According to the "Merck Medical Home Health Handbook," tinnitus is a symptom of either an injury, a blocked ear or an ear infection. Tinnitus can also be a symptom of ear damage or hearing loss. Ringing or buzzing in the ear, especially in quiet places, is a sign of tinnitus. Although it is important to receive an actual diagnosis of tinnitus from a physician, there are herbal remedies to help alleviate tinnitus symptoms and allow for normal daily activity. The herbs recommended should not be used as a substitution for actual diagnosis or treatment of tinnitus. The following is for informational purposes only.
Black Cohosh
According to The Merck Manual Home Health Handbook, tinnitus symptoms have been associated with blocked arteries or inflammation. The strained flow of blood can sound like pulsing or buzzing in the ear. Mark Goldstein, author of the book "Your Best Medicine," says that a daily dose of 20mg of black cohosh has been used to decrease tinnitus symptoms. The exact mechanism or properties of black cohosh, or why it works, is still not scientifically clear. However, black cohosh use as an anti-inflammatory could be due to its fukinolic acid, which reduces the amount of free radicals that can cause inflammation by producing elastase, an enzyme that breaks down proteins. Black cohosh also contains analgesic properties that can reduce the pain associated with tinnitus.
Ginger
Holly Phaneuf, Ph.D., author of the book "Herbs Demystified," writes that ginger has been used for thousands of years as a spice and fairly recently as a medicinal herb. Ginger is a pungent root full of volatile oils that quiet nausea and provide aspirin-like results, such as pain relief and aiding in blood flow. Ginger, much like black cohosh, relieves tinnitus symptoms associated with blocked or inflamed arteries. With its chemical structure resembling aspirin, ginger thins the blood and constricts blood vessels for proper movement of blood. Ginger also is made from prostaglandins that reduce swelling as well. Three grams to 10g of fresh ginger either chewed and eaten or made into a tea with hot water poured over the sliced ginger provide the best aspirin-like results.
Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo biloba, according to Heather Boon, author of "55 Most Common Medicinal Herbs", has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for decades and possibly centuries, as a vascular and tinnitus remedy. Ginkgo is full of flavonoids and organic compounds that appear to relax blood vessels and constrict abnormally dilated vessels. Ginkgo inhibits coagulation thrombofomtion, which may block arteries and blood vessels that attribute to the buzzing and pulsing sounds of tinnitus. Recommended dosage for an adult is 300mg daily in powder or pill form, and 40mg in extract or tincture form.
References
- The Merck Manual Home Health Handbook; Merck Research Laboratories; 2009
- "Your Best Medicine"; Mark A. Goldstein, M.D. et al.; 2008
- "Nutriceuticals: The Complete Encyclopedia of Supplements, Herbs"; Arthur Roberts, M.D, et al; 2001
- "PDR for Herbal Medicines"; Thomson Healthcare Inc.; 2007
- "55 Most Common Medicinal Herbs"; Heather Boon, BScPhm, Ph.D.; 2009
