa, is a perennial with red-purple, tube-like flowers that is cultivated for the medicinal properties of its roots. Chinese foxglove, also known as sheng di huang, is one of the fundamental herbs in traditional Chinese medicine and is used to treat tinnitus, hearing loss, inflammatory disorders, headache and dizziness. The roots are rich in flavonoids that have antioxidant action. A study reported in the 2006 issue of the “American Journal of Chinese Medicine” tested a root extract on mouse auditory hair cells. Damage to the auditory hair cells by noise or other agents is one cause of tinnitus, and generates free radicals that can harm cells and tissues. The study found the root extract reduced the oxidative stress on hair cells naturally, by activating antioxidant enzymes. This study explains the traditional use of Chinese foxglove as a treatment for tinnitus, but more studies are needed to determine the active antioxidant constituents and to determine the herb’s safety and efficacy in humans.
Er Long Zuo Ci Wan
Er Long Zuo Ci Wan, or Ear Ringing Friend, is a traditional Chinese medicine, or TCM, formula for tinnitus and hearing loss. In TCM, tinnitus is a sign of deficient kidney energy, so the formula treats the kidneys in order to heal tinnitus. The formula is listed in the Pharmacopoeia of China as a remedy to nourish the kidneys, and contains tree peony bark, Indian bread fungus, Chinese yam rhizome, water plantain rhizome, Chinese thorowax root, dogwood fruits, foxglove root and the mineral magnetite. According to the Traditional Chinese Medicine World Foundation, Er Long Zuo Ci Wan is one of two classic formulas for tinnitus and should be taken for several months to be effective. Studies are needed to confirm the traditional use of this formula for treating tinnitus.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Tinnitus
- “American Journal of Chinese Medicine”; Protective effect of ursolic acid from Cornus officinalis on the hydrogen peroxide-induced damage of HEI-OC1 auditory cells; Yu HH, et al.; 2009
- “American Journal of Chinese Medicine”; Rehmannia glutinosa activates intracellular antioxidant enzyme systems in mouse auditory cells; Yu HH, et al.; 2006
- Traditional Chinese Medicine World Foundation: Tinnitus
